Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an initial listening zone wherein the initial listening zone represents an initial area monitored for sounds; detect an initial sound within the initial listening zone; and adjust the initial listening zone and forming the adjusted listening zone having an adjusted area based wherein the initial sound emanates from within the adjusted listening zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game device with enhanced entertainment capabilities. In a game device, a slope controller controls the inclination of the ground on which a character is placed, based on an operation instruction input by a player via a controller. An independent mode controller controls the character so that the character performs an action determined by an artificial intelligence unit, when the inclination of the ground is smaller than a certain value. A dependent mode controller controls the character so that the character rolls on the ground, when the inclination of the ground is greater than a certain value. The player tilts the ground to roll the character in a desired direction so as to lead the character to the goal.

Abstract: A steering device for a motor vehicle is provided. The steering device has a steering wheel, having a steering shaft and having a superposition gearing which is arranged in or on the steering wheel and which is designed to transmit a motor-driven adjusting movement to the steering shaft. In one form, at least one interface is provided which, in the presence of a defined condition, separates or limits a transmission of force between the steering shaft and the superposition gearing. The interface is for example an overload clutch.

Abstract: The use of fuel compositions comprising selected hydrocarbon oils as carriers for detergents has been found to reduce deposit formation as well as prolong the functionality of fuel injectors. The selection and utilization of particularly characterized hydrocarbon oils as detergent carriers reduces intake valve deposits and combustion chamber deposits, in comparison to conventionally used carrier fluids.

Abstract: A motion preserving implant having first and second bearing members and a biasing member disposed therebetween operable to provide resistance to the translation of the bodies with respect to one another. An intervertebral implant having first and second bearing members, a translatable member, a resilient connection between the translatable member and one of the bearing members to allow for relative motion therebetween and bearing surfaces of the translatable member and the other bearing member to allow complex, natural motion between the bearing members. A spinal implant having upper and lower bodies and an articulation surface that allows for polyaxial articulation and translation through a concave articulation surface having a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature in at least one plane, and a convex articulation surface having the first radius of curvature in the same plane.

Abstract: A rolling code transmitter is useful in a security system for providing secure encrypted RF transmission comprising an interleaved trinary bit fixed code and rolling code. A receiver demodulates the encrypted RF transmission and recovers the fixed code and rolling code. Upon comparison of the fixed and rolling codes with stored codes and determining that the signal has emanated from an authorized transmitter, a signal is generated to actuate an electric motor to open or close a movable barrier.

Abstract: A method and a device for recovering clay derived from a contaminated raw material containing clay. The method includes eliminating from the contaminated material contaminating materials not bound to the clay, mixing the contaminated raw material, free of unbound contaminating materials, with water, separating from the mixture clay suspended in water and residues of raw material depleted in clay, and separately recovering clay and water.

Abstract: A device that provides an interface between alternating current powerline communication signals and direct current powerline communication signals. In one embodiment alternating current powerline communication signals and direct current powerline communication signals are interfaced with a bridging device. In another embodiment, a router configuration allows dissimilar protocols to be interfaced to direct current using a router configuration. In yet another embodiment the alternating current powerline communication and direct current powerline communication signals are interfaced using a passive repeater configuration. In the bridge and router configurations, use of an internal computer allows for additional features, such as error checking, buffering, diagnostics, and virus checking.

Abstract: An antenna array for use in an aviation application setting comprises an external covering and at least four radio frequency antennas that are disposed underneath and that are protected by the external covering. A deposit of phosphor material is also disposed beneath this covering. This external covering is at least partially permeable to radio frequency signals and will provide at least a substantial barrier against external moisture and objects that might otherwise harm the antennas. This external covering can be fixed to an exterior surface of an aircraft. The four radio frequency antennas are electrically discrete from one another though also being configured as an integral mechanical structure. The phosphor material, in turn, can serve to facilitate detection of a parameter of interest, such as temperature or airspeed.

