Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding and manipulating digital signals are provided. The method, and associated apparatus, includes sampling the signal waveform to obtain a series of discrete samples and constructing therefrom a series of frames; multiplying each frame with a windowing function; applying a Fast Fourier transform to each frame producing a frequency-domain waveform; convoluting the resultant frequency domain data with a variable kernel function; locating local maxima and surrounding minima in the magnitude spectrum of each convolved frame, each local maxima and associated minima defining a plurality of regions corresponding to a frequency component of the signal; and analyzing each of the regions in the frequency domain representation by summing the complex frequency components of bins falling within the defined regions into a single vector.

Abstract: A roaming user needing an his authentication credential (e.g., private key) to access a computer server to perform an electronic transaction may obtain the authentication credential in an on-demand fashion from a credential server accessible to the user over a computer network. In this way, the user is free to roam on the network without having to physically carry his authentication credential. Access to the credential may be protected by one or more challenge-response protocols involving simple shared secrets, shared secrets with one-to-one hashing, or biometric methods such as fingerprint recognition. If camouflaging is used to protect the authentication credential, decamouflaging may be performed either at the credential server or at the user's computer.

Abstract: A sports racquet has a lightweight frame and a pair of pods, having an increased cross-sectional width, at the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions of the head. The pods also preferably have an increased wall thickness, or a molded-in weight element, so as to provide increased weight at such regions,. Preferably also, the handle has at least one weight pod at the butt portion. The three pod weighting system, i.e., having weight pods located at the 11 o'clock, 1 o'clock, and butt end positions, not only increases the polar moment of inertia of the racquet about its longitudinal axis, but also increases the moment of inertia of the racquet about the center of gravity, providing a very stable racquet. Also, because the pods in the head portion increase the width of the frame, the torsion of the frame near the tip region is greatly increased, improving the power of the racquet with respect to balls hit further out on the string bed.

Abstract: The present invention is a secure data entry and visual authentication system that allows a user to securely input and communicate data, including passwords. The system includes a client subsystem (100), a server subsystem (200) and a communication subsystem (300). Server subsystem (200) generates a pseudorandomly arranged display image (250) including a plurality of icons associated with data, and transmits said display image to client subsystem (100) for display on a display device (104). A user consecutively selects at least one said icons corresponding to data desired to be input. Selected icon location information for those selected icons is communicated by client subsystem (100) to server subsystem (200), which then compares that selected icon location information to icon location information and associated data stored in memory (210) to ascertain the data input by the user.

Abstract: A document delivery architecture dynamically generates a private Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to distribute information. Each private URL (“PURL”) uniquely identifies an intended recipient of a document, the document or set of documents to be delivered, and (optionally) other parameters specific to the delivery process. The intended recipient of a document uses the PURL to retrieve the document. The server, upon retrieval of the document, customizes the behavior of the retrieval based upon attributes included in the PURL, as well as log information associated with the retrieval in a data base. This architecture and usage of PURLs enables secure document delivery and tracking of document receipt.

Abstract: An infinitely and continuously variable transmission system capable of gradually multiplying TORQUE while decreasing RPM and vice-versa. For a given input shaft TORQUE and RPM, the system delivers to the output shaft such increases or reductions in TORQUE with inversely corresponding increases or reductions in RPM as may be desired across a predetermined and very wide range of transmission ratios. The range can include zero RPM for the output shaft while the input shaft continues to rotate at any RPM, thus eliminating the need for an input shaft disengaging clutch. The invention includes a main assembly consisting of one or more pairs of co-axial diametrically opposed one-way clutches and corresponding pairs of diametrically opposed carrying shafts which are interconnected through a central hub assembly. The axes of the carrying shafts share the same plane with each other and with the central hub's multi-directional center around which they are radially and symmetrically mounted.

Abstract: A suspension system, particularly for a pedal-driven vehicle, comprising a telescoping strut having first and second telescopingly and coaxially engaged members, and having a damping system comprising a damping fluid, a damping piston connected to a piston rod, an inertia-activated compression fluid flow control mechanism and a pressure-activated compression fluid flow control mechanism disposed in the first telescoping strut. The inertia-activated compression fluid flow control mechanism comprises a valve body biased by a valve spring into a first position over a radial groove formed on the piston so that the valve body prevents fluid flow through an inertia-activated compression fluid flow circuit in response to force inputs imparted to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A suspension system for a bicycle or other vehicle or apparatus, the system including at least one telescoping strut comprising a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopingly and coaxially engaged with each other so that the strut is compressible by relative movement of the telescoping members toward each other and expandable by relative movement of the telescoping members away from each other. A piston may be interconnected with the second telescoping member and slidably positioned within the first telescoping member. The piston separates a primary compression spring chamber into two gas chambers connected by an adjustable port, whereby compression or expansion of the strut creates a damping force that resists such relative movement of the telescoping members, resulting in the primary compression spring having a frequency-sensitive spring rate.

