Author: claimsbot

1. A system, comprising:
a router coupled to a shared network;
a remote device in communication with the router; and
a virtual device relay in communication with the router and the shared network.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a server, in which the server hosts, in a virtualized environment, the router and the virtual device relay.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an appliance in communication with the virtual device relay.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a broker coupled with the remote device, in which the broker authenticates the remote device for communicating with the virtual device relay through the router.
5. The system of claim 4, in which the virtual device relay is a member of a first community-of-interest and the appliance is a member of the first community-of-interest.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a second virtual device relay, in which the second virtual device relay is a member of a second community-of-interest.
7. The system of claim 1, in which the virtual device relay is configured to receive data from the remote device and transmit the data to the shared network.
8. An apparatus, comprising
a server configured to execute virtualized appliances, in which the virtualized appliances comprise:
a virtual device relay; and
a router in communication with the virtual device relay.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, in which the router is configured to relay data received from a remote device to the virtual device relay.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, in which the router is configured to relay data to the virtual device relay over a clear-text network.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, in which the server is configured to execute the virtual device relay in a first Linux host.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, in which the server is further configured to execute a service in a second Linux host, in which the virtual device relay relays data received from the remote device to the service, in which the service is a web site.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, in which the virtual device relay relays data to the service over a shared network.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, in which the first Linux host and the second Linux host are members of a common community-of-interest.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, in which the server is further configured to execute a second virtual device relay in a second Linux host.
16. A method, comprising:
receiving an incoming connection from a remote device;
starting a virtual machine host on a shared network, the virtual machine host executing a virtual device relay;
receiving data from the remote device; and
relaying the data from the virtual device relay to a device on the shared network.
17. The method of claim 16, in which the step of receiving the incoming connection comprises receiving authorization information.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising assigning a community-of-interest to the virtual device relay based, in part, on the authorization information.
19. The method of claim 18, in which the step of relaying the data to the device comprises relaying the data to a virtual host, in which the virtual host hosts a web site.
20. The method of claim 16, in which the step of receiving the incoming connection comprises receiving the incoming connection through a router.

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 method for grinding a wafer to form a concave on a rear surface thereof, the wafer having on its front surface a device region defining a plurality of devices therein and an outer excess region surrounding the device region, by employing a grinding apparatus including a chuck table for holding the wafer rotatably and a grinder having a rotatable grindstone, the method comprising the steps of:
disposing an unevenness absorbing pad between the chuck table and the device region of the wafer for absorbing unevenness of the device region, and
causing the wafer held by the chuck table to be rotated and ground, while having the grindstone kept in contact with the rear surface of the wafer at center of rotation of the wafer, and out of contact with a portion of its rear surface opposite from the outer excess region, thereby forming a concavity in the portion of the rear surface of the wafer opposite from the device region, and forming an annular reinforcing portion including the outer excess region around the concavity.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness absorbing pad has a porous resin sheet.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the porous resin sheet is of polyethylene.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the unevenness-absorbing pad further includes a non-porous sheet laminated on the porous resin sheet.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness absorbing pad has an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof for bonding it to the wafer.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive layer is formed only in the portion of the unevenness absorbing pad corresponding to the outer excess region of the wafer.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness-absorbing pad rests on the chuck table and the wafer rests on the unevenness-absorbing pad.
8. An unevenness-absorbing pad comprising a porous resin sheet having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof for bonding it to a wafer.
9. An unevenness-absorbing pad according to claim 8, it further including a non-porous sheet laminated on the porous resin sheet.
10. An unevenness absorbing pad according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer is formed only in a portion of the pad corresponding to an outer excess region of the wafer.
11. An unevenness-absorbing pad according to claim 8, wherein the porous resin sheet is of polyethylene.
12. A method according to claim 2, wherein the unevenness-absorbing pad rests on the chuck table and the wafer rests on the unevenness-absorbing pad.
13. A method according to claim 3, wherein the unevenness-absorbing pad rests on the chuck table and the wafer rests on the unevenness-absorbing pad.
14. An unevenness absorbing pad according to claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer is formed only in a portion of the pad corresponding to an outer excess region of the wafer.

1. A droplet discharge device comprising:
a droplet discharger that moves above and relative to a plurality of discharge-target regions formed on a substrate and discharges a droplet of a liquid substance on the discharge-target region;
a liquid substance heater that heats the liquid substance in the droplet discharger; and
a substrate temperature controller that sets the absolute value of an amount of heat transferred to a vicinity of an outer periphery of the substrate larger than the absolute value of an amount of heat transferred to a vicinity of a center position of the substrate.
2. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate temperature controller heats the substrate so as to set the temperature of the vicinity of the outer periphery of the substrate higher than the temperature of the vicinity of the center position of the substrate.
3. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate temperature controller provides the substrate with a temperature gradient along a relative movement direction of the droplet discharger in advance so that heat transferred from the droplet discharger to the substrate is cancelled at the discharge-target region facing the droplet discharger.
4. A droplet discharge device comprising:
a droplet discharger that moves above and relative to a plurality of discharge-target regions formed on a substrate and discharges a droplet of a liquid substance on the discharge-target region;
a liquid substance heater that heats the liquid substance in the droplet discharger; and
a substrate temperature controller that provides the substrate with a temperature gradient along a relative movement direction of the droplet discharger in advance so that heat transferred from the droplet discharger to the substrate is cancelled at the discharge-target region facing the droplet discharger.
5. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate temperature controller includes a heater for heating the substrate.
6. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate temperature controller includes a substrate stage on which the substrate is placed so that the substrate is allowed to move relative to the droplet discharger.
7. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid substance is a liquid crystal.
8. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display, comprising:
discharging a liquid crystal on either one of an element substrate and a counter substrate with use of the droplet discharge device according to claim 7; and
sealing the discharged liquid crystal in a gap between the element substrate and the counter substrate.
9. A liquid crystal display manufactured by the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 8.

