Abstract: The present invention provides for an electrochemical system, which includes electrochemical cells and a manifold system for receiving and interconnecting the cells in a manner which facilitates the removal and replacement of cells.

Abstract: An interleaver in which a frame of data to be interleaved is stored in at least a portion of an array having R rows and C columns, the portion having Nr(l) rows and Nc(l) columns that satisfy the inequality Nr(l)×Nc(l−1)<L<Nr(l)×Nc(l) where Nc(l) is a prime number and Nc(l−1) is the highest prime number less than Nc(l). The elements of each row are permuted according to a predetermined mathematical relationship, and the rows are permuted according to predetermined mapping.

Abstract: A telephony system allows a calling party to provide Call Context Identification (CCID) in conjunction with a voice telephone call. When a called party's telephone device is in its ringing state or in a call waiting alerting state, the CCID is displayed to the called party to aid the called party in determining whether to answer the call. The system allows a calling party to embed actions in text messages. Such actions are displayed on the called party's telephone device as action keys. Selection of these action keys results in performing an action defined by the calling party.

Abstract: The invention provides frequency reuse techniques to enable fractional frequency reuse to be achieved for various cellular radio deployment grids, even for high order modulation such as 16 QAM and 64 QAM by the use of controlled and coordinated notched antenna patterns. The technique allows all frequencies to be used in all cells, thus maximizing system capacity while minimizing and controlling adjacent cell interference by the use of notched antenna patterns.

Abstract: A gas-burner electrical switch, which may be associated with a gas-supply cock. The gas-supply cock has a maneuvering stem (14) that is free to slide and turn about its own axis within the cock body (13) to control gas supply. The electrical switch includes a shell (15) that can be fixed to the cock body (13), and that encloses a first contact (16) that may be associated to a second contact (17) to close or to open an electrical circuit of the lighter. The switch includes a control rod (31), which is free to slide within the shell (15) and is constrained to the stem (14) in such a way as to translate with the stem (14) in both directions of sliding of the stem (14), but without being forced to rotate with the stem (14). The control rod (31) sets the two contacts (16, 17) in electrical connection at a point corresponding to at least one position of the stem (14). The two contacts (16, 17) are otherwise separate from one another.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for implantation into a mammalian body comprised of a non-absorbable biocompatible flexible material shell or sac filled with various biocompatible gel filler materials. The gel filler materials are comprised of biocompatible glucomannan obtained from konjac hydrocolloid flour and other biocompatible hydrocolloids, producing a natural look and feel for the prosthetic implants, especially reconstructive prostheses such as breast implants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for storage and controlled release of hydrogen. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of borohydride based solutions as a hydrogen storage source and a catalyst system to release hydrogen therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a voice message. The method includes the steps of storing a coded representation of the voice message in a block of memory associated with the voice message and sized to correspond to the size of the coded representation, retrieving the coded representation to play the voice message to a user, compressing the coded representation to produce a compressed representation of the voice message, the compressed representation having a lesser size than the coded representation, after the coded representation has been retrieved, and storing the compressed representation of the message in the block of memory in place of the coded representation.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for synchronously digital interfacing communications components. The apparatus includes a device configured to transmit and receive differential signals. One set of differential signals includes a transmit signal and a receive signal, and another set of differential signals includes a clock signal and a synchronization signal. The combination of clock signals and synchronization signals form other signals having a variable period. The other signals are used to modify the set of differential signals including transmit and receive signals.

Abstract: A rhythmic motion driver having a case containing flywheels and a guide along which the flywheels move linearly while rotating. A spring is within the case that compresses and expands in response to oscillatory motion of a bar that extends through an opening in the case. The spring compression and expansion is slowed but not dampened by the movement of the flywheels.

Abstract: Processes for synthesizing borohydride compounds with reduced energy requirements are disclosed.

