Abstract: A liquid characterization and level sensor with a coaxial probe attached to a closed loop servo circuitry combined with a DSP and novel algorithms to scan, lock and track signals to ascertain the level and purity of fluid in a container.

Abstract: A method for communication includes operating a network element, which includes multiple ports and multiple interconnected processing units, such that each processing unit is assigned to process packets that are communicated over a respective set of one or more of the ports. Each processing unit stores a respective list, which indicates one or more multicast packet streams that are permitted for forwarding by the network element, and further indicates a respective subset of the ports over which each of the multicast packet streams is permitted for forwarding. A request relating is disturbed among the multiple processing units, and the respective list in each processing unit is updated responsively to the request. Multicast packets associated with the given multicast packet stream are forwarded selectively by the processing units in accordance with the respective updated lists.

Abstract: A method of conducting a lottery includes registering a player with one or more losing tickets for one or more opportunities to enter one or more additional lotteries while collecting identifying information about the registered player. Allocating points to the registered player for each of the one or more losing tickets which are registered. Targeting communications to the registered player based on the collected identifying information. Entering the registered player in at least one of the additional lotteries in exchange for at least a portion of the allocated points which correspond with a number of entry points to participate. Conducting the additional lottery and providing the participating registered players with an outcome.

Abstract: A method for communication includes configuring a plurality of ring nodes to communicate over a communication network that includes two or more overlapping communication rings, each ring including two unidirectional ringlets in mutually-opposite directions. A data packet including one or more header fields is accepted at an ingress ring node. An egress ring node to which the data packet is to be forwarded by the ingress ring node is determined. A subset of the rings including one or more common rings that are connected to both the ingress and egress ring nodes is identified. A ringlet of a ring among the one or more common rings is selected responsively to a respective value of at least one of the header fields of the packet. The data packet is forwarded from the ingress ring node to the egress ring node over the selected ringlet.

Abstract: An audio speaker having a removable voice coil, which may be a part of a voice coil assembly. The voice coil may be user-removable to facilitate replacement of a damaged voice coil or reconfiguration of a speaker system. Properly positioning the voice coil assembly may provide a solder-free electrical connection between the voice coil and leads that provide current to the voice coil. In some embodiments, the voice coil is user-removably attached to an inner circumferential surface of a diaphragm. In other embodiments, the voice coil is connected to the diaphragm, and the voice coil assembly and the diaphragm are both user-removably attached to a frame.

Abstract: A method for communication via a ring network that includes a plurality of nodes. The method includes receiving at a first node in the ring network a data packet transmitted over a virtual private LAN service (VPLS), the data packet including an identification of the VPLS. The first node reads the identification from the data packet. Responsively to reading the identification, the first node forwards the data packet to at least one second node in the ring network that is associated with the VPLS.

Abstract: A device for connecting and maintaining a sports pad to a skate, contains a cord having a first end and a second end. A first hook portion is removably connected to the first end of the cord, wherein the first hook portion contains a first anchoring portion and a first clasping portion, the first end of the cord being removably connected to the first clasping portion. The device also contains a first outer cylinder for maintaining the first end of the cord within the first clasping portion and a second hook portion removably connected to the second end of the cord. The second hook portion contains a second anchoring portion and a second clasping portion, where the second end of the cord is removably connected to the second clasping portion. The device also contains a second outer cylinder for maintaining the second end of the cord within the second clasping portion.

Abstract: A method for processing data packets in a communication network includes establishing a path for a flow of the data packets through the communication network. At a node along the path having a plurality of aggregated ports, a port is selected from among the plurality to serve as part of the path. A label is chosen responsively to the selected port. The label is attached to the data packets in the flow at a point on the path upstream from the node. Upon receiving the data packets at the node, the data packets are switched through the selected port responsively to the label.

Abstract: A method for data communications includes receiving a time-division-multiplexed (TDM) input signal carrying a payload comprising data and determining whether the data comprise synchronous or non-synchronous data. A first encapsulation scheme is selected if the data comprise synchronous data, and a second encapsulation scheme is selected if the data comprise non-synchronous data. The data are encapsulated for transmission over a packet-switched network in accordance with the selected encapsulation scheme.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an integrated communications manager that enables change in a number of voice communication channels and/or data communication channels is provided. Generally, an integrated communication manager (hereafter, “device”) contains at least two interfaces, where each interface is capable of receiving data and/or voice. A memory is located within the device, having software stored therein. A processor is also located within the device, and configured by the memory to: allow a user of the device to designate a number of data communication channels to be accommodated by the device; allow the user of the device to designate a number of voice communication channels to be accommodated by the device; and allow the user to personally change the designation of the number of data communication channels and voice communication channels in accordance with present needs.

