Abstract: A method and system for user supply of point of interests is provided. User-supplied point of interest information may be maintained in a network storage facility mobile terminal, or other electronic digital storage device. A GPS device or mobile terminal for which location information may be determined may initiate a query of a user-supplied point of interest in conjunction with the location of the mobile terminal. Location or navigation information of the user-supplied point of interest may be retrieved and transmitted to the mobile terminal for display hereby.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an audio record is received over a communication link and buffered. A data window is aligned with a portion of a buffer that contains the buffered audio record; and a portion of the buffered audio record to which the data window is aligned is compared with a portion of a reference audio record. If the portions of the buffered and reference audio records match, the records are synchronized in accord with a current position of the data window; and an audio quality of the buffered audio record is evaluated by comparing the synchronized audio records. If the portions of the buffered and reference audio records do not match, a location of the data window is incremented with respect to the buffer; and a comparison of A) the portion of the buffered audio record to which the data window is aligned, to B) the portion of the reference audio record, is repeated.

Abstract: A coating composition, particularly a clearcoat composition, which may be a two-component clearcoat composition, comprises a film-forming material, a crosslinking agent, and a nonlinear polysiloxane polymer having a functional group reactive with the crosslinking agent. The coating composition exhibits excellent scratch resistance and adhesion of repair coating layers and sealants, such as windshield sealants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and the prevention and treatment of circulatory conditions. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a compositions comprising anti-platelet aggregating activity. In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates methods to prevent or treat vascular or cardiovascular diseases. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease by administering a glycerol saccharide derivative, an arylpolyphenol, a saccharide substituted with an arylpolyphenol, or a steroid substituted with an arylpolyphenol capable of reducing platelet aggregation. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of using the compounds capable of reducing platelet aggregation in order to prevent the recurrence of a heart attack by administration of the compounds to a subject after the subject has experienced a heart attack.

Abstract: A heater for heating a rigid fluid line or hose for freeze protection. The heater has a base made of an outer base layer, a middle base layer attached to the outer base layer; and an inner base layer attached to the middle base layer. The inner base layer can be uncured silicone (before assembly processing). A resistance wire is wound around an electrically non-conductive core and located on the inner base layer. The resistance wire can be a high gauge wire providing for a small moment of flexure. A cover includes an inner cover layer covering said resistance wire. This inner cover layer can be uncured silicone (before assembly processing). A middle cover layer is attached to the inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer is attached to the inner cover layer. The outer cover layer protects the heater from abrasion.

Abstract: A computer games apparatus includes a server operable under the control of a computer program to generate and store data defining a 3D game environment. Objects within that environment can be moved and/or changed in response to signals received by the server from player terminals. Those signals may be transmitted via the Internet and/or other networks. The server renders the object data into data defining one or more views of the 3D environment, which data can then be processed into a broadcastable form for receipt by a plurality of observers. The performance of the apparatus is unaffected by the number of observers actually in receipt of the broadcast data.

Abstract: A continuous bi-directional file-play-record voice and video quality tester system (“CFPR-VVQT”) for measuring the quality of voice or video communication links from a customer premises equipment (“CPE”) through a Network under Test to a voice and video quality tester (“VVQT”). The start and end of a set of quality testing sample signals are determined by a start flag signal and an end flag signal, respectively, generated by the CFPR-VVQT. The flag signals may be triple tone modulation frequency (“TTMF”) tones. The CFPR-VVQT will measure the quality testing sample signals, determine a signal quality test result, and then transmit the test results back through Network under Test to the originating VVQT.

Abstract: An anchorage system for structural reinforcement of surface bonded reinforcing sheet, plate or shell made of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) or steel or other metallic or non-metallic materials is disclosed. The anchorage system comprises an anchor tube or solid rod with a circular outer surface and a lock-down means provided along the longitudinal axis of the tube or rod. The lock-down means can be either an anchor bolt mounted through the center of the anchor tube or rod or an anchor strap pressed against the circular surface of the tube or rod into the members to be reinforced. The FRP reinforcing sheet, plate or shell is bonded to the surface of the structural member, and optionally, the supporting member, and passes underneath the outer circular surface of the tube or rod. The tube or rod is held securely by the lock-down means which, in turn, compresses and holds in place the FRP sheet against the surface of the structural member.

Abstract: A heater for heating a rigid fluid line or hose for freeze protection. The heater has a base made of an outer base layer, a middle base layer attached to the outer base layer; and an inner base layer attached to the middle base layer. The inner base layer can be uncured silicone (before assembly processing). A resistance wire is wound around an electrically non-conductive core and located on the inner base layer. The resistance wire can be a high gauge wire providing for a small moment of flexure. A cover covers the resistance wire and includes an inner cover layer covering said resistance wire. This inner cover layer can be uncured silicone (before assembly processing). A middle cover layer is attached to the inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer is attached to the inner cover layer. The outer cover layer protects the heater from abrasion.

