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.

Abstract: Shutter glasses or other viewing mechanisms for selectively passing one separable image in a composite image stream, which includes a first image stream polarized at a first orientation and a second image stream polarized at a second orthogonal orientation. The apparatus includes a first switchable optical rotator that receives the composite image stream and rotates the first and second image streams by 90 degrees or passes them unchanged. A first polarization filter is placed adjacent to the first optical rotator and is aligned to pass the first image stream when the first optical rotator rotates the image streams and to pass the second image stream when the images are passed without rotation. The apparatus includes a second switchable optical rotator that selectively rotates the image stream to choose a time slot for viewing, and a second polarization filter passes image streams at the first or second orientation to a viewer.

Abstract: A system and method (“utility”) for providing power to an electrically powered device from alternate, redundant power sources via a single power cord. The utility is operable to provide redundant power to an electrical device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug. The utility is operable to sense a loss of power quality from one power source, and to switch a connection to another power source in response to the loss. The utility may be configured to match the form factor of a standard (e.g., NEMA or other electrical standard) duplex receptacle unit. The utility may be incorporated into a standard outlet box or may plug into a standard outlet box.

Abstract: An image guidance system is provided for improving tissue culture extraction where the tissue is extracted under the guidance of first and second knowledge-based systems. The first knowledge-based system provides initial suggested regions of interest for tissue biopsy in an internal organ. These regions of interest are then confirmed as being of interest of being benign by the second knowledge-based system. Information from two different sources may provide a more accurate, intelligent and robust method that helps in selecting biopsy sites accurately, such that suspicious regions are not overlooked and the benign regions are not unnecessarily operated upon. This not only helps in better diagnosis and treatment, but also helps reduce pain to the patient, in addition to reducing wastage of resources and invaluable time.

Abstract: A gum packaging design that utilizes two separate compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Each of the compartments may be formed from a separate paperboard blank. The blanks are folded to form the compartments and then the lower compartment is adhered to the upper compartment in a fashion that allows the lower compartment to be later separated therefrom by tearing along a perforation after the lower compartment is emptied. A cover flap on the upper compartment can be used to hold the package in a compact, closed position by folding the compartments to face each other and tucking an end into a receiving slot formed in the back panel of the lower compartment. Once the lower compartment is separated from the upper compartment, the same cover flap can be used to close the remaining package by tucking the same end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in a front panel of the upper compartment.

Abstract: A video game development system for enhancing communications between development tools and video game platforms or running games. The system includes a communications hub module running on a computer or server and communicatively linked with first and second video game platforms to allow the communications hub module to forward messages to and receive messages from the game platforms. Memory accessible by the communications hub module stores communication data sets or libraries controlling communications with the game platforms. A video game development tool is provided in the system and is communicatively linked with the communications hub module. The development tool transmits messages formatted based on a client-side communications library defining communications with the hub module.

Abstract: A number of biometric systems and methods are disclosed. A system according to one embodiment includes an illumination subsystem, an imaging subsystem, and an analyzer. The illumination subsystem is disposed to illuminate a target space. The imaging subsystem is configured to image the target space under distinct optical conditions. The analyzer is provided in communication with the illumination subsystem, the imaging subsystem, and the three-dimensional subsystem. The analyzer also has instructions to operate the subsystems to collect substantially simultaneously a plurality of images of the object disposed at the predetermined spatial location under multispectral conditions.

Abstract: Video data may be extremely useful in online property commerce. However, the current methods of handling this video data fail to provide users of the data with effective and convenient ways of consolidating footage from multiple videos or portions thereof and conveying their particular viewpoints and other property features. Among other things, embodiments of the invention address these failures by providing methods and systems for generating and handling montage video data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, a method for testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device coupled with the acoustic system via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. The signal can include a pattern of pulses including Doppler pulses. At least one Doppler pulse from the pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device. A response to the signal from the acoustic system can be provided by generating an echo pulse with the testing device based on the detected at least one Doppler pulse wherein the echo pulse is frequency shifted from the detected at least one Doppler pulse and mimics a response to the detected at least one Doppler pulse for a selected acoustic probe.

Abstract: An amusement park ride that provides an interactive flying experience in a round ride setting by allowing vehicle passengers to move their vehicle in and out horizontally through a fly zone. The ride includes a central support assembly with a structure rotatable about a central axis at one or more rotation speeds. The ride also includes passenger vehicles and, for each vehicle, a support arm assembly that extends outward from the rotatable structure. The support arm assembly includes a support arm and a variable radius mechanism. The support arm is mounted to the rotatable structure and supports the passenger vehicle. The variable radius mechanism operates during rotation of the rotatable structure to vary the arm length or support location of the vehicle on the arm to vary the vehicle's rotation radius. The variable radius mechanism may include a telescoping arm that reciprocates the vehicle along a linear displacement path.

