Abstract: A docking station (20) and a robot (22) for docking therein, include corresponding transmission parts. These transmission parts are for the transmission of energy, such as electricity, for recharging the robot (22), and/or signals, for operating the robot (22), the energy and/or signals passing between the docking station and the robot (22). The docking station (20) and robot (22) are such that the docking of the robot (22) in the docking station (20) is at a horizontal orientation, as the transmission part on the robot (22) includes laterally protruding docking contacts that contact corresponding laterally oriented contact arms of the docking station (20).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for materials having a non-leaching coating that has antimicrobial properties. The coating is applied to substrates such as gauze-type wound dressings. Covalent, non-leaching, non-hydrolyzable bonds are formed between the substrate and the polymer molecules that form the coating. A high concentration of anti-microbial groups on multi-length polymer chains and relatively long average chain lengths, contribute to an absorbent or superabsorbent surface with a high level antimicrobial effect.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of using a computer to provide automated investment allocation advice, selection of investment securities, customization of the automated advice, execution of investment securities, maintenance/monitoring of investment portfolios and rebalancing of investment portfolios. A user is connected to the Internet. The user connects to the portfolio management program (PMP) host computer through the Internet. The user completes a questionnaire that the PMP uses to generate a suitable investment allocation and specific portfolio strategy recommendation. The user reviews the strategy and specific information about the strategy. The information is transmitted across the Internet to the user. The information transmitted includes historic and/or hypothetical performance, historical and/or hypothetical holdings, current securities selections of the strategy, and a description of the strategy's selection methodology.

Abstract: A light valve such as an active matrix LCD between crossed polarizers, utilizing, for instance, individual transistors to control each “pixel area” of the LCD and storage elements to store video signal data for each pixel, with optically shielded “dead spaces” between pixels to eliminate electric field cross-talk and non-information-bearing light bleed-through, is illuminated with a bright independent light source which creates a video image projected via specialized projection optics onto an internal or external screen without distortions, regardless of the angle of projection onto the screen. Use of heat sinks, IR reflective coatings, heat absorbing optics, optional fluid and a thermistor controlled pixel transistor bias voltage injection servo circuit stabilizes image performance, maintaining accurate color and contrast levels as the LCD changes temperature.

Abstract: An image display system provides a viewer with an experience of three-dimensional imagery by presenting a composite image made up of at least two separate images. The system includes at least first and second image sources, a beam combiner, and a “background-image-occluding element” which prevents background imagery from being seen through foreground image elements. The system presents the image from one of the image sources, containing background image information, at a distance from the viewer which is greater than the distance from the viewer to the other image presented from the other image source, which contains foreground image elements.

Abstract: This invention pertains to evacuation systems, more particularly, it pertains to single or networked guiding devices that utilizing pre-programming and/or virtual programming, sensing and detecting means, illumination and alarming means, symbols and text messages to direct traffic to safety. The networked guiding devices of the system are configured to systematically and progressively direct traffic from one device to the next, directing traffic to safety. The system is configured to be controlled locally or remotely, on-demand. The evacuation system is applicable to people's traffic, vehicular traffic and/or other transportation modes. The evacuation system may be used in emergency or non-emergency situations.

Abstract: A product display system is disclosed. The product display system provides various means for illuminating products displayed. External and internal illumination means are disclosed, as well as internal and external power sources. In some embodiments, the displayed product switches from an external power source to an internal power source when the product is removed, allowing the product to remain illuminated for a considerable length of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to sonic steerable antennae and their use to achieve a variety of effects. The invention comprises a method and apparatus for taking an input signal, replicating it a number of times and modifying each of the replicas before routing them to respective output transducers such that a desired sound field is created. This sound field may comprise a directed beam, focus beam or a simulated origin. Further, “anti-sound” may be directed so as to create nulls (quiet spots) in an already existing sound field. The input signal replicas may also be modified in way which changes their amplitude or they may be filtered to provide the desired delaying.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile textile treatment system comprising service equipment including, but not limited to, a wet cleaner machine, a reclaimer, a pressing machine and a puff iron contained within the cargo box of a vehicle. The wet cleaner has a cold water supply and a hot water supply, the latter of which is heated by a boiler system, which may include a heat exchanger valve. Additionally, additive tanks store various additives used in the cleaning process. These additives may include cleaning detergent, sizing agent, softener, optical brightener, flame retardant and sanitizing agents. A scalable system may include multiple mobile cargo boxes, each having multiple instances of at least one of the aforesaid machines.

Abstract: A Brucella bacterium is modified by partial or complete deletion of the pgm gene, rendering the bacterium incapable of synthesizing a key enzyme in the metabolism of bacterial sugars. A live vaccine for immunization, prophylaxis or treatment of brucellosis comprises such a bacterium, either lyophilized or in a pharmaceutical vehicle. Nucleotide sequence fragments having the aforementioned deletion are disclosed, with methods for making them.

