Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. The wireless appliance includes a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol of a host vehicle, and then communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol. The appliance also includes a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, which collects diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol. A GPS module, also in electrical communication with the microprocessor, generates location-based data. For transmitting these data, the appliance includes a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network. The microprocessor selects the first or second wireless transmitter for transmitting the diagnostic and location-based data.

Abstract: A defibrillator connected by catheters (7) to the heart (6) has an external circuit (2, 12) connected to a passive implanted circuit (5) by transdermal induction via voils (3, 4). For atrial defibrillation, pulses of 3–4 J can be transmitted at about 7 MHz without damage, using an implanted coil (4) of 20 mm diameter.

Abstract: A system and method for recording writing performed on a surface includes a stylus and a detector assembly having a base appliance and a personality module removably attachable to the base appliance. The detector assembly includes a storage medium which allows the system of the present invention to track and record writing while not connected to a processing device such as a computer, printer, wireless device or hand-held device.

Abstract: An optical stack includes an intrinsic polarizer, such as a K-type or thin KE polarizer sheet. Optically functional coatings are disposed on one or both of the surfaces of the intrinsic polarizer. The optically functional coatings include a hardcoat, a transflector coating, a reflector coating, an antireflection film, a liquid crystal polymer retarder coating, a diffusion coating, an antiglare film, a wide view film, and an electrode. An optical stack including an intrinsic polarizer and an optically functional coating may have a thickness of less than 25 microns.

Abstract: A method of processing a strip of lead frames is disclosed. The method includes engaging the strip with a lead frame advancement system, advancing the strip to a tooling member, and performing a tooling operation on the strip.

Abstract: A method and a system of generating a video image sequence. According to one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of camera systems relative to a scene such that the camera systems define a gross trajectory. The method further includes transforming images from the camera systems to superimpose a secondary induced motion on the gross trajectory. And the method includes displaying the transformed images in sequence corresponding to the position of the corresponding camera systems along the gross trajectory.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding novel proteases designated “FMH-1” are disclosed. Host cells transformed with such polynucleotides and methods for making FMH-1 proteases are also disclosed. The invention also provides FMH-1 proteases and antibodies that react with them, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising FMH-1 proteases or polynucleotides encoding FMH-1 proteases. Methods for treating conditions associated with excessive or insufficient apoptosis by administering such pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for multi-rate lattice vector quantization of a source vector x representing a frame from a source signal to be used, for example, in digital transmission and storage systems. The multi-rate lattice quantization encoding method comprises the steps of associating to x a lattice point y in a unbounded lattice ?; verifying if y is included in a base codebook C derived from the lattice ?; if it is the case then indexing y in C so as to yield quantization indices if not then extending the base codebook using, for example a Voronoi based extension method, yielding an extended codebook; associating to y a codevector c from the extended codebook, and indexing y in the extended codebook C. The extension technique allows to obtain higher bit rate codebooks from the base codebooks compared to quantization method and system from the prior art.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention relates to a high bandwidth shallow mesa semiconductor photodiode responsive to incident electromagnetic radiation. The photodiode includes an absorption narrow bandgap layer, a wide bandgap layer disposed substantially adjacent to the absorption layer, a first doped layer having a first conductivity type disposed substantially adjacent to the wide bandgap layer, and a passivation region disposed substantially adjacent to the wide bandgap layer and the first doped layer.

Abstract: A method and a system of generating an image sequence of an object within a scene. According to one embodiment, the method includes capturing an image (images I1-N) of the object with a plurality of camera systems, wherein the camera systems are positioned around the scene. Next, the method includes 2D projective transforming certain of the images (I2-N) such that a point of interest in each of the images is at a same position as a point of interest in a first image (I1) from one of the camera systems. The method further includes outputting the transformed images (I2?-N?) and the first image (I1) in a sequence corresponding to a positioning of the corresponding camera systems around the scene.

Abstract: Novel proteins which bind human ?-amyloid peptide, polynucleotides which encode these proteins, and methods for producing these proteins are provided. Diagnostic, therapeutic, and screening methods employing the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention are also provided. Transgenic animals and knockout animals are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polythiophenes, particularly regioregular head-to-tail poly(3-alkylthiophenes) (HT-PATs), block copolymers made therefrom, and their methods of formation. The present invention provides HT-PATs with well-defined, specific end-groups, functionalization of the defined HT-PATs, and incorporation of end group functionalized HT-PATs into block copolymers with structural polymers. The intrinsically conductive diblock and triblock copolymers, formed from the HT-PATs, have excellent conductivity and low polydispersities that are useful in a number of applications. The block copolymers of the present invention have been found to exhibit conductivities that range from a low of 10?8 S/cm for certain applications to as high as several hundred S/cm or more.

Abstract: Installation and method for performing a financial service comprising the following steps: (a) calculation of at least one inflation correction value for a desired coupon value CV in a year i making use of the coupon value CV and of future index data Ii; (b) calculation of a cash value of the at least one inflation correction value for the coupon value CV in year i making use of the coupon value CV, the future index data Ii and the interest rates inti; (c) presentation of a purchase price to a purchaser at which the at least one inflation correction value for the coupon value CV, or a portion thereof, can be purchased.

Abstract: Methods for cell-free production of glucosamine from starch, maltodextrin or glycogen or from fructose and a source of amino groups are disclosed. Also disclosed are cellular extracts comprising glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase activity, as well as a cellular extract comprising glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase.

Abstract: A safety protector for application on vertical posts (6) tied-down to the ground and that constitute corrugated sheet supports with safety rail barrier functions, establishing a separation between its lower edge and the ground, through which a person involved in an accident due to sliding over the asphalt may impact on the corresponding section of the vertical support post (6). The safety support is constituted by an extruded profile (1) that is assembled to be adapted as a cover on post (6), the latter having internal partitions (1) and re-thickened zones, as well as an internal sinuous profile to be adapted on corresponding post (6), externally providing impact areas for persons involved in accidents that reduces the violence and diminishes the impact force, efficiently damping the latter.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle in a spatial area is disclosed. The method includes scanning the spatial area, classifying each reflection point in the spatial area as one of an obstacle reflection point and a non-obstacle reflection point, fusing the obstacle reflection points, and generating statistics associated with the obstacle.

Abstract: A method of forming a device is disclosed. The method includes forming a capacitor, and forming the capacitor includes forming a first electrode. The first electrode includes at least one non-smooth surface and is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of transition metals, conductive oxides, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. Forming the capacitor also includes forming a dielectric on the first electrode, and forming a second electrode on the dielectric. The second electrode includes at least one non-smooth surface.

Abstract: An LED-based color measurement instrument including an illumination system and a sensing system. The illumination system includes modulated LEDs and a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the LEDs, thereby improving the consistency of their performance. The sensing system includes a photodiode, a transimpedance amplifier, and an integrator in the first stage to cancel the effect of ambient light on the output of the first stage. The sensing system also includes a lens system for imaging a target area of the target sample onto the photo sensor in a manner so that the product of the target area times the solid angle captured by the lens system is generally uniform over a selected range of distances, thereby reducing the positional sensitivity of the instrument with respect to the target sample.

Abstract: Delivery components allow data read, write or operation requests and data responses to pass between a client software application and access components. Each delivery component is developed specifically for each client application. Furthermore, data views (that is, sets of mapping and stored procedures) receive data read. write or operation requests and construct responses, and allow data responses to pass to system domain server components from a target database that is not compatible with the client application. Each set of data views is developed specifically for each target database, and provides virtual compatibility for each target database with each client application. The delivery components and the data views together allow the client application to access the incompatible database through the access components and system domain server components.