Abstract: A method and device for the extraction of follicular units from a donor area on a patient. The method includes scoring the outer skin layers with a sharp punch, and then inserting a blunt punch into the incision to separate the hair follicle from the surrounding tissue and fatty layer. The method and device will significantly decrease the amount of follicular transection and increase the rate at which follicular units can be extracted.

Abstract: A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a raised center or identification member. The band includes a second band element with a body having a loop or lasso at one end defined by an inner surface of a sidewall. The outer sidewall of the raised center member is detachably coupled to the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall when the center member is received within and captured by the loop such as by a snap detent arrangement. To allow sizing, the second band element includes both an inner band sizing element including the loop-defining sidewall at one of its ends and an outer band sizing element that is detachably coupled to the inner band sizing element. The length of the second band element is defined by the combined length of the inner and outer band sizing elements.

Abstract: A method for generating stereoscopic images with retinal rivalry effects. The method includes retrieving primary eye images and alternate eye images from memory. These images are filmed from horizontally offset cameras but include the same content. The method continues with processing the alternate eye images to introduce retinal rivalry such as by including a set of frames that have differing content from a corresponding set of frames from the primary eye images. The differing content, for example, may include an object rendered for the alternate eye that was not rendered in the primary eye images. The method may further include editing the primary eye images by inserting a transition and then editing the alternate eye images to perform the transition (e.g., a dissolve or cut) at a temporally offset transition point such as several frames later to introduce frames that differ in content from one eye stream to the other.

Abstract: Provided is a statistical inventory management system that optimizes inventory investment using historical usage and/or consumption of an inventory component. Generally, the system determines an target inventory level. Once actual inventory is below the replenishment level, an additional supply of an inventory component is ordered. The target inventory level is determined based at least in part on the usage variability of the component. In one arrangement, the usage of the component over periods of time that correspond to a supplier lead-time of that component are utilized. The usage groups generally include several days (or other time periods) of usage data and typically haw a reduced variance compared to, for example, day-to-day usage. These reduced variance usage groups may be utilized to more accurately calculate future inventory levels for an inventory component. Further, all information is based on actual historical usage data as opposed to unsupported forecasts (e.g., sales growth forecasts).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for replacing the individual receivers used with a seismic interferometry process with an array of seismic receivers and then manipulating the array data in order to measure and modify the typical non-uniform directionality function of the background seismic energy. The non-uniform directionality function is a significant cause of noise with seismic interferometry. Furthermore, the array of receivers may be used to significantly enhance the preferred reflection energy and damp undesirable near surface energy. The directionality function may be modified by using an array of receivers for the virtual source location of seismic interferometry to measure the non-uniform directionality function, generating multiplication factors, and applying the multiplication factors to convert the measured directionality function into a desired directionality function.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for analyzing the response of a device under test using a signal generated by an audio card comprises a housing. The apparatus comprises a first connector coupled to the housing and configured to couple electrically with an output of the audio card and to receive a first signal from the audio card. The apparatus also comprises a second connector being electrically coupled with the first connector and configured to interface with the device under test in order to transmit the first signal to a device under test. The apparatus also comprises a third connector configured to receive a second signal from the device under test. The apparatus also comprises a fourth connector being electrically coupled with the third connector and configured to transmit the second signal to an input of the audio card.

Abstract: The present invention transmits sounds and/or music to an unborn baby in the mother's womb via a waist belt and speaker disposed within the belt, where the speaker connects to most audio devices via a universal audio plug. The waist belt can also be used to temporarily house/transport appropriate portable audio devices in an internal pocket. The speaker of the present invention utilizes a volume control unit that is separate from a volume control of an attached audio device and that allows for limiting and/or adjusting the sound volume delivered by the speaker. The separate volume control unit is an improvement over any previously known devices because it provides additional safety for the developing baby's hearing.

Abstract: A machine based tool and associated logic and methodology are used in converting data from an input form to a target form using context dependent conversion rules. In particular, a frame-slot architecture is utilized where a frame represents an intersection between a contextual cue recognized by the machine tool, associated content and related constraint information to specific to that conversion environment, whereas a slot represents an included chunk of information. An exemplary conversion system (400) includes a parser (402) for use in parsing and converting an input stream (403) from a source (404) to provide an output stream (411) in a form for use by a target system (412). To accomplish the desired conversion, the parser (402) uses information from a public schema (406), a private schema (408) and a grammar (410). The public schema (406), private schema (408) and grammar (410) may include conversion rules applicable to less than the whole of a subject matter area including the input stream (403).

Abstract: An optical adapter for an imaging system correcting images of spherical or near spherical bodies such as the earth during satellite image collection. An imaging system includes an image collector that collects a two-dimensional image of the body from a distance above the body such as from a satellite in geostationary orbit. The collected image is disk shaped and includes distortion due to earth curvature, primarily in the form of a loss of resolution due to the foreshortening of earth features in a radial direction extending outward from the center of the image disk. The optical adapter receives the collected image, transforms the collected image to correct the distortion, and outputs a corrected image with essentially uniform spatial resolution across the areas for which the correction is applied. An image sensor such as charge-coupled device array senses the corrected image and creates a digital representation of the corrected image.

