Author: claimsbot

1. An image relay optical system comprising:
an optical coupling member that is monolithically formed of a light transmissive material and on which image light is made incident; and
a light guide member that is formed of a light transmissive material and guides the image light from the optical coupling member and emits the image light to an outside, wherein
the optical coupling member includes at least a first light incident surface, a coupling member reflecting surface, and a first light emitting surface in order of incidence of the image light,
at least one of the first light incident surface, the coupling member reflecting surface, and the first light emitting surface is a curved surface,
the light guide member includes at least a second light incident surface, first and second total reflecting surfaces opposed to and extending in parallel to each other, a light guide member reflecting surface, and a second light emitting surface, in order of incidence of the image light,
the light guide member reflecting surface is a curved surface,
the light guide member reflecting surface being a concave spherical surface with respect to the outside and bending the image lights while converting the image lights into parallel beams,

the second light emitting surface is a flat surface,
the light guide member reflecting surface of the light guide member is a semi-transmissive mirror,
the image relay optical system includes a light transmitting member that includes a curved surface joined to the semi-transmissive minor and makes it possible to see an external image through the second light emitting surface and the light guide member reflecting surface,
the light transmitting member has a refractive index that is the same as a refractive index of the light guide member, and
after the image light enters the first light incident surface, the image light is internally reflected only in the optical coupling member before being emitted to the light guide member by the first light emitting surface.
2. The image relay optical system according to claim 1, wherein
the coupling member reflecting surface is a total reflection minor that reflects most of the image light, and
the light guide member reflecting surface is a concave convergent surface that converts the image light in the light guide member into parallel beams.
3. The image relay optical system according to claim 2, wherein
in the optical coupling member, the first light incident surface is a surface functioning as a total reflecting surface, the coupling member reflecting surface is a concave convergent surface, and the first light emitting surface is a convex convergent surface, and
in the light guide member, the second light incident surface is a convex convergent surface.
4. The image relay optical system according to claim 2, wherein
in the optical coupling member, the first light incident surface is a convex convergent surface, the coupling member reflecting surface is a concave convergent surface, and the first light emitting surface is a convex convergent surface, and
in the light guide member, the second light incident surface is a convex convergent surface.
5. The image relay optical system according to claim 2, wherein
in the optical coupling member, the first light incident surface is a convex convergent surface, the coupling member reflecting surface is a concave convergent surface, and the first light emitting surface is a convex convergent surface,
in the light guide member, the second light incident surface is a surface functioning as a first total reflecting surface, the light guide member including a total reflection opposed reflecting surface that includes a concave convergent surface opposed to the second light incident surface and reflects the image light from the second light incident surface to the first total reflecting surface, and
the image relay optical system includes a convergent lens arranged between the first light emitting surface of the optical coupling member and the second light incident surface of the light guide member.
6. The image relay optical system according to claim 2, wherein
in the optical coupling member, the first light incident surface is a surface functioning as a total reflecting surface, the coupling member reflecting surface is a total reflection concave convergent surface, and the first light emitting surface is a convex convergent surface,
in the light guide member, the second light incident surface is a convex convergent surface, and
the image relay optical system includes a convergent lens arranged to be opposed to the first light incident surface of the optical coupling member.
7. The image relay optical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a refractive index and dispersion of the optical coupling member is different from a refractive index and dispersion of the light guide member.
8. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 1; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
9. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 2; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
10. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 3; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
11. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 4; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
12. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 5; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
13. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 6; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
14. A virtual image display device comprising:
the image relay optical system according to claim 7; and
an image forming device that forms the image light guided by the image relay optical system.
15. The image relay optical system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the first light emitting surface is refracted at a different angle than the refraction of light entering the second light incident surface.