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 product distribution and return system, comprising:
a vending machine configured to dispense media products;
a product dispersed from the vending machine in one location, the product being one of said media products;
a return mailer dispersed with the product, wherein the return mailer is also a product case, the product returnable in the return mailer to a return center, the return center being in another location, and
a label comprising an address of the return center and having an amount of postage sufficient to mail the product to the return center;
a database with information associated with the product,
wherein said label is configured for being attached to the return mailer for returning the product tot the return center or alternatively being attached to a second return mailer if the product is not returned to the return center;
wherein a transaction identifier alerts the return center that the pre-paid package is returned;
wherein a product rental fee is defined in a set of product rental terms, further wherein the product rental fee includes fees for non-compliance with the product rental terms;
wherein the return center determines compliance or non-compliance with the product rental terms, further wherein an additional charge is posted to a consumer account or a future credit to a consumer account is canceled for non-compliance with the product rental terms;
wherein the product rental terms include terms related to a specified return date and product condition; and
wherein the database contains information specifying at least four of the product rental terms selected from the group consisting of transaction identifier, product title, product dispense date, specified return date, product condition, product rental fee and product purchase price.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller containing the database with information on the product, the controller connected to the vending machine and to the return center with transmission links.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the media product is selected form the group consisting of DVDs, CDs, videotapes, software media and audio tapes.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the product is rented using a transaction card.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the vending machine is located in a location selected from the groups consisting of an airport, a railroad station, a bus station, a subway, a store and a hotel.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the product is obtained in a first location, used in a second location and deposited in a collection box in a third location.
7. The system of claim 2 further comprising a service agent facility having an automated service agent, the automated service agent having means for accessing the database.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising instructions issued by the controller to the return center and to the service agent facility, the instructions providing information on inventory management.
9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transaction identifier on the return mailer.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the transaction identifier is a scannable code.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the return mailer has prepaid postage and is pre-addressed to the return center.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the product is not returned to the return center.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the database contains information comprising a transaction identifier, product title, product dispense date, specified return date, product condition, product rental fee and product purchase price.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the return center determines compliance with the specified return date by noting the actual return date and comparing the actual return date with the specified return date in the database.
15. A method of doing business, comprising:
providing a vending machine configured to dispense media products;
providing a media product for rent at the vending machine in one location;
dispensing the media product from the vending machine, the media product being dispensed with a return mailer, wherein the return mailer is configured as a product case;
requesting return of the media product in the return mailer to a return center located in a location other than said one location within a period of time, the return mailer depositable with a third-party delivery service;
updating the database of on the return of the media through electronic notification;
tracking the return of the media to at the return center;
storing information about the media product rental terms in a database; and
providing a label comprising an address of the return center and having an amount of postage sufficient for the third-party delivery service to return the product to the return center;
wherein said label is configured for being attached to the return mailer upon returning the product to the return center or alternatively for being attached to another return mailer if the product is not returned to the return center; and
wherein the database contains at least four of the media product rental terms selected form the group consisting of a transition identifier, product title, rental date, specified return date, product condition, product rental fee and product purchase price.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein a unique code identifies the media product, rental location and the rental date.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising storing information about the media product, rental location and rental date in the database.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising issuing credit or canceling additional charges depending on product condition and product return date.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the return center activity comprises:
opening the return mailer;
inspecting the product inside the return mailer to determine if the product is in good condition;
comparing information in the database with the product inside the return mailer; and
issuing a credit for a difference between the product rental fee and the product purchase price or canceling a future charge when the product is returned in good condition and on time.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein a prorated credit is issued when the product is returned late or in less than good condition.
21. An apparatus for dispensing media products, comprising:
means for selecting a particular product;
means for dispensing the particular product together with a first return mailer to a customer;
means for transporting the particular product from the customer back to a return center located apart from the means for dispensing;
means for identifying the particular product;
means for recording a transaction date in a database; and amount of postage sufficient to mail the particular product to the return center;
means for notifying the return center that the product has been returned;
means for tracking the product from the return center after it has been returned;
wherein said label is configured for being attached to the first return mailer for returning the particular product to the return center or alternatively for being attached to a second return mailer if the particular product is not return to the return center;
wherein said particular product is a media product and said means for transporting comprises the first return mailer dispersed at said means for dispersing; and
wherein the database contains information specifying at least four product rental terms selected form the group consisting of a transaction identifier, product title, product dispense date, specified return date, product condition, product rental fee and product purchase price.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for selecting and depositing a particular product is a vending machine.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the means for identifying the product and rental date is a unique code, the unique code enterable in the database.