Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward item management systems and associated methods. Aspects of the invention are directed toward receiving items, inducting the items into the item management system and storing the items. In certain embodiments, inducting the item can include imaging at least a portion of the item and providing that image to a remote user. Other aspects of the invention include retrieving the items form storage and processing the items. In selected embodiments, processing an item can include processing the item in accordance with instructions provided by a remote user. In certain embodiments, at least some of the items that have been processed can then be returned to storage. Still other aspects of the invention can include monitoring various portions of the item management process. In selected embodiments, various aspects of the invention can be automated and/or computer controlled.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed toward the centralized reception and processing of documents and the presentation of electronic representations of those documents to the document owners. For example, certain embodiments of the invention are directed toward a method of providing a virtual mailbox that includes providing a menu of disposition options electronically via a network to a remote user for disposition of materials having contents. The method can further include receiving instructions from the user relating to disposition of the materials and receiving the materials with contents intended for a remote user. The method can further include obtaining an image of the contents and storing the image of the contents. The method can still further include providing an image of the contents electronically via the network in a virtual mailbox accessible by the remote user, storing the contents in a storage location, and applying the disposition rules to the contents.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the identification of genes whose expression levels are altered by chronic exposure of a cell, tissue, or organism to one or more drugs of abuse (e.g. alcohol, stimulants, opiates, etc.). In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of monitoring the response of a cell a drug of abuse.

Abstract: A first clock track is written to a data storage region of a storage medium at a first position between first and second boundaries. A first set of further clock tracks is written to other positions on the data storage region, these other positions lying between the first position and the first boundary. A second set of further clock tracks is written to other positions on the data storage region, these second other positions lying between the first position and the second boundary.

Abstract: In a method of writing clock data to a storage medium whilst the storage medium is rotating, a burst of clock data is read from a present track. A burst of clock data for a subsequent track on the storage medium is generated in accordance with the burst of clock data read from the present track and its phase adjusted. The phase adjusted burst of clock data is written to the subsequent track. The steps are repeated for plural bursts of clock data around a revolution of the storage medium thereby to write clock data to the subsequent track.

Abstract: In a method of writing clock data to a storage medium whilst the storage medium is rotating, a burst of clock data is read from a present track. A burst of clock data for a subsequent track on the storage medium is generated in accordance with the burst of clock data read from the present track and its phase adjusted. The phase adjusted burst of clock data is written to the subsequent track. The steps are repeated for plural bursts of clock data around a revolution of the storage medium thereby to write clock data to the subsequent track.

Abstract: A first clock track is written to a data storage region of a storage medium at a first position between first and second boundaries. A first set of further clock tracks is written to other positions on the data storage region, these other positions lying between the first position and the first boundary. A second set of further clock tracks is written to other positions on the data storage region, these second other positions lying between the first position and the second boundary.

Abstract: An integrated furniture system for subdividing a building space includes an overhead framework system and a furniture-supporting partition system integrated to be used together, separately, or in a partially overlapping arrangement. The overhead framework system is constructed to provide a relatively open meeting area, and includes at least one horizontally extending beam and posts supporting the beam overhead. The beam and posts are interconnected to form a space below the beam and between the posts, with the space having known height and width dimensions. The furniture-supporting partition system is constructed to subdivide the building space into an arrangement of physically separated offices. The furniture-supporting partition system includes side surfaces defining second width and height dimensions. The partition includes at least a portion positioned in the space under the beam and is potentially positioned completely under the beam in the space. The partition may or may not completely fill the space.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a measurement that characterizes the behavior of an acoustic wave in a heel bone. The apparatus is an integral unit having a base with a platform coupled to the base at a specified angle with respect to the base for receiving, centering and reproducibly orienting a foot. The apparatus has two transducer arms, each supporting an acoustic transducer in spaced relationship with respect to the foot of the subject and a member for mounting the first and second transducer arms in moveable relationship to the base so as to permit coupled two-dimensional motion of the first and second transducers over regions of the heel. The transducer units have transducer caps and an acoustically absorbing filler medium for emitting an acoustic wave with substantially the character of a point source over an opening angle of at least 30.degree..

