Abstract: A dietary fiber product obtained from the Indian mulberry (Morinda citrifolia) plant and the process of extracting and purifying the fiber is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the Indian mulberry pulp is washed and separated from the juice by filtration. The wet pulp is pasteurized. The wet pulp can be further processed by drying. A high fiber products can be prepared by mixing the pulp with ingredients, such as supplemental dietary fiber, water, sweeteners, flavoring agents, coloring agents, and nutritional ingredients.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing educator/student skills, managing the teaching, evaluating, verifying, and reporting of an instructional segment to a given user accessing the instructional segment via a computer system are disclosed. The system for skills assessment and knowledge, managing the instructional segment and providing the verification, evaluation, teaching, and reporting of the user's activity with the instructional segment is implemented within a computer system, typically a network connected system that has access to the Internet. The managing system includes means for streaming or broadcasting the instructional segment to the user for review by the user, means for evaluating the user's comprehension of the instructional segment, means for verifying whether the user has completed or accessed the instructional segment, and means for reporting the user's evaluation results of the instructional segment to an administrator or administrators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transdermal drug delivery system comprising a dermal drug delivery patch and a heating element compartment securable to the dermal drug delivery patch. A freely transferrable heating element is securable within the heating element compartment. A drug can be administered transdermally using the present invention by placing the dermal drug delivery patch upon a patient's skin at an administration site. A heating element compartment is secured to the dermal drug delivery patch and a freely transferrable heating element is placed within the heating element compartment. The heating element provides controlled heat to the dermal drug patch and the patient's skin and thereby improves dermal drug administration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods and apparatus for the generation, transmission, storage and manipulation of electronic receipts which communicate itemized purchase transaction information. Preferred embodiments comprise wireless vendor devices and wireless purchaser devices which transmit electronic receipts at a point-of-sale for documentation of a purchase transaction. Further processing of the electronic receipt information may be performed with a purchaser device or with a secondary computing device after subsequent receipt transmission to that secondary device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a device for biometric authentication. The device comprises an infra red signal transmitter, signal receiver, memory module, and processing module. The signal transmitter transmits infrared energy toward a user. The infrared energy is partly absorbed and partly reflected by the user's body. The infra red signal receiver collects partly reflected infrared energy. The memory module stores the data, and the processing module processes and compares the reflected infrared energy and stored data for use in biometric authentication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable and/or retractable extension for an electronic apparatus which is connected to the apparatus with a physically independent electrical connector which enables the extension to be retracted, extended, removed and replaced without connection or disconnection of wires, cables, plugs, jacks, flex connectors and similar devices which physically restrain the extension. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include longitudinally extensible conductors or leaf-spring conductors to provide a physically independent electrical connection between the retractable and/or removable extension and its host electronic apparatus. The extensions of some embodiments of the present invention include antennas, physical/electrical media connectors and similar electrical and electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna which is configured to plug into a retractable connector on an electronic apparatus. Some embodiments of the present invention may be configured to plug into common RJ-11 or RJ-45 jacks allowing devices equipped with these jack to utilize external antennas to increase range and functionality. Further, some embodiments of the present invention comprise at least a partial ground plane located in the antenna plug which connects to a jack. The present invention also comprises connectors such as RJ jacks which comprise ground plane elements which may be used to improve antenna range and efficiency.

Abstract: A hinged or rotatable antenna working in conjunction with a ground plane element which discloses a coaxial cable connection that maintains electrical contact between the ground plane element and the coaxial cable shielding through the use of a compression retainer block or plate. Some embodiments of the present invention also disclose channel geometry for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between cable shielding and a ground plate element.

Abstract: Software loads script file and strips markup language tags. This software can be located on a server. In order to prepare for operation, markup language pages are created. Then, special tags containing script commands are placed in the pages. These tags are replaced dynamically with the result of the command execution when the script is requested by a browser and executed by the server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving administration of drugs through the use of heat and other physical means. The present invention relates to the use of heat and other physical means in conjunction with specially designed dermal drug delivery systems, conventional commercial dermal drug delivery systems, or drugs delivered into a sub-skin depot site via injection and other methods to alter, mainly increase, the drug release rate from the dermal drug delivery systems or the depot sites to accommodate certain clinical needs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a heating device which is capable of generating heat when exposed to oxygen. The heat generating element comprises activated carbon and iron is used to generate an exothermic oxidation reaction within the heating device. Introducing an oxidation inhibitor during the manufacturing process allows the manufacturing of the device to take place in ambient atmospheric conditions. The present invention also includes a loading facilitator which allows the heat generating medium to be more easily and efficiently loaded into the heat generating device. When appropriate, the oxidation inhibitor and loading facilitator can be removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connector for connecting combination electronic apparatus, which comprise a plurality of internal electronic devices, to networks or other devices. The connector of the present invention comprises a novel switching mechanism which selects between the plurality of internal electronic devices based on the attributes of the mating connector received by the connector. Device selection may be controlled by the physical characteristics of the mating connector, the electrical characteristics of the device or network attached to the mating connector or some other distinct attribute.