Abstract: A computer-based method for qualifying a software application such as a monitoring and/or management network-delivered product. The method includes operating a computer to run a software application with network-delivered services. A qualification computer system is provided with a code generator adapted for processing device qualification data and with a comparator module. The method includes generating a set of event messages with the code generator by processing a set of received or retrieved device qualification data. The event messages are processed with the services or serviceability features of the software application to generate a set of output. With the comparator module, the actual output is compared with expected output for the event messages. Based on the comparison, a qualification report is generated, and the expected output may be output from unit test cases. A code generator may be included that generates one or more native protocol event generators.

Abstract: A dual braided catheter shaft includes a flat wire forming the inner braid, thereby potentially allowing for reduced radial thickness of the shaft. In one embodiment, the shaft (100) includes an inner polymer jacket (104), an inner braid (106) formed on the inner jacket (104), an intermediate jacket (108) formed over the inner braid (106), an outer braid (110) formed on the intermediate jacket (108) and an outer jacket (112) formed on the outer braid (110). A preferred construction process involves extruding polymer material directly onto each of the inner and outer braids (106 and 110) so that little or no air gaps remain between the polymer material and the braids (106 and 110). The braiding parameters of the inner and outer braids (106 and 110) can be varied along the length of the catheter to provide varying mechanical properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric function. A purported skin site of an individual is illuminated with white light. Light scattered from the purported skin site is received with a color imager on which the received light is incident. Spatially distributed images of the purported skin site are derived and correspond to different volumes of illuminated tissue of the individual. The images are analyzed to perform the biometric function.

Abstract: A support structure for elevating a building surface above a fixed surface having stability bracing to provide increased stability to the structure. The support structure includes a plurality of support pedestals that are disposed in spaced-apart relation on a fixed surface. A plurality of braces are attached to adjacent support pedestals to interconnect the support pedestals. Interconnecting the support pedestals in such a manner creates a stable support structure that can be utilized in unstable environments, such as seismically active geographic areas. The support pedestals can be adjustable-height support pedestals.

Abstract: Hybrid-heuristic optimization of competing portfolios of flight paths for flights through one or more sectors of an airspace represented by an air traffic system. In one embodiment, a hybrid-heuristic optimization process (100) includes one or more heuristic based processes (110), a genetic optimization process (120), an evaluation process involving an approximation model (130), an optimal portfolio selection process (140) and a validation process involving simulation (150) of the air traffic system.

Abstract: A computer-based method for combining investment recommendations of individual research providers such as stock analysts. The method includes providing a server running a research team management module. A list of individual research providers is displayed on a client node linked to the server network. A research team is generated based on user input including a number of the research providers. Team rules are assigned to the team defining an algorithm for processing recommendations from the members of the team. Recommendations for securities are retrieved for the research providers on the team, and team recommendations are generated by applying the team rules to the recommendations. Team recommendations are reported to the client node for guiding investments.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating biomolecules from an aqueous solution containing the biomolectules and impurities, having different affinities and/or interactions with a solid support. The solution is passed over a fixed bed of chromatographic resin containing at least three zones, with flow of liquid being arranged between adjacent zones and between a last and first zone. Each of several sequences includes at least an adsorption stage, a rinsing stage, or a desorption stage, with each subsequent sequence being carried out by a downstream displacement of fronts in the zones by approximately the same increment before the periodical displacement of the introduction and withdrawal points.

Abstract: A fan module for use with fan trays or decks within a computer chassis for forced-air cooling. The fan tray typically includes an elongated mounting post, and the fan module is configured to facilitate installation, retention, and removal such as with a single pinch release. The fan module includes first and second fan supports or frames housing cooling fans. The fan supports are spaced apart, and a bridge or living hinge member is positioned between the fan supports and acts to join the frames, e.g., in a resilient and pivotal/hinge manner. The bridge includes a body that is formed of an elastomeric material such as rubber. A retention groove is provided along one side of the bridge body and is configured for receiving and mating with the mounting post of the fan tray with its beveled or inward sloping sidewalls applying a spring or retaining force against the post sidewalls.

Abstract: An amusement park ride adapted for fully rotating a passenger compartment in response to vehicle motion along a guide track. The ride includes a vehicle chassis that engages the guide track and travels along the ride path during operation of the ride. The ride further includes a cam-based positioning assembly that is supported by the vehicle chassis to move with it along the guide track. The positioning assembly operates in response to being moved along the guide track to rotate the passenger compartment. The positioning assembly rotates the passenger compartment in counterclockwise and clockwise directions to provide 360-degree rotation. The positioning assembly includes a cam shaft with three cam follower pairs offset along the shaft and extending outward from the shaft at angular offsets, and three cam rails are used to selectively position the followers to rotate the cam shaft and set the position of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.