Abstract: A system comprised of a Tool Bar equipped with the ability to: a) encrypt emails that are sent to computer users who must download and maintain a copy of the Tool Bar to receive the encryption keys needed to decrypt emails; b) display Advertisements in an area of the Tool Bar designed to support text, graphics and video advertisements; c) display various multi-media sessions that allow the user to watch Internet videos, listen to Internet music, read RSS content and engage in other Internet media applications; d) carry out a process by which the computer user can install the Tool Bar in a number of computer applications. e) carry out a process by which the video, radio and RSS functions of the Tool Bar can be continuously viewed as the user moves between software applications.

Abstract: A system for operating a fluorescent light is provided. The system comprises: a fluorescent lamp with at least one electrode having at least one corresponding heating filament; a filament signal power supply for providing a filament current signal having a filament current frequency, the filament signal power supply connected to create a filament current through the at least one filament; and a plasma signal power supply for providing a plasma power signal having a plasma power frequency, the plasma signal power supply connected to create a plasma current between the at least one electrode and a gas contained in the fluorescent lamp. The plasma power frequency is greater than the filament current frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles apply an alternating driving field and an alternating field that alters mobility of the particles. The driving field and mobility-varying field are correlated with one another. The methods and apparatus may be used to concentrate DNA or RNA in a medium, for example. Methods and apparatus for extracting particles from one medium into another involve applying an alternating driving field that causes net drift of the particles from the first medium into the second medium but no net drift of the particles in the second medium.

Abstract: A water ballasted wave attenuator is provided. The water ballasted wave attenuator includes (a) a hollow shell formed of reinforced concrete; (b) a flotation medium in the upper region of the shell (a); (c) a water ballast chamber disposed in the lower region of the interior of the shell; (d) at least one water vent connecting the water ballast chamber with the exterior of the shell; and (e) at least one air vent connecting the water ballast chamber with the exterior of the shell, the at least one air vent including an outlet located higher than the at least one water vent.

Abstract: A clutching device that achieves torque modulation and/or speed trimming by manipulating only a fraction of torque transferred, but over a wider speed range, is provided. The clutching device has a planetary gear set connected to a prime mover. The planetary gear set includes a ring gear, a planet carrier with at least one planet and one sun gear disposed in the planet carrier the said planet gear engaged at one side with the ring gear, and at the other side with the sun gear. The device further includes a modulating device connected to the sun gear, and an output device connected to the planet carrier. Speed modulation between the prime mover and the output device is controlled by controlling the speed of rotation of the sun gear. Energy from the speed modulation is recoverable by the modulating device.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of applying a thermally settable coating to a patterned substrate, such as an asphalt surface. The coating is applied in one or more preformed thermoplastic sheets and heated in situ to conform the thermoplastic material to the pattern formed in the underlying substrate. In one embodiment of the invention a pattern is formed in the asphalt surface using a removable template which is impressed into the asphalt when it is in a pliable state. The pre-formed sheets are then applied to the patterned surface and gradually heated. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the template is impressed into the pre-formed sheet and asphalt surface simultaneously after the sheet has been heated to a suitable temperature in situ. A bond reduction agent may be used to minimize adhesion between the template and the heated thermoplastic material.

Abstract: An outboard motor carrier comprises a frame, a motor support structure to which an outboard motor may be attached, and upper and lower wheels. The lower wheels are rotatably attached to a lower region of the frame so as to support the carrier when it is tilted from an upright standing position. The upper wheels are rotatably attached to an upper region of the frame so as to facilitate loading the carrier onto a bed of a vehicle and to support the carrier when in a reclined position. The motor support structure is attached to a mid region of the frame and may comprise a transverse mounting board. The lower region of the frame may operate as a stand when the carrier is an upright standing position. The carrier is configured to hold an attached outboard motor in a semi-upright position when it is in its reclined position.

