Abstract: A delivery system to refill and treat automobile air conditioning systems is provided. A sealed housing such as a can contains a combination of automobile air conditioner treatment and a refill component. The refill component includes refrigerant and oil, and the treatment component includes automobile air conditioner treatment chemicals, such as sealant or a booster treatment. The housing can permit a controlled amount of the refill and the treatment to directly charge and treat an auto air conditioning system. A hose connectable between the housing and the air conditioning system is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated MAGLEV (Magnetic Levitated Vehicle) system consists of permanent or preferably superconducting vehicle-mounted magnets which interact with both active and induced track-based currents. The magnets on the vehicle which are used for propulsion serve the dual purpose of realizing both levitation and lateral stabilization (guidance). The contribution offered by this invention is that it is able to provide propulsion, levitation, and guidance using a single type of track-based coil interacting with a singular type of magnetic field which is affixed to the vehicle. The realization of multiple functions with a single coil reduces the cost and enhances the efficiency of this MAGLEV system. In the main embodiment of this invention, propulsion currents are injected into brushes sliding along brush contact surfaces on the rail, series winding further eliminates the intermediate brushes leaving only the leading set of brushes and the trailing set.

Abstract: A portable playpen/mattress for babies is described. The playpen includes a flexible base and a plurality of substantially open walls all consecutively attached to each other. The walls are attachable to the base substantially perpendicular to the base. When the walls are attached to the base, the playpen is in an erected configuration, and when the walls are detached and folded one on top of another, the playpen is a collapsed configuration. The base is attachable to the walls in two configurations. When the corners of the base are curled around the leg portions of the walls, the base is in a rimmed configuration, and when the leg portions are directly attached to an upper surface of the base, the base is in a flat configuration. A reversible roof is selectively attachable to the walls. An outer cover is adapted to enclose the base and the walls in the erected configuration.

Abstract: An Electrospray probe which includes a replaceable or disposable micron size diameter Electrospray tip used for low flow rate Electrospray has been developed. The Electrospray probe assembly combines the use of a low pressure gas and electric fields to initiate and sustain the Electrospray process at low liquid flow rates. The operational flow rates of this probe range from below 25 nL/min to over 1 &mgr;L/min, with total sample volume loaded ranging from less than 1 &mgr;L to over 20 &mgr;L. The Electrospray probe assembly includes axial and radial adjustment of the Electrospray tip position relative to the sampling orifice into vacuum and that tip position can be locked in place. The replaceable microtip can be safely removed from the Electrospray (ES) chamber without turning off high voltage within the ES chamber. Telescoping support ways have been included to prevent ES tip damage by guiding the Electrospray probe tip during removal from and insertion into the ES chamber.

Abstract: A chemical composition, method and product for administration into the vaginal canal. The composition, method and product are effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including the spread of AIDS.

Abstract: A miniature multipole rod assembly, an apparatus and a technique for constructing such an assembly used for ion guide and mass spectrometers.

Abstract: A single or multiple layer curved Electrospray sample introduction means has been configured in an Atmospheric Pressure Ion (API) source interfaced to a mass analyzer. Sample solutions introduced through curved or bent sample introduction Electrospray (ES) probes configured in an API source are sprayed from the ES probe tip at an angle which differs from centerline of the ES probe body. Single or multiple curved ES probes can be configured in an Atmospheric Pressure Ion source interfaced to mass analyzers. Curved ES probes can also be configured in an API source which includes Atmospheric Pressure Chemical ionization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for digitally compressing video signals. The method and apparatus provides a system which generates values related to the differences between respective pixel locations in an x, y pixel display. The differences generated between proximate pixel locations are used to generate various delta values which are encoded in an asymmetric fashion. The asymmetric coding eliminates artifacts in the displayed image, and the delta encoding is performed in both a horizontal and vertical direction. Errors due to the compression process are distributed randomly in both horizontal and vertical directions, approximating the effect of analog media such as video and especially film.

Abstract: A portable and light weight exercise device comprising an adjustable nylon strap which has a series of nylon loops along one side, that side being of a length equal to the height of a door, and the adjustable nylon strap having affixed thereto on the side opposite the side having the nylon loops, a locking mechanism that allows for adjustment of the length of the adjustable nylon strap so that the adjustable strap may be positioned to encircle the height of the door. An elastic band is passed through a selected loop in the series of loops on the adjustable nylon strap. The user pushes or pulls the elastic band passed through a loop to exercise a wide range of muscle groups.

Abstract: An apparatus enabling disabled persons to walk, comprising a rigid elliptic jacket (1) abutting against and supported by wearer's pelvis, attached to the movement direction change mechanism (2), open in its rear portion and provided with a lock (4), whereas on vertical members of the rectilinear movement mechanism (3) there are mounted cylindrical shank clamps (5), each having open rear portion, and skids (7) rigidly attached to foot supporting platforms (6), constituting lowermost members of the rectilinear movement mechanism; the skids (7) resting on surface of available walkway.

Abstract: A fractional denomination on-line gaming system and method of playing for use in all lottery, commercial game, promotional and other game applications. The preferred method of playing allows a consumer to purchase a fractional denomination share of a full unit game ticket, in an amount equal to the change the customer would have received back from any purchase of goods or services from a retailer authorized to offer the game. The method of playing includes a gaming system to exchange a customer's change for a fractional denomination game ticket for a chance at winning a prize. Players holding winning tickets will each receive a proportion of the overall prize based on the value of their wager relative to the total amount wagered by all winning tickets. Fractional denomination game tickets may play at equal odds of winning a prize or at weighted odds based on the fractional denomination share of a full unit game ticket entry.

Abstract: A non-lacerational method and system employing an abrasive brush for obtaining a transepithelial sample of an epithelial lesion which may be keratinized is disclosed in which an analytical system including an imaging system is provided to detect precancerous and cancerous cells. The transepithelial non-lacerational brush produces sufficient cells from all three layers of the epithelium so that an analytical system comprising a programmed computer can detect which cells require further examination because of a likely suspicion of said pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. The method and system can apply to the diagnosis non-cancerous conditions as well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for image display and transmission, including display and transmission of data over the Internet. Image transmission is effected by non-sequential streaming of sequential images or of multiple views of a scene or object. The present invention sends image frames from server to browser out of order. Wherever the cursor is positioned, the browser displays the nearest frame which is received from the server. The viewer, therefore, is able to see more sides of the image without waiting for the entire image to be transmitted.

Abstract: The program uses the topic interest flags to determine which articles and other customizable elements of the database are shown on a particular member's home page. The headline posting algorithm first checks the flags on every available item against the member's interests, recorded in his or her user profile, then weighs the importance, rarity and significance of each match it has found, and finally displays the three highest-scoring items on the member's home page in descending order of value.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a costume having semi-rigid costume components, and the costume itself. The semi-rigid costume components are capable of being sewn to fabric to form an integrated costume. An embodiment is shown in which the costume includes a semi-rigid muscular torso suitable for a superhero chestpiece. The sewn rigid component is formed from fusing a layer of fabric to a layer of foam and the resulting laminate is vacuum molded into a three-dimensional shape.