Abstract: The invention provides a method for increasing production of a protein by cultured mammalian cells comprising adding a DNA demethylating agent, for example a cytidine analogue, to the mammalian cell culture. The cytidine analogue can be 5-aza-2?-deoxycytidine (also called decitabine) or 5-bromo-2?-deoxycytidine-5?-monophosphate, among many other possible cytidine analogues.

Abstract: A multifunction image-transfer system with printing, scanning, digital copying, and facsimile capabilities detects skew as sheet media is fed. A skew processor digitally skews image data as a function of sheet-feed skew detected by skew detectors. In the context of a scanning operation, an image-bearing document is fed to a scanner device, which generates a digital raster image. A buffer stores portions of the digital image as it is transferred. The image data in the buffer is digital skew-compensated before it is transferred to a host computer. In the context of a printing operation, raster print data is stored in the memory buffer and then skew compensated before the image is printed to the print media. The digital skew compensation allows mechanical tolerances in such systems to be relaxed and system lifetimes to be lengthened since “true” images can result despite moderate media skew.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing distortion in printed images due to toner explosion receives the incoming image bit stream and monitors the stream for horizontal lines and edges that would be particularly susceptible to toner explosion distortion. When such features are determined, the bit stream is modified to print an outlined area with a fill pattern therein. This decreases the amount of toner used to print the horizontal line or edge. As less toner is required, toner piles transferred to the paper are shorter and, therefore, tend to generate less distortion when toner explosions occur.

Abstract: An autonomous controller, comprised of a state knowledge manager, a control executor, hardware proxies and a statistical estimator collaborates with a goal elaborator, with which it shares common models of the behavior of the system and the controller. The elaborator uses the common models to generate from temporally indeterminate sets of goals, executable goals to be executed by the controller. The controller may be updated to operate in a different system or environment than that for which it was originally designed by the replacement of shared statistical models and by the instantiation of a new set of state variable objects derived from a state variable class. The adaptation of the controller does not require substantial modification of the goal elaborator for its application to the new system or environment.

Abstract: An image forming device having a fast draft mode accomplished by speeding up the media through the image forming device but not changing the image data rate. The image data is scaled to compensate for the increased media speed. The image data may also undergo enhancement processes to increase the quality of the printed image.

Abstract: A metadata model defines model objects to represent one or more data sources. The metadata model comprises a data access layer, a business layer and a package layer. The data access layer contains data access model objects. The data access model objects include a data access model object that describes how to retrieve data from the data sources. The business layer contains business model objects. The business model objects include a business model object that describes a business view of data in the data sources. The package layer contains package model objects which reference subsets of business model objects.

Abstract: A query engine formulates a data source query to obtain data from one or more data sources. The query engine uses a metadata model containing model objects that represent the data sources. The metadata model has a data access layer, business layer and package layer. The model objects of the business layer are constructed based on the model objects contained in the data access layer. The query engine interacts to the metadata model at the business layer, and formulates a data source query based on a query specification provided by a client application. Thus, the query engine allows use of different type of client applications to obtain reports from one or more data sources.

Abstract: An improved system and method for data compression/decompression are disclosed. A data compression system may comprise an input memory, a plurality of data compressors, and a controller. In preferred embodiments, the controller selectively forwards data compressed with the most efficient data compressor over sub-portions of a data stream. A data decompression system may be implemented with an input memory, a data compression method identifier, and a plurality of data decompressors. In preferred embodiments, the data compression method identifier selectively applies an appropriate data decompressor over sub-portions of a compressed data stream. A method for compressing data can be summarized by the following steps: receiving a data stream; applying a plurality of data compression algorithms to the data stream; determining which of the plurality of data compression algorithms was most effective; buffering the compressed data; and generating a record indicative of which the applied data compression algorithms.

Abstract: An improved system and method for data compression/decompression are disclosed. A data compression system may comprise an input memory, a plurality of data compressors, and a controller. In preferred embodiments, the controller selectively forwards data compressed with the most efficient data compressor over sub-portions of a data stream. A data decompression system may be implemented with an input memory, a data compression method identifier, and a plurality of data decompressors. In preferred embodiments, the data compression method identifier selectively applies an appropriate data decompressor over sub-portions of a compressed data stream. A method for compressing data can be summarized by the following steps: receiving a data stream; applying a plurality of data compression algorithms to the data stream; determining which of the plurality of data compression algorithms was most effective; buffering the compressed data; and generating a record indicative of which the applied data compression algorithms.

Abstract: A hypertext markup language form is electronically signed by loading it into a browser application and generating an electronic signature for information in the form from within the browser application.

Abstract: An image forming device having a fast draft mode accomplished by speeding up the media through the image forming device but not changing the image data rate. The image data is scaled to compensate for the increased media speed. The image data may also undergo enhancement processes to increase the quality of the printed image.

