Abstract: A method of fabricating a drug-transfer device includes forming a package having a first component retaining multiple volumes of a drug and a second component retaining an agent. The first component and the second component are integrally formed together. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The method allows exterior surfaces of the first and second components to be cleanable (e.g., prior to final assembly). After such cleaning, either no or substantially no amount of drug and agent is present outside the package. According to some embodiments, the package may be fabricated such that either no or substantially no amount of the drug is present within the second component and such that either no or substantially no amount of the agent is present within the first component.

Abstract: An article of jewelry having colored gemstones may be designed according to a consumer's input at a retail location. The article of jewelry may be imaged and priced at the retail location, and a commitment to purchase the article of jewelry may be obtained based on the image provided. A jewelry retailing system may include a retail location having a design center to design an article of jewelry having colored gemstones according to a consumer's input, and an imaging device such as a color printer.

Abstract: A schema identifies a field in a document as a key field. Using an XML schema, the key field can be identified by attaching a property to the element or attribute to be used as a key field (if the XML schema standard is modified to support properties). Otherwise, attributes can be used to identify the element or attribute that is to be a key field. Fields can be primary keys, secondary keys, or foreign keys, as supported by data stores. The data store can analyze the schema to determine which fields are key fields. The key fields can be duplicated in the native format of the data store for use in indexing, searching, and other data store functions on the documents. The documents themselves can be stored as objects, into which the data store cannot reach, or can be stored in the native format of the data store, as desired.

Abstract: An exhaust energy recovery and electrical generation system includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the conduit is configured to receive a gas flow transmitted by a gas flow channel of a gas flow source and wherein the conduit is configured to transmit the received gas flow from the first end thereof toward the second end thereof. A first blade assembly is coupled to the conduit, wherein the first blade assembly is configured to be moved when the received gas flow is transmitted from the first end of the conduit; and an electrical generator coupled to the first blade assembly to generate electricity when the first blade assembly moves. A cross-sectional area of the first end of the conduit may be less than a cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel.

Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates two or more different physiological signals, such as phonocardiogram (PCG) signals, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, patient impedance signals, piezoelectric signals, and accelerometer signals for features indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.

Abstract: A drug deactivation system according to some embodiments includes at least one drug-retaining region of a drug delivery device and at least one energy source coupled to the at least one drug-retaining region. The at least one drug-retaining region may be configured to retain a drug. The at least one energy source may be configured to transmit energy to the drug. The drug is capable of being rendered ineffective in the presence of the transmitted energy.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed integrated circuit package that includes a cavity housing a semiconductor die, whereby the cavity is pressurized during assembly and when formed. The invention prevents the stress on a package created when the package is subject to high temperatures at atmospheric pressure and then cooled from reducing the performance of the die at high voltages. By packaging a die at a high pressure, such as up to 50 PSIG, in an atmosphere with an inert gas, and providing a large pressure in the completed package, the dies are significantly less likely to arc at higher voltages, allowing the realization of single die packages operable up to at least 1200 volts. Moreover, the present invention is configured to employ brazed elements compatible with Silicon Carbide dies which can be processed at higher temperatures.

Abstract: An eye covering includes an outer frame for surrounding a facial area around a wearer's eyes. The outer frame includes a lens frame that has a first upright wall. The first upright wall is formed with at least one first slot. The eye covering further includes a lens engaged in the lens frame. The lens includes at least one engaging piece that extends rearward to engage the first slot. The eye covering also includes an inner frame having a lining portion that is disposed to line a peripheral portion of the lens and that is disposed between the peripheral portion of the lens and the outer frame.

