Abstract: An system and a method for conducting bi-directional communication sessions with sensing and control devices, such as utility meters, from a mobile device. A system for conducting bi-directional communication sessions with utility meters from a mobile device includes a mobile device capable of acquiring a communication session with a meter unit connected to a utility meter, a vehicle in which the mobile device is located, and a plurality of meter units connected to a plurality of utility meters. The meter units are capable of receiving and executing commands to obtain data and perform actions on the utility meters. The actions include a peak consumption value reset of the utility meter.

Abstract: A structure for preventing Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) damage to a magnetoresistive sensor during manufacture. The structure includes a switching element that can be switched off during testing of the sensor and then switched back on to provide ESD shunting to the sensor. The switch can be a thermally activated mechanical relay built onto the slider. The switch could also be a programmable resistor that includes a solid electrolyte sandwiched between first and second electrodes. One of the electrodes functions as an anode. When voltage is applied in a first direction an ion bridge forms across through the electrolyte across electrodes making the resistor conductive. When a voltage is applied in a second direction, the ion bridge recedes and the programmable resistor becomes essentially non-conductive.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly incorporating an encapsulation assembly process that separates the counter-electrode, and the electrocoat medium from contacting the electrode, which is located behind the membrane ion exchange layer. The encapsulation process provides of method of singularly encasing independent components that comprise the membrane electrode assembly, without the assistance of first structures used in enclosure, framing, enclosure sealing or bonding the components in place, individually, and or in groups thereof from the electrocoat medium, while providing an internal chamber within the membrane electrode assembly, for independent fluid circulation.

Abstract: A torque device for selectively gripping a medical guidewire. The device includes a housing, an actuator slidably mounted on the housing, and a resilient member biasing the actuator. A lumen dimensioned to receive the guidewire extends through the housing and actuator. The resilient member biases the actuator from a first position in which the lumen portions are aligned, toward a second position in which the lumen portions are misaligned. The actuator may include a catch that interferes with a stop of the housing to retain the actuator within the housing. The actuator may be oblong or otherwise shaped to maintain the lumen portions in substantial alignment in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, at least a portion of the lumen is teardrop-shaped in cross-section. The housing may include circumferentially or longitudinally extending ribs defining an outer grasping surface. Frusto-conical cavities may be defined at entry and exit ends of the lumen.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-usable medium for displaying a primary presentation on a display, where the primary presentation includes a collection of frames; in response to receiving a request to overlay the primary presentation with a secondary presentation, analyzing the plurality of frames to identify at least one safe region determined to be suitable for overlaying said primary presentation with a secondary presentation; presenting a preview of the secondary presentation in at least one safe region; in response to receiving a rejection of the preview, indicating a collection of alternate safe regions for presenting the secondary presentation; and in response to an alternate safe region among the collection of alternate safe regions being selected, displaying the secondary presentation in the selected alternate safe region.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method of providing communication to a user via one of a plurality of network devices is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a plurality of communications for the user from one or more of the network devices in a message queue; (2) selecting a network device based on at least one of respective time thresholds and respective priorities associated with the plurality of network devices; and (3) determining whether the selected network device can receive a communication from the message queue based on at least one of a profile associated with the user adapted to define how the user receives the communication on one or more of the network devices and a ruleset adapted to define how the communication is handled based on criteria associated with the communication. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed for providing breathable elastic laminates comprised of one or more elastic materials bonded to on or more nonelastic materials. Articles of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention enables users to dynamically manage historical data within documents bearing one or more links, and retain the relationships defined by the links. The present invention tracks the links not just from source documents to destination documents, but also from destination documents back to the source documents, organizes the links in a hierarchical manner based on the content/naming of the links, and displays the link information to the user in a real-time and meaningful way.

Abstract: A digital device automatically arranges digital images for display in a stack-based arrangement, wherein images are grouped in multiple stacks according to at least one grouping criterion, and the user can scroll over groups of images. Preferably, the digital device automatically selects a mascot image from each group as the top of the corresponding stack. When the images are displayed using a digital display apparatus, the user can scroll through the mascot images only, without reviewing the other images in each stack. When the user finds a mascot image of interest, he may optionally scroll down the images in the stack. Preferably, images are grouped according to power-on session, and mascots are chosen based on user interaction history.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin-film magnetic head sliders is disclosed. Initially, an elastic layer, which may be made of poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), is spun on a wafer and is thermally cured. Then, a resist layer is spun on the elastic layer. Both the resist layer and the elastic layer are subsequently peeled off together from the wafer. Next, the peeled resist layer/elastic layer is applied onto a group of magnetic heads with the resist layer in direct contact with the magnetic heads. Finally, the elastic layer is peeled off from the resist layer such that the resist layer remains attaching to the magnetic heads.

