Abstract: An advertising device, where one exemplary use is as a “stripper pole” having associated ad material. The ad material can be placed inside a portion of the pole and be visible through a protective cover, and be dynamic. Additionally, the stripper pole may be in a variety of sizes and shapes and may include lighting, rotating mechanisms, engraving and suspended objects. The advertising device includes a connecting element that attaches to at least one end, and optionally between two ends, with a gap between an inner element and an outer element where advertising material can be placed in the gap.

Abstract: Upon detection of a trigger, such as the exceeding of an error threshold or the direction of a user, a diagnostic link system enters a diagnostic information transmission mode. This diagnostic information transmission mode allows for two modems to exchange diagnostic and/or test information that may not otherwise be exchangeable during normal communication. The diagnostic information transmission mode is initiated by transmitting an initiate diagnostic link mode message to a receiving modem accompanied by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The receiving modem determines, based on the CRC, if a robust communications channel is present. If a robust communications channel is present, the two modems can initiate exchange of the diagnostic and/or test information. Otherwise, the transmission power of the transmitting modem is increased and the initiate diagnostic link mode message re-transmitted to the receiving modem until the CRC is determined to be correct.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lithium-ion batteries in general and more particularly to lithium-ion batteries based on aligned graphene ribbon anodes, V2O5 graphene ribbon composite cathodes, and ionic liquid electrolytes. The lithium-ion batteries have excellent performance metrics of cell voltages, energy densities, and power densities.

Abstract: A ridge flow based fingerprint image quality determination can be achieved independent of image resolution, can be processed in real-time and includes segmentation, such as fingertip segmentation, therefore providing image quality assessment for individual fingertips within a four finger flat, dual thumb, or whole hand image. A fingerprint quality module receives from one or more scan devices ridge-flow—containing imagery which can then be assessed for one or more of quality, handedness, historical information analysis and the assignment of bounding boxes.

Abstract: Described are embodiments for valuing products or services. In one embodiment, a buyer is enabled to anonymously access content from a website, choose one of several payment options that most closely reflect the buyer's perceived value of the content and to pay for the product while still maintaining anonymity. The buyer is required to make a payment, even if it is zero, to maintain his/her purchase power and ability to continue buying from a particular seller as well as to use this facility. The embodiment maintains statistical data on all purchases and an amount paid by each of the buyers and offers an ability to provide and display numerical and textual feedback to the sellers regarding the quality and relevance of the accessed content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stent (1) for introducing into human body cavities, in particular into blood vessels, comprising a proximal first end to be introduced (2) and a distal final end to be introduced (3), a sleeve-like stent body (4) made of biocompatible material, and at least one support wire (5) provided as a support body within the stent body (4), the support wire (5), when the stent is in the tensioned state, resting against the inside of the stent body (4) in the shape of a spiral and the stent body (4), when the stent is in a compressed state, being collapsed and expandable into a tensioned state. The proximal end of the support wire (5) in the region of the proximal first end to be introduced (2) is firmly attached to the stent body (4) and the distal end of the support wire, when the stent is in the compressed state, extending from the distal final end (3) of the stent body (4) to be introduced.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for securing signs at select positions along the length of a concrete barrier is provided by forming a longitudinally extending groove within one side of the barrier and slideably positioning a bolt within the channel so that the bolt is captured within the channel for longitudinal movement relative thereto and extends through the groove and to the exterior of the barrier. The bolt extends through a sign support on the exterior of the barrier. A nut engaged with the bolt draws the sign support into secure engagement with the exterior surface of the barrier.

Abstract: A method of effecting a sale over a computer network in which it is determined whether a user passes fraud control before effecting a sale over a computer network. Information associated with a method of payment, such as credit card information, debit card information, checking account information, a telephone service account, a cable television account, a utility service account, or an Internet service provider account, is requested from the user after the user passes the fraud control. Information associated with the method of payment is received from the user in real time. Method-of-payment information is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. The method-of-payment information includes the received information associated with the method of payment. Payment authorization information associated with the method of payment is received from the payment authorization database.

