Abstract: An ultrasonic interferometer for the characterization of the matter (solids, fluids & gases) in a medium is described, along with a method of using the same. The interferometer accurately determines the travel time of the multi-frequency ultrasonic signal in the matter that is being queried. By carefully selecting the design of the multi-frequency ultrasound signal, various properties of the material can be derived using a trainable classification system to classify or recognise the substance, or state of a process. The apparatus exploits the normally undesirable higher harmonics characteristics of the piezoceramic transducer to gain penetration through a spatial-frequency window that is not suitable for the higher frequency signals that are required to achieve the measurements.

Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle comprises a compressor for compressing refrigerant, the compressor being adapted to be driven by a power source installed in the vehicle, a condenser for receiving compressed refrigerant from the compressor, an expansion device for expanding refrigerant from the condenser, and a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant from the expansion device and exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a liquid. The liquid may comprise a coolant, and a pump may be provided for pumping the coolant through the heat exchanger to a point of use such as a cooling garment to cool personnel on board the vehicle. Alternatively, the liquid may be a drinkable liquid which is pumped through the heat exchanger to a suitable dispensing system to provide an on-board supply of cool drinking liquid.

Abstract: The invention consists of a blade for a hockey stick, comprising: a blade portion, with a forehand side and a backhand side and a loop extending from the one or both sides of the blade portion, with the loop dimensioned to enclose a hockey puck.

Abstract: A head protection system comprises a helmet shell, a visor mounting for pivotally mounting a visor to the shell to enable the visor to be moved between raised and lowered positions, and a retainer for releasably retaining the visor to the helmet. The system includes a visor adapted for mounting on the shell which comprises a substrate of transparent thermoplastic material and a backing substrate comprising a plurality of layers of high performance, ballistic resistant material. The system may further include a second visor which can be releasably connected to the shell using the same visor mounting and which may have a different construction and primary function.

Abstract: A venting apparatus includes a projecting member with a projection base, and a mating socket member with a socket base, and first and second ducts in fluid communication with an appliance to vent emissions along an emission flow path. The projection base engages a first one, and the socket base engages a respective other one, of the first and second ducts. The projecting and socket members have default configurations. The projecting member is movable from the default configuration towards a deflected configuration, and biased for return therefrom. The first and second ducts are movable between sliding and locked configurations. In the sliding configuration, the projecting and socket members bear against one another, with the projecting member removed from the default configuration. In the locked configuration, the projecting member is in the default configuration, and secured to the socket member, such that the second duct securely engages the first duct.

Abstract: The invention consists of a prong protector for use with a nasal cannula, the nasal cannula having a body portion, a pair of nasal prongs extending from the body portion, and first and second supply tubes extending from opposite ends of the body portion. The prong protector includes a housing having an interior surface, for receiving the body portion of the nasal cannula thereon, and first and second sidewalls extending from said interior surface and a cover operatively attached to said housing for defining an open configuration and a closed configuration. The first and second sidewalls have an indented portion along a top edge for receiving the first and second supply tubes therein, such that, in use, the first and second supply tubes extend outside of said housing. The prong protector further includes restraining means for substantially preventing movement of the body portion within said housing.

Abstract: Paricalcitol, a synthetic vitamin D analog, is purified to a purity greater than 99.7% by crystallization from solution in isopropyl acetate solvent, followed by filtration and vacuum drying. Isopropyl acetate appears to be unique among commonly available and pharmaceutically acceptable solvents in its ability to precipitate paricalcitol in this high purity, essentially free of isomers thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for diarizing the performance of janitorial services that includes an electronic display unit for indicating when a service was last completed and an input device for signalling when the display is to be updated. The apparatus can include a chassis mountable on a wall of a facility being maintained by a janitorial service, and at least one electronic display framed by a window on said chassis, said chassis for displaying a time when said facility was last maintained. The apparatus can also include a central processing unit connected to said display and for updating the display based on a user-input received from an input device that is mounted to said chassis and connected to the central processing unit. The input device is actuated at a time that is substantially coterminous when said facility was last maintained.

