Abstract: A communications network for providing continuous patient monitoring to provide critical care services from a remote location. A plurality of patient monitoring stations with associated patient monitoring instrumentation is connected over a communications network to a command center to which data flows continuously for analysis. A standardized series of guideline algorithms for treating a variety of critical care conditions are prompted to provide critical care by caregivers who monitor the progress of individual patients at remote patient monitoring stations. A smart alert system that can be flexibly set from the command center provides for patient-specific rules to be established to alert the caregivers to potential patient problems so that intervention can occur in a timely fashion. A data storage/data warehouse function analyzes individual patient information from a plurality of command centers and provides updated algorithms and critical care support to the remote command centers.

Abstract: A method for transmitting electronic information items over a network includes registering a first user via a first client machine and a second user via a second client machine with a discovery machine wherein the first client machine, the second client machine and the discovery machine are coupled to a network. A communication is initiated from the second user via the second client machine to the first user via the client machine through the discovery machine. It is determined that the first user will accept the communication and a direct link is established between the first client machine and the second client machine and the communication is delivered.

Abstract: An improved noise canceling microphone is provided including robust design features and advanced noise control and speech discrimination convergence characteristics. Two adaptive controllers are used to ensure robust performance in quickly changing acoustic environments ensuring an acceptable minimum performance characteristic. Additionally, a new real-time spectral estimation procedure is applied to a noise canceling communications microphone platform that permits continued and optimal adaptation of non-voice bandwidth frequencies during speech transients.

Abstract: A system and method for creating customized publications. Publication content is selected based on rules that associate particular content with customer profiles of individual recipients. In an exemplary embodiment, the customized publication is a product catalogue, the particular content is product information, and the recipients are customers. A rules engine associates the customer profile with a set of products comprising an offering. The rules engine determines which customers are to receive a custom customized catalogue, the size of the customized catalogue a customer is to receive, and the content of the customized catalogue for each recipient.

Abstract: A microphone housing improves the broadband noise canceling performance of an active noise canceling microphone system while also ensuring improved speech transmission through the system. First and second microphone elements are selected each having a diameter “d” and a thickness “t”. The two microphone elements are aligned axially with the back surfaces in contact and secured in an axially aligned cylindrical cavity within a cylindrically shaped housing. The cylindrically shaped housing has an outside diameter “D,” an interior cavity of diameter of “d,” and a height “2t”. The housing is exposed to an environment comprising both speech and noise. The first microphone element is adapted to receive a signal having both voice and noise components, while the second microphone element is adapted to receive a signal that is predominantly noise. A controller processes signals from the first microphone element and the second microphone element.

Abstract: Bandwidth loading on the network is managed by pushing e-mail message traffic out to the edges of the network at times when bandwidth demand is low. To accomplish this, a user's e-mail is cached at the proxy server nearest to his presumed location. This decentralizes the e-mail storage away from the mail server and spreads it out over the network at the various proxy servers. This cache action is preferably done when there is a lull in network traffic (e.g., at night). This has the effect of decentralizing the bandwidth demand on the overall network since the e-mail messages have a shorter distance to travel when retrieved by the user from the cache location at the proxy server.

Abstract: A system and method for securing intellectual property rights in distributed intellectual property. The present invention grants and polices rights in electronically distributed intellectual property. Use limitations are established by agreement by the content provider and the client. The use limitations are reflected in time-based, usage-based and player based component codes that are used to determine if the client is entitled to use the intellectual property. The present invention further protects the intellectual property from unauthorized use by encrypting the intellectual property with a key created from some or all of the component codes. As the component codes are known to both the client and the content provider, no key exchange is required by the present invention.

Abstract: A jewelry ring and an associated assembly method involves the ring being assembled with a set of easily fabricated components that allow for mass production, easy custom fabrication, and use in hobby kits. The ring employs a U-shaped shank formed of sheet material and a bezel formed of sheet material that are attached to each other in a manner that imparts the ability for the bezel “float.” The bezel has an upper portion formed with sheet material to provide for ornamentation with designs or gemstones. The bezel further includes a lower portion that has a plurality of parallel ferrules. The shank includes a plurality of holes in each end and the bezel is attached to the shank with bars or wires that are inserted through one end of the shank, through the ferrules and through the other end of the shank and secured with retainers.

Abstract: A method and system of comparing a query and a subject database using a distributed computing platform is disclosed. The databases are divided into data elements having a size within a specified range. All data elements and task definitions are sent to a master CPU of a master-slave distributed computing platform, wherein task definitions comprise at least one comparison parameter, at least one executable comparison element, and a query and a subject data element ID/descriptor. Data elements are sent alternately from query and subject data elements. A task definition is sent for each task from the master CPU to one of a plurality of slave CPUs when all parts of a task definition and data elements referenced by the task definition are available at the master CPU. Data elements are then sent to the slave CPUs for performance of the tasks. Task results for each task are returned to a CPU.

Abstract: The power supply winch system comprises a generally inverted L-shaped supportive frame and a winch attached to the supportive frame. The supportive frame comprises a horizontal member and a vertical member that are pivotally attached to one another at one end. The horizontal member has a first horizontal stability bar attached thereto and a flexible strap which depends from a free end of the horizontal member. The vertical member has a winch support affixed to it and a second horizontal stability bar attached to a free end of the vertical member. The winch is secured to the winch support. The inverted L-shaped supportive frame can embrace a corner of the power supply cabinet, such that the horizontal member corresponds with a top surface of the cabinet while the vertical member corresponds with an adjacent side surface. The winch system can be folded into a compact, portable structure.

