Author: claimsbot

1. A method for performing one or more functions within a spreadsheet application program, the method comprising acts of:
accepting, within a first cell of a spreadsheet presented by the spreadsheet application program, a first portion of element project task data from a user, the first portion defining a first task within a project;
accepting, within a second cell of the spreadsheet, a second portion of element project task data from the user, the second portion defining a second task within the project; and
defining, within the interface of the spreadsheet application program, a dependency relationship between the first portion and second portion, the dependency relationship identifying a dependency between the first and second tasks.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of presenting, graphically within the interface of the spreadsheet application program, a representation of the first task of the project.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising an act of displaying a Gantt chart representation within the interface of the spreadsheet application program including the representation of the first task of the project.
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising an act of displaying, graphically within the interface of the spreadsheet application program, the dependency relationship identifying the dependency between the first and second tasks.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of adjusting, responsive to a change in time resolution from a user, a display of the first and second portions of data within the interface of the spreadsheet application program.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising acts of representing, in the interface of the spreadsheet application program, a Gantt chart representation of the project and adjusting, responsive to an entry of project data from a user, the Gantt chart representation.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cell of the spreadsheet exists within a first row of the spreadsheet, and wherein the first row of the spreadsheet includes information placed in one or more cells that describe the first task of the project.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of presenting, within the interface of the spreadsheet program a control, when executed, permits the user to define a resource associated with the first task.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising an act of permitting the user to input, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a total amount for the resource associated with the first task.
10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising an act of permitting the user to input, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, an average amount for the resource associated with the first task.
11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising an act of defining, responsive to the act of defining a total amount for the resource associated with the first task, a resource spread that defines a distribution of the resource over a period of the first task.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the resource spread is at least one of a predefined distribution and a user-defined distribution.
13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising an act of permitting the user to input, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a multiplication factor for the resource associated with the first task, wherein the multiplication factor is multiplied by a resource amount for the resource associated with the first task.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising an act of permitting the user to selectively view, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, either a raw data view of the resource associated with the first task or a factored view that includes the multiplication factor multiplied by the resource amount.
15. The method according to claim 8, further comprising an act of presenting, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a representation of a distribution of the defined resource over a period of time.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising an act of presenting, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a control that, when executed, permits the user to adjust a resolution of time, and, responsive to an adjustment in resolution, modifies the representation of the distribution of the defined resource over time.
17. A system that performs one or more functions within a spreadsheet application program, the system comprising:
a component adapted to accept, within a first cell of a spreadsheet presented by the spreadsheet application program, a first portion of element project task data from a user, the first portion defining a first task within a project;
a component adapted to accept, within a second cell of the spreadsheet, a second portion of element project task data from the user, the second portion defining a second task within the project; and
a component configured to define, within the interface of the spreadsheet application program, a dependency relationship between the first portion and second portion, the dependency relationship identifying a dependency between the first and second tasks.
18. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a component adapted to present, graphically within the interface of the spreadsheet application program, a representation of the first task of the project.
19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a component adapted to display a Gantt chart representation within the interface of the spreadsheet application program including the representation of the first task of the project.
20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a component adapted to display, graphically within the interface of the spreadsheet application program, the dependency relationship identifying the dependency between the first and second tasks.
21. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a component adapted to adjust, responsive to a change in time resolution from a user, a display of the first and second portions of data within the interface of the spreadsheet application program.
22. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a component adapted to represent, in the interface of the spreadsheet application program, a Gantt chart representation of the project and a component adapted to adjust, responsive to an entry of project data from a user, the Gantt chart representation.
23. The system according to claim 17, wherein the first cell of the spreadsheet exists within a first row of the spreadsheet, and wherein the first row of the spreadsheet includes information placed in one or more cells that describe the first task of the project.
24. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a component adapted to present, within the interface of the spreadsheet program a control, when executed, permits the user to define a resource associated with the first task.
25. The system according to claim 24, further comprising a component adapted to permit the user to input, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a total amount for the resource associated with the first task.
26. The system according to claim 24, further comprising a component adapted to permit the user to input, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, an average amount for the resource associated with the first task.
27. The system according to claim 25, further comprising a component adapted to define, responsive to the act of defining a total amount for the resource associated with the first task, a resource spread that defines a distribution of the resource over a period of the first task.
28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the resource spread is at least one of a predefined distribution and a user-defined distribution.
29. The system according to claim 24, further comprising a component adapted to permit the user to input, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a multiplication factor for the resource associated with the first task, wherein the multiplication factor is multiplied by a resource amount for the resource associated with the first task.
30. The system according to claim 29, further comprising a component adapted to permit the user to selectively view, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, either a raw data view of the resource associated with the first task or a factored view that includes the multiplication factor multiplied by the resource amount.
31. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a component adapted to present, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a representation of a distribution of the defined resource over a period of time.
