Abstract: A system and method are provided for imaging in scattering media such as fog, water and biological tissues. Normally, such images suffer from poor visibility due to backscattering and signal attenuation. At least two images are taken of the scene using active widefield polarized illumination, with different states of a camera-mounted polarizer. The degree of polarization of backscatter is estimated in every point of the scene, leading to an estimation of the backscatter in every point of the scene. A portion or all of the value of backscatter can be deducted in each point of the scene resulting in an enhanced image with improved contrast and brightness range across the field of view.

Abstract: A System is monitored by detecting activity signatures of network components. Some of the activity signatures are generated by sensing patterns of operations in data streams. Some of the activity signatures are precompiled in the system, or are standard in computer systems. The activity signatures are stored in a database. Select information about select baselined attributes generates monitoring profiles (MPs) for the baselined attributes. The MPs are defined so abnormal behavior of end points and/or system components can be detected. The system compiles baseline values for baselined attributes of MP's. By properly analyzing deviating end points or components one can determine what is causing a problem or who is effected by a problem based on which identifying attributes are common to the deviating end points or components.

Abstract: A method of verifying alerts received from alerting devices associated with a user. The method includes: verifying the received alerts from the user by applying a specified procedure to the user; analyzing the received alert in respect to specified temporal characteristics of the received alerts; classifying each received alert as either a false alarm or as a valid alarm according to the verifying and the analyzing; and reporting the valid alarms to a service center. Double checking the received alerts both by the verifying and the analyzing enhances alarm reliability.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing bitmap indexing representation of a dataset, which comprises a plurality of cases and features, each case characterized by one or more values of each feature. Currently, the bins vector for each case in the dataset, is a binary array, which is a bitmap indexing representation of each respective feature of the case. The system and method enhance the bitmap indexing by padding each bins vector. The padding is carried out by identifying all target bit locations with a ‘1’ value and replacing at least one ‘0’ bit adjacent to a target bit location with a non-zero numerical value, thereby creating a padded bitmap index. The padding factor may be based on any mathematical or statistical factor concerning population or subpopulation relevant to each of the features of the dataset.

Abstract: An ad-hoc network is a typically a dynamic collection of nodes capable of communicating therebetween without the aid of pre-established infrastructure. Ad-hoc networks differ from traditional networks in that the topology of interconnections between nodes is inherently dynamic and not fixed. Generally, the routing protocols belong to two groups: proactive and reactive. Proactive protocols attempt to maintain correct and up-to-date routing information at every node. Reactive protocols, in turn, collect necessary routing information only if a pair of nodes are to establish a communication. In accordance with embodiments of the invention a reactive ad-hoc network protocol is disclosed that uses controlled flooding to broadcast packets of information within the ad-hoc network.

Abstract: A data storage medium may have data stored on one physical portion of the medium and error correction and recovery data stored on a second physical portion of the medium. In one embodiment, a write once, read many medium may be written with data and the remaining capacity of the medium may be filled with error correction and recovery data. If a portion of the main data is corrupted, the error correction and recovery data may be used to recreate the corrupted data. The error correction and recovery data may be created to fill the unused capacity of the medium by prioritizing and selectively backing up the data when the data use more than half of the medium's capacity, or may create one or more redundant copies of the data if the data consume less than half of the medium's capacity, for example.

Abstract: A method for incapacitating an object using a non-lethal projectile equipped with a motion sensing device. The non-lethal projectile is fired at and preferably attaches to the object. Motion of the object is monitored by the motion sensing device. Upon sensing motion of the object, the non-lethal projectile provides a first or another incapacitating stimulus to the object if the motion is sensed as meeting at least one criterion. The criterion may be based on a previously determined algorithm or the threshold is previously determined.

Abstract: A coded lock assembly is introduced in order to improve upon existing coded locks used to control access to protected areas. The lock assembly contains several micro-switches within the anterior portion that can be pushed by a push button on the posterior portion of the lock assembly. In order to unlock the lock assembly, the user must turn an exterior drive handle to the proper position and press the push button. A predetermined sequence of handle turns and push button presses is required to unlock the lock.

Abstract: An antenna system for estimating the DOA of arriving signals, comprising: a first omnidirectional antenna; and a second omnidirectional antenna, which is located coaxially above the first omnidirectional antenna at a predefined distance D. The first omnidirectional antenna is configured to transform the received arriving signal into output signals, and the second omnidirectional antenna is configured to transform the received signal into a reference signal. The antenna system allows extracting: a first phase difference between the phase of the first output signal and the reference phase and a second phase difference between the phase of the second output signal and the reference phase, where each phase difference includes a first component proportional to the azimuth of said arriving signal and a second component corresponding to the elevation of the arriving signal, from which the azimuth and the elevation of the arriving signal can be extracted.

