Abstract: A mobile device is described herein in which the mobile device can have a base portion that can include a guide base and can also have a slider portion that can include a sliding plate. The slider portion can be slidably engaged with the base portion and can move relative to the base portion. The mobile device can also include a cover plate that can be slidably engaged with the guide base of the base portion and the sliding plate of the slider portion. In one arrangement, the cover plate can be configured to selectively cover a slot of the sliding plate. As an example, when the slider portion moves from a closed position to an open position, the cover plate can move in substantially the same direction as the slider portion due to a friction coefficient between the cover plate and the sliding plate being greater than a friction coefficient between the cover plate and the guide base.

Abstract: A compression stabilized prosthetic socket for a patient having an amputated limb and a remaining portion includes a first socket portion for contacting a patient's remaining portion of a limb, and a second socket portion for attachment of a prosthetic device. The first socket portion has compression portions having a radius for compressing portions of the patient's remaining portion of a limb, and relief portions receiving any portions of the patient's remaining limb which bulge upon the compression applied by the compression portions. The relief portions may be formed as openings or as enlarged radius portions.

Abstract: An interface apparatus includes a main unit, an array of interface modules, driver circuitry, and a remote unit. The main unit outputs files to an output unit, is detachably couplable to interface modules and assigns content identifiers to interface modules. The array presents an image to the user and each interface module can be engaged by a user. The driver circuitry is adapted to drive the array to present an image to the user based upon the user's engagement with an interface module. The remote unit is coupled to the output unit and can be detachably coupled to the interface module. When coupled to the interface module, the remote unit can access the assigned identifier and transmit a request signal to the main unit based on the identifier. The request signal is adapted to cause the main unit to output a file identified by the identifier to the output unit.

Abstract: A method including identifying a set of shadow casters and a set of shadow receivers in a frame of a scene lighted by at least a first light source, constructing a first 3D grid from the first light source's point of view fully enclosing a first volume of the scene, projecting each of the one or more shadow casters and growing each cell of the first 3D grid that includes one or more projected casters. Constructing a second 3D grid from the first light source's point of view fully enclosing the first volume and growing each cell of the second 3D grid that includes at least a portion of one or more shadow receivers and for which a corresponding cell of the first 3D grid has been grown. Forming a third 3D grid by intersecting the first 3D grid with the second 3D grid and marking for rendering into a shadow map each shadow caster that intersects the third 3D grid.

Abstract: A universal transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of signals at a plurality of different modulations and frequencies which provides a simplified programming setup so that multiple signal configurations (including code format, modulation format and frequency) can be programmed quickly and easily. The transmitter comprises a signal configuration input which an operator can use to select a desired signal configuration for transmission, a controller for interpreting the selected signal configuration, storing it to memory, retrieving it when the appropriate user input is depressed, and outputting it to a transmitter circuit capable of transmitting the selected signal configuration received from the controller at a predetermined modulation and frequency, and at least one user input for actuating the transmitter and identifying to the controller what signal configuration is to be transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: Upon detecting (101) (via an animate object detector (506)) an animate object, these teachings provide for automatically and responsively transmitting (102) a remote light control signal and also selectively controlling (103) local lighting (505). This can comprise temporarily switching the local lighting to a higher power mode of operation (such as a fully-on mode of operation) from a lower power mode of operation (such as a fully-off mode of operation). These teachings will further accommodate determining (301) a relatively closeness of the animate object to the remote control. When the detected animate object is more than predetermined distance from the remote control, the local lighting can remain in the lower power mode of operation. When the detected animate object, however, is within that predetermined distance from the remote control, then the aforementioned step of switching the local lighting to the higher power mode of operation can be undertaken as described.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems to distribute content over a network. Some embodiments provide methods to distribute content within a local media network. These methods receive a request for a first content to be transferred to a sink device, request from the source an access criteria for a first content that is protected according to a first digital rights management (DRM), forward the access criteria to the sink device, receive an evaluation of the access criteria from the sink device regarding at least whether the sink device can interpret the first DRM, determine according to the evaluation received from the sink device whether the sink device can utilize the first content that is protected according to the first DRM, and initiate a transfer of the first content from the source device to the sink device when the sink device can utilize the first content.

Abstract: A leak detector sequentially emits pulse signals toward a human body at a position at which a needle is inserted, detects pulse signals reflected inside of the human body, and measures a time interval between the emission and the detection for each of the pulse signals. The leak detector then calculates the difference between the measured interval and a predetermined time interval, and generates a leak warning for notification when the difference exceeds an acceptable range. Since a swelling on the surface of the human body causes a path of the pulse signal to extend, the leak detector can detect, based on the extended signal path, that the needle has come off a blood vessel.

Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for use in providing input to a system that includes the steps of determining position information for a controller for the system, comparing the determined position information for the controller with predetermined position information associated with commands, and providing a command to the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command.

Abstract: A quantized channel rate and corresponding rate multiplier is determined on a transmitter-side of a communication system based on a measured minimum required bandwidth. In certain embodiments, the quantized data rate may be an integer multiple of the system's reference clock. The determined rate multiplier is then transmitted to the receiver-side at a default data rate prior to or near the beginning of a data transmission session, such as upon initialization. Prior to transmission, the data stream may be padded with some determined amount of null data such that the actual transmitted data rate is approximately equal to the quantized channel rate, and the receiver-side can readily recover the data clock using its known reference clock and the previously-provided rate multiplier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system wherein one or more of the various components of the system is configured to operate selectively in at least either of two operational modes. Each operating mode is characterized by a corresponding energy usage profile. The operational status of the system is monitored and operating modes are selected that serve both to substantially ensure proper operation given current likely operational expectations and an overall desire to reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: A user interface device provides secure access to equipment. An audio reception device is adapted to receive an audio input comprising background noise and to receive an audio user code from a user. A user input device receives a manual input comprising a manual user code from the user. A control unit stores one or more target user codes and receives an audio input and determines a noise level of the background noise. An instruction message is generated to inform the user to enter the manual user code in response to the noise level of the background noise exceeding a predetermined threshold level. An output device provides the instruction message to the user. A control unit provides secure access to the equipment in response to at least one of the audio user code and the manual user code.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are utilized for monitoring an operation of a system characterized by operational parameters. A non-parametric empirical model generates estimates of parameter values in response to receiving a query vector of monitored parameters for a model characterizing the system. A distance estimation engine (a) determines robust distances between the query vector and each of a set of predetermined historical vectors for the non-parametric empirical model based on an implementation of an elemental kernel function; (b) determines weights for the monitored parameters based on the robust distances; and (c) combining the weights with the predetermined historical vectors to make predictions for the system.

Abstract: A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.

Abstract: A resealable closure for packages is provided which has a package integrity feature. The closure includes a two-ply material having an inner film layer and an outer film layer, forming a top of container. The outer film layer has a sealing panel completely covering a first panel and a second panel of the inner film layer. The sealing panel is permanently attached to the first panel and is releasably affixed a portion of the inner film layer around the perimeter of the first panel to form an opening in the top when the sealing panel with affixed first panel is peeled back from the top. The sealing panel is resealable against the top to seal the opening when the sealing panel is moved back against the top. The package integrity feature comprises the second panel of the inner layer which separates from the sealing panel to indicate that the container has been previously opened.

Abstract: A seal for a container for comestibles, especially potable liquids, and in particular for use for sealing polyester containers such as bottles, which is suitable for passage through a PET recycling process, comprises a metal foil layer, a foam layer and a plastics film layer as well as a heat sealable layer below the foil. The foam is selected for its density and thickness so is to confer upon the seal a high buoyancy. The adhesion a between the foam and the foil is increased compared to currently available products, in order to prevent de-lamination between the foil and the foam during the recycling process.

Abstract: An airbag comprises a right half airbag to be inflated on a front right side of an occupant, a left half airbag to be inflated on a front left side of the occupant, and a base-end chamber that communicates with base-end sides of the right half airbag and the left half airbag. The right half airbag and the left half airbag are stitched together by a seam. The interior of each of the bags and communicate with each other by upper part and lower part openings and. A vertically extended concave portion exists on a surface of the inflated airbag that faces the occupant. The concave portion is deepest in the intermediate part and shallow in the upper part and lower part.

Abstract: A method for use in controlling a system includes tracking three-dimensional movements of a hand-held controller for the system, mapping the tracked three-dimensional movements of the handheld controller onto a two-dimensional image plane of a screen of a display for the system, and displaying one or more images on the two-dimensional image plane of the screen based on the mapping of the tracked three-dimensional movements of the handheld controller. Some embodiments may include one or more sensors configured to track three-dimensional movements of a hand-held controller for the system, and a processor configured to perform the above mentioned steps.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes vertebral engagement members and an intermediate structure. The vertebral engagement members are configured to be disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The vertebral engagement members generally include seating surfaces for accommodating at least a portion of a laminar region of adjacent vertebra and are adjustable between an operable and inoperable configuration. The intermediate structure extends between the vertebral engagement members. The structural cooperation of the vertebral engagement members and the intermediate structure is such that the engagement members distract the adjacent vertebrae.