Abstract: An expansion joint lies between a device and pipe and allows for movement at the joint. Embodiments utilize a case pipe, a sliding ring formed to house seals, and a flange that holds the sliding ring in place. A pipe contacts an inner seal inside the sliding ring which is compressed against the pipe beyond its memory and forms a tight seal, yet allows for pipe to move through the apparatus. At least one outer seal is compressed within its memory which allows for rotation of pipe and/or sliding ring relative to the apparatus about the axis of the pipe. Allows for unlimited travel of pipe and unlimited rotation. The apparatus becomes more efficient as contaminants fill the seals. Works below, at and beyond 1300 degree media, for example any liquid or gas. May be disassembled easily maintained.

Abstract: A support (12) for a display device (10) is disclosed, the support (12) comprising a pole (14) which consists of a lower pole section (24/26), an intermediate pole section (20, 22) and an upper pole section (16). The three pole sections (16, 20/22 and 24/26) fitting together in spigot and socket fashion. An upper component (28) is provided in the upper end of the upper pole section (16) and a lower component (44) is provided in the lower end of the lower section (24/26). The upper (28) and lower components (44) each including a recess therein for securing one end of a length of elastic cord (58) to pull the upper pole section (16) into the intermediate pole section (20/22) and to pull the intermediate pole section (20/22) into the lower pole section (24/26). The upper component (28) has a resiliently flexible wire (60) protruding therefrom for supporting and tensioning a banner in the form of a flexible printed sheet (64). The support (12) and the wire (60) being within a protective sleeve (66).

Abstract: A low power, lightweight, collapsible and rugged antenna positioner for use in communicating with geostationary, geosynchronous and low earth orbit satellite. By collapsing, invention may be easily carried or shipped in a compact container. May be used in remote locations with simple or automated setup and orientation. Azimuth is adjusted by rotating an antenna in relation to a positioner base and elevation is adjusted by rotating an elevation motor coupled with the antenna. Manual orientation of antenna for linear polarized satellites yields lower weight and power usage. Updates ephemeris or TLE data via satellite. Algorithms used for search including Clarke Belt fallback, transponder/beacon searching switch, azimuth priority searching and tracking including uneven re-peak scheduling yield lower power usage. Orientation aid via user interface allows for smaller azimuth motor, simplifies wiring and lowers weight. Tilt compensation, bump detection and failure contingency provide robustness.

Abstract: An interface for indicating the presence of inherited values in a document. The interface enables a user to rapidly determine if an audience specific document conforms to the expectations or requirements of an intended audience. The interface distinguishes between current, primary and secondary audience layer values through the use of color or any other mechanism that allows a user to quickly identify data that is missing and needs to be populated, changed or remain unchanged if the inherited data is suitable for the given audience. Using the interface, users can determine at a glance what information is inherited and what level of inheritance that information is from. Before generating an audience specific document targeted at a particular media type, an audience hierarchy may be created and utilized for entry and edit of data for a desired audience.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device that combines microfabrication, microfluidic, and surface micropatterning techniques to create a multi-compartment neuronal culturing device that has application across a number of different neuroscience uses. Devices configured in accordance with the invention allow directed growth of neurites and isolation of neurites from their cell bodies. The device can use hydrostatic pressure to isolate insults to one compartment and, thus, expose localized areas of neurons to insults. Due to the high resistance of the microgrooves for fluid transport, insults are contained in the neuritic compartment without appreciable leakage into the somal compartment for a certain period of time (e.g., over 15 h).

Abstract: A multi-compartment package attachment apparatus and method for coupling a plurality of items with a package, for example a food package. Printed items such as marketing materials or promotional flyers may be inserted into a first compartment while condiments, napkins, hand-wipes or utensils may be inserted into one or more other compartments. The apparatus may then be fixedly coupled with another package and may also cover or hold prizes for example. One or more compartments may comprise thermal protective layers to keep condiments from melting when hot food packages are stacked. Thermochromic materials may be used to show temperatures of items in compartments. Each compartment may utilize any technique for enclosing an item. Embodiments may be constructed from materials that allow underlying package branding to be visible when the embodiment is coupled with the package or may be coupled to an area of a package not covering existing branding.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a timeshared electronic catalog is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic database having a plurality of data records that comprise a master data set. The system comprises at least a first and second subset of the data records, wherein each subset comprises one or more data records selected from the master data set. The system includes a software program comprising a data record masking module for selectively providing a first view for displaying one of the subsets to a first user. Each of the plurality of data records contains a plurality of data elements, or fields, or attributes. The data record masking module is further for selecting which data elements are provided in the view. The system further includes a means for selectively providing which executable features from a plurality of executable features may be provided with each view.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible, aerating, compressive, thermal bandage. Perforations allow the treatment area to aerate. Thermal capacity of the invention allows for hot or cold treatment in a manner that compressively supports the object undergoing thermal treatment while maintaining maximum mobility. The bandage is made from an elastomer such as polyeurathane with the addition of silicon and vegetable oil. Resin is used to color the product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention enable an operator to interact with a video surveillance system comprising at least one sensor. The sensor may be configured to operate as a simulated weapon, or may be replaced by or augmented with a real weapon and in either case the simulated or real weapon is controlled over a network. The network may comprise the local video surveillance network or a network linking with a remotely operated weapon system. The integration of an existing video surveillance system with a network of remotely operated weapons and/or weapon simulators enables use of the resources of either system by the other system and enables a passive video surveillance system to become an active projector of lethal or non-lethal force.