Abstract: Fastener installation apparatus for operating cyclically so as to instal successively a plurality of fasteners includes a fastener installation head (11) having an aperture (35) in which part of a fastener is inserted, and a vacuum generator (20) for creating an airflow in through the aperture (35), along a pipe (31) and into a receptacle (15) for broken-off fastener parts. The presence of a fastener in the aperture (35) causes a change in the level of vacuum in the pipe (31) and receptacle (15). The level of vacuum is sensed by vacuum level detection means (45), which gives an electrical signal to the apparatus control unit (14a, 14b). The control unit allows the installation apparatus to continue its cyclical operation only upon the presence or absence of fastener in the aperture (35) at the appropriate points in the cycle of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for the production of hot mix asphalt (HMA) by the treatment of virgin material alone or adding reclaimed or recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) of up to 100% of the HMA comprised of reclaimed asphaltic pavement (RAP). The HMA is first heated in either a parallel or a counter flow rotating drum which is supplied with hot combustion gases generated by a remote low NO.sub.x burner. The temperature of hot gases entering the drum is from about 400.degree. to 2,000.degree. F., and the temperature of gases exiting from the drum is from about 130.degree. to 220.degree. F. The HMA material optionally can be subjected to microwave radiation to raise the material to a final temperature, or optionally to only reorient the dipolar molecules of the material without any measurable heating of the material. The exhaust gas is treated and made environmentally safe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the pull-through blind installation of a headless tubular ferrule in a hole in a workpiece at a position therealong spaced from the nearer face of the workpiece includes an annular anvil for supporting the ferrule inside the workpiece hole; anvil supporting means for initially supporting the anvil at a position inside the workpiece hole; a mandrel having a stem extending through the anvil aperture; and an enlarged head.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for shifting vehicle loads between the axles of multi-axle vehicles. The apparatus includes means for automatically restoring pneumatic pressure to the suspension system of an axle when the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed. The apparatus also includes means for automatically exhausting the pneumatic pressure if the speed of the vehicle falls below the predetermined speed within a predetermined time from actuating the device. The process includes the steps of automatically restoring pressure to the pneumatic suspension system of a dead axle when a predetermined speed has been exceeded, and again exhausting the pressure if a fall in vehicle speed below the predetermined speed occurs within a specified time. An override in both the apparatus and method prevents exhaustion of the pneumatic pressure after a predetermined time from first exhausting the pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means of maintaining a constant tuned frequency as a wrist band antenna is lengthened and shortened. As a wrist band antenna is lengthened, the inductance of the antenna is generally increased. The present invention provides a wrist band the length of the antenna. As the wrist band is lengthened the inductance increases and the capacitance decreases thereby maintaining the tuned frequency substantially constant.

Abstract: Fastener installation apparatus for operating cylically so as to instal successively a plurality of fasteners of the type in which a portion is broken off at installation (e.g. breakstem blind rivets) comprises a fastener installation head (11) and a pipe (31) for conveying the broken-off portions away from the head to a receptacle (15). Detection device (48) is mounted adjacent the pipe (31) to detect the presence of a broken-off fastener portion at a pre-determined position (58) there along near the receptacle (15). When a portion is thus sensed, an electrical signal is sent by the detection device (48), via a relay (51), to the installation control system (14a, 14b), so as to allow cyclical operation of the system to continue.

Abstract: There is described a wet back device for generating waves in a liquid in a test tank or the like. Such devices are known and usually operate a wave generating board by a push-pull piston operation or a flapping wave generating board pivoted in the tank and rocked about a horizontal axis to move water in the tank and create waves therein. The device described is capable of producing the push-pull generated wave motion or the flapper type motion, or a combination of those motions and is provided with seals between the wave generating board and the tank walls or between individual wave generating boards (in a multiple board arrangement) and the walls of the tank. Closure plates are provided on the support frames for the boards. Gliding surfaces are provided to ensure reliable action and frame members are located to provide energy loss in fast flowing water in the tank.