Abstract: Materials that are useful for absorption enhanced reforming (AER) of a fuel, including absorbent materials and catalyst materials and methods for using the materials. The materials can be fabricated by spray processing. The use of the materials in AER can produce a H2 product gas having a high H2 content and a low level of carbon oxides.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. At least one pulse from a pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device by matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern for the acoustic system. For example, matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern can comprise determining whether the pulse pattern includes a first pulse type. If the pulse pattern includes the first pulse type, a determination can be made whether the pulse pattern further includes a second pulse type. If the pulse pattern further includes the second pulse type, a subsequent pulse of the second pulse type can be identified and detected.

Abstract: A control circuit for a primary controlled switched-mode power supply that has a primary-side switch and a transmitter. It also relates to an associated switched-mode power supply. The control circuit can be connected to a control input of the primary-side switch so that the primary-side switch is controlled based on a secondary-side current flow time period in which a current flows through the secondary-side winding of the transmitter in order to regulate the output voltage. The secondary-side current flow time period can be used as a control parameter instead of the actual output voltage in order to then control the primary-side switch. Because the secondary-side current flow time period can be determined indirectly on the primary side, no direct feedback is necessary between the output voltage on the secondary side and the control circuit on the primary side.

Abstract: A storage virtualization environment is provided that includes a system for dynamically updating a virtual volume in associated with a host system. The system may include a set of storage devices, each of which includes physical block addresses that store data associated with the virtual volume and a network switch system connecting the host system and the set of storage devices. In one embodiment, the network switch system includes a set of storage processors each maintaining virtual volume objects including at least one of (i) first tier objects reflecting a relationship between the physical block addresses and one or more logical partitions of virtual volume data, and (ii) second tier objects reflecting a logical configuration of the virtual volume. Further, the network switch system uses the virtual volume objects to dynamically update the virtual volume during runtime of the network switch system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an interactive display system comprising an interactive surface for displaying an image and for receiving inputs from remote devices, the system being adapted to detect the presence of at least two remote devices proximate the interactive surface.

Abstract: A sample atomic configuration creation part in a control section creates the atomic arrangement data of a sample, and a sample surface height calculation part calculates a sample surface height for every mesh. A probe profile creation part creates the atomic arrangement data of a probe, and a probe surface height calculation part calculates the height of the probe surface for every mesh. A probe scanning part supplies the coordinate of a scanning start position in the scanning range to a collision height specification part. The collision height specification part calculates the distance between the sample surface and the probe in each mesh. Calculation of this distance is repeated for all meshes of the probe at the coordinate of this measuring position.

Abstract: A method for bioactive treatment of biological material from a plant source by exposure to one or more electromagnetic pulses are described. The biological material is in a target irradiation area. At least one electric pulse is generated. At least one electromagnetic pulse is then generated responsive to the at least one electric pulse. The at least one electromagnetic pulse generated to have parameters in common with that of natural lightning's electromagnetic pulses. The biological material is irradiated with the at least one electromagnetic pulse for bioactivation of the biological material for enhancement of the one or more growth characteristics thereof.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system including components capable of determining the superheat at a compressor inlet is provided. The vapor compression refrigeration system may include sensors capable of making measurements from which the superheat at the compressor inlet may be determined. The vapor compression refrigeration system may be operable to compare the determined superheat level at the inlet to the compressor to a desired superheat level and generate a new evaporator discharge superheat level target for one or more evaporators operatively interconnected to the compressor to affect the superheat at the compressor inlet. The vapor compression refrigeration system may be operable to broadcast the new evaporator discharge superheat level target to the one or more evaporators over a communications bus. The vapor compression refrigeration system may update and broadcast the evaporator discharge superheat level target at programmed intervals.

Abstract: A method and device for supporting a structure above a fixed surface. The device can include a support pedestal whose height is adjustable through a range of heights without a substantial gap in the obtainable heights. In one embodiment, the support pedestal can include a base member, a support member and a coupling member operatively connecting the base member and the support member. The coupling member can include first and second cylindrical walls, whereby an outer wall of the coupling member bears directly on an outer wall of the base member. Locking members can be utilized to operatively attach the coupling member to at least one of the base member or the support member. The locking members can function to increase the structural stability of support pedestal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, a method for testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device coupled with the acoustic system via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. The signal can include a pattern of pulses. At least one pulse from the pattern of pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device. A response to the signal from the acoustic system can be provided by generating an echo pulse with the testing device based on the detected at least one pulse. The echo pulse can mimic a response to the detected at least one pulse for a selected acoustic probe.