Abstract: Motion picture scenes to be colorized are broken into separate elements, backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined separately into single frame representations of multiple frames which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Each pixel address within the database corresponds to a mask/lookup table address within the digital frame and X, Y, Z location of subsequent frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting of all masks or single masks in an entire frame, bezier and polygon tracing of selected regions with edge detected shaping and operator directed detection of subsequent regions. The gray scale actively determines the mask and corresponding color lookup that is applied in a keying fashion within regions of interest.

Abstract: A position sensor comprising a primary winding (26) for generating a magnetic flux, a first secondary winding (24.1) the number of turns of which increases in one direction, a second secondary winding (24.2) the number of turns of which increases in the opposite direction to that of the first secondary winding. Both secondary windings (24.1, 24.2) are subjected to the magnetic flux generated by the primary winding (26) whereby voltages are induced in the secondary windings. The sensor further comprises an element movable with respect to the secondary windings. The element is of a magnetic or conductive material and distorts, in its vicinity, the magnetic flux generated by the primary winding (26). By providing third and fourth secondary windings at right angles to the first and secondary windings it is possible to detect position in two dimensions.

Abstract: A belt filter for effecting separation of liquid from solids where, at the collection zone, a filter belt or belts is changed shape so as to provide a supporting shape to bold liquid, which is then fed into a nipping zone. In an embodiment there is a single belt used which is folded in a middle portion to provide the supporting shape.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention enable a boring head to hold a boring tool at an adjustable offset from the axis of rotation in a balanced configuration while maintaining stability when rotating at high speed. The apparatus comprises a boring head body, a bar holder and dial screw, a boring bar, a balance shaft and a balance weight. The apparatus may be configured for a given diameter of operation through use of alternate size components and offsetting a balance weight to account for the components in use. One method of determining the various components to use comprises weighing the various components and creating a lookup table for quick lookup to enable machinists to quickly change the bore range on a machine.

Abstract: Improved communication with database for multiple clients utilizing large date objects concurrently. When interacting with a server with data objects over threshold size, minimizes system resource usage such as CPU and network utilization. Segments objects into smaller size chunks, allowing for transmission of smaller chunks which prevents server from allocating large blocks of memory to one object. Although server handles more memory allocations, each allocation is smaller in size and can therefore be processed much faster. Determination of chunk size is dependent on inherent system resources such as the amount of server memory, available network bandwidth. Chunk size is dependent on environmental factors such as time of day, day of week, number of users, number of predicted users for a given time and day based on historical logging, current and predicted network utilization for given time and day. Chunk size and chunk transfer size may be altered dynamically.

Abstract: A fundus camera is provided with auxiliary optical components and a plurality of projected alignment marks, wherein the alignment marks are in focus and coincident on the iris of the eye when the fundus camera is correctly aligned and the auxiliary optical components allow the alignment marks to be observed as an anterior view in focus, replacing part of the view of the eye fundus which is also in focus in the same view. The auxiliary view optical components may be linked to the focus of the observation system and the associated projected focus indicating marks such that all remain in adequate focus to enable the alignment and focus of the fundus camera to be performed satisfactorily.

Abstract: A spice grinder (12) comprising a first, static component (10) which includes threading (14) by means of which it can be screwed onto the threaded neck of a container and a second, rotatable component (16) which fits on the component (10). The first component (10) has a tapering bore with teeth (30) projecting inwardly from the surface of the bore. The second component (16) has a cone (44) with teeth (48) on the outside thereof. The teeth (48) are in the tapering bore whereby grinding takes place in the gap between the teeth of the first and second components upon the second component being rotated. The first and second component (10, 16) have interlocking circumferentially extending ribs and grooves (32, 50, 52) which permit the rotatable component (16) to be moved axially and located in its adjusted position thereby to vary the size of the gap between the teeth (30) of the rotatable component and the teeth (48) of the static component.

Abstract: Provides quantitative data about a two or more dimensional image. Classifies and counts number of entities an image contains. Each entity comprises a structure, or some other type of identifiable portion having definable characteristics. The entities located within an image may have different shape, color, texture, etc., but still belong to the same classification. Alternatively, entities comprising a similar color/texture may be classified as one type while entities comprising a different color/texture may be classified as another type. May quantify image data according to set of changing criteria and derive one or more classifications for entities in image. I.e., provides a way for a computer to determine what kind of entities (e.g., entities) are in image and counts total number of entities visually identified in image. Information utilized during a training process may be stored and applied across different images.

Abstract: A reeving system for filming movies, sporting events, or any other activity that requires fluid movement of a camera or other object to any position within a defined volume of space. To accomplish positioning embodiments move an object throughout three-dimensional space by relocating one or more lines that are feed through a plurality of opposing sides of the object. These line(s) (e.g., a cable, rope, string, cord, wire, or any other flexible connective element) which support the object from above or below the object within a volume of space are arranged in way that allows the object to be rapidly moved to and from any location within the defined volume of space. For instance, the system may be arranged to perform dimensional movement using one line configured as an endless loop, one line configured as a half loop, two lines configured as endless loops or two lines configured as half loops.

Abstract: A catheter system and methods for repairing a valvular annulus or an annular organ structure of a patient comprising intimately contacting the annular organ structure by a tissue-contactor member having energy-delivering elements, and delivering tissue-shrinkable energy at the annular organ structure through the elements, wherein the tissue-shrinkable energy is applied at a distance wirelessly from the elements sufficient to shrink and tighten the organ structure.