Abstract: A tunable optical component includes comprises a plurality of individual tunable liquid cells regularly arranged and integrated to at least one cell structure forming an array on the supporting substrate. A single liquid cell comprises several integrated cell walls, the cell walls projecting away from the supporting substrate and having a closed base area and an open cell surface at the cell wall edges. The liquid cell is filled with at least two liquids or fluids to provide at least one tunable interface area for varying the optical characteristic of the liquid cell.

Abstract: A wireless information device automatically replicates data held on the device to a remote server over a wireless network. An application on the device (a) automatically determines the battery level of the device; (b) prevents sending data over the wireless network if the battery level is below a first threshold.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed comprising a thin, ribbon-like but semi-rigid material which can be “snaked” in between ductwork and the surface to which it is attached. The tool is configured to enable the temporary attachment of a tape material thereon. Further, the tape material includes a non-adhesive “release tape” attached to the adhesive portion of the adhesive tape. Using the method and apparatus described herein, a user can insert the tape, with the protective tape release thereon, around the ductwork, release the tape and remove the tool, and use the tool as it is being withdrawn to urge the adhesive tape onto the seam being taped.

Abstract: An animal restraining shield comprising a planar sheet having a vertical edge and a horizontal edge and an aperture in the planar sheet sized to permit a head of an animal to pass through the aperture, wherein the animal restraining shield is adapted to limit motion of one or more limbs of the animal and wherein the vertical edge extends a downward distance from the aperture comprising at least a full length of a forelimb of the animal as measured from the head of the animal to a foot of the animal.

Abstract: A method for minimizing an individual's predisposition for developing a disease including providing personal information of an individual, querying a first database of disease information with the personal information to determine a disease for which the individual has a predisposition for developing, wherein the query produces disease information, querying one or more second databases with at least a portion of the disease information and/or personal information for obtaining second information for reducing the risk for the individual developing the disease and communicating a result of the query of the lifestyle database to the individual.

Abstract: A system and method capable of automatically rebalancing financial portfolios to optimality, are disclosed. Using stored customer-defined optimization data, the system determines if the current portfolio is imbalanced beyond a customer-defined tolerance level and if so, it transmits a “rebalancing-needed” alert message and a list of recommended rebalancing transactions via customer-defined communications methods. The customer reads the message and decides if he wishes to authorize portfolio rebalancing. To authorize portfolio rebalancing, the customer merely responds to the alert message. In a preferred embodiment, the customer's response may constitute performing a single action, such as pressing a button or speaking a sound. After the authenticity of the received customer response is verified, the system implements the customer's single response by transmitting execution instructions to an electronic trading system, which in turn executes the rebalancing transactions to optimize the portfolio.

Abstract: Facile ways towards the integration of the regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s onto carbon nanotubes, providing multifunctional materials that combine the extraordinary properties of the carbon nanotubes with those of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s, are presented.

Abstract: A gallium nitride-based device has a first GaN layer and a type II quantum well active region over the GaN layer. The type II quantum well active region comprises at least one InGaN layer and at least one GaNAs layer comprising 1.5 to 8% As concentration. The type II quantum well emits in the 400 to 700 nm region with reduced polarization affect.

Abstract: The invention relates to video holograms and devices for reconstructing video holograms, comprising an optical system that consists of a light source, lens and the video hologram that is composed of cells arranged in a matrix or a regular pattern with at least one opening per cell, the phase or amplitude of said opening being controllable. The video holograms and devices for reconstructing the same are characterized in that holographic video representations of expanded spatial objects can be achieved in a wide viewing area in real time using controllable displays, whereby the objects are either computer-generated or created by different means. The space-bandwidth product (SBP) of the hologram is thus reduced to a minimum and the periodicity interval of the Fourier spectrum is used as a viewing window on the inverse transformation plane, through which the object is visible in the preceding space. The mobility of the viewer(s) is achieved by tracking the viewing window.

Abstract: Where a first computing device is given responsibility for determining whether data that is time stamped by a second computing device is replicated or not, then the first device can compare a time stamp from the second device against a time signal from its own internal clock to determine a delta and use that delta to deduce the correct delta to apply to time stamps associated with later data from the second computing device.