Abstract: An apparatus has a motor, a shaft attached to the motor arranged to be turned by the motor when the motor operates, an attachment at an end of the shaft opposite the motor arranged to allow mounting of components to be ground, a loading block arranged under the end of the shaft having the attachment to support the components to be ground, and an interface to a grinding tool arranged adjacent to the loading block. An apparatus has a motor mounted on a slide, a shaft attached to the motor arranged to spin when the motor operates, an attachment on the end of the shaft to allow attachment of a component, a loading block at least partially supporting the shaft, an interface to a manufacturing tool, the motor and shaft arranged to insert the shaft into the interface when moved along the slide to an engaged position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for tracking and reporting electronic commerce activity over a web site that is stored on a first server coupled to a wide area network. The web page is programmed to include data fields reflecting commerce transaction activity and data mining code. The web page is uploaded to a visitor computer responsive to a request over the wide area network from the visitor computer. Commerce information is accepted within the data fields of the web page at the visitor computer to form a completed web page. The data mining code is operated on the visitor computer to obtain technical and commercial data and sent to a second server on the wide area network for logging and analysis.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a detector to generate a measurement signal responsive to an input signal, and a nulling circuit coupled to the detector to generate a control signal responsive to the difference between the measurement signal and a set-point signal. The nulling circuit may include a bandwidth compensation stage to maintain the overall control loop bandwidth at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking and reporting traffic activity on a web site whereby cookie data is compiled at the visitor computer using cookie processing script embedded within the web page downloaded over the Internet and operable on the visitor computer. Data mining code within the downloaded web page is operable on the visitor computer to obtain web browsing data. The cookie processing script operates in consideration of this web browsing data and an old cookie previously stored on the visitor computer and associated with the visited web page to obtain new cookie values. These new cookie values are then stored on the visitor computer and also attached to an image request sent to a data collection server where they are processed and posted for viewing by the web page owner. As cookie processing and writing occurs completely within the visitor computer, cookie-blocking technologies are circumvented.

Abstract: A machine-controlled method can include estimating expected conversion rates for ads by applying an estimated conversion rate statistical model to each ad, estimating an expected AOV for each ad by applying an estimated AOV statistical model to each ad, applying an inference algorithm, and determining auction bids based on the estimated expected conversion rate and the estimated expected AOV for the ads.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing limited resources. The method comprising the following steps. A plurality of limited resources about to expire on a given day is determined. The plurality of limited resources is made available simultaneously. Resource requests from a plurality of clients for a registration period are allowed starting at a predetermined time. The resource requests are processed after the registration period by correlating the limited resources with the received resource requests.

Abstract: A pier bracket comprises a metal bar having a plurality of bolt holes formed through a top half of the metal bar and a plurality of opposingly faced barbs extending from planar side surfaces in a lower half of the metal bar. The barbs are configured to provide asymmetrical resistance force to movement of the pier bracket when received within an aperture formed in a concrete pier or footing.

Abstract: An apparatus for sound enhancement has at least two microphones (9) that provide a directional microphone array which is arranged to be pointed in the direction of a sound source. The directional microphone array thereby receives sound emitted by the sound source and generates sound signals. A processor (20) processors the sound signals generated by the microphone array to enhance the sound received by the directional microphone array from the sound source relative to other sound received by the directional microphone array. The processor (20) generates a corresponding enhanced signal (ES). Loud speakers (22) reproduce the enhanced signal as audible sound. Furthermore, sound suppression devices (7, 7a) are provided to suppress ambient should from reaching the eardrums of the user. This sound suppression acts in conjunction with the directional microphone array and the processor (20) which enhance the SOI to provide a listening environment in which the SOI is enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling an automatic calibration sequence for a light control system having a daylight harvesting scheme is disclosed herein. An ambient light sensor connects to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone. A microprocessor connects between the detection circuit and a dimming circuit for providing control to initiate dimming and to start the auto-calibration sequence. Responsive to the amount of ambient light detected, the dimming circuit controls the power supplied to a plurality of electrical loads. A storage unit connects to the microprocessor for storing minimum light levels assessed during the auto-calibration sequence wherein the ambient light levels are monitored for a predetermined amount of time to determine the lowest level of ambient light generated for the purpose of setting and storing a target voltage level associated with such.

Abstract: A print system has a print engine, a presence detector and a controller. The controller receives the signal from the detector, accesses past usage data, and combines the signal and the usage data to adjust operations of the print engine.