Abstract: A miniature electret microphone includes a housing, a back plate/diaphragm assembly, an integrated circuit and a filter circuit. The housing for the microphone includes a sound inlet port. The back plate/diaphragm assembly is disposed within the housing and the assembly has an output responsive to sound pressure incident on the diaphragm. The integrated circuit includes a floating ground substrate and a p-n junction disposed within the housing coupled to the output. The filter circuit is formed within the integrated circuit, the filter circuit including a capacitor formed by the p-n junction.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided that is configured for operation in hazardous or other hazardous environments. The electric motor includes a housing for a rotor and a stator. The housing includes a pair of end caps and a casing positioned therebetween. The end caps and the casing are held together using internal tie bars extending between and connected to the end caps.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the load-bearing capacity of formwork supports during shock-type stress that is effective especially perpendicular to or at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the support. Said aim is achieved by a formwork support which is made essentially of wood and is provided with a top chord, a bottom chord, and a web that connects the two chords. The web and/or at least one of the chords comprises at least one recess in at least one final area of the support said recess being filled with a filling material that has shock-absorbing properties. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a formwork support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalyst by suspending a titanium-containing silicate porous material in a solution with a metal salt being dissolved therein, and then by exposing the solution to ultra violet light to precipitate metal fine particles on the surface of the porous material.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a patient positioning imaging device for positioning a patient in a hadron therapy device provided with a rotatable gantry (20). The patient positioning imaging device comprises a rotatable structure (10) provided with an extensible arm or foldable pivoting arm (12) arranged for connecting an imaging beam source (121) and an extensible structure or foldable pivoting structure (14) arranged for carrying an imaging beam receiver (141). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for taking CBCT shots of the patient while the patient is located in an offset position with respect to an isocentre of the hadron therapy device, said offset position being in the direction of a rotational axis of the rotatable gantry (20). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for being rotated while the rotatable gantry (20) remains fixed, and while the extensible or pivoting arm (12) and the extensible or pivoting structure (14) are in extended or unfolded position.

Abstract: A plough assembly (10) to be fixed to a plough frame including a transverse beam (11). The assembly (10) includes a plough shank (13) with a leading surface (14) that is generally upwardly oriented. The lower end of the shank (13) is provided with a digging adapter (24) to which there is attached a digging blade (28). Located behind the adapter (24) is a fertilizer delivery tube (33), while behind the tube (33) is a seed delivery tube (42). A seed bed is formed by a tool (43) that is in front of the tube (42), while behind the tube (42) is a press wheel (39).

Abstract: A method of educating includes providing a collectible trading card game with a plurality of trading cards. Each card may contain educational information including a consonant, vowel, number or mathematical operator and the cards are used to form a properly spelled word or to form a mathematically correct equation. In some forms, the method includes providing a game with a playing field and a set of game components with game component types having a predetermined power for affecting play of the game by affecting a power, effect, or value of the game component. The level of skill necessary to play the game may be varied by selectively implementing or disregarding the predetermined power of the game components. An educational game includes first and second game components with different expressions, powers, point values, and identifiers for distinguishing game components and facilitating game play.

Abstract: A Domain Name System (DNS) server of a conventional DNS includes a DNS query having a highest level domain (HLD), a root zone having at least one root resource record adapted to resolve said DNS query when it is determined that said HLD is a top level domain alias (TLDA).

Abstract: Various embodiments are described in which different irrigation controllers in an irrigation control system have machine code having a same code base. In one implementation, a first irrigation control unit comprises a processor and a medium storing a first set of machine code to be executed by the processor. The first set is based on a portion of source code on which a second set of machine code stored in a second irrigation control unit is based, and the first and second sets not identical to each other. The first and second irrigation control units are in a predefined hierarchical control relationship. In one variation, the first and second control units have at least related operating systems. In another variation, a central controller includes machine code developed from at least a portion of the same source code as machine code in a remote controller for simulation or execution purposes.