Abstract: A system includes a first communication network, such as the Internet, having a client; a second INCOM communication network including a plurality of communicating devices; and a server. The server includes a first Ethernet transceiver communicating with the Internet, a second INCOM transceiver communicating with the INCOM communication network and the communicating devices, and a processor cooperating with the first and second transceivers. The processor being adapted to learn at least some of the communicating devices, to periodically obtain a plurality of values from the communicating devices, to associate the values with a web page, to communicate the web page to the client over the Internet, and to periodically communicate the values associated with the web page to the client over the Internet.

Abstract: A method of programming and testing a microcontroller includes providing a connector having a plurality of ports on the circuit board containing the microcontroller, and providing programming data to a first one or more of the ports. Each of the first one or more of the ports is in electronic communication with a respective one of a first one or more of the pins of the microcontroller. The method further includes causing the microcontroller to provide selected diagnostic data on a second one or more of the pins, wherein each of the second one or more of the pins is in electronic communication with a respective one of a second one or more of the ports, receiving the selected diagnostic data from the second one or more of the ports and converting at least a portion of the received selected diagnostic data into one or more analog signals.

Abstract: An end leaf assembly for use in attaching a hardcover assembly to a stack of sheets to form a hardcover book and related method. The assembly includes first and second leaf sections, preferably formed from a folded single sheet, with the first leaf section being substantially the same size of the sheets of the stack. A strip of pressure sensitive adhesive, disposed on the second end leaf along the fold of the single sheet, is provided for securing a portion of the second end leaf an outer sheet of the stack. The pressure sensitive strip is disposed on the second end leaf at least 1/16 of an inch from the fold and is preferably no wider than 2.0 inches in the direction normal to the fold. The first leaf section is provided for securing the end leaf assembly to an interior surface of one of the covers of the hardcover assembly.

Abstract: MRI scans typically have higher resolution within a slice than between slices. To improve the resolution, two MRI scans are taken in different, preferably orthogonal, directions. The scans are registered by maximizing a correlation between their gradients and then fused to form a high-resolution image. Multiple receiving coils can be used. When the images are multispectral, the number of spectral bands is reduced by transformation of the spectral bands in order of image contrast and using the transformed spectral bands with the highest contrast.

Abstract: Guide apparatus for forming and applying an over-wrap sheet to a book hardcover including a base unit having a width greater than the width of the hardcover and a length greater than the length of the hardcover, with the base unit including a hardcover receiving area and first and second orthogonal stops supported on the base unit for engaging first and second respective orthogonal edges of a cut over-wrap sheet. Third and fourth orthogonal stops are provided which are supported on the base unit for engaging first and second orthogonal edges of a hardcover placed on the hardcover receiving area.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and applying a wrap sheet to a hardcover for a bound book, including a planar guide having a width and length selected such that the planar guide can be uses as a template for cutting the wrap sheet. A reticule is disposed on the planar guide, with the guide being preferably transparent in at least the region of the reticule, for aligning the guide over the uncut wrap sheet. Anti-skid members are disposed on one side of the planar guide so that the guide will not tend to move during the cutting. A lip member is disposed on a surface of the guide, opposite the anti-skid members, which is used to assist in aligning the guide over the hardcover so that the guide can also be used for positioning and securing the cut wrap sheet onto the hardcover.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a peak detector determining a peak amplitude of a current pulse of the current flowing in a power circuit. A microprocessor determines whether the peak amplitude of the current pulse is greater than a predetermined magnitude. A plurality of routines including a time discounted accumulation algorithm, a short delay algorithm and a series time discounted accumulation algorithm, employ the peak amplitude to determine whether an arc fault condition exists in the power circuit.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes line and load terminals, separable contacts, a current sensor sensing current flowing between the terminals and associated with one type of load, and a first arc fault detection circuit generating a first trip signal responsive to the sensed current. A second arc fault detection circuit collects a plurality of sensed current samples for a current line cycle and also for a previous line cycle, determines a total current value from a peak current of the current line cycle samples, employs the total current value and some of the samples to determine the type of load, and generates a second trip signal responsive to the sensed current and the determined type of load. A trip circuit generates a third trip signal responsive to the first and second trip signals. An operating mechanism opens the contacts responsive to the third signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and devices for amplifying a signal by amplifying a first signal and by then amplifying a second signal only if the first signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first and second amplified signals are then combined, and the combination is fed back to a signal source and used to control the values of the first and second signal. The combination is further transmitted to a load. In the preferred embodiment, the first amplified signal is transmitted through an impedance inverter before it is combined with the second amplified signal.