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

What is claimed is:

1. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including-remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from data developed by said terminal apparatus said interface means further including a consumable key test means to qualify callers with respect to limited use;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller; and
means connected to said interface means for processing said statistical data as to isolate a subset of said individual callers.
2. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signals representative of identification and statistical data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing data relating to specific of said callers;
means coupled to said interface means and said record means for assigning individual designations to callers and storing said designations in said record means, said designations including representations indicative of the calling order sequence of said individual callers; and
means connected to said record means for processing statistical data as to identify a subset of said individual callers.
3. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signals representative of identification and statistical data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller; and
manual terminal means for use by a person to communicate directly with at least one of said individual callers, said manual terminal means being coupled to said interface means and responsive to predetermined conditions to couple said manual terminal means to a caller terminal.
4. A system according to claim 3 further including means connected to said interface means for processing said statistical data as to isolate a subset of said individual callers and thereby actuate said manual terminal means.
5. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signals representative of identification and statistical data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus;
means coupled to said interface means and said record means for assigning individual designations to callers and storing said designations in said record means; and
means for recalling data stored in said record means in response to said individual designations.
6. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signals representative of identification and statistical data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus;
means coupled to said interface means and said record means for assigning individual designations to callers and storing said designations in said record means, said designations including representations of the telephone number of the terminal apparatus used by a caller; and
means connected to said record means for processing statistical data as to identify a subset of said individual callers.
7. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signals representative of identification and statistical data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus; and
means coupled to said interface means and said record means for assigning individual designations to callers and storing said designations in said record means, said designations including an encrypted representation of said data developed by said terminal apparatus.
8. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data and wherein said facility may provide calling terminal digital signals to a called station representative of a remote calling terminal, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
analysis means connected for processing data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing; and
call data analyzer structure for modifying said data from a plurality of callers under control of said terminal digital signals.
9. A control system according to claim 8 further including record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing said terminal digital signals as identification at least in part for a caller.
10. A control system according to claim 8 further including switch means whereby passage of said data from a plurality of callers to said analysis means is controlled by said terminal digital signals.
11. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data and wherein said facility may provide called terminal digital signals to a called station representative of the called station, said control system comprising:
interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination and in accordance with a plurality of distinct formats to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing; and
means for actuating one of said distinct formats in accordance with said called terminal digital signals.
12. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
coupling structure including a plurality of interface units each capable of accommodating a plurality of communication paths coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means in said interface means coupled for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical digital data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus; and
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing.
13. A system according to claim 12 further including means for queuing said remote stations to said coupling means whereas to sequence interface communications.
14. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
analysis means connected for processing data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing; and
qualification means for qualifying access from said remote terminal apparatus to said analysis means.
15. A system according to claim 14 wherein said qualification means comprises means for limiting access from a remote terminal to said analysis means on the basis of accesses per interval of time.
16. A system according to claim 14 wherein said qualification means comprises means for limiting access from a remote terminal to said analysis means under control of said signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus.
17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said qualification means includes a look-up table.
18. A system according to claim 16 wherein said qualification means includes a use-rate calculator.
19. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller; and
analysis means connected for processing data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing including a display structure for visually displaying data regarding said select subset.
20. A system according to claim 19 further including a printer.
21. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
a sequencer for developing sequence data signals as identification data;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical digital data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus; and
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing.
22. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
a qualification unit for developing qualification data signals as identification data;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical digital data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus; and
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing.
23. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
a designation unit for developing designation data signals as identification data consisting of at least two data elements;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical digital data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus; and
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing.
24. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
a sequencer for developing sequence data signals as identification data;
a qualification unit for developing qualification data signals as identification data;
a designation unit for developing designation data signals as identification data;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical digital data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus; and
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing.
25. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
record means connected to said interface means for initiating a file and storing identification data and statistical digital data for specific callers including data developed by said terminal apparatus;
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing; and
a qualification unit for controlling access of callers to said analysis means in accordance with the content of said record means.
26. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller;
a designation unit for developing designation data signals as identification data and including an encryptor; and
analysis means connected to said record means for processing said statistical data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing.
27. A statistical analysis system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said control system comprising:
interface structure coupled to said communication facility to interface said terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication and including means to provide signal values from signals representative of data developed by said terminal apparatus;
voice generator means coupled through said interface means for actuating said terminal apparatus as to provide vocal operating instructions to an individual caller; and
analysis means connected for processing data from a plurality of callers in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers by interrelated processing including a random number generator for selecting said subset.
28. A process for statistical analysis of data for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, wherein said remote terminal apparatus may comprise a conventional telephone instrument including voice communication means and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification and statistical data, said process including the steps of:
interfacing said communication facility to provide voice signals and receive digital identification and answer signals representative respectively of identification data and answer data developed by said terminal apparatus under control of said caller;
generating voice signals and supplying said voice signals to actuate said terminal apparatus, as to provide vocal operating instructions to a caller;
providing sequence signals representative of sequence data indicating the time sequence of a call with reference to the calls from other callers;
qualifying callers based on said digital identification signals;
designating callers based on said digital identification signals;
initiating files and storing data from qualified callers including, (1) answer data for specific callers as indicated by said answer signals, (2) sequence data as indicated by said sequence signals and (3) identification data as indicated by said identification signals;
providing external data signals representative of external data distinct from said answer data provided from said callers; and
comparing said answer data from said callers and analyzing said answer data with said external data in combination to isolate a select subset of said callers.

