Abstract: An earhook (1), for example for a headset, to be worn around the root of the auricle (14) in the postauricular sulcus. The earhook (1) extends between a first end (5) and a second end (6) and has at least a first (2) and a second (3) curved element interconnected at the first end (5). Each curved element (2, 3) has a concave first side pointing forward towards the root of the auricle (14) and a convex second side pointing away from the root of the auricle (14) when worn. The curved elements (2, 3) are arranged with lateral distance (w) seen in a direction essentially perpendicular to the side of the head.

Abstract: A digital image system which transmits digital image data, and more particularly, to a digital image system in a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) format or a digital visual interface (DVI) format.

Abstract: This invention describes monoclonal antibodies that suppress thyrotropin receptor constitutive activity and methods of using the antibodies to treat thyroid related diseases; particularly hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.

Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods utilizing a chemotherapeutic drug and 6-bromoindirubin3?-oxime (BIO) for the treatment of cancer, including glioblastoma multiforme. The present invention demonstrates that BIO works synergistically with chemotherapeutic drugs to increase the cytotoxic effects of these drugs in glioma cells.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for manufacturing a highly reliable display device at a low cost with high yield. In the present invention, a spacer is formed over a pixel electrode, thereby protecting the pixel electrode layer from a mask in formation of an electroluminescent layer. In addition, since a layer that includes an organic material that has water permeability is sealed in a display device with a sealing material and the sealing material and the layer that includes the organic material are not in contact, deterioration of a light-emitting element due to a contaminant such as water can be prevented. The sealing material is formed in a portion of a driver circuit region in the display device, and thus, the narrower frame margin of the display device can also be accomplished.

Abstract: Conserved consensus sequences from known hepatitis B virus strains and known hepatitis C virus strains, which are useful in inhibiting the expression of the viruses in mammalian cells, are provided. These sequences are useful to silence the genes of HBV and HCV, thereby providing therapeutic utility against HBV and HCV viral infection in humans.

Abstract: A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one eye contact portion in stable engagement with the eye surface. The conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and at least one adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The at least one adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the at least one eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, at least one measurement device is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to align the plane orientations of crystal grains of a semiconductor film crystallized by irradiation with a linear laser beam with a width of less than or equal to 5 ?m. By performing irradiation with the linear laser beam condensed by an aspheric cylindrical lens or a gradient index lens to completely melt the semiconductor film and scanning the linear laser beam, the completely melted semiconductor film is made to grow laterally. Because the linear beam is very narrow, the width of the semiconductor which is in a liquid state is also narrow, so the occurrence of turbulent flow in the liquid semiconductor is suppressed. Therefore, growth directions of adjacent crystal grains do not become disordered due to turbulent flow and are unformalized, and thus the plane orientations of the laterally grown crystal grains can be aligned.

Abstract: An interrupter includes at least four pairs of contacts. Each pair of contacts includes a stationary contact positioned to abut a corresponding moveable contact. The moveable contacts are coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member is coupled to a driving member via a biasing member. The driving member is rotated causing all four pairs of contacts to separate and open a circuit quickly.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: We describe an Fve polypeptide being a fragment, homologue, variant or derivative of Fve protein, which comprises at least one biological activity of Fve protein. uses of such a polypeptide, etc, and nucleic acids encoding these, in the treatment and prevention of allergy and cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided for etching patterned media disks for hard drive. The modular system may be tailored to perform specific processes sequences so that a patterned media disk is fabricated without removing the disk from vacuum environment. In some sequence the magnetic stack is etched while in other the etch is performed prior to forming the magnetic stack. In a further sequence ion implantation is used without etching steps. For etching a movable non-contact electrode is utilized to perform sputter etch. The cathode moves to near contact distance to, but not contacting, the substrate so as to couple RF energy to the disk. The substrate is held vertically in a carrier and both sides are etched serially. That is, one side is etched in one chamber and then in the next chamber the second side is etched.

Abstract: A method and system of determining and displaying energy savings from an HVAC system operating in an energy saving mode. The HVAC system is operated to maintain a comfort mode temperature during a learning period. The energy consumed by the HVAC system at multiple outside ambient conditions during the learning period is determined. The correlation between a specific ambient condition and energy consumed by the HVAC system is determined. The HVAC system is run to maintain an energy saving setpoint temperature. The energy consumed by the HVAC system is determined at an ambient condition while maintaining the energy saving setpoint temperature. The energy savings are calculated as a function of the difference between the energy that would have been consumed by the HVAC system at the ambient condition based on the determined correlation and the energy consumed by the HVAC system while maintaining the energy saving setpoint temperature at the ambient condition.

Abstract: An electrical switch apparatus for use in connecting and disconnecting a DC power source and a load includes first and second pairs of controllable electromechanical contacts coupled to the DC power source and the load for connecting the power source to the load when the contacts are closed, and disconnecting the power source from the load when the contacts are open. A controller is coupled to the electromechanical contacts and programmed to produce control signals for opening and closing the contacts. A diode is coupled to the electromechanical contacts to prevent electrical current from flowing from the load to the power source, and a controllable semiconductor switch is coupled to the controller and across the power source for momentarily short circuiting the source in response to a control signal indicating a transition of either or both of the first and second pairs of electromechanical contacts from a closed condition to an open condition.

Abstract: A system and method which enables a provider network to run a loop detection protocol in a customer network communicably coupled to it. The provider network runs a loop detection protocol and the customer network either runs a different protocol or none. The provider network determines its root bridge, or designated customer bridge, which is used to control loop detection decisions for the customer network. A BPDU or other protocol packet received from the customer network is tunneled through the provider network to the designated customer bridge. The designated customer network then processes the received BPDU in accordance with a loop detection instance for the customer network. The designated customer bridge then produces control messages in response to the processing and forwards those messages to the customer network. The control messages may include port state controls for ports in the customer network.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a gaming system for operating a progressive game that is accessible at a plurality of gaming machines. The progressive game has a plurality of progressive jackpots. The method and system involve collecting wager-input data at the plurality of gaming machines that corresponds to wager inputs made at the plurality of gaming machines, and crediting a portion of the wager inputs to a first group of the plurality of progressive jackpots in accordance with a first distribution set. In response to the wager-input data meeting a predetermined criteria, the method and system include crediting a portion of subsequent wager inputs to a second group of the plurality of progressive jackpots in accordance with a second distribution set. The first group directs funds to at least one progressive jackpot in an amount that is different from the second group.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing method of a microcrystalline semiconductor film, the manufacturing method comprises the steps of forming a first semiconductor film over a substrate by generating plasma by performing continuous discharge under an atmosphere containing a deposition gas; forming a second semiconductor film over the first semiconductor film by generating plasma by performing pulsed discharge under the atmosphere containing the deposition gas; forming a third semiconductor film over the second semiconductor film by generating plasma by performing continuous discharge under the atmosphere containing the deposition gas; and forming a fourth semiconductor film over the third semiconductor film by generating plasma by performing pulsed discharge under the atmosphere containing the deposition gas.

Abstract: A method for conducting a community wagering game on one or more gaming devices comprises receiving a first wager from a first player and determining a first modifier associated with the first player based upon play of a first base game. The method further comprises triggering and displaying a community gaming event comprising a competition and determining a finishing order of a plurality of participants in the competition, the plurality of participants including at least first and second participants. The method further comprises associating the first player with the first participant, determining a first prize value for the first participant, the first prize value based upon the finishing order, and awarding the first player a first award comprising the first prize value as modified by the first modifier.