32. The system according to claim 31, further comprising a component adapted to present, within the interface of the spreadsheet program, a control that, when executed, permits the user to adjust a resolution of time, and, responsive to an adjustment in resolution, modifies the representation of the distribution of the defined resource over time.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A training apparatus for improving a golfer’s golf swing, comprising:
a support structure; and
a set of rails supported by the support structure, the set of rails including:
at least two hand rails describing a hand space therebetween, the hand space defining an appropriate trajectory through which the golfer’s hands should travel to achieve a desired golf swing, the hand rails for inducing the golfer to move the golfer’s hands within the hand space and for constraining lateral deviation of the golfer’s hands from the appropriate trajectory throughout at least a portion of the golf swing; and
at least two shaft rails describing a golf club shaft space therebetween, the golf club shaft space having an appropriate trajectory through which the golfer’s golf club shaft should travel to achieve a desired golf swing, the shaft rails for inducing the golfer to move a golf club shaft within the golf club shaft space and for constraining lateral deviation of the golf club shaft from the appropriate trajectory throughout at least a portion of the golf swing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein elevation of the set of rails to a height above the ground is adjustable.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of: the hand rails, and the shaft rails has an adjustable length to increase or decrease the length of the portion of the desired swing that is constrained thereby.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance separating the hand rails can be adjusted to vary the constraint on the lateral deviation of the golfer’s hands from the appropriate trajectory.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the angle of orientation of the set of rails to alter the plane of the desired golf swing.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for adjusting are one or more hinges each permitting adjustment of the angle of orientation of the set of rails about a different orthogonal dimension.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for adjusting is a ball and socket joint permitting adjustment of the angle of orientation of the set of rails about three orthogonal dimensions.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the hand rails and the shaft rails are coupled together at the distal end of the set of rails;
the hand rails and shaft rails follow substantially the same trajectories; and
the shaft rails extend further from the golfers body than the hand rails.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a bumper connects the distal ends of the shaft rails together, to define a distal end to the golf club shaft space and to induce a golfer to avoid extending a golf club past the distal ends of the shaft rails during a backswing portion of the desired golf swing.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the set of rails is configured to permit the golf club shaft to travel farther than the golfers hands during the backswing portion of the desired golf swing.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the shaft rails protrude beyond a point where they are coupled with the hand rails to permit the golf club shaft to travel farther than the golfers hands during the backswing portion of the desired golf swing.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a distance separating the shaft rails can be adjusted to vary the constraint on the lateral deviation of the golf club shaft from the appropriate trajectory.
13. A method for improving a golfer’s swing of a golf club, said method comprising:
swinging the golf club while concurrently:
inducing the golfer to move the golfer’s hands within a hand space defined by a distance of separation between at least two handrails, the hand space describing an appropriate trajectory through which the golfer’s hands should travel to achieve an improved golf swing, the hand rails constraining lateral deviation of the golfer’s hands from the appropriate trajectory throughout at least a portion of the golf swing; and
inducing the golfer to move the golf club’s shaft within the golf club shaft space, the golf club shaft space defined by a distance of separation between at least two shaft rails, the club shaft space describing an appropriate trajectory through which the golf club shaft should travel to achieve a desired golf swing, the shaft rails constraining lateral deviation of the golf club shaft from the appropriate trajectory throughout at least a portion of the golf swing.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising elevating the hand rails and the shaft rails to a height above the ground appropriate to achieving the desired swing in view of the golfer’s stature.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising adjusting lengths of the hand rails and the shaft rails to determine the portion of the desired swing that is to be constrained by the rails.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting a distance separating the hand rails to determine a degree of constraint on the lateral deviation of the golfer’s hands from the appropriate trajectory during a swing.
17. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting a distance separating the shaft rails to determine a degree of constraint on the lateral deviation of the golf club shaft from the appropriate trajectory during a swing.
18. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting an angle of orientation of the hand and shaft rails to establish an appropriate plane for the desired golf swing.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said adjusting the angle of orientation is accomplished using one or more hinges each permitting adjustment of the angle of orientation of the hand and shaft rails about a different orthogonal dimension.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said adjusting the angle of orientation is established using a ball and socket joint permitting adjustment of the angle of orientation of the hand and shaft rails about three orthogonal dimensions.