Abstract: There is provided an elevator shaftway intrusion detector which utilizes an image detector including a camera for generating a detection field within a zone of detection including the elevator shaft-side roof and floor and an image processing means for generating a detection signal upon an attempted entry. A power supply and switching network are employed for applying power from the power supply to the image detector and processor which are responsive to the detection signal for applying power from the power supply to a detection indicator such as a siren.

Abstract: A metal wood golf clubhead has a length "L" representing the distance, measured perpendicular to the centerline, between the heel and toe; a rearmost point that lies at a distance "A", measured perpendicular to said centerline, from the heel; and a rear edge having a radius of curvature R2, in the region of the rearmost point. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the distance "A" from the heel to the rearmost point on the clubhead rear edge is at least 60 mm and/or at least 56% of the overall clubhead length "L". In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the clubhead has a volume of at least 180 cm.sup.3, the center of curvature of the rear edge, in the region of the rearmost point, is offset from the club's centerline CL toward the toe, and the radius of curvature R2 in the region of the rearmost point is less than 41 mm. The club has a geometry where the body curves relatively sharply beyond the toe end of the face to extend rearwardly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug which is a covalent conjugate of a pharmacologically active compound and a blocking group, characterized by the presence of a covalent bond which is cleaved at pH values below 7.0. The prodrug may be used in a technique for treating a condition or disease in a mammal related to elevated hydrogen ion concentrations, whereby on administering it to a mammal having such a condition or disease, the pharmacologically active compound is activated selectively within tissues having such elevated hydrogen ion concentrations.

Abstract: A method of treating scoliosis by adminstering .beta..sub.2 adrenergic agonists in amounts sufficient to correct the condition.

Abstract: A fork stop assembly for preventing overrotation of a bicycle fork into engagement with the frame of the bicycle. The fork stop assembly includes at least one catch surface on the frame of the bicycle and a fork stop pin on the bicycle fork. Upon rotation of the fork beyond a predetermined position, the fork stop pin engages the catch surface and further rotation of the bicycle fork is thereby prevented. Thus, the fork is prevented from crashing into the bicycle frame. The catch surface and fork stop pin are preferably formed such that they may be nonrotatably coupled to the respective parts of a bicycle manufactured without such a stop assembly. Most preferably, the fork stop assembly is removable from the bicycle without damaging the frame or bicycle fork or leaving any significant permanent marks thereon.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering Internet content retrieved from an Internet computer network (110) by a remote Internet Service Provider ("ISP") server (100) and forwarded to a local client computer (10). The method and system matches at least one filtering scheme (121), such as an inclusive or exclusive filter, and at least one set of filtering elements (120), such as a list of allowed or excluded sites, to each Internet access request generated at the local client computer (10). The filtering scheme is implemented on the ISP server (100).

Abstract: A friction damping system for use in a system having at least one of a pair of sliding elements. The friction damping system has a friction producing element positioned between the sliding elements such that at least one of the sliding elements rubs against the friction producing element to generate friction and thereby damp the relative sliding movement of the sliding elements. The friction producing element may be provided in a housing that is fixed to one of the sliding elements with the friction producing element facing and contacting the other sliding element. The friction damping system may further be designed to provide directional sensitivity such that damping of movement of the sliding elements in a first direction is greater than damping of movement in a second direction opposite the first direction. Such directional sensitivity may be accomplished by angling one of the surfaces against which the friction producing element moves during sliding movement of the sliding elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the volume reduction and processing of solid organic waste, in particular ion exchange media from nuclear facilities containing sulfur or chlorine. A method and apparatus for the volume reduction of nuclear waste is disclosed comprising: subjecting the waste to pyrolysis in a pyrolysis vessel, and gasifying the solid pyrolysis residue in a steam reformer to remove residual carbon. A further method and apparatus for the processing of nuclear waste is disclosed comprising: grinding the nuclear waste, addition of iron powder, pyrolysis, gasification of the pyrolysis residue, and combustion in a submerged bed heater. An evaporator cools gases from the submerged bed heater. Off gases from the evaporator are treated by a fiber bed scrubber to remove acids.