Abstract: A geoposition is determined at a point using a geoposition determining mobile communication device. A crop management zone is identified based on one or more predetermined crop management boundaries and the geoposition of the point. Information about the field is wirelessly communicated between the geoposition determining mobile communications device and a remote site. Analysis may be performed at the remote site with the results of the analysis communicated to the mobile communication device at the growing point. Information may be collected at the point which is stored or analyzed at the remote site. Information may include digital images of plant conditions which may be analyzed to determine conditions such as disease or pest infestation. Contextual information from a number of different types of sources may be used to provide meaningful analysis and feedback to the producer. The producer may define crop management zones using the geoposition determining mobile communication device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for notifying a user of a video monitoring system event while other video monitoring system related functions may be performed in the background of a multi-use computing environment. For example, a graphical pop-up, priority image, and/or notification sound may be transmitted to a user within a multi-use environment to alert the user that a particular video monitoring system related event has occurred. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a video monitoring system disposed within a multi-use computing and communication environment. The system includes a video input source, and a control module disposed within a multi-use computing environment. The control module includes a user notification system configured to continuously monitor the video data for local video monitoring related events and transmit a notification to a user of the multi-use computer system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer based remote video monitoring system including a set of video input sources, a control module, and a client module. The video input sources are coupled to the control module via a local data transmission system such as a local area network. The client module is indirectly data coupled to the control module through an intermediary data server via a global data transmission system such as the Internet. The indirect data coupling between the client module and the control module is limited to an outbound data limited communication protocol such as an instant messaging protocol specifically including the messaging and presence protocol XMPP. The indirect data coupling enables the client module to perform various video monitoring system management related functions including controlling the control module so as to effect the video data signals produced by the video input sources.

Abstract: Techniques are described for sharing multidimensional data between software systems, such as enterprise software systems. Specifically, the techniques provide mechanisms for defining inter-application “links” for automatically moving data among different databases associated with the enterprise software systems. For example, a system may include a first database storing multidimensional data for a first software application, and a second database storing multidimensional data for a second software application. The system further includes an interface by which an administrator defines a link that specifies a source area of the first database and a target area of the second database. A link control module automatically moves multidimensional data from the source area to the target area in accordance with the link. The link control module may automatically move the multidimensional data directly between live portions of the respective databases.

Abstract: A play set comprises master and slave toy vehicles and a stationary base unit. The master toy vehicle includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver to be controlled by a manually operated RF remote control unit and an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to broadcast an IR tracking signal. The slave toy vehicle includes a directional receiver to detect the source of the IR tracking signal and an on-board, self-directing control circuit coupled to the at least one directional receiver to control the slave toy vehicle to chase the master toy vehicle. The base unit includes a platform with a game controller and one or more targets mounted so as to move when struck by the master toy vehicle. The game controller and one or both of the toy vehicles are configured for one way or two way wireless communication between the game controller and toy vehicles(s). The game controller is configured to initiate and control one or more modes of game play through the targets or communication with the toy vehicles.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal container from a low carbon steel strip or sheet coated on at least one of its surfaces with a coherent laminated coating of a thermoplastic polymer material includes one or more redrawing stages which reduce the thickness of the side walls by a drawing/stretching operation, and a partial reverse redrawing stage to produce an initial internal chamber whose depth is produced by a reduction of its height. The initial internal chamber is then redrawn to produce two chambers of differing diameter and depth, the diameter of the initial chamber being decreased by the redraw operation and inserting by base reforming the final chamber with a new internal diameter and depth produced by a reduction in the container height.

Abstract: A transducer senses sounds produced by a talker or other source and measures acceleration of air. Enhancement of acceleration is accompanied by reduction of the portion of the sound energy that escapes from the regions around the transducer. The result is a high sensitivity transducer, with increased privacy for use in communication systems, especially cell phones and in a multi-person environment. A pressure sensor array with a weighted output is sensitive to sound from a source talker only, and not to acoustic background noise, and not to a local loudspeaker. The weighted signal is a source sum pressure signal. The array produces a signal (using a different weighting) that corresponds to an estimate of a derivative of pressure. The derivative signal is proportional to the volume velocity fluctuations produced by the source. This signal is enhanced, rather than reduced. A local loudspeaker is driven to make the source sum pressure signal as small as desired.

Abstract: An overshoe that covers a shoe or boot for isolating the mud, dirt, grass, debris, or contaminated fluid on the shoe or boot from clean surfaces. The article has a front upright and a rear upright with built-in retaining protrusions that grab and hold onto the shoe or boot when it is inserted inside the article. A base with a fabric liner absorbs mud and liquid. The bottom of the base is provides traction and prevents slippage. The base also has a tab for easy removal of the overshoe from the shoe or boot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transmitting transactional commands and data between computer networks, and in particular a method for securely transmitting transactional commands and data between two computer networks by encoding the transaction based upon the ontology and semantics of the transaction commands. The invention establishes the process in which transactional commands are decomposed into context less text, based upon a local representation of the transaction command ontology and semantics. The invention also establishes the process for authenticating the transaction using deep knowledge of the user and business rules for the transaction. The decomposition of the transaction command and data is achieved using command semantic knowledge objects, data semantic knowledge objects and a decision cube populated as a result of an examination of the transaction command set ontology and semantics. The resultant transmission consists of a set of indexes or tags and context less data fields.

