Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in fiber optic signature recognition to analyze buried optical fiber to identify a non-threat area along a fiber route and to discontinue monitoring for disturbances along that area of the cable route. The technique includes determining the location of the zone of non-threatening disturbances from comparing an optical signal to the representation of a prearranged optical signal identified as friendly. Once a zone of non-threatening disturbances is identified, all subsequent disturbances in that zone are considered friendly. Cable monitoring is discontinued in the identified zone of non-threatening disturbances so as to avoid monitoring fiber cable when permitted workers are in the area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in fiber optic signature recognition to analyze buried optical fiber to identify a non-threat area along a fiber route and to discontinue monitoring for disturbances along that area of the cable route. The technique includes determining the location of the zone of non-threatening disturbances from comparing an optical signal to the representation of a prearranged optical signal identified as friendly. Once a zone of non-threatening disturbances is identified, all subsequent disturbances in that zone are considered friendly. Cable monitoring is discontinued in the identified zone of non-threatening disturbances so as to avoid monitoring fiber cable when permitted workers are in the area.

Abstract: A system efficiently transfers source data from a server to at least one client. A compressed hierarchical representation, which may be used to reconstitute a “visually lossless” version of the image data, is stored at the server. The compressed hierarchical representation is decomposed from the image data using a wavelet transform with floating point kernels, to generate coefficients. The server also stores residual data that permits reconstructing the full fidelity version of the image data from the visually lossless version. The client requests compressed coefficients to reconstruct a visually lossless version of portions of the image data, and the server transfers compressed coefficients specified in the request. To generate a full fidelity image, the client upgrades the visually lossless version of the image to a full fidelity image using the residual data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in fiber optic signature recognition to analyze buried optical fiber to identify a non-threat area along a fiber route and to discontinue monitoring for disturbances along that area of the cable route. The technique includes determining the location of the zone of non-threatening disturbances from comparing an optical signal to the representation of a prearranged optical signal identified as friendly. Once a zone of non-threatening disturbances is identified, all subsequent disturbances in that zone are considered friendly. Cable monitoring is discontinued in the identified zone of non-threatening disturbances so as to avoid monitoring fiber cable when permitted workers are in the area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and system used for searching among a plurality of entities on a computer network by a user. A computer server in communication with the computer network can include a database with a storage mechanism, a rule set, and an interaction calculation engine. The user can search for a first entity using a location calculation engine in communication with the computer network. The location calculation engine can locate the first entity and determine and display at least a second portion of the plurality of entities relevant to the first entity.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus is presented for troubleshooting a fiber-optic cable. A fiber-optic, cable-troubleshooting system includes an integrated Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for generating an optical distance to a fault and a cable-locating module for presenting a tone on a fiber-optic cable. A technician uses the tone to locate the fiber-optic cable and the optical distance to locate the fault in the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively grounding each of a plurality of short-haul buried utility conveyances coupled to a common long-haul buried utility conveyance to enable a conveyance locating signal transmitted through the long-haul conveyance to travel from the long-haul utility conveyance to a selected short-haul utility conveyance. The system includes a first optical switch for selecting each of the plurality of short-haul utility conveyances to be grounded, where the first optical switch is adapted to receive an optical signal and selectively output the optical signal on one of a plurality of optical fibers; and a second optical switch coupled to each of the plurality of optical fibers for grounding each short-haul utility conveyance in response to the optical signal on a corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for selectively grounding each of a plurality of short-haul buried utility conveyances coupled to a common long-haul buried utility conveyance to enable a conveyance locating signal transmitted through the long-haul conveyance to travel from the long-haul utility conveyance to a selected short-haul utility conveyance. The system includes a first optical switch for selecting each of the plurality of short-haul utility conveyances to be grounded, where the first optical switch is adapted to receive an optical signal and selectively output the optical signal on one of a plurality of optical fibers; and a second optical switch coupled to each of the plurality of optical fibers for grounding each short-haul utility conveyance in response to the optical signal on a corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting thin strip where, at the start of a casting campaign, the side dams are pressed against the end surfaces of the casting rolls with a pressure of less than 3.0 kg/cm2 but more than 1.25 kg/cm2 and after the target casting pool height is reached, reducing the pressure exerted by the side dams against the end surfaces of the casting rolls to below 1.25 kg/cm2 to reduce wear of the side dams against the end surfaces of the casting rolls.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting thin strip where, at the start of a casting campaign, the side dams are pressed against the end surfaces of the casting rolls with a pressure of less than 3.0 kg/cm2 but more than 1.25 kg/cm2 and after the target casting pool height is reached, reducing the pressure exerted by the side dams against the end surfaces of the casting rolls to below 1.25 kg/cm=hu 2 =l to reduce wear of the side dams against the end surfaces of the casting rolls.

