Abstract: A bridging module provides sealable interconnection between segments of an evacuated tube transportation system. A pair of gate elements are horizontally transitioned by a drive mechanism from a stored configuration offset from the tube segments to a deployed configuration where an expanding mechanism presses them outward to seal portals to the tube segments. The module can thereby be vented while the tube segments retain vacuum. A rail carriage in the module can bridge between overhead capsule support rails of the tube segments. A lifting mechanism can lift the rail carriage into a rail carriage section above the portals to allow the gate elements to deploy. The gate elements can be supported by rails and/or linear bearings, and pressed outward by opposed pneumatic pistons located between them, e.g. proximal to the four corners of the gate elements. The drive mechanism can include a motor with rack and pinion.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system to enable a data processing device to operate while seemingly “off”. According to one embodiment, a data processing device is configured to recognize a new system state, i.e., Visual Off. On such a data processing device, when the power button is pressed, the request to turn off the device is intercepted by a module and the device is transitioned to a Visual Off state. To the user, this transition appears instantaneous. During the transition, audible and visual indicators on the data processing device and on human interactive devices (“HID devices”) coupled to the data processing device may be turned off and/or disabled. While in the Visual Off state, the device may be fully operational, or in an alternate embodiment, the device may be placed in a low power state. When the user presses the power button again to “wake up” the data processing device, the device may transition from Visual Off into an “on” state (“Visual On”), i.e.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system to enable a data processing device to operate while seemingly “off”. According to one embodiment, a data processing device is configured to recognize a new system state, i.e., Visual Off. On such a data processing device, when the power button is pressed, the request to turn off the device is intercepted by a module and the device is transitioned to a Visual Off state. To the user, this transition appears instantaneous. During the transition, audible and visual indicators on the data processing device and on human interactive devices (“HID devices”) coupled to the data processing device may be turned off and/or disabled. While in the Visual Off state, the device may be fully operational, or in an alternate embodiment, the device may be placed in a low power state. When the user presses the power button again to “wake up” the data processing device, the device may transition from Visual Off into an “on” state (“Visual On”), i.e.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system to enable a data processing device to operate while seemingly “off”. According to one embodiment, a data processing device is configured to recognize a new system state, i.e., Visual Off. On such a data processing device, when the power button is pressed, the request to turn off the device is intercepted by a module and the device is transitioned to a Visual Off state. To the user, this transition appears instantaneous. During the transition, audible and visual indicators on the data processing device and on human interactive devices (“HID devices”) coupled to the data processing device may be turned off and/or disabled. While in the Visual Off state, the device may be fully operational, or in an alternate embodiment, the device may be placed in a low power state. When the user presses the power button again to “wake up” the data processing device, the device may transition from Visual Off into an “on” state (“Visual On”), i.e.

Abstract: The scissor sharpening machine includes a honing disc with a curved blade guide and a blade clamp assembly which slides axially along the blade guide. The curvature of the blade guide corresponds to the conventional curvature along the lengths of the blades of a pair of high quality scissors or shears, and assures that they are sharpened properly. The blade clamp assembly includes a series of predetermined stops to set the proper bevel angle during the sharpening process. However, the blade may be rocked about its longitudinal axis to the limit set by the stop, in order to provide a convex curvature to the blade edge if so required. The apparatus may include a cabinet with motor controls and other components, and the, blade guide and blade clamp assemblies may be adjusted and repositioned to allow sharpening of either left hand or right hand scissors and shears.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooking instrument that has a lid which may be secured to a vessel. The present invention is also directed to a method for securing a lid to a vessel. The cooking instrument includes a vessel, a lid, a first flange, and a second flange. The vessel has a base and a wall. The wall extends upward from the base to define a first opening, and the wall has an outer surface which is substantially cylindrical. The lid is adapted to cover the first opening of the vessel. The lid has a top and a rim. The rim extends downward from the top to define a second opening, and the rim has an inner surface which is substantially cylindrical. The first flange and the second flange enable the lid to be secured to the vessel. The first flange is attached to the outer surface of the vessel, and the second flange is attached to the inner surface of the lid. The base of the vessel may be placed a predetermined depth inside the second opening of the lid.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-configuration table comprising a table top of four equal-area leaves capable of forming four top variations, and two base portions each having a top side with two cross members, and four legs distending therefrom, so as to define sides thereof, capable of forming several base variations.

Abstract: A method of allowing an operating system of a computer system to persist across a power off and on cycle is described. The method includes the step of detecting if the computer system is to be powered off. If the computer system is detected to be powered off, the state of the computer system is then preserved by storing data representing the state of the computer system in a designated area of a nonvolatile memory of the computer system. A system initialization code of the operating system is then replaced with new system initialization code that branches to restart code that accesses to the designated area of the nonvolatile memory such that when the computer system is again powered on, the restart code accesses the designated area of the nonvolatile memory for the data to restore the computer system to the state before the computer system was powered off.

Abstract: An additional function is provided to an otherwise conventional operating system for superimposing visibility windows on the GDT and the LDTs for the purpose of memory protection. In a first embodiment, the operating system is also provided with a first additional control logic for selectively invoking the visibility window function to impose visibility windows of different window sizes for different tasks. In a second embodiment, the operating system is provided with a second additional control logic for selectively invoking the visibility window function to impose visibility windows of different window sizes for different operating system functions. In a third embodiment, the operating system is provided with the first as well as the second additional control logic.

Abstract: A number of new utility and runtime functions are provided to an otherwise conventional operating system of a computer system that supports virtual memory and multitasking, including new linker, installer, memory management, loader and task management functions. The new linker function is used to partially resolve unresolved references of a conventional "RAM based" application, such that in conjunction with the new runtime functions, the partially resolved application can be executed in place from a "write once/seldom" storage medium. The new installer function is used to install the partially resolved application onto a "write seldom" storage medium. The new memory management function is used to reserve a predetermined portion of the operating system's memory management data structure for "mapping" the physical address span(s) of an installed application into a logical address space, thereby enabling the "mapped" application to be executed in place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of suppressing human body malodor by utilizing a deodorant composition containing a competitive substrate for the enzymatic creation of axillary body malodor. The compound is present in a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, and in an amount effective to reduce the conversion of malodor producing precursor. The present invention also relates to novel O-acylated serine compounds and method for the production thereof.