Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated backlight illumination assembly for an LCD display comprising: a plurality of solid state light sources for providing a point light source; a plurality of light guide films having light redirecting areas provided between the plurality of solid state light sources for redirecting and spreading the point light sources to a uniform plane of light, a light redirecting bar located between opposing light guide films, the light redirecting bar comprising a top capping portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being aligned perpendicular to the top capping portion wherein said bottom portion has at least one light redirecting feature.

Abstract: Techniques utilizing common encryption approaches for data from multiple parties enable those parties to discover information that is held in common by the parties without disclosing to any party information that is not held in common by the parties. Encrypted information for each party can be compared to determine which encrypted values match, and those encrypted values can be returned to any of the parties such that a party can determine which corresponding data the parties have in common, without having access to any other data of any other parties.

Abstract: Techniques utilizing common encryption approaches for data from multiple parties enable those parties to discover information that is held in common by the parties without disclosing to any party information that is not held in common by the parties. Encrypted information for each party can be compared to determine which encrypted values match, and those encrypted values can be returned to any of the parties such that a party can determine which corresponding data the parties have in common, without having access to any other data of any other parties.

Abstract: A system and method for recommending a product to a user in response to a query for a product with a feature wherein the recommendation is accompanied by a quotation expressing a sentiment about the feature or the product.

Abstract: Techniques utilizing common encryption approaches for data from multiple parties enable those parties to discover information that is held in common by the parties without disclosing to any party information that is not held in common by the parties. Encrypted information for each party can be compared to determine which encrypted values match, and those encrypted values can be returned to any of the parties such that a party can determine which corresponding data the parties have in common, without having access to any other data of any other parties.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rewriting database queries, and in particular databases using Structured Query Language (SQL). The method comprises the steps of reviewing a SQL query statement having a SELECT list to determine if a view definition of the query has one or more unreferenced view columns; and removing at least one of the one or more unreferenced view columns from the view definition. The step of removing at least one of the one or more unreferenced view columns may also include removing all of the one or more unreferenced view columns from the view definition. This method improves performance of a query given that the spool file generated by the query rule contains minimal amount of data necessary for the query to be processed.

Abstract: Disclosed in certain embodiments is a controlled release dosage form comprising a matrix comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of an opioid analgesic in a controlled release material; wherein less than 25% of the opioid salt is released after 1 hour of in-vitro dissolution of the dosage form in 900 ml of Simulated Gastric Fluid with 20% ethanol using a USP Apparatus I (basket) apparatus at 100 rpm at 37 degrees C.°.

Abstract: Described herein are approaches to implementing dynamic sampling in a way that lessens or eliminates the additional overhead incurred to perform dynamic sampling. Also described are techniques for determining characteristics about predicates not previously determined by conventional techniques for dynamic sampling. Dynamic sampling is used by a query optimizer to dynamically estimate predicate selectivities and statistics. When a database statement is received by a database server, an initial analysis of the database statement is made to determine the efficacy of dynamic sampling, that is, to determine whether optimization of the query would benefit from dynamic sampling and whether performance is not excessively impacted by the dynamic sampling process. If this analysis determines dynamic sampling should be used, then dynamic sampling is undertaken.

Abstract: Described herein are approaches to implementing dynamic sampling in a way that lessens or eliminates the additional overhead incurred to perform dynamic sampling. Also described are techniques for determining characteristics about predicates not previously determined by conventional techniques for dynamic sampling. Dynamic sampling is used by a query optimizer to dynamically estimate predicate selectivities and statistics. When a database statement is received by a database server, an initial analysis of the database statement is made to determine the efficacy of dynamic sampling, that is, to determine whether optimization of the query would benefit from dynamic sampling and whether performance is not excessively impacted by the dynamic sampling process. If this analysis determines dynamic sampling should be used, then dynamic sampling is undertaken.

Abstract: A system and method for answering a relational database query is presented. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a database query is received. It is then determined whether that query can be rewritten in such a manner as to be able to utilize a precomputed view, such that an answer to the rewritten query is equivalent to an answer to the original query. If the query can be rewritten, it is determined whether the rewritten query can more efficiently derive the answer than the original query. The query which has the most efficiently derived answer is the query which is utilized to derive that answer.

Abstract: A carrot processing machine having an accumulation well, an elevating conveyor (16), and sensing means (18, 20, 22, 24). Carrots are delivered into the well by a delivery conveyor and a constant head of carrots maintained by signals derived from a height sensing means controlling the delivery conveyor. The elevating conveyor (16) is provided with a series of pockets (28, 30, 32, 34) into which the carrots are urged by vibration of the well. Cutting blades (124, 126, 128, 130) are provided further along the conveyor for topping and tailing the carrots and segmenting them into short lengths. Endwise movement of the carrots (in their pockets) is achieved by engagement between transversely extending endless belts and the carrots in the conveyor pockets or by tilting the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for use in an automated sign generator to produce enhanced special effect graphics and single layer multi-color signs on a vinyl sheet material uses a paint pen carried by the tool head of the generator which in coordinated movement with the vinyl sheet traces the shape of the sign. In one embodiment, the sheet material is cut along a line falling within the painted stripe defining the graphic. The cut graphic having the desired visual special effect is removed from the sheet material along the cut line. The apparatus further includes a guide wheel assembly located between a material deflector and a feed roller for riding along the marginal portions of the sheet material causing it to move along a broken plane path to prevent buckling as it moves relative to the tool head and to prevent smudging of the painted graphic.

Abstract: A conventional crutch having a ground engaging blunted tip member adapted to frictionally engage a finished ground surface. A second ground engaging member having a sharp tip adapted to be stuck into an icy surface is fixedly attached to and spaced from the crutch member. In one position, with the crutch assembly slanting downwardly and outwardly from the person, the point of the second member is above the ground surface. However, by rotating the crutch assembly 180 degrees from the first position, the point of the second member comes into ground engagement to firmly engage an icy surface. The blunted tip is compressible and the sharp tip is disposed slightly above the bottom of the compressible blunted tip when the crutch is disposed vertically with no weight applied thereto.