Abstract: Apparatus for cold weather survival comprises an elongated belt body comprising a piece of buoyancy-providing material. The belt body is sized such that end portions thereof overlap when the belt body is wrapped around a user's waist. The belt body has an inner side which faces the user and an outer side which faces away from the user. One or more fasteners are provided for holding the belt body in place around the user's waist. A plurality of flotation devices and a plurality of pockets are attached to the outer side of the belt body. A sleeve is attached to the outer side the belt body, and positioned such that when the belt body is wrapped around the user's waist, the sleeve is horizontally-oriented and located in front of the user. A telescoping pole is held by the sleeve across the front of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising one or more fluid channels, one or more fluid ports, and a V-shaped particle retention structure. The fluid channel is generally opposite the particle retention structure, fluid ports are located between the fluid channel and the particle retention structure, and the particle retention structure has sloped side walls. Fluid, including reagents, can be delivered to the microfluidic device through the one or more fluid channels or the fluid ports. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to monitor, observe, measure, or record a biological parameter of a particle, to separate a single particle from a group of particles, to culture a cell, to treat a particle, and to move a particle back and forth in the device.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of applying a thermally settable coating to a patterned substrate, such as an asphalt surface. The coating is applied in one or more preformed thermoplastic sheets and heated in situ to conform the thermoplastic material to the pattern formed in the underlying substrate. In one embodiment of the invention a pattern is formed in the asphalt surface using a removable template which is impressed into the asphalt when it is in a pliable state. The pre-formed sheets are then applied to the patterned surface and gradually heated. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the template is impressed into the pre-formed sheet and asphalt surface simultaneously after the sheet has been heated to a suitable temperature in situ. A bond reduction agent may be used to minimize adhesion between the template and the heated thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the heart motion of a subject employ a probe which can be coupled to a portion of the anatomy of a subject such as the aortic arch or the thyroid cartilage. The probe is biased into contact with the subject. The probe detects movements caused by the heart motion. The apparatus may display accelerations and displacements caused by the heart motion. Waveforms from multiple anatomic sites may be acquired, normalized in time and amplitude, and combined to produce resultant waveforms. Combining the waveforms may involve addition or subtraction.

Abstract: A method for treating waste-activated sludge comprises adding (1) a pozzolanic material to waste-activated sludge to form a mixture. The mixture is homogenized and aerated (2). The pozzolanic material reacts with the waste-activated sludge. The mixture is allowed to settle (3). A portion of the mixture is recirculated (4) from a downstream location to an upstream location. The recycled mixture includes pozzolanic material. Some embodiments provide advantages over existing wastewater treatment methods which may include: reduction or elimination of unpleasant odours, reduction of overall costs, conversion of waste into useful products, and/or reduction or elimination of discharged bacteria or other undesirable materials.

Abstract: An imaging device has a plurality of predefined regions of interest. The predefined regions of interest may be selected or deselected. Image data from selected regions of interest is transmitted to a host. In some embodiments the regions of interest comprise tiles. A set of selected tiles may be identified by a bit vector. An example application provides a digital camera configured to provide predefined regions of interest. The camera may be configured to permit a host to select or deselect the regions of interest.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel self-supercharging internal combustion engine with two pairs of three pistons and cylinders. A self-supercharging internal combustion engine comprising: (a) a first piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to a crankshaft; (b) a second piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to the crankshaft; (c) a third piston and cylinder of a size which is at least double the size of the first and second pistons, the third piston having a valve which enables air and fuel to be drawn into the cylinder, the third cylinder being connected to the intake valves of the first and second pistons and cylinders, the third piston being connected to the same crankshaft as the first and second pistons, and a corresponding second set of three pistons and cylinders, the three pistons being connected to a second crankshaft, each crankshaft being interconnected by meshing gears.

Abstract: A hand-held ultrasonic imaging device is provided with a removable transducer array. The imaging device has a housing, a display on the housing, and a transducer assembly including a transducer array detachably coupled to the housing. The imaging device may detect the type of transducer array that is coupled to the housing and select a corresponding functional mode for the transducer array. The transducer array may be coupled at different angles to the housing. The transducer array may be coupled to the housing by a pivotable swivel connector.

Abstract: A pet food elevating device having a food platform and wheels coupled to the food platform with a vertical track positioned to slidably receive the wheels. A rope is movably engaged with an upper pulley positioned to allow the pet food elevating device to be raised to a desired elevation within the vertical track. A first end of the rope is coupled to the food platform, and a second end of the rope is available to a user of the pet food elevating device to raise or lower the food platform. The second end of the rope may be secured to hold the pet food elevating device at a desired elevation.