Abstract: A lens for substantially collimating light in one axis and spreading light in an axis substantially perpendicular to the collimation axis including a lens an entry face which is positive and cylindrical, having a cross-section which includes the positive cylindrical curvature and having tapered sides substantially parallel to the refracted rays produced by the cylinders curvature and a circular convex or a spheric exit face perpendicular to the cylindrical curvature.

Abstract: Surface-coated hard material with a hardness (HV0.2)?10Gpa, the surface of which has a polysiloxane coating. Method for producing this, in which a hard grain is mixed with a polysiloxane, a polysiloxane emulsion, or a diluted polysiloxane emulsion. Use of a hard material of this type as a wear-reducing agent in lacquer coatings.

Abstract: A network of computers communicate with each other and with a single system manager computer in accordance with the QNX operating system to perform a series of related tasks. When computers at a number of sites running the operating system boot up, they have resident software that will read a hardware configuration switch that is external to the computer. After reading the switch, the hardware node ID is used as the host ID portion of the IP address. Once a network computer is configured with the correct IP address, communication with other computers on the network can begin. Each QNX node will access the System Manager hard disk to access executables and files using the SMB (Server Message Block) file sharing protocol. If the hardware node ID does not match the current software logic node ID as specified by the QNX system, then the proper QNX files will be retrieved from the System Manager and the QNX node will then reboot itself.

Abstract: A modular railing system with handicap access is disclosed based on commercially available tubing assembled into a railing through use of fittings that connect to each other and the rails and posts of the railing system to allow all possible standard rail configurations. All connections are thereby held together by mechanical, rather than welded, connections.

Abstract: A mail drop box for isolating mail deposited therein having a closable, removable container inside the box for receiving mail and has an opening in the top. A plurality of mail transmitting chutes each having a deposit port at its upper end and an exit port at its lower end to receive mail through the deposit port and direct such mail into the container. The opening in the removable container is closed when desired to isolate mail from the ambient atmosphere and permit removal of the container without exposing the ambient atmosphere to hazardous particles which may be on or in such mail. A removal door permits removal of the container. A transparent door is adjacent to, but inside of, the removal door for allowing viewing of the opening of the container when the removal door is open.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interconnecting sub-systems and for identifying combinations of multiple technologies. The method of this invention can be applied to detecting the presence of a characteristic in an object.

Abstract: A bidirectional article pusher for a conveying system, which includes a multiplicity of spaced rollers for moving articles along a longitudinal path. There is a push up stop arranged below the conveyor and movable between adjacent rollers to a position above the rollers to stop forward movement of an article which is on the rollers. There are lateral stations, one on each side of a section of the conveying system, and lateral diverters move articles which are on the rollers and stopped by the push up stop, to a position off of the rollers and out of the longitudinal path and at a right angle to the longitudinal path. A stop activator is controlled based upon information, such as that on a bar code sort label on an article and which has been previously provided to the control device upstream of the push up stop. There are three jam detection/correction devices provided to assure proper operation. One is a proximity sensor to detect the presence of the pusher fingers while in their home position.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably detecting singulated parcels traveling on a conveyor belt by comparing parcel characteristics before and after parcel agitation. First, parcel characteristics are evaluated. Then parcels are agitated to promote a change in characteristics, for example volume or dimensions, of the unsingulated parcels. Next, parcel characteristics are again evaluated and compared to the previously-evaluated characteristics. If there is no appreciable difference in characteristics, the parcel is deemed singulated.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancer with a formulation are provided in which a polysaccharide, galactomannan, is co-administered with a therapeutic agent to a subject to reduce toxicity and/or enhance efficacy of the agent for the subject.

Abstract: A real-time software receiver that executes on a general purpose processor. The software receiver includes data acquisition and correlator modules that perform, in place of hardware correlation, baseband mixing and PRN code correlation using bit-wise parallelism.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing for particulate contaminants in deposited mail-like articles includes an enclosure adapted for receiving deposited mail-like articles, a squeezing mechanism located within the enclosure and adapted for pressuring opposite flat sides of said deposited mail-like articles for expelling air along with any particulate matter from said deposited mail-like articles and into the enclosure, and a sensing apparatus operatively coupled to the enclosure and adapted for determining the presence of particulate contaminants in air expelled from the deposited mail-like articles. The apparatus may be embodied in a depository of an automated teller machine.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing toxicity of a toxic agent are provided in which a polysaccharide, galactomannan is coadministered with a therapeutic agent in a liquid formulation to a subject to reduce toxicity of the agent for the subject.

