All The Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:
a first reversible port operating in either an up-stream mode or a down-stream mode;
a second reversible port operating in either said up-stream mode or said down-stream mode;
a control unit configuring said first reversible port to operate in said up-stream mode when said control unit detects a first external equipment connecting to said first reversible port and providing power to said first reversible port, and configuring said second reversible port to operate in said down-stream mode when said control unit detects a second external equipment connecting to said second reversible port;
a host unit coupled to said second external equipment through said second reversible port; and
a device unit coupled to said first external equipment through said first reversible port.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a router coupled to said control unit, said host unit, and said down-stream port, wherein said router bridges said host unit to said second reversible port.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the router further bridges said device unit to said first reversible port.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a memory unit coupled to said control unit, said host unit, and said device unit for storing data.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one predefined function is booked when said first external equipment is connected with said first reversible port.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one predefined function comprises a removable disk function.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one predefined function comprises a human interface function.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus functions as a composite device.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus functions as a compound device.
10. A method of controlling an interfacing apparatus with a reversible port, a control unit, a host unit, and device unit; the method comprising:
detecting that external equipment is connected to said reversible port;
configuring said reversible port to operate in an up-stream mode if said external equipment provides power to said reversible port by said host unit;
configuring said reversible port to operate in a down-stream mode if said external equipment does not provide power to said reversible port by said host unit;
bridging said host unit to said reversible port if said reversible port is operating in said down-stream mode;
bridging said device unit to said reversible port if said reversible port is operating in said up-stream mode; and
detecting if said external equipment becomes disconnected from said reversible port.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising blocking a predefined function when said reversible port operates under said up-stream mode.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said predefined function is a removable disk function.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said predefined function is a human interface function.
14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interfacing apparatus functions as a composite device.
15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interfacing apparatus functions as a compound device.

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 of transmitting data in a communication system, the method comprising:
transmitting control channel data of a first format over a control channel, wherein the control channel data of the first format conveys information related to data transmitted within a first frequency band; and
transmitting control channel data of a second format over the control channel, wherein the control channel data of the second format conveys information related to data transmitted over one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel, wherein the one or more frequency bands include the first frequency band.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first bandwidth; and
wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel with the first bandwidth.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first carrier frequency; and
wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel with the first carrier frequency.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first carrier frequency; and
wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel with a second carrier frequency, the second carrier frequency being a different frequency than the first carrier frequency.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first bandwidth; and
wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format over the control channel with a second bandwidth, the second bandwidth being equal or greater than the first bandwidth.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format, wherein the second format includes:
a carrier frequency field, the carrier frequency field being indicative of one or more carrier frequencies to be used in a transmission; and
a physical resource block field, the physical resource block field being indicative of a number of physical resource blocks allocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to be used in the transmission.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting control channel data of the second format further comprises transmitting control channel data of the second format, wherein the second format includes a mobile communication device bandwidth field, the mobile communication device bandwidth field being indicative of a radio frequency transmission andor reception bandwidth capability of a mobile communication device.
9. A wireless communication network, the wireless communication network comprising:
a first mobile communication device, the first mobile communication device operating over a first frequency band;
a second mobile communication device, the second mobile communication device operating over one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band; and
a base station, wherein the base station is configured to:
transmit control channel data of a first format over a control channel, wherein the control channel data of the first format conveys information related to data transmitted within the first frequency band; and
transmit control channel data of a second format over the control channel, wherein the control channel data of the second format conveys information related to data transmitted over the one or more frequency bands.
10. The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the one or more frequency bands includes the first frequency band.
11. The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the base station is configured to:
transmit control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first bandwidth; and
transmit control channel data of the second format over the control channel with the first bandwidth.
12. The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the base station is configured to:
transmit control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first carrier frequency; and
transmit control channel data of the second format over the control channel with the first carrier frequency.
13. The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the base station is configured to:
transmit control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first bandwidth; and
transmit control channel data of the second format over the control channel with a second bandwidth, the second bandwidth being equal or greater than the first bandwidth.
