Abstract: A lost motion engine valve actuation system and method of actuating an engine valve are disclosed. The system may comprise a valve train element, a pivoting lever, a control piston, and a hydraulic circuit. The pivoting lever may include a first end for contacting the control piston, a second end for transmitting motion to a valve stem and a means for contacting a valve train element. The amount of lost motion provided by the system may be selected by varying the position of the control piston relative to the pivoting lever. Variation of the control piston position may be carried out by placing the control piston in hydraulic communication with a control trigger valve and one or more accumulators. Actuation of the trigger valve releases hydraulic fluid allowing for adjustment of the control piston position. Means for limiting valve seating velocity, filling the hydraulic circuit upon engine start up, and mechanically locking the control piston/lever for a fixed level of valve actuation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an object in an image is disclosed wherein a fractal map of the image is generated by estimating the fractal dimension of each pixel in the image. The fractal map may be segmented by thresholding and locations of candidate objects are determined. The pixel value of the image pixel corresponding to the same location where the candidate object is found in the fractal map may be compared to a threshold value. If the pixel value is greater than the threshold value, the candidate object is recognized as a valid object.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method of and associated system for placing nodes in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes receiving user-specified parameters regarding the network. The parameters can include a layout of a building or other space, and requirements for the WLAN. An algorithm then employs these parameters to automatically create and optimized layout of multiple wireless access points for the WLAN. The method can display the layout and provide various types of information to the user.

Abstract: A sonar system and method of use capable of discriminating a direct acoustic signal present at 60 dB or more above the acoustic echo signal.

Abstract: A method and system for aging orders, increasing securities market liquidity.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method for establishing a wireless communication session between a base station unit and a mobile unit wherein a system controller determines which base station unit of multiple base station units is an optimal base station unit to establish the session. The method includes the system controller receiving commands from each of multiple BSUs that have received a request for wireless service from a mobile unit. The commands include information, such as a unique identifier for the sending BSU, signal strength information for the sending BSU, and channel availability for the sending BSU. The system controller directs the optimal BSU to respond to the request, and directs every other BSU to ignore the request. In at least one embodiment, Bluetooth commands are used.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a lost motion housing having two spaced collars surrounding a rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may include an internal hydraulic circuit connecting a master piston bore with a slave piston bore. The lost motion housing may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. A master piston may be disposed in the master piston bore and a slave piston may be disposed in the slave piston bore. A rocker arm may be disposed on the rocker shaft between the spaced collars and may have a first portion adapted to contact a cam and a second portion adapted to contact the master piston. In a preferred embodiment, the system may be used to provide compression release engine braking or bleeder engine braking.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mixture of at least two different alkylated phenolphthalein ester compounds. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a mixture of at least two different compounds of formula I: wherein R1 represents a straight chain alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group of the formula C(O)R4 where R4 is a hydrogen atom or a straight chain alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms; X2-X5 independently represent hydrogen; X6-X13 is same or different, and represents hydrogen or a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. It further relates to a marker composition containing said mixtures dissolved in a solvent.

Abstract: An execution concentrator is interposed in a communications network for handling information concerning securities transactions or the like, that concentrator acting to transmit transaction information to the trader or the like at such times and in such details as may be most convenient or efficient to the recipient, independently of the timing and details of the actual transaction.

Abstract: A medical device with a coating for capturing target cells in vivo is provided. In particular, the medical device is coated with at least one layer of matrix and a layer of antibodies, antibody fragments or combinations thereof, which bind with specificity to mature or progenitor endothelial cells at various developmental stages to form an endothelial cell layer on the surface of the device. The coated medical device can be, for example, a stent or a synthetic graft and is useful in therapy of diseases such as restenosis, atherosclerosis, and thromboembolic complications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering content to an audience member via one or more mediums based on an audience member profile are disclosed. Profile data for audience members may be initially collected from an offline source, such as a registration or subscription database. The profile data may be stored in a dedicated database. The initial profile data may be supplemented periodically with data reflecting online activity by the audience member. The combined offline and online profile data may be used to group the audience members into segments. Audience member segments may be used to identify audience members who are targeted to receive like content. An audience member's inclusion in a segment may be indicated by storing a segment-targeting cookie on the audience member computer. Content may be delivered to the audience member based on identification of the segment in the segment-targeting cookie.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hydraulic valve actuation of engine valves are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a lost motion piston assembly that transfers motion between first and second rocker arms to selectively provide auxiliary engine valve actuation motions to the engine valves for engine operations such as engine braking and exhaust gas recirculation. The lost motion piston assembly may reduce or eliminate transient loads that may otherwise be transmitted to engine valve train elements during the times that lost motions systems are turned on and off for auxiliary valve actuations.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a first vessel for holding a mixture of steam and water is disclosed. At least one first manifold is in fluid communication with the first vessel, the at least one first manifold is for receiving water from the first vessel. At least one second manifold is in fluid communication with the first vessel and in parallel spaced relation to the first manifold, the at least one second manifold is for returning a mixture of steam and water to the first vessel. At least one tube is in fluid communication with the at least one first manifold and the at least one second manifold, and a plurality of fins extends radially outward from an outer surface of the at least one tube.

Abstract: A transformer circuit is disclosed that minimizes the temperature dependence of an output voltage. A first embodiment of the present invention includes a primary winding coupled to received a voltage to be sensed and a center-tapped secondary winding coupled at a center point to first voltage output terminal. The center-tapped secondary winding includes a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding, the secondary windings being coupled through a bridge circuit to a second voltage output terminal.

Abstract: A shark deterrent device is disclosed. The device comprises at least two hollow cylindrical shafts, a tip, a twist-release mechanism, and at least one self-lock mechanism. The tip may be replaceable. The shark deterrent device is a retractable unit that is easy for a diver to carry and stow, and yet can be extended in order to deter a shark. The device is unlocked from its retracted position by twisting a collar, thereby unlocking the concentric shafts and allowing the unit to be fully extendable by hand. Once the unit is fully extended, a self-lock mechanism lock the unit to prevent it from retracting during use. The unit has a handle formed at one end of the outermost cylindrical shaft and a tip at the opposing end of the innermost cylindrical shaft. The tip may be replaceable and removed, and other useful tips may be attached.

Abstract: An exhaust brake and method of operating an exhaust brake are disclosed. The exhaust brake may have a housing having a central opening and a boss with a central bore, wherein the central bore intersects the central opening. A butterfly gate may be pivotally mounted in the central opening. The butterfly gate may have a bypass opening provided in an outer edge of the butterfly gate, and an upstream side. A dual-diameter piston may be slide-ably disposed in the central bore. The piston may have a lower end received in the bypass opening and an upper end distal from the bypass opening. One or more passages may extend between the central opening and the central bore at the upstream side of the butterfly gate, and a spring may bias the piston lower end into the bypass opening. The piston lower end may selectively unblock the bypass opening responsive to the application of static exhaust gas pressure to the piston upper end.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing an operator of a vehicle from using a handheld wireless communication device without a hands-free communication device associated therewith when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A system and associated method provides for a wireless local area network (WLAN) that permits mobile units to communicate with an external, wired network. Nodes in the WLAN include multiple components, such as a base module, antenna module, and one or more wireless modules. Indeed, this system can employ two or more wireless modules that employ different short-range wireless protocols, such as IEEE 802.11-type and Bluetooth protocols. The nodes may perform self-discovery to determine modules within the node and associated functionality, as well as identify neighboring nodes to thereby establish a mesh-type network. Nodes can be configured to provide connectivity to the wired network, while others (access points) communicate wirelessly with mobile devices. The nodes may then be interconnected wirelessly, or via wires.