Abstract: The present invention provides gradient preservation of an input image. A method of providing gradient preservation of an input image, comprises the steps of: computing gradient fields of the input image; computing gradient fields of a remapped image, wherein the remapped image is the input image remapped; comparing a gradient of the remapped image to a predefined range of acceptable values, wherein the acceptable values depend on the input gradient; changing values of the gradient of the remapped image if the values of the gradient of the remapped image are not within the predefined range of acceptable values depending on the input gradient, resulting in x and y components of a modified gradient; and reconstructing the input image using the x and y components of the modified gradient.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the linkage and security of records is provided. Generally, the present invention can be viewed as providing methods for selecting an ideal identifier, from a series of test identifiers, for linking more than one associated record. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: accessing several parameters for each test identifier; determining if an error rate of the test identifier is an improved error rate over an error rate of an existing identifier; determining if the test identifier reduces linkage error; and selecting the test identifier as the ideal identifier if the test identifier has a lower overall error rate, as determined by the steps of determining if an error rate of the test identifier is an improved error rate over an error rate of an existing identifier and determining if the test identifier reduces linkage error, compared to other test identifiers.

Abstract: A functionality and method for determining aggregate data transit bandwidth requirements for the nodes of an Ethernet ring network for traffic management and to improve the operation, efficiency, and Quality of Service. An aggregate bandwidth database is produced, based on a priori knowledge of the ring network, including topology, path utilization, bandwidth sharing, and failure protection scenarios. Aggregate bandwidth requirements are determined independent of the actual real-time data traffic rates, and without requiring any actual real-time data traffic rate information. Aggregate bandwidth is automatically determined upon configuration or reconfiguration of the ring network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing amplitude spectroscopy is provided. Generally, the system contains a generator for providing a waveform for analysis of a multilevel quantum system, wherein the generator has the capability of changing amplitude of the waveform provided and driving the multilevel quantum system at a fixed frequency while sweeping amplitude. A detector is also provided for reading population in different energy states of the multilevel quantum system, wherein the detector plots an amplitude spectroscopy response of the multilevel quantum system. A memory and processor are provided within the system where the processor is configured by the memory to perform the step of plotting an energy-level diagram of the multilevel quantum system from the amplitude spectroscopy plot of the multilevel quantum system.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering, managing, and analyzing patient recruitment contains logic configured to receive patient marketing material from a source and logic configured to determine whether the patient marketing material is approved for use by a system administrator. The system also contains logic configured to provide the patient marketing material to a sponsor of a clinical study requiring patient recruitment, where the patient marketing material is provided to the sponsor for approval by the sponsor, and the system contains logic configured to determine if regulatory approval of the patient marketing material is required. Further, the system contains logic configured to make the patient marketing material available to a patient investigatory site for use in recruiting a patient for the clinical study.

Abstract: An electronic-ink display apparatus is provided. The electronic-ink display apparatus includes a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate, an electronic-ink layer, a common electrode, a second substrate and an edge sealant. The TFT array substrate includes a first substrate and a dielectric layer located above the first substrate. The electronic-ink layer, common electrode and second substrate are located above TFT array substrate in sequence. The edge sealant surrounds the electronic-ink layer and at least one part of the edge sealant is not overlaid above the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer code for implementing security and privacy policy in a web application having an execution environment in which a representation of each object handled by the execution environment accommodates data and an associated tag. An inbound tagging rule is established for tagging inbound objects according to a respective source of each of the inbound objects. A tag is assigned to an object being operated on by the execution environment based on the inbound tagging rule. A security/privacy rule is established for performing security/privacy actions on outbound objects according to a respective tag of each of the outbound objects. A security/privacy action is performed on the object being operated on by the execution environment based on the security/privacy rule.

Abstract: An E-ink display and method for repairing the same is provided. The method is for repairing a thin film transistor array substrate of the E-ink display. The thin film transistor array substrate having a plurality of pixel units is provided initially. Each of the pixel unit includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. The thin film transistor has a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The gate electrode, the source electrode and the drain electrode are connected electrically to a scan line, a data line and the pixel electrode respectively. A portion of the pixel electrode is located above the data line. Next, a repairing portion is formed at the space between the data line and the pixel electrode. The repairing portion is utilized to electrically connect the pixel electrode and the data line.

Abstract: A system is provided for positioning an article. In this regard, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be broadly summarized as follows. The system contains a frame and a series of actuators connected to the frame, where the series of actuators contains at least one armature therein. The at least one armature is connected to an article and the series of actuators provides a force on the at least one armature to actuate movement of the at least one armature, thereby causing movement of the article. Each actuator further contains at least one winding set capable of providing a coil flux, at least one permanent magnet capable of providing a permanent magnet flux, and a magnetically conductive core having the permanent magnet therein and at least a portion of the at least one winding set therein. The series of actuators provides the at least one armature and the article with more than one degree of freedom.