1. A computer implemented method of federating communications between a first network and a second network, wherein the first network uses a Short Message Service (SMS) format and the second network uses an instant messaging (IM) format, the method comprising:
receiving, at an SMS gateway, a message from the first network and formatted in the SMS format;
converting, at the SMS gateway, the message from the SMS format to a unified format;
sending the message formatted in the unified format to the second network;
determining, at the second network after receiving the message formatted in the unified format, whether an IM client of a user is currently online on the second network;
in response to determining that the IM client of the user is currently online on the second network:
converting, at the second network, the message formatted in the unified format to the IM format; and
sending the message in the IM format to the IM client of the user on the second network, wherein the sending of the message in the IM format comprises:
querying a database to receive an identifier associated with the user, wherein the identifier comprises at least one of an IM username and an SMS capable telephone number; and
sending the message in the IM format according to the identifier; and
in response to determining that the IM client of the user is not currently online on the second network:
selecting, at the second network, a phone number associated with the user;
returning, to the SMS gateway, the message formatted in the unified format;
converting, at the SMS gateway, the message from the unified format to the SMS format; and
sending, from the SMS gateway, the message formatted in the SMS format to the first network using the selected phone number.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unified format comprises at least one of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a source address, a destination address, and text.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether to federate the message between the first network and the second network, wherein the determining whether to federate the message comprises querying a database for information regarding the availability of the second network to receive the message and the location of the second network.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining whether to federate the message is made at the SMS gateway.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the message formatted in the unified format to the second network comprises:
selecting the second network from a plurality of networks each having a message format; and
sending the message formatted in the unified format to the second network based on the selecting of the second network.
7. A computer implemented method of federating communications between a first network and a second network, wherein the first network uses a Short Message Service (SMS) format and the second network uses an instant messaging (IM) format, the method comprising:
receiving, at an SMS gateway, a message from the first network and formatted in the SMS format;
determining, at the SMS gateway, whether an IM client of a user is currently online on the second network;
in response to determining that the IM client of the user is not currently online on the second network, forwarding the message formatted in the SMS format to the user; and
in response to determining that the IM client of the user is currently online on the second network:
converting, at the SMS gateway, the message from the SMS format to a unified format;
sending the message formatted in the unified format to the second network;
converting, at the second network, the message formatted in the unified format to the IM format; and
sending the message in the IM format to the IM client of the user on the second network, wherein the sending of the message in the IM format comprises:
querying a database to receive an identifier associated with the user, wherein the identifier comprises at least one of an IM username and an SMS capable telephone number; and
sending the message in the IM format according to the identifier.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the unified format comprises at least one of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the message comprises a source address, a destination address, and text.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining whether to federate the message between the first network and the second network, wherein the determination comprises querying a database for information regarding the availability of the second network to receive the message and the location of the second network.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the determination is made at the SMS gateway.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein sending the message formatted in the unified format to the second network comprises:
selecting the second network from a plurality of networks each having a message format; and
sending the message formatted in the unified format to the second network based on the selecting of the second network.
13. A system for federating the communication of a message between a Short Message Services (SMS) communications network operating using an SMS message format and an instant messaging (IM) communications network operating using an IM message format, wherein the SMS communications network and the IM communications network are not in direct communication, the system comprising:
a gateway in communication with both the SMS communications network and a federation interface, wherein the gateway is configured to:
convert messages received from the SMS communications network in the SMS message format to a unified message format and transmit the converted message over a third communications network to the federation interface; and
convert messages received over the third communications network from the federation interface in the unified message format to the SMS message format and transmit the converted message to the SMS communications network; and