Abstract: A device for limiting the size and shape of mail which may be deposited into a mail drop box. The box includes an enclosure having a deposit port at its upper end of a predetermined size and shape, and a collection chamber below the deposit port. There is a pivotal door having at most substantially the same size and shape as the deposit port and closing the deposit port when the door is in a first, closed position and opening the deposit port when the door is in a second, open position. A plate is disposed in the enclosure between the deposit port and the collection chamber of a substantially similar size and shape as the deposit port and having a restricted size opening and located to be exposed when the pivotal door in the open position to restrict the size of the deposit port to the restricted size opening.

Abstract: A multi-speed ratio apparatus to control output for use, but not limited to, either as a module connected to a transmission or as a stand alone transmission. The multi-speed ratio apparatus is connected to a driving member (such as, for example, an engine, motor, or transmission) and a driven member (such as a shaft, differential, or axle). The apparatus having at least one rotary speed converter, the rotary speed converter having a conjugate pair of cam parts and a reaction disk interconnected between the conjugate pair of cam parts. The reaction disk is capable of operably coupling the conjugate pair of cam parts. Further the apparatus includes a grounding member.

Abstract: A system and method for performing reliable unidirectional communication in a data network is disclosed. Unidirectional data is sent from a transmitting device to a receiving device. Prior to transmission, the data is divided into a window (401b) comprised of data bytes. A checksum value (407) is computed across data bytes comprising window (401b). Checksum value (407) is placed into an XML integrity element (404) that encapsulates window (401b) in a manner allowing a receiving device to use the contents of integrity element (404) to validate the received window (401b). Checksum value (407) is compared to a second check sum value computed across window (401b) at the receiving device. If checksum value (407) matches the second checksum value, window (401b) is validated.

Abstract: A thermal compensating desmodromic valve actuation system for opening and closing at least one valve of an engine having a cam assemblage and a driving mechanism for reciprocal movement operably connected to said cam assemblage. The cam assemblage includes a cam mechanism for rotational movement and the driving mechanism also being operably connected to the at least one valve of the engine to move the at least one valve between a valve closed position and a valve open position and between the open position and the closed position in a manner directly related to the rotational movement of the cam mechanism. In addition, mechanisms are provided for adjustably controlling the movement of the at least one valve in order to provide a variable amount of opening of the at least one valve in the open position, and for compensating for the thermal conditions of the engine causes valve stem elongation and contraction.

Abstract: A portable detection system (10) for hazardous materials including explosives and infectious or hazardous biological agents readily adapted to conventional mail collection boxes (12), rural mailboxes (100) and the like. The system includes a fan (14) and a sensor (16). The fan (14) provides sufficient airflow to circulate the air within a mailbox such that the internal air after coming in contact with the contents is directed the sensor for analysis. The air quality can be determined visually (137), audibly (138), or electronically (139). Consequently once such detection is made and the air is verified as being safe, the contents can be removed safely. If it is determined that the air contains some type of hazardous material, further steps can be taken to specifically locate the source of such hazardous material. An alternative embodiment includes a filter (15) to improve fan efficiency.

Abstract: A system for performing interactive virtual reality sessions without constraining the mobility of a user is disclosed. The system allows a user to remain fully mobile while participating in an interactive virtual reality session. The system comprises a handheld computing device having a display, user input controls, a location sensing device and a user sensing device. To conduct a virtual reality session, a software application is loaded from a memory. Then, the computing device determines its position within a space using the location sensing device, and the user sensing device establishes a relationship between the user's eyes and display. This relationship is used to provide the user with the same perspective as would be achieved if viewing the simulated session in real life. User input controls allow the user to control aspects of the session to further enhance the user's experience.

Abstract: Anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal footwear components formed from various thermoplastic polymers and additives in fibers in a mono-component form or a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers include inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. In certain embodiments, high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) are employed in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics. In one embodiment, binder fibers are used which are mixed with other fibers.

Abstract: A system and method for substantially eliminating the release of pathogen agents circulating in the air within a collection box. The mail deposit openings (12, 14) of a collection box mail chute (16) are adapted with gaskets (18, 20) to form an airtight seal when the mail chute (16) is opened and closed, thereby isolating the collection box interior (26). An alternative embodiment can further include a charging device (32) and a chargeable material (34) to attract and detain airborne and free pathogen particles that enter the mail chute passage (22) either by newly deposited mail pieces (38) or airborne pathogen particles that migrated from within the collection box collection area (26).