Abstract: Software lineages arise through purchase and reproduction. Lineages are tracked by storing lineage-relevant information in variable regions of software instances and/or in a central database according to methods disclosed.

Abstract: A method for handling access requests at multiple PoPs using the sharing of NAS information between the PoPs, enabling each PoP to maintain its own, independent, database of user records. When an access request is received, it is forwarded to a specific PoP designated as the user's “home PoP”. This home PoP is the only PoP to contain the user's records. The home PoP may then handle the access request by utilizing a local NAS list, the local NAS list being synchronized with other NAS lists in the network and providing information on all the “known” NASes throughout the entire network. This allows for a user to roam between PoPs, while reducing the bandwidth and security concerns that have existed in the past when users chose to roam. The NAS lists may then be updated via a central Network Control Console.

Abstract: A circuit for an RFID tag has at least two RF ports for driving points of the antenna that may correspond to different RF polarizations. The RF ports may be driven by a common modulating signal, or by separate modulating signals. Further, the ports may be coupled and uncoupled together, responsive to a control signal. The control signal may be the same as one or both of the modulating signals.

Abstract: A data communications network with a plurality of PoPs maintains a local database associated with each PoP and a central database somewhere on the data communications network. The local database contains a group identification such as a domain identification corresponding to a group of users, a maximum number of VPN sessions to provide the group of users at the PoP and a dynamic VPN session count corresponding to active VPN sessions currently provided to the group of users at the PoP. The central database contains a maximum number of VPN sessions to provide the group of users over the entire data communications network and a dynamic network-wide VPN session count corresponding to active VPN sessions currently provided to the group of users on the entire data communications network. Actions are taken when the group attempts to exceed either the local maximum number of sessions or the network-wide maximum number of sessions by more than a predetermined number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing thermal dissipation from a PC card is disclosed. For one embodiment of the invention, an extension portion, having a heat sink implemented thereon, is provided for a PC card. The extension portion extends beyond the PC card slot allowing thermal dissipation from the card due to air flow over the heat sink. For one embodiment of the invention, heat producing components of the PC card are identified and a thermally conductive path is provided from the components to the extension portion of the PC card.

Abstract: Movement of a graphical hand is constrained when the physical hand controlling the graphical hand does not have a similar physical constraint. An analysis of a revolute-joint-link-spring model in which an uncompressed/unextended spring position represents the corresponding measured joint angle or link position is used. Linear springs , non-linear springs, or the like may be employed to obtain the desired result of allowing a graphical joint or link to deviate from what the corresponding measured joint or link provides. If a graphical hand configuration causes a portion of the hand to penetrate a simulated graphical solid object, a mathematical determination is used to compute modified joint and link positions such that the graphical hand part will no longer penetrate the solid object. Such a constraint technique may include solving a spring model such that the various joint and link springs compress or extend to produce modified joint and link positions.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods useful for the purification of water using dendritic macromolecules. The process involves using dendritic macromolecules (dendrimers) to bind to contaminants, and a filtration step to produce water from which contaminants have been removed or modified. Examples of dendrimers that may be used in the process include cation-binding dendrimers, anion-binding dendrimers, organic compound-binding dendrimers, redox-active dendrimers, biological compound-binding dendrimers, catalytic dendrimers, biocidal dendrimers, viral-binding dendrimers, multi-functional dendrimers, and combinations thereof. The process is readily scalable and provides many options for customization.

Abstract: Noise discrimination in signals from a plurality of sensors is conducted by enhancing the phase difference in the signals such that off-axis pick-up is suppressed while on-axis pick-up is enhanced. Alternatively, attenuation/expansion are applied to the signals in a phase difference dependent manner, consistent with suppression of off-axis pick-up and on-axis enhancement. Nulls between sensitivity lobes are widened, effectively narrowing the sensitivity lobes and improving directionality and noise discrimination.

Abstract: An electrical DC-to-AC power conversion apparatus is disclosed that is primarily intended for use with solar photovoltaic sources in electric utility grid-interactive applications. The invention improves the conversion efficiency and lowers the cost of DC-to-AC inverters. The enabling technology is a novel inverter circuit topology, where throughput power, from DC source to AC utility, is processed a maximum of 1½ times instead of 2 times as in prior-art inverters. The AC inverter output configuration can be either single-phase, split-phase or poly-phase.