Abstract: A binder strip cassette including a binder strip roll disposed within a cassette housing, with the roll including a multiplicity of elongated binder strips, each of said binder strips including a flexible substrate and an adhesive disposed on the substrate. The roll further includes a flexible elongated carrier supporting said binder strips, with said binder strips being disposed along a length of the elongated carrier in an end-to-end arrangement; with said elongated carrier and said binder strips being wound to form a binder strip roll. The binder strip roll is rotatably mounted within the housing. The cassette is further provided with a drive apparatus for unwinding the binder strip roll to provide an unwound portion of the binder strip roll together with a separating apparatus disposed within the cassette housing for separating the binder strips from the elongated carrier of the unwound portion of the binder strip roll to produce a separated binder strip.

Abstract: MRI scans typically have higher resolution within a slice than between slices. To improve the resolution, two MRI scans are taken in different, preferably orthogonal, directions. The scans are registered by maximizing a correlation between their gradients and then fused to form a high-resolution image. Multiple receiving coils can be used. When the images are multispectral, the number of spectral bands is reduced by transformation of the spectral bands in order of image contrast and using the transformed spectral bands with the highest contrast.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning an edge of a stack of sheets to be bound so that sheets having coated surfaces and the like can be reliably bound. The apparatus includes a stack clamping mechanism configured to secure the stack of sheets and a piercing member configured to produce a piercing action substantially in a piercing plane. Also provided is a positioning mechanism configured to control relative movement of the stack clamping mechanism and the piercing mechanism so that the sheets of the stack pass through the piercing plane, with the drive mechanism being configured to drive the piercing member into the edge of the stack at least once for each sheet of the stack passing through the piercing plane.

Abstract: In CT (computed tomography) images, streak artifacts caused by the presence of metal implants and inhomogeneous estimation of tissue density are reduced or eliminated. The algorithm has two basic steps: 1) illumination correction and 2) adaptive 3D filtering. The algorithm starts by estimating the direction of the streak and the degree of inhomogeneous densities by gray scale morphology dilatation. Then, it proceeds to estimate the correct densities based on the estimations and to reduce the streak by an adaptive 3D filtering whose parameters depend on the streak direction and the local image contrast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a file to be transferred from a mainframe computer to a client computer. A folder is set up on the client computer with a list of filenames and/or filters that designates some of the files on the mainframe computer as belonging to the folder. Conversion properties are assigned to the folder. A file is requested using the folder name and filename, and the file is transferred from the mainframe to the client computer and converted according to the properties of the folder to which the file belongs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows files stored on a mainframe computer system to be manipulated from a client computer system such as a personal computer. The mainframe may be represented by a UNC identifier or drive letter and a hierarchical folder structure may be arranged for the UNC identifier or drive letter in a manner consistent with the manner for arranging folders for locally stored files. Filenames or templates capable of describing multiple filenames may be associated with each folder to allow files on the mainframe to be manipulated using the hierarchical folder structure in a manner similar to that of locally stored files.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides random access to mainframe files that are accessed using an operating system that does not provide random access. This allows a computer system such as a mainframe on which random access is not supported to act as a file server for a computer system on which random access is supported without requiring the entire file to be downloaded to the client computer system.

Abstract: A computerized system is disclosed for performing various medical diagnostic tests and evaluating the results thereof. In one form, image data generated from an imaging device, such as a CAT, PET, or MRI scanner, is analyzed by computer and compared with coded information defining past images of the same patient and/or standard images in order to assess the patient's condition. The system may incorporate various types of both imaging and non-imaging modalities for providing data inputs which are stored in a database for analysis. In one particular embodiment, a computer automatically controls the performance of certain tests in accordance with its evaluation of the current input data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the in vivo transfer of therapeutic genes to internal body sites. An operating head of a catheter or endoscope contains a particle bombardment device for accelerating DNA-coated particles into a target tissue. With either endoscopy or arterial catheterization, the operating head may be guided to diseased or deficient organs, or other lesions, and deliver the gene coated particles in a targeted manner. In one embodiment, a double balloon catheter is employed to isolate an intravasular space containing the lesion to be treated, with the space being cleared of blood and filled with gas before operation of the particle bombardment device. The method and apparatus may also be employed to deliver other therapeutic agents to intracellular targets.

Abstract: A catheter device for performing atherectomy procedures and the like in which cutting blades at the distal end of the catheter are extended by the application of fluid pressure to the catheter to inflate a balloon. One or more cutting blades are attached to the end of a resilient support that maintains the blade in a retracted position until engaged by the expanding balloon to extend the blade radially outward. Specific embodiments include separate expandable balloons provided on each side of the cutting blade to isolate the operative site and separate conduits for the infusion of a flushing liquid to the operative site.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new apparatus and method for providing a non-uniform light source. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus that uses a modified quartz plate to provide a non-uniform light source. A method for such a non-uniform light source using a modified quartz plate is also disclosed.