Abstract: A fixed wireless point-to-multipoint distribution network for providing seamless communication coverage to plurality of subscribers that includes a plurality of base stations for providing wireless access to said subscriber; each base station having connectivity to one another on a first network layer via at least one of a number of IP and/or ATM switches, called IDCN switches; each IDCN switch having connectivity to another over a second network layer via a transport ring thereby enabling one user to communicate directly with another user in said first network layer, or externally of said first network layer via one of said IDCN switches. An integrated data centric network is provided that integrates voice, data and video services into a single network, defines user services by the end user by providing middleware to enable the end user to develop services and applications; and provides a carrier grade service with distributed networking and services.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a.1) a rack input device for introducing sample racks into the rack supply unit, (a.2) a rack output device for removing sample racks from the rack supply unit, (a.3) a buffer unit for storing unprocessed racks before they are transferred from said rack supply unit to a position corresponding to an analyzer unit, and for storing also already processed racks which contain samples having a probability of being reexamined, and (a.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the optical loss characteristics of optical fibers in an optical fiber network. An optical transmission module is provided. The optical transmission module produces a light signal and an electrical signal that contains data regarding the characteristics of the light signal being generated. The light signal output of the optical transmitter module is connected to the input of a calibrated optical switch. The outputs of the optical switch are connected to the optical fibers that are to be tested. At the opposite ends of the optical fibers, a second optical switch is provided. The second optical switch connects the various optical fibers to a monitor module. The monitor module detects the light signal transmitted by the optical transmitter module through the various optical fibers. The monitor module converts the received light signal into a corresponding electrical signal. A systems controller is coupled to both the optical transmitter module and the monitor module.

Abstract: The presence of irregular heartbeat and/or possible atrial fibrillation is determined by analyzing a measured pulse rate pattern or heart rate pattern. The standard deviation and mean of time intervals each corresponding to a respective heartbeat are determined and compared to a threshold value. When quotient formed by dividing the standard deviation by the mean has a value greater than or equal to the threshold value, the shortest one of the time intervals and its succeeding time intervals are determined, and the succeeding time interval is compared to the mean. If the succeeding time interval is less than the mean, then the heartbeat is irregular. Alternatively, if the succeeding time interval is greater than the mean, the shortest time interval and its succeeding time interval are eliminated from the sample values, a new mean and standard deviation are determined, and the quotient of the new standard deviation divided by the new mean are compared to the threshold value.

Abstract: A method for detecting or quantitating multiple copies of a repeat sequence in a nucleic acid molecule involving treating the nucleic acid molecule with a probe which is a nucleic acid analogue which is capable of hybridizing to the repeat sequence in the nucleic acid molecule and which is labelled with a detectable substance. The nucleic acid molecule is treated with the probe under conditions permitting the probe to hybridize to the repeat sequences in the nucleic acid molecule. Probe hybridized to complementary repeat sequences is identified in the nucleic acid molecule by directly or indirectly detecting the detectable substance. The method is preferably used for quantitating multiple copies of a repeat sequence in a nucleic acid molecule, preferably a telomere or centromere repeat sequence. Novel probes for use in the method of the invention and kits are described.

Abstract: A combination of a reinforcing grommet in a D-shape or a closed horseshoe shape and a supporting brace for holding a tensioned surface on an inclined frame element of a frame of a collapsible furniture item, such as a chair, a stool, lounger, table, a cot or a bed. A contact portion of a lower surface of the grommet rests on a brace and a remaining portion of the lower surface spans a recess in the brace. The brace is freely movable to and fro relative to the frame tube so as to minimize tearing forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for switching a call from an unreliable network to an alternate network when a QoS of the network falls below a predetermined threshold. The invention includes a telephone call switching apparatus which monitors the QoS of the call. When the QoS of the call falls below a first threshold the switching apparatus establishes a connection over an alternate network. If after a predetermined time period or after the QoS falls below another predetermined threshold the call is transferred to the alternate network connection. While the switching apparatus is maintaining multiple network connections, the idle network connection remains muted.