Abstract: A mainframe-based far-distance bicentric transaction information processing system, providing a processing operation solution. The method includes: receiving upload transaction information containing transaction type data; searching transaction information requiring an amount of shared resource less than a preset threshold when being processed, according to the transaction type data; and transmitting the transaction information requiring the amount of shared resource less than the preset threshold when being processed, to a backup processing center to be processed, when CPU utilization rates exceeds a preset safety threshold. The system includes a main processing center and a backup processing center.

Abstract: A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm is distant the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm is proximate to the cylinder, such as contacting the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.

Abstract: An improved hair styling device with heating elements and heat retaining clips inside the device's housing. The clips present double concave inner faces, and form an enclosed space when in a closed position. A heat retaining element with an elevated heat capacity is incorporated into the clips adjacent the inner surface of the jaws of the clips; and also presents a double concave surface to the inside of the clips when in a closed position. The heating elements are made up of elongated heating rods with multiple heating locations along their length. Each heating location has an enlarged double convex area on the surface of the heating rods. The heating locations are complimentary to the shape of the heat retaining element, and therefore heat the clips quickly and evenly.

Abstract: A method for identifying an approximate fault location in a power transmission line comprises detecting first and second dominant frequencies in first and second recovering voltages resulting from the fault without using the velocity of either of the recovering voltages.

Abstract: A vibratory massaging device having a spaced plurality of proximity sensors distributed on a massaging surface of the device, and a control circuit operative for controlling vibratory intensities in response to activation of particular ones of the sensors being close to a user's body parts being massaged. The device can be configured as a dildo, including both main and secondary vibrators, the secondary vibrator being within an arm portion that is configured for clitoral stimulation. At least one of the vibrators is automatically driven at increased intensity as penetration increases.

Abstract: A machining tool comprises a frame mounting an extendable yoke slidable with respect to the frame in a first direction through one or more mounting pillars. A tool motor is mounted on the yoke. A drive mechanism for the yoke is also mounted in the frame, with a drive motor to drive the yoke drive mechanism. A belt is between pulleys on the drive motor and mechanism to transmit drive between them. A rotatable sleeve is around the tool motor and on which sleeve the belt engages on opposite sides of the tool motor, whereby the tool motor can extend between the drive motor and mechanism, thereby resulting in a compact arrangement of the tool.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating hair clips having a heatable member comprises a base, a heating structure, and means for providing electricity to the heating structure. The heating structure can comprise an elongated electrical heater having opposed sides, a plurality of thermally conductive heating elements in pairs on each side of the electrical heater, and a thermal insulator between the heating elements separating the heating elements from each other.

Abstract: A device comprising a sealed package having a front wall, a rear wall, a top edge, a bottom edge, a lubricant compartment and a prophylactic compartment, with the compartments proximate to each other. A lubricant is in the lubricant compartment and a prophylactic is in the prophylactic compartment.

Abstract: A network database system wherein clients of subscribing entities are authorized network access to reliable documents that are identified by each entity as being relevant to clients of that entity. Features that can be included in the system are customization of the documents to reflect sourcing by particular subscribers, automated formatting of the documents for storing in a network database, client access facilitated by subscriber-maintained databases, and the avoidance of cookies remaining on clients' computer hard drives following document access. Also disclosed is a method for processing repeated data requests on a distributed computer database.

Abstract: A refractory includes a cement, a binder and a matrix. The matrix comprises both stainless steel fibers and organic fibers. The refractory can be easily cast, without additional steel reinforcement, into large fire wall 16 panels 10 capable of meeting the requirements of testing conducted in accordance with ASTM E-119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials in support of IEEE Std. 979-1994, Guide for Substation Fire Protection. The fire wall 16 assembly withstood the fire endurance test without passage of flame and gases hot enough to ignite cotton waste during a four-hour fire exposure. The assembly also withstood a 45 psi water stream for five minutes immediately following the four-hour fire exposure period. This is a stringent mechanical requirement, as all fire walls 16 must maintain their integrity before, during and after a fire, per the Universal Building Code's definition of a true fire wall 16.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly (1) is disclosed, particularly for electric cabinets, comprising a filter cloth (5), a conveying sump (7) and a fan (9), equipped with at least one thermal-resistive sensor (11) placed next to at least one hole (13) obtained in the conveying sump (7).

