Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture to combine mail streams in a binding line are disclosed. An example method is used to create a first book on a production line, where the first book is associated with a first recipient address. The example method is then used to deposit the second book associated with a second recipient address via a book feeder on the first book as the first book moves along the production line.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame and motorcycle built thereon, the frame having a longitudinal frame assembly with a cradle assembly depending therefrom, the cradle assembly adapted to support rider foot pegs and to provide a lower mount for an engine. The cradle assembly supports the weight of the engine, which is held in a substantially horizontal orientation, and provides a strong support for the rider foot pegs.

Abstract: A system architecture is described for supporting protocol independent multicast routing and local group membership multicast protocols concurrently and consistently within a multi-cast border router on a packet switched network.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for paper collations is disclosed having an accumulation chamber for receiving sheet material, the chamber defined by a fixed guide on one side, a movable guide on the other side and a movable stop member at one end. Driving means are included for driving said sheet material against said stop member, and means are provided for moving the movable guide between a first position in which it is spaced from the fixed guide by a gap sufficiently small to prevent buckling of the sheet material as it is driven by the driving means against the stop member, and a second position in which the movable guide is spaced away from the fixed guide for discharge of the sheet material from the chamber.

Abstract: A capacitance measuring apparatus is provided, for example for measuring variations in pixel capacitance of an active matrix liquid crystal display to provide a “touch screen” function. The apparatus comprises a capacitor network having a plurality of states presenting different capacitances. A sense amplifier compares a capacitance to be measured with the capacitance of the network and a comparator supplies an output indicating whether the capacitance to be measured is larger or smaller than the capacitance of the network. A control circuit causes the network to switch through its states and monitors the output of the comparator so as to select the state of the network presenting a capacitance adjacent the capacitance to be measured. The digital measurement corresponding to the capacitance presented by the network is supplied to an output and provides a measure of the capacitance to be measured.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing routing traffic to a destination when multiple routes are available. A performance monitoring and inference component measures the performance of the available paths to a large set of subnetworks, and uses those measurements to infer the performance of all available paths to an even larger set of subnetworks. A routing optimization component uses a cost function that assigns a cost to a routing table based on information from the performance monitoring and inference component, as well as other path characteristics, and further uses a minimization methodology to find a routing table with a very low cost, as defined by the cost function. A BGP bridge takes the routing table generated by the routing optimization component and communicates that information to the routers using BGP, thereby ensuring that the routers will route traffic in accordance with the routing table.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating merchant-initiated online payments are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a payment service provider's server receives a user's request, via a merchant's server, to establish a merchant-initiated payment relationship or agreement. Accordingly, the payment service provider presents the user with options to customize the terms of the merchant-initiated payment agreement. After the agreement has been established and the terms customized, the merchant server communicates a merchant-initiated payment request to the pavement service provider for a transaction entered into with the user. The payment service provider's server processes the payment request after verifying that processing the payment does not exceed the user-customized terms of the agreement.

Abstract: A method is provided of retrieving one or more data items stored in a protected area of a remote server for transferral to a local device. A trusted connection is formed between an information device and the protected area of the remote server. The information device and the trusted connection are employed to select a first group of one or more data items stored in the protected area of the remote server. The first group of data items are transferred from the protected area to a holding area outside the protected area of the remote server. A retrieval connection is formed between the local device and the holding area. A second group of one or more data items is determined from the first group of data items transferred to the holding area. The second group of data items is transferred from the holding area to the local device over the retrieval connection.

Abstract: A method at power steering hose assembly design and analysis for a power steering system in a vehicle includes the steps of selecting a mesh model of a design for a power steering system having a power steering hose assembly, selecting a predetermined characteristic of the power steering system for a predetermined operating condition, performing an acoustic analysis on the mesh mocel using the predetermined characteristic and determining an acoustic response cf the power steering hose assembly from the acoustic analysis. The method further includes the steps of determining a noise transmission loss across the power steering hose assembly using the acoustic response, determining whether the transmission loss meets a predetermined noise criteria and modifying a design parameter for the power steering system if the transmission loss does not meet a predetermine noise criteria.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of assembling a mailing are disclosed. According to one example, the method includes producing a stream of primary books on a production line, determining that a secondary book is to be inserted between first and second primary books on the production line, and creating a space between first and second primary books on the production line. The example method further includes inserting the secondary book into the space between the first and second primary books on the production line.

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: A silt fence system employs silt fencing that is supported along the fence length with stakes. The stakes have a polymer or plastic outer casing, and either a flexible core or a core segment of rigid material such as cement. The outer casing provides resistance to the elements and the flexible material provides the give to handle hydraulic forces with breaking of the stake, as is the case when wooden stakes are used. The system employs the rigid core stakes in situations where hydraulic forces are large enough that the combination of the plastic outer casing and flexible core is insufficient to maintain stake position.

Abstract: A method of power steering hose assembly design and analysis for a power steering system in a vehicle includes the steps of selecting a mesh model of a design for a power steering system, wherein the power steering system includes a power steering hose assembly having a noise attenuation device. The method also includes the steps of selecting a predetermined characteristic of the power steering system for a predetermined operating condition, performing an acoustic analysis on the mesh model using the predetermined characteristic and determining an acoustic response of the power steering hose assembly from the acoustic analysis.

Abstract: A self-contained conveyor member including a plurality of EAS deactivators is adapted to connect in-line to an existing conveyor system for transporting goods at a manufacturer or distributor's site. The conveyor member has attached to it several commercially available EAS marker deactivators spaced apart to provide continuous coverage across the width of the conveyor and such that the deactivation field of each of the deactivators do not cause interference of the deactivation fields of the adjacent deactivators. EAS markers attached to articles being transported on the conveyor member will pass through at least one of the deactivation fields and will be deactivated. The deactivators selectively deactivate a variety of specific EAS markers such as RF and/or magnetomechanical EAS markers.