21. The method of claim 13 further comprising inducing the golfer to avoid extending the golf club past the distal ends of the shaft rails during a backswing portion of the desired swing.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising:
a flexible hollow tube having a sample port in a wall of said tube, said sample port positioned toward a distal end of said tube and having a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size;
a moveable helical cutting element within the tube, wherein the helical cutting element is configured to sever and hold multiple biopsy samples in an order of which they are severed;
means for moving the helical cutting element along the longitudinal axis of the tube into cutting alignment with the sample port;
a removable seal at the distal end of said tube; and
a vacuum port at the proximal end of the tube communicating with an interior of said tube whereby the sample is drawn through the port into the interior of the tube.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent coils of the helical cutting element is at least equal to the longitudinal diameter of said sample port.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the space between successive coils of the helical cutting element define sample receiving areas of said helical cutting element.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical cutting element has a sharp leading edge.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of the helical cutting element is slightly less than the diameter of the sample port.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the leading edge is sharp at intervals.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the helical cutting element comprises a plunger.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the tube is adapted for insertion into a body cavity through an endoscopic biopsy channel.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical cutting element is activated by a monopolar current device.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein the activated helical cutting element cuts and coagulates the biopsy sample.
11. A device for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising:
a flexible hollow tube having a sample port in the wall of said tube, said sample port having a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size;
a moveable electrically conductive helical element extending within the tube;
a monopolar current device in communication with the helical element;
a means for moving the helical element along the tube;
a removable seal at the distal end of the tube; and
a vacuum port on the tube wherein the vacuum port is configured to communicate with a vacuum source wherein the biopsy sample is drawn into the tube through the sample port.
12. A method for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a flexible hollow tube having a side port of a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size; a moveable helical cutting element extending within the tube; a means for moving the helical cutting element along the tube; a removable seal secured to the tube; and a vacuum port on the tube, wherein the vacuum port is configured to communicate with a vacuum source;
(b) inserting the flexible hollow tube through an endoscopic biopsy channel that is placed in a body cavity;
(c) positioning the tube such that the sample port is proximal to the biopsy sample;
(d) applying a suction from the vacuum source wherein the suction draws the biopsy sample through the sample port into the tube;
(e) advancing the helical cutting element along the tube until the biopsy sample is obtained; and
(f) repositioning the device for obtaining subsequent biopsy samples.
13. A method for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a flexible hollow tube having a side port of a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size; a moveable helical electrically conductive element extending within the tube, wherein the element is in communication with a monopolar current device;a means for moving the helical conductive element along the tube; a removable seal secured to the tube; and a vacuum port on the tube, wherein the vacuum port is configured to communicate with a vacuum source;
(b) inserting the flexible hollow tube through an endoscopic biopsy channel that is placed in a body cavity;
(c) positioning the tube such that the port is proximal to the biopsy sample;
(d) applying a suction from the vacuum source wherein the suction draws the biopsy sample through the side port and into the tube;
(e) sending an electrical current through the helical conductive element to sever the biopsy sample;
(f) advancing the helical conductive element in a forward motion until the biopsy sample is obtained; and
(g) repositioning the device for severing subsequent biopsy samples.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A gas sensor on a semiconductor substrate, the gas sensor comprising:
an elongate sensor element extending across an opening and having first and second opposed surfaces exposed for contact with a gas to be sensed, wherein the first surface faces away from a major surface of the substrate, wherein the second surface faces toward said major surface, and wherein an electrical conductivity of the elongate sensor element is sensitive to at least one of a composition and a concentration of said gas to be sensed; and
a support structure directly exposed to the opening, and attached to the first surface of the sensor element at regular intervals over the opening, such that over the opening the sensor element is not continuously attached to the support structure, wherein a majority of the first surface of the sensor element remains available for gas contact while attached to the support structure.
2. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least one elongate strut extending across the opening.
3. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongate sensor element is arranged in a meander line.
4. The gas sensor of claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises at least one elongate strut extending across the opening and wherein the at least one elongate strut extends substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the meander line.
5. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein at least part of the support structure extends outwardly from the substrate to support the sensor element at the first surface.
6. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is suspended from the support structure above the semiconductor substrate.
7. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a patterned layer on the semiconductor substrate.
8. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises any of SiC, SiN, SiO2, Si, GeO2, GeN and a polymer.
9. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is metallic.
10. The gas sensor of claim 9, wherein the sensor element comprises one of Cu, Al, W, WC, TiN, TaN, Ti, Ta, Pt, Ag and Au.
11. A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of sensors integrated in one of a semiconductor die and a package, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises the gas sensor according to claim 1.
12. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured for use in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
13. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured for use in a mobile communications device.
14. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
15. A gas sensor on a semiconductor substrate, the gas sensor comprising:
an elongate sensor element extending across an opening and having first and second opposed surfaces exposed for contact with a gas to be sensed, wherein the first surface faces away from a major surface of the substrate, wherein the second surface faces toward said major surface, and wherein an electrical conductivity of the elongate sensor element is sensitive to at least one of a composition and a concentration of said gas to be sensed; and
a support structure attached to the second surface of the sensor element and extending outwardly from the substrate towards the second surface, such that over the opening the sensor element is not continuously attached to the support structure, wherein a majority of the second surface of the sensor element remains available for gas contact while attached to the support structure.