Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating neuropathic pain via intrathecal administration of agonists of A2A adenosine receptors (ARs).

Abstract: There is disclosed a water treatment appliance, particularly for on-the-counter treatment of potable water. The appliance comprises: a base unit comprising a pump, a housing and a cooling unit for chilling water in the housing; a removable water reservoir engageable with the housing; a control panel comprising a water dispensing switch; an outlet for dispensing treated water from the fluid treatment system; and a treatment cartridge removably disposed in the housing. The treatment cartridge comprises a first chamber and a second chamber in communication with one another. The first chamber is in communication with the housing and has disposed therein a filter element. The second chamber is in communication with the outlet and has disposed therein an ultraviolet radiation lamp.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water treatment appliance, particularly for on-the-counter treatment of potable water. The appliance comprises: a base unit comprising a pump, a housing and a cooling unit for chilling water in the housing; a removable water reservoir engageable with the housing; a control panel comprising a water dispensing switch; an outlet for dispensing treated water from the fluid treatment system; and a treatment cartridge removably disposed in the housing. The treatment cartridge comprises a first chamber and a second chamber in communication with one another. The first chamber is in communication with the housing and has disposed therein a filter element. The second chamber is in communication with the outlet and has disposed therein an ultraviolet radiation lamp.

Abstract: Methods of potentiating opioid-induced analgesia in a subject by administration of a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor or glial attenuator are described. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods of treating or preventing acute or subchronic pain by administration of a PDE inhibitor or glial attenuator, such as ibudilast (3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine), in combination with an opioid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for processing a received television signal comprising one of a first type of television signal and a second type of television signal. Specifically, the method comprises amplifying the received television signal in response to a control signal. If the received television signal comprises the first type of television signal, the RF amplifier gain is reduced when the received television signal exceeds a first signal level. If the received television signal comprises the second type of television signal, the RF amplifier gain is reduced when the received television signal exceeds a second signal level. The second signal level is greater than the first signal level. A concomitant apparatus is also provided. As the first signal level is lower for the first type of television signal, reception of the first type of television signal is improved.

Abstract: A method (400) and a system (100) for providing video signals to video displays includes the steps of receiving at least one input video signal (150), dithering the non-uniformity color correction (445), applying the non-uniformity color correction to the input video signal to generate a color corrected video signal (450), and increasing a frame rate of the color corrected video signal (120). Gamma correction (125) can be applied to the color correction. Generating a dithered non-uniformity color correction can include selecting from a data storage (115) a plurality of RGB correction matrices (300), measuring at least one brightness level of the input video signal, selecting for the picture level correction a first RGB correction matrix if the brightness is within a first range of values (425), a second RGB correction matrix if the brightness is within a second range of values (435), and interpolating (440) the plurality of RGB correction matrices if the brightness is within a third range of values.

Abstract: An IF signal processing arrangement for processing both analog and digital signals is disclosed in the present application. The signal processing arrangement includes a signal source for providing one of digital and analog IF signals, a first SAW filter having an output for filtering the IF signal, digital signal processing circuitry coupled to the output for processing a filtered digital IF signal, and analog signal processing circuitry coupled to the output for processing which includes filtering a filtered analog signal.

Abstract: A memory device compares, within the memory device, a signal indicative of a current drawn by one or more select lines to a reference signal, and indicates whether the signal indicative of the current drawn by the one or more select lines exceeds the reference signal.

Abstract: A lottery terminal or kiosk such as a video lottery terminal, a lottery ticket printing terminal and/or other remotely controlled retail or gaming kiosk, which allows for transactions of the type in which a user can deposit currency that is validated by a bill validator, and valid currency is stored in an intelligent cash box within the kiosk. The kiosk system then credits the user with credits equal to the amount received to allow the purchase of selected items such as lottery tickets. The system includes the components necessary to allow the selection and printing of lottery tickets, or other vended items, as appropriate. The system also includes the components necessary to allow independent monitoring of the intelligent cash box memory from a remote site. The memory of the intelligent cash box can be accessed and monitored through the bill validator by means of IrDA, RFID, or other wireless means.

Abstract: A method for determining a depth of a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes determining change in a suspended weight of a drill string from a first time to a second time. A change in axial position of the upper portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time is determined. An expected amount of drill string compression related to the change in suspended weight is corrected for movement of a lower portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time. A position of the lower portion of the drill string is calculated from the change in axial position and the corrected amount of drill string compression. In one embodiment, the correcting includes estimating drill bit movement by determining an axial motion of the drill string at the earth's surface between two times having a same suspended weight of the drill string.