14. The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the base station is configured to:
transmit control channel data of the first format over the control channel with a first carrier frequency; and
transmit control channel data of the second format over the control channel with a second carrier frequency, the second carrier frequency being a different frequency than the first carrier frequency.
15. The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the information related to data transmitted over the one or more frequency bands includes:
a carrier frequency field, the carrier frequency field being indicative of one or more carrier frequencies to be used in a transmission; and
a physical resource block field, the physical resource block field being indicative of a number of physical resource blocks allocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to be used in the transmission.
16. The wireless communication network of claim 15, wherein the information related to data transmitted over the one or more frequency bands further includes a mobile communication device bandwidth field, the mobile communication device bandwidth field being indicative of a radio frequency transmission andor reception bandwidth capability of the second mobile communication device.
17. The wireless communication network of claim 16, further comprising a relay node.
18. The wireless communication network of claim 17, wherein the relay node is configured to:
receive control channel data of the second format;
decode control channel data of the second format;
reconfigure control channel data of the second format, wherein the reconfiguration alters the information related to data transmitted over the one or more frequency bands;
re-encode control channel data of the second format; and
transmit the control channel data of the second format.
19. A base station for transmitting control channels in a communication system, the base station configured to:
generate control channel data of a first format, wherein the control channel data of the first format conveys information related to data to be transmitted within a first frequency band;
generate control channel data of a second format, wherein the control channel data of the second format conveys information related to data to be transmitted over one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band;
transmit control channel data of the first and second format over a control channel; and
transmit data in conformance with the control channel data of the first and second format.
20. A wireless communication device, comprising:
a transceiver;
a processor; and
a memory unit communicatively connected to the processor and including:
computer code that when executed by the processor causes the wireless communication device to receive control channel data; and
computer code that when executed by the processor causes the wireless communication device to interpret the control channel data, wherein the control channel data includes:
a carrier frequency field, the carrier frequency field being indicative of one or more carrier frequencies to be used in a transmission; and
a physical resource block field, the physical resource block field being indicative of a number of physical resource blocks allocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to be used in the transmission.
21. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the control channel data further includes a mobile communication device bandwidth field, the mobile communication device bandwidth field being indicative of a radio frequency transmission andor reception bandwidth capability of a mobile communication device.
22. The wireless communication device of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device is a relay node.
23. The wireless communication device of claim 22, wherein the relay node is configured to reconfigure control channel data of the second format.
24. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication device is a mobile communication device.
25. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication device is a base station.

1. A method performed by one or more processors executing instructions to perform acts comprising:
receiving, by a disclosure system, name-value pairs, names of the name-value pairs comprising fields of a template and values of the name-value pairs comprising consumer data associated with a consumer;
receiving, by the disclosure system, signature data including a signature of the consumer;
creating a disclosure that includes the name-value pairs and the signature data;
associating a universally unique identifier with the disclosure; and
creating a digital signature by providing the disclosure as input to a cryptographic hash function, the digital signature corresponding to the disclosure.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the template is associated with both a lender and a retailer.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the disclosure comprises a legally binding financing application between the consumer and a lender.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the disclosure is compliant with both the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Truth in Lending Act.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein creating the disclosure that includes the name-value pairs and the signature data comprises:
adding the signature data to the disclosure as an attachment; and
associating a second universally unique identifier with the attachment.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, the acts further comprising:
recreating a signed disclosure based on the digital signature.
7. A disclosure system comprising:
one or more processors;
one or more computer-readable storage media storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:
receiving a template and values used to fill in fields of the template, the values comprising consumer information associated with a consumer;
receiving signature data including a signature of the consumer;
creating a disclosure that includes the template, the values, and the signature data;
associating a universally unique identifier with the disclosure; and
creating, using a cryptographic hash function, a digital signature that corresponds to the disclosure.
8. The computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the template includes a timestamp indicating one of when the template was created or when the template was sent to obtain the values.
