Abstract: The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A low-temperature process of producing high-purity iron powder by feeding hematite and a reducing agent into a rotary reactor under pressure to form a mechanical fluid bed. The fluid bed is rotated at a particular speed within a rotary reactor. The fluid bed is simultaneously heated to a reaction temperature, and the pressure is then reduced within the rotary reactor to a pressure in a range of 0.01 bars to 2.0 bars, as a result reducing the reaction temperature to a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 850° C. Maintaining the pressure and the rotation results in the formation of a high-purity iron oxide without the requirement for post-grinding process steps because sintering is prevented by using a combination of pressure reduction and a rotary set at an optimum rotation speed, resulting in useful additives produced by a more environmentally-friendly process.

Abstract: A system for intelligent goal-directed search in large volume visual imagery using a cognitive-neural subsystem is disclosed. The system comprises an imager, a display, a display processor, a cognitive-neural subsystem, a system controller, and operator controls. The cognitive-neural subsystem comprises a cognitive module, a neural module, and an adaptation module. The cognitive module is configured to extract a set of regions of interest from the image using a cognitive algorithm. The neural module is configured to refine the set of regions of interest using a neural processing algorithm. The adaptation module is configured to bias the cognitive algorithm with information gained from the neural module to improve future searches. The system functions in a plurality of operating modes, including: batch mode, semi-interactive mode, real-time mode, and roaming mode.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for building and managing a customized voice of an end-user, comprising the steps of designing a set of prompts for collection from the user, wherein the prompts are selected from both an analysis tool and by the user's own choosing to capture voice characteristics unique to the user. The prompts are delivered to the user over a network to allow the user to save a user recording on a server of a service provider. This recording is then retrieved and stored on the server and then set up on the server to build a voice database using text-to-speech synthesis tools. A graphical interface allows the user to continuously refine the data file to improve the voice and customize parameter and configuration settings, thereby forming a customized voice database which can be deployed or accessed.

Abstract: A “quick” receptacle system comprising a rough housing and duplex insert capable of being installed in minimal steps without multiple screws. Multiple top wire quick connects span a width of the rough housing attached to the rear, with each top wire quick connect further comprising a top stud hole defined therein open to the front and an interior means for conductively engaging wire conductors within the junction box. A conducting plate in contact with the interior means conductively connects each the top wire quick connects to a bottom-residing conductor point. Finally, a duplex insert having a duplex body is sized to be accommodated within the housing body of the rough housing multiple conducting studs projecting from a duplex rear of the duplex body, each conducting studs adapted to align and respectively seat within each the top stud hole of the rough housing.

Abstract: Described is a system for multi-layered object detection which presents a unified way of processing an entire field-of-view (FOV) using cognitive swarms of software agents and classifier cascades by partitioning the FOV into layers and processing the closest layer first. A plurality of software agents operate as a cooperative swarm to search the first layer of the field-of-view to locate an objective function optima according to particle swarm optimization dynamics, wherein the objective function optima corresponds to a location of an object in the image in a layer of the field-of-view. The other layers are then sequentially swept to detect other objects in the FOV. In another aspect, the layers correspond to layers of increasing resolution in a hierarchical image pyramid. By using the cooperative swarm to search the coarser resolution layers first, objects can be detected more rapidly. A method and computer program product are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coaxial waveguide electrodeless lamp. The lamp is formed in analogy to coaxial waveguide cables, with an outer conductor, a central conductor, and a gas-fill vessel made of dielectric material between the outer conductor and the inner conductor. The gas-fill vessel is substantially hollow and filled with substances that form a plasma and emit light when RF radiation carried by the central conductor and ground conductor interacts with the substances in the gas-fill vessel. The present invention also relates to a leaky waveguide electrodeless lamp. The lamp is formed in analogy to leaky waveguides, with a conductor, a ground conductor, and a gas-fill vessel made of dielectric material butted against the conductor and encompassed by the ground conductor. The leaky waveguide electrodeless lamp emits light from a plasma similar to light-emission action of the coaxial waveguide electrodeless lamp described above.

Abstract: Provided is an internal structural mullion for a standing seam panel system. A two-piece assembly includes a man extrusion having one hooked portion and a secondary extrusion having an opposing hooked portion. A cavity is defined on the main extrusion, and the secondary extrusion includes a foot wherein upon insertion of the foot into the cavity, the foot forms a fulcrum about which the secondary extrusion can bend away from the main extrusion and be tightened or loosened by the tightening or loosing of a screw, as a result forming a clamp for engaging panels of the panel system with variable pressure. Further, when clamped a continuous gasket seal occurs at a level just inside the panels so as to form a barrier against the intrusion of water.

Abstract: Described is a method for injecting fillers into the dermis. The method provides a technique for arcing the needle to create a lasting support structure within a patient's dermal tissue. Described is an act of inserting a needle attached to a syringe filled with a dermal filler into a patient's facial dermis at a strategic insertion point. Once inserted, pressure is applied to hub of the needle to cause it to arc within the dermis and create pockets of space within the dermis. The needle is used to dissect the tissue in the subepidermal plane that is creating the depression showing on the epidermis. The syringe is used to release the filler into the dermis while simultaneously applying pressure to the hub of the needle while withdrawing the needle from the patient's dermis. Filler is injected strategically within the patient's dermis to raise a facial depression, wrinkle, or fold.

