Abstract: The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current is passed through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by a separator which comprises an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.

Abstract: An intelligent shelving system and associated dividing element. One or more dividing elements are arranged to communicate with a controller, each of the one or more dividing elements including an antenna having a detection plane and a base for placement on a shelf. The detection plane of the antenna is configured so as to be substantially parallel to the base. Each of the one or more dividing elements is arranged to identify electronically tagged items falling within the detection plane of its respective antenna and communicate data on said identified items to the controller.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an accurate count of total households and seasonal households within a defined geographic area is disclosed. The invention has application in, for example, the identification of potential sites for retail business locations. The invention utilizes additional data sources beyond census data in order to provide more accurate household counts, particularly in high-growth areas when census data has become stale. Seasonal households are counted by the use of telephony data containing spatially inconsistent records (SIRs), that is, records for which the billing address does not match the location where the telephone service is provided. Households for which an exact address is not known are allocated within the geographic area of interest according to various spreading models.

Abstract: A brush mitt includes a brush cover and a handle cover. A loop on the brush cover receives a handle of a brush of the type such as commonly used for washing vehicles. The handle cover wraps around the end of the handle and a brush cover attachment strap passes through the loop on the brush cover to secure the handle cover to the brush cover. The brush mitt prevents damage to delicate surfaces, such as the painted surface of vehicles, that might be caused by either the brush bristles or impact with the handle of the brush.

Abstract: An insurance method comprising a return-of-premium (ROP) benefit is disclosed. The ROP benefit is applied to property and casualty insurance and related insurance forms. The ROP benefit provides a return of all premiums after a set period of insurance, less the amount of any claims made by the insured. The policy may then be rolled over to again provide a ROP benefit to the policyholder. Fractional ROP benefit returns may be made on the policy after a minimum set period less than the full term of the policy. The ROP benefit may be provided by means of a rider to a standard property or casualty policy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for predicting meat tenderness, particularly with respect to raw meat, is disclosed. The invention does not require the removal or destruction of any cuts of meat from the carcass to which the method is applied. The method allows for the identification of tender meat product that might not be identified as tender using conventional United States Department of Agriculture quality grading methods. The method includes the insertion of one or more blunt, flat-tipped blades into a meat sample, measuring a value such as stress, force, or energy upon insertion of the blade, and calculating a tenderness factor therefrom based on a tenderness threshold.

Abstract: A power strip provides simple and quick current flow readings using a standard clamp-type ammeter by means of an aperture passing through the power strip housing. The hot wire and neutral wire passing into the power strip from its cable are passed on opposite sides of the aperture. In this way, the jaws of a clamp-type ammeter may be positioned through the aperture to enclose only a single conductor from the cable, in order to provide an accurate current reading.

Abstract: An automatic egg injection machine comprises a separate injector support grid and injector locking device. The injector locking device is attached to the body of the egg injection machine to prevent motion during the vaccination process. Individual air tubes are inserted into slots in the injector locking device, and are inflated with compressed air to lock the injectors in place during the injection process, thereby minimizing the possibility of injector movement. Both the injector support grid and injector locking device can be exchanged for other components with different egg configurations so that one egg injection machine can be used for more than one sized incubator egg flat.

Abstract: A user interface for software applications enables the full use of graphical user interface (GUI) software, particularly engineering design software, by visually impaired individuals. The interface combines tactile representations of graphical elements, non-visual cues, and a hardware element to allow the effective placement and interconnection of graphic elements using design software.

Abstract: The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current passes through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.

Abstract: A fish scaling tool comprises a handle with an angled head formed of two forked tines. A pair of blade assemblies are attached to the tines and extend downwardly from the head. The blade assemblies each have two rows of serrated, triangular-shaped teeth. On each blade assembly, the rows of teeth are angled outwardly with respect to each other. The handle features a contoured cover with recesses to provide a sure grip for the user. The tool provides an easy, reliable means to scale any fish, particularly those fish that are generally difficult to scale, such as the larger saltwater gamefish.