Abstract: Color optical image scanners, optical scanners, and methods of scanning color images are described. In one embodiment, variations in a velocity profile of a moving object to be scanned are compensated for by selecting for illumination during greater velocity regions, colors having lesser degrees of sensitivity to a human eye. In another embodiment, manipulation of color planes of a scanned object takes place to provide improved images with reduced color artifacts.

Abstract: A method of sending a facsimile of a document includes diffusing a grayscale image to produce a binary, black-and-white image having on/off image values corresponding to a first spatial resolution. When communicating with a remote facsimile device that supports a lower resolution, the black-and-white image is converted to a lower resolution. To perform this conversion, a scaled value for each image value of the lower-resolution image is calculated by interpolating between neighboring dots of the original black-and-white image. The resulting scaled values are then error diffused to create a black-and-white image.

Abstract: An autonomous controller, comprised of a state knowledge manager, a control executor, hardware proxies and a statistical estimator collaborates with a goal elaborator, with which it shares common models of the behavior of the system and the controller. The elaborator uses the common models to generate from temporally indeterminate sets of goals, executable goals to be executed by the controller. The controller may be updated to operate in a different system or environment than that for which it was originally designed by the replacement of shared statistical models and by the instantiation of a new set of state variable objects derived from a state variable class. The adaptation of the controller does not require substantial modification of the goal elaborator for its application to the new system or environment.

Abstract: A prepreg thermoset sheet, ready to be cured, is molded with a preprocessed thermoplastic part to form an integral thermoset/thermoplastic composite joint. The composite produces a more robust access panel. The thermoplastic part is more damage tolerant and easy to repair. The thermoset part, while more difficult to repair, is cheaper than the thermoplastic part and thus used in those places where damage is not likely to occur. The method of molding the two parts together comprises: (a) providing a first part comprising the thermoset resin and a second part comprising the thermoplastic resin, both resins being partially miscible in each other; and (b) forming an interface between the first and second parts by bringing the parts into mutual contact and heating the parts at a temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to promote mutual miscibility prior to forming a network structure in the thermoset resin.

Abstract: A material feeding system and method generates a specified continuous output from a variable quantity of discrete and separated units of input. The conversion from discrete units of input to a continuous stream of output is facilitated by a dispersing wheel positioned over the conveying apparatus, in a position blocking the advance of the discrete units of input. The dispersing wheel rotates in opposition to the direction of advance of the conveying apparatus, breaking up the units of input and dispersing them along the length of the advancing conveying apparatus. The dispersing wheel has an outer cylindrical surface, with teeth thereon, which teeth engage the material and, in combination with the advance of the conveying apparatus, disperse the material on the conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A two-pole generator rotor assembly including a one-piece shaft, a prewound field coil assembly and a one-piece shaft. The one piece shaft includes a pair of axially spaced shaft end portions and a substantially cylindrical portion integrally formed with the spaced shaft end portions and interposed therebetween. The substantially cylindrical central portion includes a through slot for accommodating the prewound field coil assembly, with the through slot including a pair of opposed wall portions adapted to engage an outer peripheral portion of the prewound field coil assembly and provide means for retention of the prewound field coil.

Abstract: A U-shaped body portion has an attaching end for a cable or hitch connection and an opposite open end for receiving a strap to be connected to the body portion. In a first embodiment the body portion includes a pair of anchor bars arranged to receive a doubled back and looped end of a strap arranged to pinch the strap when a pulling tension is applied to the strap. A removable pin is mounted in the body portion and disposed between the anchor bars and the attaching end for insertion in the loop of the looped end of the strap. In another embodiment, one of the anchor bars is a removable pin in a structure that functions efficiently as a connector for both Nylon and metal straps. In addition to serving as a lifting connection for straps, the connector hereof can serve as a connector for a towing strap.

Abstract: A body portion is attachable to powered lifting mechanism and has an anchor projection arranged to be engaged by an end loop of a strap formed by a doubled back portion of the strap. Abutments are provided on the body portion that are offset from the anchor projection to provide a reeved engagement by the doubled back strap such that a load end of the strap is arranged to pinch a free end against an abutment by a lifting force on the load to secure the strap non-slidably in the connector. The anchor projection and abutments are disposed at the front surface of the body portion for simple edge loading movement of the strap. The connector can be used to form a simple loop type of support or it can form a choker type of loop.

Abstract: To replace a diode assembly in a brushless dynamo electric machine without removal of the rotor or separation of the housing along a split line, a sealed cap is located at a position near the end of the hollow rotor. The parts for maintaining the diode housing in operation position can all be slidably removed for permitting each removal and replacement of the diode housing.