Abstract: Techniques are described for sharing multidimensional data between software systems, such as enterprise software systems. Specifically, the techniques provide mechanisms for defining inter-application “links” for automatically moving data among different databases associated with the enterprise software systems. For example, a system may include a first database storing multidimensional data for a first software application, and a second database storing multidimensional data for a second software application. The system further includes an interface by which an administrator defines a link that specifies a source area of the first database and a target area of the second database. A link control module automatically moves multidimensional data from the source area to the target area in accordance with the link. The link control module may automatically move the multidimensional data directly between live portions of the respective databases.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a driven wheel, a drive assembly including a drive motor, and a steering assembly including a first steering motor and first and second steering arms. The drive motor is coupled to the driven wheel. The first and second steering arms are coupled to the steering motor. The drive motor drives rotation of the drive assembly relative to the driven wheel, and the steering motor drives rotation of the first and second steering arms relative to the drive assembly. Preferably, a second steering motor is provided, and rotation of the first and second steering arms may be independently controlled.

Abstract: An x-ray detection system (400) for detecting a deflected X-ray beam (206) from a sample (204) comprising a detector (402) having an array of pixels enabled to receive the X-ray beam area at the detector (402), a image processing means (404) for reading out a sample image from the detector (402) and a region of interest extraction means (406, 408) for extracting a sub-image of a first area from the sample image. The sub-image is typically a narrow strip of the array of pixels to obtain a “virtual slit” image or a circular area of the array of pixels to obtain a “virtual aperture” image. More than one sub-image may be extracted from the sample image taken from the detector (402).

Abstract: An X-ray source (24), a detector (26) and a specimen (20) are mutually positioned by an apparatus which includes two spaced, parallel linear actuators (32,36) each movable along a gantry (34). The source (24) and detector (26) can be moved vertically by the actuators (32,36) and rotationally by rotary actuators (28,30). Equivalent arrangements are also described.

Abstract: A large-scale enterprise software system is described that outputs consistent export data for concurrent exports. The system includes a database and an export control module. The database stores modeling data defining a plurality of nodes, and enterprise data associated within each of the nodes. The export control module outputs a portion of the enterprise data as export data in response to an export selection that associates a set of the nodes with a least one export client. During the export process, the export control module creates an archive (e.g., a copy) of the enterprise data associated with one or more of the nodes for the export selection prior to modifying the enterprise data. The export control module utilizes the current enterprise data for the non-modified nodes and the archived export data for the nodes that were modified during the export process to output consistent export data for multiple, concurrent export clients.

Abstract: A pipe coupling flange (16) comprising a central bore and having first and second ports for receiving valves and a plurality of channels, wherein a take-off channel links the first port with the central bore, a feed channel links the first port directly or indirectly with the second port; and wherein the second port links directly or indirectly with the exterior of the flange. Across two pipe flanges (16), and fixed directly to the periphery of each flange there may be a Bridge (30). The bridge (30) may be capable of having process media (24) monitoring devices fixed directly to it.

Abstract: A Soller slit device is provided for collimation of high energy radiation, such as X-ray or EUV radiation, and has a low angle of divergence (less than 0.1°) and a high transmission efficiency (60 to 80% or greater). The Soller slit is made up of multiple blades of low-density material, such as glass, mica, or the like, which are treated to reduce reflectivity. The Soller slit device of the invention advantageously provides an increased peak intensity and decreased peak width in diffraction patterns produced in high energy diffractometry applications, such as X-ray diffractometry.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity chemiluminescent ELISA-based prion detection method is provided, the method comprising an ELISA plate coated with monoclonal antibody for the capture of PrPsc protein and treated with an optimized blocking reagent, and a set of labeling and detection reagents. The digestion cocktail is preferably a unique combination of proteolytic, lipolytic and nuclease enzymes for the liberation of the prion PrPsc antigen. The ELISA plate is preferably a multi-well, high-protein binding, microtiter plate coated with an anti-prion monoclonal antibody, used to capture the PrPsc antigen. The blocking agent is an optimized protein and buffer solution. The detection antibody is preferably a biotinylated monoclonal antibody. The chemiluminescent conjugate is preferably a conjugate of streptavidin and alkaline phosphatase enzyme. The final component is preferably an optimized chemiluminescent substrate for maximum sensitivity.