wherein the federation interface is in communication with both the IM communications network and the gateway and the federation interface is configured to:
convert messages received over the third communications network from the gateway in the unified message format to the IM message format and transmit the converted message over the IM communications network; and
convert messages received over the IM communications network in the IM message format to the unified message format and transmit the converted message over the third communications network to the gateway; and

wherein the system further comprises a server hosting a database storing a listing of users on the IM communications network, the listing comprising at least one entry, the at least one entry comprising an IM username, a telephone number, and an indication of whether a user corresponding to the at least one entry may receive IM messages converted from SMS messages.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the unified message format comprises at least one of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the message comprises a source address, a destination address, and text.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the gateway is further configured to determine whether to federate a message sent on the SMS network to the IM communications network according to the destination address.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of federation interfaces, wherein the gateway is configured to:
compare the destination address to a corresponding database entry;
determine a destination federation interface; and
convert the message received from the SMS communications network in the SMS message format to the unified message format and transmit the converted message to the destination federation interface.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmitting of the converted message to the destination federation interface comprises at least one of:
sending the message according to the indication of whether the database entry may receive IM messages; or
converting the message back to the SMS message format and sending the message on the SMS communications network.

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. An ultrasonic transducer fabrication method using a micromachining technique, comprising the steps of:
depositing a conductive material on an insulating layer on a surface of a substrate, partially etching the conductive material, and thereby forming lower electrodes;
depositing an insulating material so as to cover the lower electrodes and the insulating layer and thereby forming a first insulating layer;
depositing a sacrificial material on the first insulating layer, performing etching, and thereby creating two or more cavities and a channel-shaped sacrificial layer which communicates the cavities with each other;
depositing an insulating material on the first insulating layer and the sacrificial layer and thereby forming a second insulating layer;
partially etching the second insulating layer formed on the channel-shaped sacrificial layer and thereby forming holes;
etching and removing the sacrificial layer through the holes and thereby forming the cavities and the channels;
depositing a conductive material on the second insulating layer by a vacuum evaporation or a sputtering process so as to plug the holes, thereby forming a conductive film;
partially etching the conductive film and thereby forming upper electrodes and sealing portions which plug the holes; and
forming a protective film on the second insulating layer using a protective material so as to cover the upper electrodes and the sealing portions.
2. The ultrasonic transducer fabrication method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of depositing an insulating material on the conductive material, partially etching the insulating material, and thereby forming the upper electrodes covered from above by a third insulating layer and the sealing portions covered from above by an insulating film after the step of depositing the conductive material on the second insulating layer, by the vacuum evaporation or the sputtering process so as to plug the holes.
3. The ultrasonic transducer fabrication method according to claim 2, wherein the third insulating layer and the insulating film are formed of the insulating material by the chemical vapor deposition.
4. The ultrasonic transducer fabrication method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of further depositing a conductive material by Chemical Vapor Deposition to form another conductive film after depositing the conductive material by the sputtering process or the vacuum evaporation.