Abstract: A method for determining a depth of a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes determining change in a suspended weight of a drill string from a first time to a second time. A change in axial position of the upper portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time is determined. An expected amount of drill string compression related to the change in suspended weight is corrected for movement of a lower portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time. A position of the lower portion of the drill string is calculated from the change in axial position and the corrected amount of drill string compression. In one embodiment, the correcting includes estimating drill bit movement by determining an axial motion of the drill string at the earth's surface between two times having a same suspended weight of the drill string.

Abstract: A method for determining a depth of a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes determining change in a suspended weight of a drill string from a first time to a second time. A change in axial position of the upper portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time is determined. An expected amount of drill string compression related to the change in suspended weight is corrected for movement of a lower portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time. A position of the lower portion of the drill string is calculated from the change in axial position and the corrected amount of drill string compression. In one embodiment, the correcting includes estimating drill bit movement by determining an axial motion of the drill string at the earth's surface between two times having a same suspended weight of the drill string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus within a television receiver for electronically aligning signals within the receiver by controlling support circuitry for an IF module. A control voltage source controls both video alignment and picture IF (PIF) mute functions. The DAC is coupled to a video level control circuit within the video amplifier circuitry of the television receiver. The control signal controls both the video level as well as a PIF mute circuit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining movement mode in a drill string. The method includes measuring lateral acceleration of the drill string, determining lateral position of the drill string from the acceleration measurements, and determining mode from the position with respect to time. Also disclosed is a method including measuring drill string acceleration along at least one direction, spectrally analyzing the acceleration, and determining existence of a particular mode from the spectral analysis. Also disclosed is a method for determining destructive torque on a BHA including measuring angular acceleration at at least one location along the BHA, and comparing the acceleration to a selected threshold. The threshold relates to a moment of inertia of components of the BHA and a maximum torque applicable to threaded connections between BHA components. A warning is generated when acceleration exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A digital video system includes a sample rate converter and an inverse-sample rate converter. The sample rate converter converts video data from a non-orthogonal pixel domain to an orthogonal pixel domain. The inverse-sample rate converter converts the video data from the orthogonal pixel domain to the non-orthogonal pixel domain. The inverse sample rate converter utilizes a timing signal generated by the sample rate converter when converting the video data from the orthogonal pixel domain to the non-orthogonal pixel domain.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying potential drilling hazards in a wellbore, including measuring a drilling parameter, correlating the parameter to depth in the wellbore at which selected components of a drill string pass, determining changes in the parameter each time the selected components pass selected depths in the wellbore, and generating a warning signal in response to the determined changes in the parameter. Another disclosed method includes determining times at which a drilling system is conditioning the wellbore, measuring torque, hookload and drilling fluid pressure during conditioning, and generating a warning signal if one or more of maximum value of measured torque, torque variation, maximum value of drill string acceleration, maximum value of hookload and maximum value of drilling fluid pressure exceeds a selected threshold during reaming up motion of the drilling system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining movement mode in a drill string. The method includes measuring lateral acceleration of the drill string, determining lateral position of the drill string from the acceleration measurements, and determining mode from the position with respect to time. Also disclosed is a method including measuring drill string acceleration along at least one direction, spectrally analyzing the acceleration, and determining existence of a particular mode from the spectral analysis. Also disclosed is a method for determining destructive torque on a BHA including measuring angular acceleration at at least one location along the BHA, and comparing the acceleration to a selected threshold. The threshold relates to a moment of inertia of components of the BHA and a maximum torque applicable to threaded connections between BHA components. A warning is generated when acceleration exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method for determining a depth of a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes determining change in a suspended weight of a drill string from a first time to a second time. A change in axial position of the upper portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time is determined. An expected amount of drill string compression related to the change in suspended weight is corrected for movement of a lower portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time. A position of the lower portion of the drill string is calculated from the change in axial position and the corrected amount of drill string compression. In one embodiment, the correcting includes estimating drill bit movement by determining an axial motion of the drill string at the earth's surface between two times having a same suspended weight of the drill string.

Abstract: A casing (2) in which a set of metal parts is formed from the same metal of at least a predetermined purity and the elements are individually severable from the casing (2) without retaining residues that will effect the purity of the items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus within a television receiver for electronically aligning signals within the receiver by controlling support circuitry for an IF module. A video amplifier is coupled to an output of the IF module. A control voltage source (DAC 114) controls a DC level control circuit within the video amplifier (244) such that the video signal is amplified and DC level shifted to align the video signal with down stream circuitry.