9. The computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the template is provided by a lender for use with a retailer.
10. The computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the disclosure enables the consumer to make a purchase at a retailer for one or more goods or services.
11. The computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the signature data comprises an image of a signature of the consumer on a printed page.
12. The computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the signature data comprises data received from a touch-sensitive pad that is written on by the consumer using a stylus.
13. One of more computer-readable storage media including instructions that are executable by one or more processors to perform acts comprising:
receiving names and values, the names comprising fields of a template and the values comprising consumer data associated with a consumer;
receiving signature data comprising a signature of the consumer;
creating a disclosure that includes the names, the values, and the signature data;
associating a universally unique identifier with the disclosure; and
creating a digital signature of the disclosure using a cryptographic hash function, the digital signature representing the disclosure with the signature data.
14. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, the template comprising terms and conditions of an offer of financing to the consumer.
15. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, wherein the template is associated with a universally unique identifier that identifies the template from other templates stored in the one or more computer-readable storage media.
16. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, wherein the signature comprises digital image data associated with a signature on at least a portion of the template that was printed.
17. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, wherein the template is selected based on at least one of a lender providing an offer of financing to the consumer, a retailer where the offer of financing is to be used, or a characteristic of the consumer.
18. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, the acts further comprising:
storing the disclosure in the one of more computer-readable storage media; and
referencing the disclosure using the digital signature.
19. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, wherein:
the disclosure includes one or more attachments; and
the one or more attachments include the signature data.
20. The one of more computer-readable storage media as recited in claim 13, the acts further comprising:
verifying the legality of the disclosure using the digital signature.
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 treating acidic waste water containing iron ions, or iron ions and sulfate ions, which method comprises
solidifying a mixture of (i) granular rock wool and (ii) an inorganic binder comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of silicates, hydroxides, and oxides of alkaline earth metals and alkali metals to form a solid waste water treating material having a porosity of 70\u201398% and a bulk specific gravity of 0.1\u20131.0, and
bringing said solid waste water treating material into contact with acidic waste water containing iron ions, or iron ions and sulfate ions, to thereby remove 80% or more of the iron ions.
2. A method for treating acidic waste water as described in claim 1, wherein the concentration of iron ions is 100\u2013250 ppm.
3. A method for treating acidic waste water as described in claim 2, wherein the removal of iron is effected under such neutralizing conditions as to change the pH of said acidic waste water from 3 or less before treatment to 4 to 6 after treatment.
4. A method for treating acidic waste water containing sulfate ions, or sulfate ions and iron ions, which method comprises
solidifying a mixture of (i) granular rock wool and (ii) an inorganic binder comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of silicates, hydroxides, and oxides of alkaline earth metals and alkali metals to form a solid waste water treating material having a porosity of 70\u201398% and a bulk specific gravity of 0.1\u20131.01, and
bringing said solid waste water treating material into contact with acidic waste water having a pH of 5 or less to thereby effect neutralization of said acidic waste water to a pH of 6 to 8.
5. A method of providing a waste water treating material for treating acidic waste water containing iron, which method comprises spraying, mixing or filling in a container (i) granular rock wool and (ii) an inorganic binder comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of silicates, hydroxides and oxides of alkaline earth metals and alkali metals, wherein said waste water treating material has a porosity of 70\u201398% and a bulk specific gravity of 0.1\u20131.0. and contacting said waste water with said waste water treating material.
6. A method for treating acidic waste water containing iron, which method comprises spraying, mixing or filling in a container (i) granular rock wool and (ii) an inorganic binder comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of silicates, hydroxides and oxides of alkaline earth metals and alkali metals, to provide a waste water treating material having a porosity of 70\u201398% and a bulk specific gravity of 0.1\u20131.0,
bringing said waste water treating material into contact with acidic waste water containing iron, and
upon a decrease in performance of said waste water treating material, reapplying said granular rock wool and said inorganic binder with or without removing the used waste water treating material.