Abstract: A system for selectively grounding each of a plurality of short-haul buried utility conveyances coupled to a common long-haul buried utility conveyance to enable a conveyance locating signal transmitted through the long-haul conveyance to travel from the long-haul utility conveyance to a selected short-haul utility conveyance. The system includes a first optical switch for selecting each of the plurality of short-haul utility conveyances to be grounded, where the first optical switch is adapted to receive an optical signal and selectively output the optical signal on one of a plurality of optical fibers; and a second optical switch coupled to each of the plurality of optical fibers for grounding each short-haul utility conveyance in response to the optical signal on a corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: Cannabinoid derivatives that exhibit specificity for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor are provided. The analogues are tetrahydrocannabinols and hydroxyhexahydrocannabinols, and are useful for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and cancer.

Abstract: A keyboard illumination system comprises a computer device having a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The system also comprises a display controller adapted to change an electrical state of at least one of the LCDs for providing a predetermined level of illumination by the at least one LCD for illuminating at least a portion of a keyboard of the computer device.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a fiber-optic cable attenuator is presented. An assembly is presented for encasing a cable and providing an airtight chamber around the fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable is then deflected within the assembly to allow a reading of the deflection point by an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). In one embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with pressurized air. In another embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with indenters fitted through the airtight chamber. As a result, initial reference data and cable location may be obtained and found without damaging the cable (i.e., using splices and other disruptive means).

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a fiber-optic cable attenuator is presented. An assembly is presented for encasing a cable and providing an airtight chamber around the fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable is then deflected within the assembly to allow a reading of the deflection point by an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). In one embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with pressurized air. In another embodiment, the fiber-optic cable is deflected with indenters fitted through the airtight chamber. As a result, initial reference data and cable location may be obtained and found without damaging the cable (i.e., using splices and other disruptive means).

Abstract: An application service provider point of sale system and method provide point of sale transaction processing and management for subscribers through remote access and use of a point of sale system hosted on ASP server. A thin client device known as a lane commander provides input and output for point of sale transaction processing. The lane commander also provides an off-line mode that enables transaction processing in the event on-line access to the ASP server becomes disabled. Subscriber demand for third party products and services is aggregated to secure volume discounts for the subscribers.

Abstract: Cannabinoid analogues that exhibit specificity for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor are provided. The analogues are 1-methoxy-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy- and 11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-?8-tetrahydrocannabinols and 1-alkyl-3(1-naphthoyl)indoles. The compounds are useful for the treatment of pain (especially pain resulting from inflammation) and cancer (especially glioma tumors).

Abstract: Apparatus include a toner cartridge that defines a primary toner reservoir and at least one secondary toner reservoir. A gate device is also included, wherein the gate device is configured to selectively control the flow of toner from the secondary toner reservoir to the primary toner reservoir. Methods of operating a toner cartridge include providing a toner cartridge having a primary toner reservoir and a secondary toner reservoir. The toner cartridge is operated to initially deplete toner from the primary toner reservoir. At a given level of toner depletion from the primary toner reservoir, toner is dumped from the secondary toner reservoir into the primary toner reservoir for replenishment thereof.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a control system including a controller configured to selectively control an imaging apparatus, a sensor in signal communication with the controller and configured to provide a scan signal corresponding to sheet media, and a computer-accessible storage media in data communication with the controller and containing a data table, wherein the controller is configured to selectively gather data from the data table in response to the scan signal provided by the sensor. A method of the present invention includes receiving a print job from a user, providing a scan signal in response to sensing at least one sheet media characteristic, selectively reading sheet media data in response to the scan signal, and selectively controlling an imaging device of an imaging apparatus in response to the print job and the read sheet media data.

Abstract: Apparatus include a toner cartridge that defines a primary toner reservoir and at least one secondary toner reservoir. A gate device is also included, wherein the gate device is configured to selectively control the flow of toner from the secondary toner reservoir to the primary toner reservoir. Methods of operating a toner cartridge include providing a toner cartridge having a primary toner reservoir and a secondary toner reservoir. The toner cartridge is operated to initially deplete toner from the primary toner reservoir. At a given level of toner depletion from the primary toner reservoir, toner is dumped from the secondary toner reservoir into the primary toner reservoir for replenishment thereof.