Abstract: The present design is related to stuffed toys formed in the shapes of various dolls or animals by using a bead-shaped super absorbent polymer as filler instead of cotton or packing in the stuffed toys, with the stuffed toys having variable states of contraction and expansion according to liquid absorption amount, without the leakage of the super absorbent polymer itself. The stuffed toy is characterized by having been stitched in the shape according to the stuffed toy with a water absorbent inner fabric on the inside of water absorbent outer fabric. The shape is formed by the bead-shaped super absorbent polymer that expands when water is absorbed to fill the inner space. The outer fabric and the inner fabric are water absorbent with the inner fabric being made of bead-proof material such that the stitching is made up of fine density that does not allow leakage of the beads.

Abstract: A layered panel and framing system for use as a skylight or wall, formed from extrusions which capture and frame variable panels. An upper extrusion has an upper hole defined therein. An upper spacer has an upper spacer hole defined therein in alignment with the upper hole of the upper extrusion. An intermediate extrusion then has an intermediate hole defined therein offset from the upper holes and the upper spacer hole. A lower spacer has a lower spacer hole defined therein in alignment with the intermediate hole. A base extrusion is formed at the top of a rafter. A bottom plastic panel is captured between the intermediate extrusion and the base extrusion, and a top glass panel is captured between the intermediate extrusion and the upper extrusion, wherein the bottom panel and the top panel are spaced a distance substantially equal to a height of the intermediate extrusion.

Abstract: An instrument and method using electron spin resonance spectrometry for measuring the concentration of airborne soot particles, and the like, that includes continuously passing a sample of exhaust gas through a resonating RF microwave cavity resonator during the application therethrough of a uniform slowly varying uniform magnetic field that is rapidly modulated and measuring the resulting phase modulation or amplitude modulation thereof to derive an electron spin resonance signal that directly senses the concentration of carbon free radicals produced as a result of inefficient combustion of hydrocarbons during operation of the vehicle or boiler. A further invention is the use of this signal for feedback control of the engine or boiler operating parameters to minimize or substantially eliminate particulate matter emissions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mouth guard or mouth piece holder having a pair of mounts each mount having a generally concave back surface and a flat front surface and configured to be fixed to an exterior surface of a helmet with the back surface conforming to and abutting the exterior surface of the helmet. A face plate is attached to the mounts to define a pocket. A support base is medially located within the pocket formed integral to the bottom edge of the face plate to partially fill the pocket. Thus, the pocket with the base is adapted to accommodate the mouth guard such that the mouth guard can be maintained proximate to the exterior surface of the helmet above the facemask during temporary periods of non-use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanowire sensor and method for forming the same. More specifically, the nanowire sensor comprises at least one nanowire formed on a substrate, with a sensor receptor disposed on a surface of the nanowire, thereby forming a receptor-coated nanowire. The nanowire sensor can be arranged as a sensor sub-unit comprising a plurality of homogeneously receptor-coated nanowires. A plurality of sensor subunits can be formed to collectively comprise a nanowire sensor array. Each sensor subunit in the nanowire sensor array can be formed to sense a different stimulus, allowing a user to sense a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, each sensor subunit can be formed to sense the same stimuli through different aspects of the stimulus. The sensor array is fabricated through a variety of techniques, such as by creating nanopores on a substrate and electrodepositing nanowires within the nanopores.

Abstract: A edible rawhide-based molded chew with a hollow core is described. The chew is formed by cutting a rawhide sheet into multiple small rawhide pieces. The small rawhide pieces are mixed with a binding agent and water to form a rawhide-based mass. The rawhide-based mass is introduced to mold with a pin to form a molded chew having a hollow core therethrough. The molded chew is removed from the mold. Finally, a flavor basting is applied to the hollow core of the molded chew. The flavor basting provides a smell and flavor to entice a dog to begin and continue chewing on the chew. Thus, the resulting item is a rawhide-based molded chew with a hollow core that is coated with a flavor basting.

Abstract: Described is a plasma electrode-less lamp. The device comprises an electromagnetic resonator and an electromagnetic radiation source conductively connected with the electromagnetic resonator. The device further comprises a pair of field probes, the field probes conductively connected with the electromagnetic resonator. A gas-fill vessel is formed from a closed, transparent body, forming a cavity. The gas-fill vessel is not contiguous with (detached from) the electromagnetic resonator and is capacitively coupled with the field probes. The gas-fill vessel further contains a gas within the cavity, whereby the gas is induced to emit light when electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source resonates inside the electromagnetic resonator, the electromagnetic resonator capacitively coupling the electromagnetic radiation to the gas, which becomes a plasma and emits light.

Abstract: The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A toy with a launcher to rotate and launch an object is described. Attached within housing, the launcher comprises a driving element to form a drive connection with a receiving element on the object. The launcher is connected with a launcher rotating system, which imparts a rotary movement to the launcher. An energy storing system is mounted inside the housing and drivingly connected with the launcher rotating system. The energy storing system is configured to store potential energy, where upon release, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy to actuate the launcher rotating system. Thus, user may use the toy to rotate and launch an object from the toy.

Abstract: Eyelash extensions and a method for applying the same are described. The eyelash extensions comprise a first filament having both a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end. Each of the proximal end and distal end are tapered and of a size such that the proximal end can be attached with a single eyelash. In some aspects, the filament can be branched to form a branched eyelash extension. The eyelash extensions come in multiple sizes, shapes, and colors to provide the user with increased aesthetics and comfort.

Abstract: A method of and miniaturized apparatus adapted for in-situ measurement of degradation of automotive fluids and the like by micro-electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry, wherein the use of a modulated constant magnetic field in an RF resonating variable frequency microwave cavity resonator through which a fluid sample is passed, enables direct detection of molecular changes in such fluid sample resulting from fluid degradation during use.