Abstract: A system and method for visualization of attitude dependent data is disclosed. An attitude sphere is defined around an object of interest located at the center. Grid points are defined on the surface of the attitude sphere to represent directions. An attitude dependent FOM result is mapped onto the sphere, which is color coded on the associated point to visualize attitude dependency. When used to analyze signals arriving at a receiver, the method accounts for motion of the receiver, the transmitter, and the signal sources. The objects comprise values of figures of merit (FOMs) that are accessible to a user. Additionally, the objects are updated dynamically to reflect the experience of the receiver over time. The receiver orientation may be optimized to minimize interference and jamming and/or to maximize signal strength of a desired signal.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein separate compression and power cylinders are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. The engine varies the amount of air entering the power cylinder to control the engine output during naturally aspirated operation using valve timing and/or volume control of dead space and can optionally include supercharging to control the engine at higher output levels.

Abstract: An actuator for use with active noise control (ANR). The present invention satisfies design goals commensurate with active noise reduction devices used in small enclosed volumes and moderate-to-high noise environments. An ANR voice coil speaker is cylindrical in shape, with a diaphragm to motor diameter less than unity and fits into the ear canal. The rear cavity volume is on the same order of magnitude as the volume of the front cavity defined by the space between the diaphragm and the eardrum. The relatively balanced front/back volume of the ANR speaker reduces the required force to achieve a specific displacement required for high sound pressure output. An ANR balanced armature actuator uses a modified cabinet design, and a segmented or stiffened diaphragm made of light materials, and a sheet-type coupling between the armature and the diaphragm to reduce or eliminate resonances and phase lag within a desired control band.

Abstract: Systems and methods to inhibit the conduction of certain spurious electrical impulses in the heart. Inhibition of spurious electrical impulses in the heart is accomplished by cooling one or more targeted portions of the heart. Optionally, inhibition of spurious electrical impulses may be accomplished by cooling of cardiac tissue in combination with pacing of the heart.

Abstract: A multilayer shrink film and methods of making same comprising one or more polyethylenic layers, one or more polystyrenic layer and polystyrene compatibilizing layers situate between each polyethylenic layer and polystyrenic layer wherein the polystyrene compatibilizing layers comprise less than 1% by weight substantially random interpolymer. The multilayer shrink films of the invention are produced using film biaxial orienting means.

Abstract: A system and method for centralized security screening of packages including baggage. The system creates images and data concerning baggage to be reviewed, packetizes the data long with additional identification information, and conveys the data packets to a central screening location. All analysis of the baggage information is accomplished in a centralized way with risk assessments being provided to each image. Upon sensing of a package or baggage of concern, alerts may be sent to the screening location for action. Artificial intelligence tools are used to pre-screen images to assist with workload assignment. Baggage may also be associated with the identity of a passenger. The passenger identity is used to acquire passenger information that is incorporated into the baggage screening process. Screening rules that utilize passenger information are implemented to determine a screening response based on a passenger-specific basis.

Abstract: A system and method for creation of virtual electronic containers for documents in electronic form. The system permits scanning and or electronic creation of documents together with a machine readable graphical code. The graphical code contains informational bout the documents that can be read without having to read the documents themselves. System components review the graphic code and determine contents, processing options and other workflow steps. Tolls associate with the creation of the electronic document container enforce creation rules to insure that electronic container conform to a structure that allows electronic dissemination of the container. Documents stored in the electronic container maintain the characteristics of the application that created them thereby allowing the documents to be viewed and manipulated using the application in which they were created.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a perimeter for ingress or egress by a member of an ad hoc wireless network. A wireless device is equipped with location means. In an embodiment, the wireless device is a cellular telephone equipped with a GPS chip set. A plurality of such wireless devices form an ad hoc network and are linked to a server in association with each other. The server receives retains perimeter boundary data and receives positioning information from each of the plurality of associated wireless devices. The locations of each member of a network are tracked relative to perimeter. A perimeter may be an egress perimeter, which defines an area in which monitored units are permitted to roam but from which network members may not leave. A perimeter may be an ingress perimeter, which defines an area in which monitored units are not permitted to enter. An ingress perimeter may reside within an egress perimeter. The system provides warnings when a perimeter boundary is approached or crossed.

Abstract: A multilayer shrink film and methods of making same comprising high speed polyethylenic outer layers along with one or more cyclic-olefin copolymer (COC) containing inner layers. The multilayer shrink films of the invention are produced using film biaxial orienting means, have haze values of 5 or less and Young's modulus of 50,000 psi or greater and superior hot slip properties. In order to achieve the desired modulus, films of the present invention comprise from 10% to 30% COC and from 2% to 25% softening olefin copolymer. Preferably the film comprises large proportion of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Suitable COCs for use in the invention are limited to single site catalyzed COC.

Abstract: The water resistant aerator design of the present invention includes a combination of known waterproofing techniques with new techniques for wastewater aerators comprising: use of a threaded joint and thread sealing compound between the lifting handle and the top endbell to provide a watertight connection between the parts; use of a single lip seal for the top lip seal that has over 18 degrees of wear motion before pressure is lost; use of a grease seal between the top lip seal and the top bearing to impede moisture from entering the motor; use of a grease seal between the bottom lip seal and the bottom bearing to impede moisture from entering the motor; use of a multi-surface silicone sealant between the bottom endbell and the air seal enclosure to provide a watertight joint that prevents water from entering the air seal enclosure; and use of an O-ring seal between the endbells and the stator shell.