Abstract: A liquid composition applied transdermally for relief of pain comprising alcohol in an amount by weight of about 57 to about 91 percent; glycerin in an amount by weight of about 1 to about 12 percent; an analgesic agent in an amount by weight of about 2 to about 28 percent, the analgesic agent comprising a derivative of salicylic acid; methylsulfonylmethane in an amount by weight of about 0.02 to 5 percent; and emu oil in an amount by weight of about 0.01 to 3 percent, the liquid composition permeating skin to relieve pain. The composition further comprising, as an additional feature, aloe vera in an amount by weight of at least about 0.05 percent and having an amount by weight of about 0.05 to 4 percent. The composition features transdermal pain relief such that a patient can apply the analgesic agent directly to an area of pain without such side effects as stomach irritation which is normally associated with aspirin. The composition may be sprayed or rolled directly onto the painful area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions. The methods and systems of these embodiments are particularly suited to removal of arsenic species as well as transition-metals, post-transition-metals, phosphates and other contaminants in aqueous solutions. The methods and systems of embodiments of the present invention provide for the addition of a reagent to a contaminated solution in combination with a pressurization process and a depressurization process. Contaminant particulates and solids produced in these processes may be removed by conventional separation techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for improved mixing of powder and liquid mixtures through the use of flow-through agitator apparatus. The apparatus of preferred embodiments of the present invention comprises a wire-frame object with interstitial spaces which allow flow of liquids and powders into and out of the interior of the wire-frame object. Some embodiments further comprise and interior agitator placed within the wire-frame object which may be a solid shape or another wire-frame object.

Abstract: A tuber seed cutting apparatus includes a cutting section, a transport section, and a conveyor section. The cutting section includes a plurality of coulter blades coaxially spaced apart on a common axis. The transport section comprises a transport bed having a first side and an opposite second side and a plurality of rollers. The rollers move as a bed generally in a first direction towards the coulter blades, but rotate in a direction opposite the direction of the transport bed. The rollers comprise a plurality of first roller types and a plurality of second roller types that are placed adjacent either the first side or the second side, the second roller types being generally cylindrical and having a diagonal ridge placed on the circumference of the second roller type to direct items away from the sides and towards the center of the transport bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a decorative mirror unit and to a method of fabricating the decorative mirror unit. A decorative mirror unit comprises a mirror and at least one sheet of glass spaced in front of the mirror by spacer means, and a plurality of decorative elements applied to the glass by an adhesive means, characterized in that at least one decorative element has been applied to each surface on opposite sides of the glass by said adhesive means, said decorative elements on opposite sides of the glass aligning to conceal at least partially the adhesive means between at least one of the decorative elements and the glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication with remote crop characteristic sensors and verification of data transmitted therefrom. Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and apparatus for transmitting calibration data directly to a remote crop characteristic sensor and calibrating the remote sensor such that its measurements reflect accurate crop characteristics. Also comprised in embodiments of the present invention are systems, methods and apparatus for verifying remote crop sensor output. Some of these methods comprise transmitting from remote sensors crop characteristic data combined with calibration data identification so that a party can verify that the correct calibration data was used by the sensor while making the crop characteristic measurements.

Abstract: A golf ball holder is disclosed that holds a plurality of golf balls, each golf ball being independently removable from the holder without the need to remove one of the other balls first. The holder can be attached to a golf bag either permanently or temporarily. The holder is made from a flexible fabric with openings at a first end and a second end. Golf balls are slipped into the holder from either end. The golf balls are fitted within a location where an opening is made in the holder. The opening allows the user to see whether a ball is available as well as the type of ball. The opening can stretch to allow the user to remove the golf ball through the opening rather than through one of the end openings. The openings where the golf balls are held can also be large enough to insert a golf ball into the holder. The holder can be sewn to an outside portion of the golf bag, typically near the top for easy access.