Abstract: An acquisition, pointing and tracking system for free space optical communications systems performs the pointing and tracking function internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope with a reflecting mirror in the telescope focal plane of each linked transceiver. The beam reflected from the mirror records the exact direction of the reflected beam at the transmitting beam's transceiver terminal, providing the transmitting source to lock on to the receiving telescope, allowing for the link to be acquired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the multi-dimensional control of a light source's brightest point over a targeted area is disclosed. Control and drive electronics are presented to the beam-steering device causing the beam-steering component to steer the spot of light toward a targeted area in at least a two-dimensional scanning pattern about a vertical and horizontal axis. The result is an illuminated pattern displayed on a targeted area that appears to be a solid, uniformly illuminated light pattern, having the intensity of a spot beam and the area of a broad beam.

Abstract: A motorized wildlife feeder provides a reliable flow of powdery feeds, such as rice bran, from a hopper to the ground. The hopper is partially formed by a funnel with a unique, eight-sided shape. The unique shape of the funnel is believed to provide reliable flow of powdery feeds, whereas typical funnels with round sides tend to plug when such feeds are used. Vibrators attached to the hopper assist the flow of feed from the hopper into a trough, where an auger moves the feed to a downspout and onto the ground.

Abstract: A system for providing collaborative browsing of information and interactive communications on the worldwide web. A customer may use the system for a co-browsing session with a customer assistance representative by simply providing an access number from an accessed web site to the customer service representative. The customer is transparently switched from a normal web site to a co-browsing web site merely by clicking on a button to request assistance. The co-browsing site includes software to periodically poll a server for synchronization purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for digital watermarking of multimedia signals. The input multimedia signal is represented using an inverse difference pyramid decomposition. Spectrum coefficients may be calculated for each level of the pyramid using a new kind of complex Hadamard transform, the matrix of which is distinguished from the known ones by the fact that only one-fourth of its coefficients are complex numbers. The phases of a previously selected part of the low-frequency coefficients are modified with the watermark data, limiting the angles of the phase changes in a gap of several degrees only. After an inverse complex Hadamard Transform, the values of the coefficients from all pyramid levels are summed up and the result is the watermarked signal. The watermark can contain multiple independent levels for each level of the pyramid.

Abstract: Embodiments include a gasification process where the carbon content of the residue from gasification of agricultural waste products and the fly ash content of the gaseous exhaust is controlled by regulated inflow of gasification-supporting air in a plurality of flow stream at different velocities to enhance fluidization of particulate feed in a bed being raked by a rotating sweep arm inducing radially outward movement of gasification residue into a collecting zone from which the residue enters a discharge duct. The particulate feed is dropped at a location in the gasification chamber above the bed in alignment with the inflow stream of maximum velocity.

Abstract: An automated and interactive system that facilitates efficient capitalization/liquidation and monitoring of private and publicly-traded enterprises through a network-driven marketplace is disclosed. The system may be comprised of a dynamic process for enterprise characterization, a customizable computational engine that utilizes statistical reference information to quantify a multi-factor scoring value for each unique enterprise, a customizable system for investor-users to filter, rank, and screen enterprise prospects, a customizable system for monitoring the performance of enterprises, an integrated internal system for electronic communication between market participants, and an empirical feedback system that provides a dynamic knowledge base of statistical reference information for various computational components of the invention.

Abstract: A device having the capability for electrical, thermal, optical, and fluidic interconnections to various layers. Through-substrate vias in the interconnect device are filled to enable electrical and thermal connection or optionally hermetically sealed relative to other surfaces to enable fluidic or optical connection. Optionally, optical components may be placed within the via region in order to manipulate optical signals. Redistribution of electrical interconnection is accomplished on both top and bottom surfaces of the substrate of the interconnect chip.

Abstract: An automated method for analyzing whether all cancerous or abnormal tissue has been removed as a result of surgical resection is disclosed. A number of tissue section slides are prepared representing all or a relatively large percentage of the tissue sample, and high-resolution digital microscopic images are formed of the sections. A clustering algorithm forms an image showing the healthy tissue margins, such representation being stored in a file of significantly smaller size than the original photograph. These two-dimensional image files may be formed into a three-dimensional image of the entire resected tissue, thereby improving the accuracy and ease by which a pathologist may determine if further surgery or radiation therapy, for example, are indicated.