Abstract: A system and method of assisting a client transfer financial services using a first account to a second account collects relevant information and authorization from the client. The system and method maintains a database of counterparties providing services to clients of financial institutions and uses the information provided by the client and information in the database of counterparties to schedule and effect the transfer of the services. The system and method creates the necessary transfer information for each service to be transferred and dispatches the completed transfer information to each counterparty with a desired date for the transfer to be effected, the desired dates being selected in accordance with a cashflow analysis performed by the system and method of both the account at the previous financial institution and the account at the new financial institution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination hat and sunglasses/goggles, in which the sunglasses/goggles are pivotally moveable relative to the hat, between a raised, out of the way position to a lowered position with the eyepiece in front of the wearer's eyes, through an elongated aperture in the front brim of the hat. In addition, the sunglasses/goggles can be fully detached and removed from the hat, so that they can be used as regular sunglasses. The combination is easy to assemble and disassemble, and simple and convenient to operate, providing versatility and reduced risk of loss of components of the combination.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a client with cashflow monitoring during a transfer of services (e.g. pre-authorized debits and credits) from a first account to a second account, the method comprising the steps of: (i) determining an effective date for the transfer of each service, said effective dates creating a transfer window; (ii) determining cashflows for said first account and said second account during said transfer window; (iii) adjusting effective dates for transfer of each services to avoid cashflow interruptions in said first and said second accounts; and (iv) providing a cashflow analysis to the client that lists all the effective dates for each service transfer and predicted cashflows for said first and said second account during said transfer window.

Abstract: The invention consists of a method of automatically detecting and classifying a device, comprising: a) receiving information from the device; b) looking up the information in a device directory to identify the device; c) applying a series of identity rules if the information is not found in the device directory; and d) identifying the device from the identity rules. Preferably, the device is a mobile device.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of optimizing a fixed route on a transit network, comprising the steps of: a) permitting a vehicle providing service on the fixed route to make deviations from the fixed route based on passenger requests; b) tracking the deviations and number of passenger requests corresponding to each deviation; c) submitting information from tracking step b) into a decision-making algorithm; and d) modifying the fixed route to include new stops based on results from the decision-making algorithm, as well as a system for implementing this method.

Abstract: A large-area protective covering system for installation in a staggered or grid configuration is provided comprised of a plurality of essentially identical large-area panels with honeycomb internal structures which have locking systems on the sides and ends for locking the panels in place. The panels, once locked together, have little movement along their x, y or z axis.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling a control in an automotive vent has a resilient bushing which provides a frictional force to retain the control wheel in a desired position. The frictional force is substantially independent of tolerances of the components of the control wheel due to expected manufacturing variations.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of optimizing a fixed route on a transit network, comprising the steps of: a) permitting a vehicle providing service on the fixed route to make deviations from the fixed route based on passenger requests; b) tracking the deviations and number of passenger requests corresponding to each deviation; c) submitting information from tracking step b) into a decision-making algorithm; and d) modifying the fixed route to include new stops based on results from the decision-making algorithm, as well as a system for implementing this method.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for providing a two dimensional image that will be perceived by the human visual perception system as a three dimensional image is disclosed. The system and apparatus preferably employ a transparent rear projection screen onto which an image of the at least one object to be displayed is projected. The at least one object moves at perceptual speed and preferably has highlights, comprising specular highlights, ambient lighting, shadows and reflections, consistent with its display location so that the human visual perception system perceives the displayed image as a three dimensional one. The method preferably comprises surveying the display site to identify important light sources and objects and to gather a reflection map which are both used to create the final displayed image.

Abstract: A system and method for a certificate verifier to make a request to a certificate distribution server for a copy of another entity's digital certificate and to have the certificate distribution center validate it. The certificate distribution center can request the appropriate certificates and validation thereof from a number of certificate authorities or may alternatively obtain copies from a certificate cache and validate the copies against a revocation list server.