Abstract: An apparatus which comprises a manipulandum that is configured as a surgical instrument; a closed loop linkage system which includes a first central member fixedly coupled to a first object coupling and a second central member fixedly coupled to a second object coupling, wherein the first and second object couplings are separately coupled to the manipulandum to allow the manipulandum to be moveable in a plurality of rotary degrees of freedom and an axial degree of freedom; a force feedback system is coupled to the linkage system, wherein the force feedback system selectively applies resistive forces to the manipulandum based on the position of the manipulandum with respect to one or more reference coordinates. In an embodiment, the force feedback system includes an actuator to provide a force to the manipulandum in at least one degree of freedom in response to signals received from a computer system.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and decoding information by use of radio frequency antennas. The system includes one or more interrogator devices and RFID data tags. The RFID data tags include a plurality of antenna elements which are formed on a substrate or directly on an object. The antenna elements are oriented and have dimensions to provide polarization and phase information, whereby this information represents the encoded information on the RFID tag. The interrogator device scans an area and uses radar imaging technology to create an image of a scanned area. The device receives re-radiated RF signals from the antenna elements on the data tags, whereby the data tags are preferably represented on the image. The re-radiated RF signals preferably include polarization and phase information of each antenna element, whereby the information is utilized using radar signal imaging algorithms to decode the information on the RF data tag.

Abstract: An interface device for use with a computer that provides locative data to a computer for tracking a user manipulatable physical object and provides feedback to the user through output forces. The physical object is movable in multiple degrees of freedom and is tracked by sensors for sensing the location and orientation of the object. A device processor can be responsive to the output of the sensors and can provide the host computer with information derived from the sensors. The host computer can provide images on a display where the computer responds to the provided sensor information and force feedback is correlated with the displayed images via force feedback commands from the host computer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for decrypting a selected program. The system and method can receive at least one authorization message and at least one control message associated with a selected program. The system and method stores the at least one authorization message. The system and method transmits a first control signal if the at least one control message specifies a type of program that can be decrypted given the at least one authorization message and transmits a second control signal if the at least one control message specifies a type of program that can not be decrypted by the decryption device given the at least one authorization message.

Abstract: In a circuit delivering common mode inline power over a pair of conductors imbalance in the current carried by the first and second conductors of the pair of conductors is detected and compensated with a bias current applied to counter the imbalance.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for locating and treating an infarct scar in a heart. The device includes a catheter, a collapsible heater and energizing means connected to the collapsible heater for energizing the collapsible heater to raise the temperature of the infarct scar to a temperature sufficient to reduce the surface area of the infarct scar.

Abstract: A device comprises a manipulandum moveable in at least two degrees of freedom including a first link rotatably moveable about a pivot axis and a second link rotatably moveable about a pivot axis. The first link and the second link are coupled to a ground member. A first actuator is configured to engage the first link and provide an output about a drive axis of the first actuator. A second actuator is configured to engage the second link and provide an output about a drive axis of the second actuator. The drive axis of the first actuator is substantially parallel to the drive axis of the second actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator are each configured to receive a signal associated with a force feedback. The force feedback being associated with the manipulandum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microwave tube (3) for generation of an electromagnetic wave with frequency F, the tube comprises mechanical means for varying the frequency F composed of a set of rings (A, B, C, D) defining a periodic structure inside the tube and mechanical means (4, 5, 2, G) for displacing rings with respect to each other while maintaining a periodicity for periodic structure during displacement of the rings.

Abstract: A polymeric chair having a rebar cradle and legs of a T-shaped cross-section diverging downwardly from the cradle. The outer surface portions of the legs are arcuate and define segments of a cone. Inwardly extending web portions reinforce the legs and provide feet at the distal ends of the legs disposed to the inside of the outer surface portions. A flat sand plate for the chair has radially extending slots formed therethrough which are proportioned for snug engagement with side surfaces of the feet. The slots are elongate to accommodate different sized chairs having feet spaced at varying radial dimensions. The web portions taper to optimize their reinforcing function and conserve material. In one embodiment, a ring is formed integrally with the legs intermediate the table and the distal ends of the legs. The chair is of a unitary construction and may have an integrally formed strap for extension over the cradle to secure a rebar in place.