Abstract: A bicycle storage system for storing a bicycle, comprising: (i) a first flange to support a lower surface of a bicycle frame, the frame rotating about this first flange under the weight of the rear of the bicycle; and (ii) a second flange to contact an upper surface of that frame to prevent further rotation of the frame about the first flange, the flanges being arranged to then securely hold the frame. The first and the second flanges may be formed into a single, sinuous edge of a hollow cylindrical unit; this unit may be sized to store bicycle accessories.

Abstract: A radar apparatus and method for determining the range to and velocity of at least one object comprising, transmitting a plurality of RF signals, each comprising a particular frequency and being transmitted during a particular unique finite period, the plurality of signals collectively comprising at least one first subset of signals having the same frequency and at least one second subset of signals having different frequencies, receiving the plurality of signals after reflection from an object, determining a phase difference between each of the signals and the corresponding reflected signal, each piece of phase difference information herein termed a sample, organizing the samples in two-dimensions wherein, in a first dimension, all samples have the same frequency and, in a second dimension, all consecutive samples are separated from each other by a fixed time interval; processing the samples in the first dimension to determine a phase rotation frequency corresponding to the samples in the first dimension, th

Abstract: A substantially non-elastic incompressible composition, which substantially does not quickly self-level under standard operating conditions, includes: a suspending agent which reacts substantially as a solid when subjected to forces below a critical force, and which becomes substantially flowable when subjected to forces above said critical force; ceramic microparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent; flexible-walled microparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent; and celled macroparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent. The composition provides an incident energy absorbing property. The incident energy may include sound energy, and the microparticulates and macroparticulates may convert some of the sound energy into heat, or may diffract the sound energy.

Abstract: The shoe accessory includes a platform for supporting a conventional shoe. The shoe accessory's base has a convex or other non-planar surface that causes the shoe accessory to be stable in a longitudinal (heel-toe) direction, and unstable in a lateral (medial/lateral) direction. The non-planar surface may be defined by a ridge segment on the platform's bottom side. One or more straps are provided to temporarily secure the wearer's conventional shoe to the platform in a non-destructive manner. A generally U-shaped heel retainer may be provided adjacent a rear portion of the platform for receiving the heel of the shoe. The shoe accessory makes a flat-soled shoe laterally unstable while allowing for longitudinal stability and a naturalistic gait, and thus facilitates exercise of leg and foot muscles during normal walking, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling at the server-side the order in which supplemental files referenced in an HTML page are served to a client machine requesting the page. The server queues the supplemental files in an order dictated within the HTML code itself and serves the supplemental files in the order dictated in the queue regardless of the order of which the Web browser at the client-side requests the supplemental files.

Abstract: A wave energy device in the form of a self buoyant heave-resistant vessel (10) comprising two or more discrete flow paths into which water can be urged by wave action and a bi-directional energy extractor in fluid communication with said path(s) and atmosphere, arranged to extract energy from air movements in said path(s) caused by said wave action.

Abstract: A method for controlling etching during photolithography in the fabrication of an integrated circuit in connection with first and second features that are formed on the integrated circuit having a gap there between comprising depositing a layer of photoresist on the integrated circuit, selectively exposing portions of the photoresist through at least one photolithography mask having a pattern including means for alleviating line end shortening of the first and second lines adjacent the gap, and developing the photoresist after the selective exposing step.

Abstract: A motor controller for fully closing and opening a window glass for a vehicle door. The motor controller controls a motor that drives the window glass and includes a relay circuit connected to the motor and switching contact states in accordance with movement of the window glass. An FET is connected to the relay circuit. A sensor detects rotation speed of the motor and generates a detection signal. A CPU, which is connected to the FET and sensor, generates a duty signal having a duty ratio that is in accordance with a waveform of the detection signal generated by the sensor, provides the FET with the duty signal, and drives the motor in accordance with the waveform of the detection signal.

Abstract: A dynamic link library (DLL) in a computing device is provided in the form of a first part and an extension part. The first part has selected entry point ordinals by which an application program may link to first functions. The application program may only link to further functions via the extension part of the DLL.

Abstract: A low overhead mechanism for supporting speculative execution and code compression in a Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) microprocessor. Profitable speculations can be determined statically at compile time and a low overhead hardware recovery mechanism used that does not require compensation code.