Abstract: Formed film, apparatus and methods for manufacturing formed film, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. Methods include controlled introduction of melt foldovers through modifying the surface area of a polymer melt curtain. Apparatus for same is also shown as are articles of formed film with melt foldovers.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of network nodes. Each network node has a unique node identifier within the context of the network and stores a table of nodes. The table of nodes includes at least one table entry. The table entry includes three fields—a destination node field, a next node field and a cost field. The destination field is a unique node identifier corresponding to another node in the network. The next node is a unique node identifier corresponding to the next node in the communication path to the destination node. The cost field is the cost associated with communication with the network node. When a node is added to the network, it detects the presence of adjacent nodes. The new node obtains the table of nodes stored in each adjacent node and uses the information contained in the node tables to updates its own node table, thereby obtaining information for communicating with every other node in the network.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods, kits, and devices for stopping hemorrhaging of percutaneous wounds. The inventive subject matter involves insertion of a purse-string suture around the wound, insertion of the free two ends of the suture through a tension collar, manual tightening of the tension collar until hemostasis is achieved, and application of a suture lock to the free ends of the suture to secure the tension collar and maintain hemostasis. After a sufficient period of time to allow complete hemostasis, the suture lock and the tension collar are loosened; if hemostasis has been achieved, the suture lock, the tension collar, and the suture material are removed. If bleeding continues from the wound, the tension collar is tightened and the suture lock reapplied. This process may be repeated until complete hemostasis is achieved, without the need for additional suturing or manual compression.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter for placement within a vessel of a patient. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body, a septum extending longitudinally through the interior of the catheter body from the dividing the interior of the catheter body into a first lumen and a second lumen. Each lumen has curved or angled internal walls at the distal end of the catheter that terminate at ports located on opposing sides of the catheter body. The invention also provides a method for exchanging fluids in a patient comprising the step of positioning the catheter of the present invention in communication with a fluid-containing vessel of a patient. The method is particularly well-suited for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other therapies which require removal and return of blood from a patient.

Abstract: Modified strain regions are created in correlation to strain reactive structures that are subjected to a predetermined dimensional precision adjustment. The modified strain regions are created by impacting incident particles into exposed regions of the strain reactive structures. The irradiation by the incident particles creates a predetermined material disruption and consequently a change in strain energy. The strain energy, and the associated dimensional adjustment is dependent on the irradiation process and the sum properties of the modified strain regions and the strain reactive structure.

Abstract: An electrical lapping guide is disclosed which is suitable for use with a single slider having a magnetic recording head. The electrical lapping guide provides for monitoring the progression of lapping; does not require additional electrical connection pads; and, is removable after completion of lapping.

Abstract: At least one modified strain region having a damage depth between 0.1 and 2 microns in a disk drive slider is created by implantation with ions, electrons or neutral atoms. The modified strain region induces a deformation of the disk drive slider. The nature and extent of this deformation is determined by the interaction between the slider and the modified strain region.

Abstract: A lapping monitor for monitoring the lapping of a lapping surface of a body having at least one transducer which has a height that has to be lapped. The lapping monitor has a lap unit for lapping the lapping surface, at least one lapping indicator mounted close to the transducer to indicate the height of the transducer and a control block in the body at a certain distance from the lapping indicator or indicators. It is also possible to use a property of the transducers themselves, e.g., their resistance, to indicate their height. The control block receives indication of the height of the transducers being lapped from the lapping indicators or from the transducers via an electrical connection. The control block is further equipped with test contacts for establishing an external connection.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of network nodes. Each network node has a unique node identifier within the context of the network and stores a table of nodes. The table of nodes includes at least one table entry. The table entry includes three fields—a destination node field, a next node field and a cost field. The destination field is a unique node identifier corresponding to another node in the network. The next node is a unique node identifier corresponding to the next node in the communication path to the destination node. The cost field is the cost associated with communication with the network node. When a node is added to the network, it detects the presence of adjacent nodes. The new node obtains the table of nodes stored in each adjacent node and uses the information contained in the node tables to updates its own node table, thereby obtaining information for communicating with every other node in the network.

Abstract: An electrical lapping guide is disclosed which is suitable for use with a single slider having a magnetic recording head. The electrical lapping guide provides for monitoring the progression of lapping; does not require additional electrical connection pads; and, is removable after completion of lapping.