Abstract: The present invention includes time delay devices and time delay systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a true time device that falls into the free-space category but uses a multiple-pass optical cell with refocusing mirrors that has the advantage of avoiding beam-spreading problems. This approach differs from previous free-space approaches in that it uses only one optical switch or spatial light modulator instead of one or more switches for each bit. In one approach, a microwave signal for each antenna element may be modulated onto an optical beam. After the individual optical beams are delayed by the desired amount of time through the system, the signals may then be down-converted to microwave signals for further processing.

Abstract: A mechanism for seamlessly searching and accessing information available through the Internet and other resources is disclosed. The present invention maintains a database of file objects available from numerous sources. The present invention updates the database periodically to ensure the accuracy and completeness of it. The present invention also may access and retrieve data from numerous sources when prompted by a single and simple command initiated by the user. The user is shielded from the quirks and intricacies of various information sources.

Abstract: A multiple nozzle sprayer that includes a fixed or swing bracket assembly configured with a mounting bracket fixedly or adjustably attached by at least one pivot pin to an outwardly projecting angle arm. The mounting bracket is formed with a mounting pad, and the mounting bracket and the angle arm are each formed with at least one nozzle mounting portion. Also included are first and second nozzles mounted to the nozzle mounting portions and configured to project respective spray clouds to intersect. The first nozzle spray cloud is configured with a predetermined droplet size spectra that is greater than that of the second spray nozzle. The first nozzle can be further configured to spray a cloud of a carrier fluid and the second nozzle can be configured to spray an active fluid in a spray cloud that combines with the carrier fluid spray cloud.

Abstract: The present invention is an adjustable corner fitment for a roof. The adjustable corner fitment is comprised of a top membrane and a bottom membrane. The top membrane has a cutout. The cutout extends from a side of the top membrane. The base membrane portion has a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The first side is connected to the second side at a first angle greater than 90 degrees, and the third side is connected to the fourth side at a second angle greater than 90 degrees. The base membrane portion is conformed to loop shape such that the first side and the second side underlie portions of the top membrane contiguous to the cutout. The first side of the base membrane may be completely welded to the top membrane prior to installation. However, the second side of the base membrane is adjustable relative to the top membrane prior to installation on the roof.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a caller may provide certain information during a call to an interactive voice response unit, prior known information about the caller may be stored in a computerized database, and an agent terminal may access the information in the database and collected at the interactive voice response unit, during the call, such that information collected from the caller before arriving at the agent does not have to be recollected from the caller by the agent.

Abstract: A system for managing electronic messages is disclosed. Recipients of electronic messages may define a set of rules for accepting incoming messages. These rules are applied by a message distributor at substantially the initial point of distribution so that delays in routing messages are reduced. Additionally, network traffic may be reduced because message routing is more direct.

Abstract: An elongated accent channel for siding construction includes a rear leg, a transverse leg, and a front leg. The transverse leg extends outwardly from the rear leg and has a first flat portion and a substantially u-shaped portion. The first flat portion is at the first end of the transverse leg, and the first end of the transverse leg is connected to the rear leg. The front leg extends outwardly from the transverse leg, and the first end of the front leg is connected to the second end of the transverse leg. The front leg is spaced apart from the rear leg and defines an accent channel opening therebetween to retain an edge portion of a piece of siding. A corner post assembly including the elongated accent channel and a corner post and a method of applying siding to a wall are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device capable of transporting package sleeves in an upright position, from any of several filling lines to one or more filling machines, wherein said several filling lines are aligned parallel to each other. The device utilizes a manipulator capable of linear travel in a direction perpendicular to the plane of alignment of the filling lines, a swiveling unit for moving the package sleeves in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the manipulator unit, and a gripper unit for gripping the package sleeves. The gripper unit is capable of supplying horizontal force to the package sleeves to enable their transport in an upright position. The gripper unit also has means to clamp to the loading magazine of the filling machine and to cause the horizontal transfer of the package sleeves thereto. By use of the present device, semi-automatic or automatic loading of package sleeves to one or more filling machines is possible.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the speed at which a graphics image is displayed on a raster, such as in a liquid crystal display. The method incorporates off-line created look-up tables which are stored in memory means associated with a graphics processor unit. Thus, real time calculations are reduced resulting in a faster graphics image response time.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring a multiphase flow to a predetermined location through a pipe. The multiphase flow is comprised of at least a liquid phase and a gas phase. The multiphase flow is provided to a flow divider that diverts a gas portion from the multiphase flow. A compressor and a pump are in fluid communication with the flow divider. The main gas portion is boosted by the compressor, and the residual liquid/gas portion is boosted by the pump. A recombination manifold then recombines the gas portion and the residual liquid portion. A single pipe receives the recombined multiphase flow and transfers it to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall and roof unit for easy and cost efficient home construction. The wall unit of the present invention is formed of a steel frame, a molded external panel formed into the shape of traditional building materials and features, and a layer of insulation material. The wall unit may be assembled in a quality controlled off-site factory.

Abstract: A fire retarding polypropylene composition comprising a copolymer of polypropylene and an ethylene/propylene rubber, and at least about 50% by weight but not greater than 60% by weight of a magnesium hydroxide coated with an anionic surface active agent, the magnesium hydroxide having (i) a strain in the <101> direction of not more than 3.0×10−3, (ii) a crystallite size in the <101> direction of more than 800 Å, and (iii) a specific surface area, determined by the BET method, of less than 20 mg2/g. The composition can be used in a fire retarding semiconductor apparatus which passes the FMRC Clean Room Materials Flammability Test Protocol.

Abstract: Corner members, such as posts useful in construction of buildings and the like are described. The invention relates more specifically to recessed and protruding corner posts for building construction, the posts being formed from a polymer based cellulose reinforced composite. The posts provide sturdy, durable corner connections, for exterior building materials, that are easy to install, relatively inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A method and system for learning a foreign language by first switching-off subconscious translation into a native language with the help of special drills consisting of simultaneous: reading of a lesson in a foreign language; listening to the recording of the same lesson; and repeating said lesson. The simultaneous reading, listening and repetition results in the formation of a new link image—word block in a foreign language, that after multiple repetition becomes engrained in the new language speech center in the brain so that the next time an adult encounters a similar situation, the corresponding word block in a foreign language is pronounced by the learner automatically in the same way that it occurs in the native language. The method and system is further comprised of the step of simultaneously listening to a lesson, repeating the lesson aloud and writing any words that a learner recognizes and can write down.

Abstract: The present invention allows subscribers to an online information service to participate in real-time conferencing or chat sessions in which a message originating from a subscriber in accordance with a first language is translated to one or more languages before it is broadcast to the other conference areas. Messages in a first language are translated automatically to one or more other languages through language translation capabilities resident at online information service host computers. Access software that subscribers use for participating in conference is integrated with speech recognition and speech generation software such that a subscriber may speak the message he or she would like to share with other participants and may hear the messages from the other participants in the conference. Speech-to-speech translation may be accomplished as a message spoken into a computer microphone in accordance with a first language may be recited by a remote computer in accordance with a second language.