Abstract: A computer system and method providing for viewing and switching of audio-video data. The system comprises: a plurality of audio/video sources containing information referring to an event; a streaming server, streaming the contents of a first audio signal and a first video signal from the audio and video sources to a user; a feed distributor controllably feeding the first audio signal and first video signal to the streaming server; and a user-operated control unit communicating with the feed distributor and controlling operation of the feed distributor, so as to instruct the feed distributor to switch between audio or video. Switching between audio signals occurs without altering the video signals and switching between video signals occurs without altering the audio signals.

Abstract: A method of displaying a high dynamic range image, comprising receiving the high dynamic range image, calculating a first set of tone mapping parameters as a function of the high dynamic range image, sub-sampling the first set of tone mapping parameters at a first resolution to create a first sub-sampled parameter set, creating a first tone-mapped image by processing the high dynamic range image as a function of the first sub-sampled parameter set, and displaying the first tone-mapped image. A method of composting a plurality of versions of an image to create the high dynamic range image is also disclosed such that the compositing may be modified as a function of received user input.

Abstract: A method for distortion of a digital image comprising determining one or more sets of pixel characteristics, receiving for each pixel characteristic set, a spatial offset, providing a mixing function algorithm embodied on a computer-readable medium for distorting the digital image, calculating an offset matrix by applying the mixing function algorithm based on the one or more sets of pixel characteristics and the received spatial offsets, and distorting the digital image by application of the offset matrix. The method is applicable to regions of interest in the digital image, where the calculating step further comprises applying the mixing function algorithm based on the received coordinates of a region of interest. Abstract image reference points may be used to limit distortion.

Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Handling Fluids at Nano-Scale Rates. A linear displacement pump produces non-pulsatile liquid flow rates as low as the nl/mm range. The pump includes a servo motor, a gear reduction, a lead screw, a linear stage, a barrel, and a plunger extending into the barrel and coupled to the stage. A microfluidic interconnect device can be coupled to the barrel. One or more of these pumps can be disposed in a thermally controlled pump assembly that includes a pump housing, a thermally conductive body disposed in the housing and including first and second opposing sides, and a temperature regulating element such as a thermoelectric device disposed in thermal contact with the thermally conductive body on a side thereof opposite to the barrel or barrels of the pumps.

Abstract: A junction is made between a first microfluidic substrate (12) having an elongate component (303) protruding from it and a second microfluidic substrate (22) having a corresponding conduit (261). Each of the substrates has a pair of alignment features, for example planar orthogonal surfaces (13, 15; 23, 25) or grooves (141, 151; 241, 251) in opposite sides of the substrate. The substrates are placed on an alignment jig 6 having location features (63, 65) corresponding to the alignment features. The elongate component can be surrounded by a compressible gasket 40). The substrates are pushed towards each other so that the elongate component enters the conduit and the gasket, if any, is compressed. A fluid-tight junction results so long as the substrates are maintained in the necessary position, either by permanent means, or, if a junction which can be disassembled is needed, by maintaining pressure between the substrates.

Abstract: An aural device to be worn over the ear of a user during sleeping hours which generates white noise.

Abstract: The invention offers technology for suppressing damage to semiconductor devices due to temperature changes. When flip-chip mounting a silicon chip on a buildup type multilayer substrate having a structure with a thinned core, a core having a small coefficient of thermal expansion is used in the multilayer substrate, and the coefficient of thermal expansion and glass transition point of the underfill are appropriately designed in accordance with the thickness and coefficient of thermal expansion of the core. By doing so, it is possible to relieve stresses inside the semiconductor package caused by deformation of the multilayer substrate due to temperature changes, and thereby to suppress damage to the semiconductor package due to temperature changes.