Abstract: A system and method that demodulates the phase characteristic of a carrier signal are described. The scrambling of the phase characteristic of each carrier signal includes associating a value with each carrier signal and computing a phase shift for each carrier signal based on the value associated with that carrier signal. The value is determined independently of any input bit value carried by that carrier signal. The phase shift computed for each carrier signal is combined with the phase characteristic of that carrier signal so as to substantially scramble the phase characteristic of the carrier signals. Bits of an input signal are modulated onto the carrier signals having the substantially scrambled phase characteristic to produce a transmission signal with a reduced PAR.

Abstract: A method for reducing the lapse rate of a first insurance policy comprises the step of offering to sell a rider to said first insurance policy, said rider comprising benefit features, said benefit features configured such that the combination of said rider and said first insurance policy has a higher switching cost than the switching cost of said first insurance policy alone and said rider is constructively attached to said first insurance policy, whereby said step of offering to sell is at least in part performed by technological means. The first insurance policy may be a homeowner's policy. The rider may be a pet health insurance rider.

Abstract: Using DSL modems as data collectors, the modems processes the data to, for example, allow easier interpretation of the line characteristics. In particular, the modems postprocess the data including calibration, filter compensation, determination of the SNR medley from the bits and gains tables and rate conversion. The interpretation process uses the postprocessed data and determines loop characterization, interferer detection, a data reduction estimation and a data rate estimation. The outputs of these determinations least allow for the characterization of the line conditions between the two modems.

Abstract: A design and process are provided in which a fully activated thermosetting adhesive layer and multi-layered thermoplastic adhesive are positioned between a flock layer and a substrate.

Abstract: A cell controller having excellent productivity is provided. A cell-con 80 has 12 ICs IC-1 to IC-12 mounted on a substrate, and these ICs detect voltages of respective cells constituting a cell pack, perform capacity adjustment on the respective cells, and are mounted two by two on rectangular longer sides of a rectangular continuous straight line L-L? defined on a substrate from the IC-1 on a highest potential side to the IC-12 on a lowest potential side continuously in order of potential differences of the corresponding cell packs. Distances between the rectangular shorter sides of the rectangular continuous straight line L-L? are the same. On the cell-con 80, between the IC-1 to IC-12 having different ground voltages, each of the ICs has signal output terminals connected to signal input terminals of a lower order IC respectively in an electrically non-insulated state.

Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modular electrical, mechanical and optical components allow for the building of a laser combiner system that can be used, for example, for biological research that allows different lasers to be easily added to or removed from a laser system. Each individual laser can be packaged into a module which can be added to or taken away from the laser system with relative ease. Each of the modules can be controlled via a control module that allows one or more of varying of power levels, switching on/off, shutter control and diagnostic/status information monitoring.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the quality of one or more compressed images. The technique allows, for example, the selection of a target quality metric(s) and the compression of the image(s) such the compressed image(s) meets the metric(s). Alternatively, a target quality metric can be specified, and the image(s) compressed using parameters estimated to achieve the target quality. Optionally, the quality metric can also be made available to, for example, a user on an image processing system. The quality metrics can be, for example, for one or more layers, one or more images and/or one or more image sequences.

Abstract: A method of effecting a sale over a computer network in which it is determined whether a user passes fraud control before effecting a sale over a computer network. Information associated with a method of payment, such as credit card information, debit card information, checking account information, a telephone service account, a cable television account, a utility service account, or an Internet service provider account, is requested from the user after the user passes the fraud control. Information associated with the method of payment is received from the user in real time. Method-of-payment information is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. The method-of-payment information includes the received information associated with the method of payment. Payment authorization information associated with the method of payment is received from the payment authorization database.

Abstract: An alternative approach to coping with the ever increasing demand for faster communications hardware is to design modems that are capable of operating its speeds at a higher data rate than a speed required for a single port of the standard communication rate for that modem. Basically, by utilizing a resource manager, that directs the data in and out of the various portions of the modem in an orderly manner, keeping track of which of the ports is being operated at any given point in time, a standard single port modem can be reconfigured, for example, at an over clocked rate, to manipulate the data input and output of a modem.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flocked article is provided that includes an elastomeric film and a plurality of flock fibers on a flocked surface of the film. The flock fibers are embedded in the film.