Abstract: A method of assembling and configuring multiple mezzanine cards on a carrier card is disclosed. The method includes the establishing an I/O profile that represents the I/O configuration of a mezzanine card. The I/O of the mezzanine card is not enabled unless the I/O profile matches a known value stored on the carrier card. In this way, the electronic circuitry is protected if an incorrect mezzanine card is connected to the carrier card.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for taking an input signal, replicating it a number of times and modifying each of the replicas before routing them to respective output transducers such that a desired sound field is created. This sound field may comprise a directed beam, focussed beam or a simulated origin. In a first aspect, delays are added to sound channels to remove the effects of different travelling distances. In a second aspect, a delay is added to a video signal to account for the delays added to the sound channels. In a third aspect, different window functions are applied to each channel to give improved flexibility of use. In a fourth aspect, a smaller extent of transducers is used top output high frequencies than are used to output low frequencies. An array having a larger density of transducers near the centre is also provided. In a fifth aspect, a line of elongate transducers is provided to give good directivity in a plane.

Abstract: An image display system provides a viewer with an experience of three dimensional images by presenting a composite image source. The system includes first and second image sources, a beamcombiner, a lens and a reflective element. The reflective elements reflects the image of the second image source to the beamcombiner. The first and second image sources, the beamcombiner, and the single lens present a foreground image and a background image, with the background image presented at a greater distance from the viewer than the foreground image. The viewer perceives the foreground image and the background image as part of a scene having depth.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprising a continuous piezoelectric element (10) extending alternately back and forth to form a plurality of parallel, straight portions (14) arranged in a stack with intermediate linkage portions (15) at alternate ends of the straight portions (14). Each straight portion (14) is constructed and arranged with electrodes (12, 13) to bend, on activation, in the stacking direction in which the straight portions (14) are stacked with opposite curvature in two halves (16, 17) of the straight portion (14) to create displacement between the ends of the straight portion (14) in the stacking direction adding in series through the stack. The continuous nature of the piezoelectric element (10) eases manufacture. Devices with two types of construction are disclosed. Firstly, the continuous piezoelectric element (10) may have a bender construction such as a bimorph bender construction.

Abstract: A safety cover for an electrical socket or switch has a frame that extends about a socket or switch plate and a cover panel hinged to the frame to prevent access to the plate in a closed position. The frame is secured by clamping an inwardly directed lip between the plate and a mounting box to which the plate is releasably secured. A latch secures the cover panel in the closed position and is released by a key allowing movement of the cover panel to an open position under the biasing of a spring.

Abstract: A novel improved gypsum board having improved antifungal properties is disclosed. The board comprises a gypsum core, front and back paper facings and a polymeric antifungal agent effective at inhibiting fungal growth. A preferred polymeric antifungal agent is polyDADMAC or polyTMMC. In addition to the polymeric antifungal agent, a non-polymeric antifungal agent, such as cetyl pyridinium chloride, sodium or zinc pyrithione, or both, may be included. The polymeric antifungal agent can be present in the gypsum core and/or on one or both of the paper facings. In addition, the antifungal agent may be encapsulated in a material or ionically associated with the polymeric antifungal agent, that releases the antifungal agent over time and/or upon exposure to moisture. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the aforementioned improved antifungal gypsum board.

Abstract: Image-directing devices, e.g. barriers or lenticular lenses, tilted so as to be other than vertical (zero degrees) or horizontal (ninety degrees), display two or more individual images, each viewable from a different viewing point. Composite images so displayed provide substantially the desired viewing experience regardless of whether their viewing surfaces are tipped about a vertical axis or about a horizontal axis. The composite images are desirably generated from individual images, using novel pixel mapping methods. Lenticular sheets and barrier screens are desirably made with the lenses or barriers oriented at a defined angle to the edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A large-area display is composed of two or more adjacent panels, in which the overall display provides a consistent perception of depth (and/or other characteristics of the images) in all panels from each viewing position. This is accomplished by generating a first panel having a first repeating pattern in an arrangement of successive segments of the images, and generating a second panel to be displayed adjacent to the first panel, the second panel having a second repeating pattern in an arrangement of successive segments of the images that are in the same order as the first repeating pattern but starting at a different element of the repeating pattern from the first element of the first repeating pattern, and assembling the panels adjacent to each other, thereby allowing corresponding images to be displayed on the adjacent panels when viewed from a range of various view points.

Abstract: This invention is mainly a 7-card stud poker game, played with at least one standard poker deck of 52 cards, plus at least one Joker. After a player places a Poker wager and/or a Pair Of Aces Or Better wager, the player then has the option to place a Bonus wager, against a banker. Each said wager automatically wins if the player is dealt a 7-Card 9 High hand or a 7-Card Straight Flush; otherwise, the player's Poker wager wins if the player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than or the same as the banker's best 5-card poker hand; the player's Pair Of Aces Or Better wager wins if the player's best 5-card poker hand is a pair of Aces or better; the player's Bonus wager wins if the player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than or the same as the banker's with a predetermined hand or better.

Abstract: The invention provides transducer arrays which are capable of outputting sound beams having a relatively constant width, and with minimal sidelobes, across a range of frequencies. This is achieved by utilising one or more digital signal modifiers within the signal path between the input sound signal and the array of transducers. Variable window functions are also disclosed.