Abstract: A voice activated wireless locator service provides an interactive voice response system whereby a user is walked through a sequence of voice prompts to select a desired destination. Using either geo-coded information provided during the voice call or speech recognition of a shortcut phrase associated in a database with a street address, and using a locator service database, the system can provide spoken instructions using a text to speech engine, providing the name, location, and driving directions to one or more destinations matching the criteria provided by the user. Because the system uses speech recognition technology, it is particularly well suited for wireless access devices, such as cellular telephones, which are often used when a user is engaged in other activities, such as driving.

Abstract: Wireless access to a computer network, such as the Internet and its associated World Wide Web resources, is greatly simplified using a voice driven system in which specific Web pages are identified using spoken shortcut phrases, which phrases are converted into text commands and compared to a database of stored bookmarks. When a matching bookmark is located, it is sent to a Web server which will serve up the resource to the wireless access device, such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant. Preferably, the wireless access device can maintain a voice channel to a speech server for providing spoken shortcuts, while at the same time maintaining a data channel to the Web server for receiving the requested Web pages. In other embodiments, the spoken command is provided over a voice connection, which connection is terminated in order to allow the requested page to be served over a data connection.

Abstract: A voice activated wireless locator service provides an interactive voice response system whereby a user is walked through a sequence of voice prompts to select a desired destination. Using either geo-coded information provided during the voice call or speech recognition of a shortcut phrase associated in a database with a street address, and using a locator service database, the system can provide spoken instructions using a text to speech engine, providing the name, location, and driving directions to one or more destinations matching the criteria provided by the user. Because the system uses speech recognition technology, it is particularly well suited for wireless access devices, such as cellular telephones, which are often used when a user is engaged in other activities, such as driving.

Abstract: Apparatus for image processing which consists of a display (1) and controller (2), a CPU (3) connected to accept user instructions from a mouse (4), an image processor (5) arranged to process image data and a memory (6) for storing image (and other data). A user can specify a sequence of image processing operations on the display (1) using the mouse (4), and interactively modify the sequence depending on the displayed image. The apparatus operates three independent routines ("virtual machines"); a user interface routine accepting instructions and updating the screen display; a sequence evaluation routine constructing a table (20) representing the sequence graph, and evaluating the table (20) to generate corresponding image processing instructions for the image processor (5); and the image processing routine executing specified image processing operations and storing the result in the memory (6) to be accessed for display. Evaluation only occurs after an output is required.

Abstract: To effect hidden surface removal, polygons making up a three dimensional object are initially ordered using a Topological Sort into, for example, three rendering order lists corresponding to orthogonal axis. When the object is to be represented from a given view direction, the view direction is compared to the axis and the rendering list corresponding to the closest match is selected. Polygons are then rendered in list order, backward facing polygons being omitted. Performing the ordering at the polygon level, in an initial step, saves computation and consequently enables the projection and rendering processes to be speeded up to provide real time interactive three dimensional graphics. The Topological Sorting process is particularly computationally effective.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for folding a sock cuff, which comprises a blade mounted on and projecting from a support, a first carriage mounted for reciprocal movement along and over said blade and having first gripping means adapted to space and grip the open end of a sock such that movement of the carriage along the blade will substantially envelop the blade with the sock, a second carriage mounted for reciprocal movement along said blade and having second gripping means adapted to move transversely to the blade to grip the sock covering said blade, and means for actuating (i) said carriage to reciprocally move said carriage along said blade, (ii) said first gripping means to grip and release the open end of said sock and, (iii) said second gripping means to reciprocally move said means along the blade and transversely thereto. A process of folding a sock cuff, more particularly, a `walk` sock cuff, is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for stretching and folding a limp fabric piece (1), having a plurality of opposed elastic bands (12,12',13,13') extending therefrom comprising a platform (2) having a foldable segment, means for folding said foldable segment relative to the platform (2),A limp fabric piece feeding plate (5) for feeding said limp fabric piece (1) to said platform (2) and holding said fabric piece (1) thereon in an extended condition and in a pre-determined position to enable eventual folding of the fabric piece (1) to produce a garment,means for moving said plate (5) horizontally or vertically,suction means located adjacent said platform (2) for applying suction to the elastic bands (12,12',13,13') extending from the fabric piece (1),elastic band gripper means associated with the suction means for gripping and holding the sucked-in elastic bands (12,12',13,13'), relative to said suction means,means for moving said suction means relative to said platform (2) to stretch said fabric piece (1),garment gripper means assoc