Abstract: A method of rendering pixels from an abstract dataset, by: selecting a collection of sub-pixel locations for a plurality of pixels; sampling dataset properties at the selected sub-pixel locations; merging the properties of more than one of the selected sub-pixel locations; and calculating pixel values based upon the merged properties at the selected sample locations.

Abstract: A device is provided for supporting a substantially flat television screen over a piece of furniture of the type having an upper surface with spaced apart front and rear edges, and a back. The device comprises a pedestal and an upper support. The pedestal includes a base for supporting the weight of the screen on a floor surface, a column extending vertically upwardly from the base, and a bracket for connecting the column to the back of the piece of furniture so that the column is held in position against the piece of furniture. The upper support includes a post that is connected to and vertically adjustable with respect to the column, a cantilever support arm extending forwardly from the vertically adjustable post, the support arm terminating in a free end, and a screen mounting member connected to the free end of the support arm for receiving the flat screen television.

Abstract: A method is disclosed by which pharmacies and physicians are encouraged to select appropriate and effective medications but dissuaded from selecting higher priced medications where more economical versions are available as alternatives, but where physicians and patients can also select such higher priced medications if they so choose and are prepared to pay that higher price. Under this system a single representative price (capitation rate) is calculated by a prescription payment plan manager for a group of related medications, usually including both branded and generic, and that price is paid to a pharmacy for all prescriptions of that group of medications fulfilled under the plan. The representative prices for different groups, including their minimum levels, are periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate.

Abstract: An article called a tibbidy is disclosed to be attached to an outer garment and provide comfort and protection to the person wearing the garment when the person chooses not to wear inner- or undergarments beneath the garment. The article is a lightweight flexible fabric pad which is configured to conform to the inner surface of a garment, such as the inseam and crotch of a pair of pants or the axillary area of a shirt garment. The product has a soft comfortable top layer, optionally an intermediate supporting layer for the top layer, and an adhesive layer for adhesion to the inner surface of the garment. The product exists in various embodiments, some of which are specifically configured for use by women, others for use by men, and others of a “unisex” configuration for use by both men and women.

Abstract: A gimbal unit for increasing the number of degrees of freedom of a positioning apparatus has three perpendicular rotary joints and drive motors for driving each joint independently for rotation about x, y and z rotary axes, a first adapter for securing one end of the unit to a transportation device such as a gantry slider or a robotic arm, and a second adapter for securing the opposite end of the unit to a gripper or a tool. When the gimbal unit is secured to a slider of a gantry unit having three perpendicular translational axes, and a gripper or tool is secured to the gimbal unit, a controller can control movement of the gripper or tool along the three translational axes and about the three rotational axis for suitable positioning at one or more work stations on a work table of the gantry.

Abstract: A method of varying the relationship between a scalar input parameter and a scalar output parameter, by: displaying a relationship between an input parameter and an output parameter as a curve on a computer screen; selecting at least one control point on the curve; and moving at least one handle associated to the at least one control point to vary the shape of the curve as the curve passes through the at least one control point, thereby varying the relationship between the input parameter and the output parameter.

Abstract: A turbine generator system, having: a rotatable base; and a plurality of rotor vanes extending from the rotatable base, wherein each of the rotor vanes have helical tapered inner and outer surfaces, and wherein each of the rotor vanes is curved to catch flow perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable base and to direct the flow into a vortical flow between the inner surfaces of the rotor vanes.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting an optical sight on a rifle has an elongated rail and a mounting base projecting downwardly from the rail for securing the rail on a rifle. The rail has an upwardly facing channel extending along its length for receiving a mounting element of a first type of optical sight, the base of the channel having a plurality of openings for receiving fastener devices for selectively securing an optical sight at a selected location along the length of the rail. The opposite sides of the rail each have a plurality of spaced tabs forming a Picatinney rail for mounting a second type of optical sight having a mounting element for engaging over the Picatinney rail. The mounting rail therefore combines the mounting formations for two different types of optical sight in a single rail.

Abstract: The multispectral imaging system provides detection of low contrast objects on or below the surface of a body of water through the elimination of most of the surface reflected light clutter components from multispectral images. The images are processed by taking the weighted difference of two or more spectral components and applying a demeaning or whitening filter to the result. The images can then be frame averaged where the appropriate corrections for motion, magnification, rotation, and translation have been applied. The resultant imagery can then be displayed to an operator or transmitted to a remote location.

Abstract: A beverage cup assembly, including: a cup; a lid at a top of the cup; a wire mesh filter assembly adjacent to the lid; and a receptacle receivable around the filter assembly comprising a one-way valve permitting fluid to flow from the receptacle into the cup.

Abstract: A new and improved trailer coupler which is spring loaded, and connected to the hitch ball of a towing vehicle is provided. Moreover, the new and improved trailer coupler has a latch activated from the top of the trailer coupler that is connected to a means for grasping and securing the hitch ball on a tow vehicle such that the trailer coupler does not unhitch from the ball of the tow vehicle. Further, the present invention provides a new and improved trailer coupler having a latch apparatus that facilitates engagement and disengagement of the trailer coupler to the hitch ball of the tow vehicle wherein the latch apparatus has a secondary locking mechanism in the form of a locking pin wherein the locking pin is placed in a position within the latch apparatus wherein the locking pin penetrates an opening within the latch such that the latch apparatus may not be manually or accidentally unlatched without prior removal of the locking pin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head restraint kit for use with a medical head device for immobilizing the head of a patient in medical research, diagnosis and operation. The head restraint kit is particularly suitable for use with a head coil for magnetic resonance imaging. The head restraint kit contains a head rest pillow for providing support to the head of a patient, a neck cushion for providing neck support, and one or more wedge cushions for providing further support for the head. The head restraint kit may also contain one or more compact square cushions which can be inserted into a space between the head and the medical head device for additional head support. The head restraint kit may further contain a cloth strap placed over the forehead of a patient for protecting and securing the head against movement.

Abstract: An RFID Probe comprises a pole with a plurality of sensors that indicate RF signal strength attached at regular intervals and marked to indicate distance from an end of the pole. A user employs the RFID Probe by placing the probe between densely packed materials, such as cases on a pallet, and exposing the RFID Probe and packaging to a signal from an REID transceiver. After exposing the RFID Probe to the RFID transceiver signal, the user removes the RFID Probe from the packed materials and observes the sensors on the probe. By noting the location on the probe of the sensors indicating low or no RF signal, the user can identify locations where RF signal strength is insufficient to activate an RFID tag.

Abstract: The present invention is method for scheduling jobs in a grid computing environment without having to monitor the state of the resource on the gird comprising a Global Scheduling Program (GSP) and a Local Scheduling Program (LSP). The GSP receives jobs submitted to the grid and distributes the job to the closest resource. The resource then runs the LSP to determine if the resource can execute the job under the conditions specified in the job. The LSP either rejects or accepts the job based on the current state of the resource properties and informs the GSP of the acceptance or rejection. If the job is rejected, the GSP randomly selects another resource to send the job to using a resource table. The resource table contains the state-independent properties of every resource on the grid.