Abstract: A hydraulic micrometer system for remote measurement of inside dimensions such as the inside diameter of long straight/curved pipes and tubes adapted to go deep inside any long straight/curved pipe/tube by way of provision of flexible operative connection there between the micrometer head adapted for traversal deep inside the pipe/tube and the like and a remotely located control unit. Importantly, the micrometer system preferably includes a three-point micrometer for measurement of dimensions of internal diameter and the like or a two point micrometer for measurement of depth of a slot or groove and the like features. Advantageously, the hydraulic micrometer system have applications in manufacturing industries, process industries, power plants, chemical plants etc., including in hazardous and humanly inaccessible positions. The system is user friendly including PC-based control, display and data analysis provision for wide industrial application and use.

Abstract: A method of hatching of hatchery eggs that includes: (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition comprising a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of the egg's shell; and (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to occur. The hatching yield of the hatchery eggs is improved as compared to control eggs not treated as defined in (a). Also discloses is a composition for treating of hatchery eggs prior to incubation. The composition includes a coating agent, and the composition improves the hatching yield of hatchery eggs.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ankle foot orthotic device for assisting a user during gait. The device comprises: a foot support having a shape and size configured to the plantar aspect of a user foot, the foot support having a forward portion and a rearward portion and a heel plate coupled to an upper surface of the rearward portion. The device further comprises: an upper rod having a longitudinal axis and a lower end connected to an offset and a lower rod having: a longitudinal axis; a lower end connected to the heel plate; and an upward end connected to the offset.

Abstract: A data processing system for securing information transfer from a removable media, comprising a security server and networked devices. Each networked device comprises a first operating system arranged to operate it; a second operating system, substantially differing structurally from the first operating system, and arranged to communicate with the security server over a secure communication link; and an I/O port arranged to allow connecting the removable device thereto. Each networked device is arranged to communicate with the removable device only via the second operating system responsive to the connection of the removable device to the port. The second operating system receives the information from the removable media via the I/O port and sends the information to the security server, which applies thereon operations relating to information security and in reference to predefined security criteria, such that the information is secure for use in the networked devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slide pull apparatus for aiding in pulling a slide on a semi-automatic pistol. The slide pull apparatus includes a shell configured to partially enclose a rear portion of a slide on a semi-automatic pistol, the shell including: a plate having an aperture of a size configured to surround at least a portion of a rear aim sight on the semi-automatic pistol. The slide pull apparatus additionally includes at least one finger tab projecting from the slide pull, the finger projection having a size configured to accommodate at least one finger of a human hand, wherein pulling on the at least one finger tab in a rearward direction causes the slide to move in a rearward direction, thereby facilitating loading of the semi-automatic pistol.

Abstract: A search engine system is described herein that provides an alternative data path for collecting results provided by index servers. The alternative data path collects the results in a direct and asynchronous manner; this is in contrast to a synchronous path used to deliver search results to end users via one or more aggregator modules. An analysis system can use the alternative data path to collect a large amount of richly descriptive information regarding the performance of the search engine system, circumventing bottlenecks and other constraints that would otherwise be imposed by the synchronous data path. The analysis system can analyze the information collected from the index servers to improve the performance of the search engine system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for identifying one or more causes of a computer executing one or more processes running slowly, the system includes: apparatus for detecting states of one or more threads of the one or more processes; apparatus for identifying one or more of said one or more processes that have one or more threads with wait states that occur above a threshold to indicate which modules within a process or processes is causing said computer to run slowly. In one embodiment the system as the apparatus for detecting states periodically polls the one or more threads of the processes. The system can also include a data structure to store the states of each of said one or more threads each time said thread is polled. The system can be one in which one or more threads are UI threads.

Abstract: The hierarchical approach may start at the bottom of the hierarchy. As it moves up the hierarchy, knowledge from children and cousins is used to classify items at the parent. In addition, knowledge of improper classifications at a low level are raised to a higher level to create new rules to better identify mistaken classifications at a higher level. Once the top of the hierarchy is reached, a top down approach is used to further refine the classification of items.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and methods system for reducing power consumption in a network including electrical appliances connected via electrical outlets to an electricity supplier and/or a system managing power consumption. The system comprises a management system and apparatuses, each comprising a measurement unit, a processing unit, an optional communications unit and a control unit, such that each apparatus is connected to an electrical outlet and is associated with an appliance or a group of appliances. Control units inject electrical signals via the associated electrical outlet to the electrical appliance. The measurement unit measures electrical parameters at the outlet, and the processing unit analyzes the electrical parameters measured in view of the electrical signal and detects the electrical signature of the associated electrical appliance therefrom. The electrical signature is utilized to characterize various characteristics of the electrical appliances and manage power consumption of the network.