Abstract: A system for and method of administering payouts under an individual annuity contract is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a computer system is provided which includes a memory for storing individual annuity contract data relating to a individual annuity contract which provides the contract owner with the option to withdraw principal from the annuity during the payout phase, and a processor programmed to process and issue principal payouts as selected by the annuitant.

Abstract: A convergence and automation system includes (a) an internet-protocol based (IP) network implemented with a web service for devices (WSD) protocol, (b) a plurality of devices connected to the network, wherein each device is configured to perform at least one service, (c) a server implemented with the WSD protocol, connected to the network and configured to control the devices for converging and automating the services thereof, and (d) at least one client implemented with the WSD protocol, connected to the network and configured to control at least a portion of the services of the devices. One of the server and the at least one client is configured to establish communication with the devices and further configured with a control panel application allowing a user to configure and test the convergence and automation system.

Abstract: A system and method for securely streaming encrypted digital media content out of a digital container to a user's media player. This streaming occurs after the digital container has been delivered to the user's machine and after the user has been authorized to access the encrypted content. The user's operating system and media player treat the data stream as if it were a being delivered over the Internet (or other network) from a streaming web server. However, no Internet connection is required after the container has been delivered to the user and the data stream suffers no quality loss due to network traffic or web server access problems. In this process of the invention, the encrypted content files are decrypted and fed to the user's media player in real time and are never written to the user's hard drive or storage device. This process makes unauthorized copying of the digital content contained in the digital container virtually impossible.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for housing a light assembly apparatus includes a housing having a housing first end and a housing second end arranged along a central axis, the housing further includes a plurality of fins each having a fin first end and a fin second end, the plurality of fins forming a plurality of vents therebetween, each the plurality of fins has a curvature extending from the fin second end such that the plurality of fins converge towards the central axis proximate each fin first end, an endpiece proximate the housing first end and arranged proximate to the fin first end of each of the plurality of fins, the endpiece having a circular portion including a continuous circumference about the central axis, an electrical connector arranged proximate to the endpiece and arranged along the central axis, and a space arranged along the central axis proximate the housing second end and further configured with the plurality of fins and the plurality of vents arranged therearound, the space configured

Abstract: A surveillance apparatus (100) is provided, said apparatus including a linear sub-array (101) of N omnidirectional transmitter elements (103) and a planar sub-array (102) of M receiver elements (104). A plurality of the transient elements (105) are generated by separating out at each of the receivers (104) the signals transmitted from the antenna elements (103) of the transmitter sub-array (101). This allows the geometry of each path (from each transmitter antenna element, to the point being imaged and back to the receiver antenna elements) to be converted to a delay or phase shift to focus on the particular point being imaged. The transient elements (105) form a cylindrical array (106) at the mid points between transmitter and receiver sub-arrays. Such a configuration enables a full 360 degrees of cover in azimuth and typically +/?60 degrees in elevation.

Abstract: A system and process for improving container flow within a port facility, including improved equipment and software for controlling operation and flow of the equipment in the part facility. The system may include a port facility geographically arranged to separate land operations and water operations. Land operations such as over-the-road missions and rail missions may use landside access areas positioned at one end of a yard including rows of container stacks. Water missions such as loading/discharging a vessel may use waterside access areas positioned at the opposite end of the yard. Automated cranes linked with a terminal operating system may pick/drop/shuffle containers and/or refrigerated containers (“reefers”) within the container stacks. Shuttle trucks may be used to pick/drop containers at quayside access points and the waterside access areas. The shuttle trucks may utilize shared wheelpaths. Software systems may be used to implement various principles of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for securely streaming encrypted digital media content out of a digital container to a user's media player. This streaming occurs after the digital container has been delivered to the user's machine and after the user has been authorized to access the encrypted content. The user's operating system and media player treat the data stream as if it were a being delivered over the Internet (or other network) from a streaming web server. However, no Internet connection is required after the container has been delivered to the user and the data stream suffers no quality loss due to network traffic or web server access problems. In this process of the invention, the encrypted content files are decrypted and fed to the user's media player in real time and are never written to the user's hard drive or storage device. This process makes unauthorized copying of the digital content contained in the digital container virtually impossible.

Abstract: Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region.

Abstract: A system and method for a network operating system includes a complex data medium that enables the continuous reconciliation of the collaborative information process and product. The system and related methods generally increases productivity by enabling a network dynamic among knowledge workers. In another aspect, system and related method may unify e-mail and shared filed management, synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, serial and parallel work flow, top-down and bottom-up collaboration, and information lifecycle management, for examples. Moreover, a managed exclusion may be applied and/or released to control access sharing.

Abstract: A radar imaging system for capturing an image of an object within an area of interest through at least one visual impairment. The radar imaging system comprises at least one radar array. The radar array includes a plurality of transmitter elements and a plurality of receiver elements for receiving a plurality of coded return signals from an object through the at least one visual impairment.

Abstract: A system and method of encrypting digital content in a digital container and securely locking the encrypted content to a particular user and/or computer or other computing device is provided. The system uses a token-based authentication and authorization procedure and involves the use of an authentication/authorization server. This system provides a high level of encryption security equivalent to that provided by public key/asymmetric cryptography without the complexity and expense of the associated PKI infrastructure. The system enjoys the simplicity and ease of use of single key/symmetric cryptography without the risk inherent in passing unsecured hidden keys. The secured digital container when locked to a user or user's device may not open or permit access to the contents if the digital container is transferred to another user's device. The digital container provides a secure technique of distributing electronic content such as videos, text, data, photos, financial data, sales solicitations, or the like.

Abstract: A process of operating an automation system with an internet protocol based network includes receiving a user input to a client having a user interface implemented with Web Service for Devices (WSD) to initiate a series of scripted automation commands, executing the scripted automation commands by communicating the commands to at least one device implemented with WSD, and performing, with the at least one device, the scripted automation commands. The client is one of a personal computer, a television, a personal digital assistant, and a controller. The device is one of an audio system, a video system, an intercom system, a lighting system, a security system, and a HVAC system.