Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy is disclosed. In order to desalinate saltwater that is contained within a product chamber, a drive cell is used to generate a drive voltage. The product chamber has a desalination voltage such that when a sufficient voltage is applied to the product chamber, anions and cations migrate out of the product chamber, thereby desalinating the water. The sufficient voltage, which includes the drive voltage and which is equal to or greater than the desalination voltage, is applied to the product chamber, consequently effecting desalination. Beneficially, concentration difference energy can be generated using a concentrated solution, which can be generated using, for example, solar energy.

Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly including: a pressure sensor header; a transducer assembly member; and a joining arrangement disposed at an interface of the header and the transducer assembly member, for joining the header with the transducer assembly member, the joining arrangement including: a recessed female joining element formed in one of the header and the transducer assembly member; and a protruding male joining element formed on the other of the header and the transducer assembly member, the male joining element received in the female joining element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary, hygienic toothbrush and holder. The holder carries a plurality of pegs on its front surface. At a distal end of the toothbrush handle is an opening, sized to fit cooperatively over a peg of the holder. At least a portion of the margin of the opening is thinned toward the opening from a surface of the handle, so that, in use, at least a portion of the thinned margin rests cooperatively upon the peg of the holder when the toothbrush is placed by a user in a hanging position.

Abstract: An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. Such parameters may be set as negative to account for fields that do not match. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.

Abstract: An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method use a symmetric, transitive and reflexive function to allow for linking records and entity representations whose field values differ. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method utilize blended field weights to account for certain types of partial matches. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.

Abstract: A gangway apparatus (10) for transfer between vessels or between a vessel (38) and a fixed structure such as an offshore construction or a quay is disclosed. The gangway apparatus (10) includes a gangway component (16) which is preferably buoyant and may be inflatable. The gangway component (16) is mounted on a skate or bogie and traverses a fixedly mounted runway (14). The runway (14) may be inclined. Control means are provided for controlling the motion of the gangway component on the runway. These may include biasing means such as a counterweight. The apparatus is preferably mounted in a shipping container such as a 40? ISO container.

Abstract: An improved processing system for tracking commerce on the Internet provides for subvariable processing and includes web page scanning to discern fraud or improper content to insure proper promotion of select products within the network environment.

Abstract: A single wire interface for a transducer transmits the transducer output as a frequency modulated signal over one single wire during one interval. During a second interval a reference signal is transmitted as a frequency modulated signal. Both the transducer output and the reference signal output are processed by the same circuitry during the respective intervals to provide both frequency modulated signals. The frequencies of the two signals are measured and then the ratio of the two periods which is the reciprocal of the two frequencies is calculated. This ratio is the direct measure of the output of the transducer and when provided eliminates sources of errors.

Abstract: A compressed tablet composition comprising: a granular component comprising a plurality of solidified melt granules of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) having a melting point in the range 30-300° C. and incorporating a disintegrant uniformly dispersed therein; characterised in that the granules comprise a continuous phase of said non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and further characterised in that the tablet composition comprises silicon dioxide present in an amount of 0.05-5.0% by weight of the composition. Preferably, the composition also contains an extra-granular component comprising the silicon dioxide and a lubricant. Further preferably the NSAID is ibuprofen which has a melting point in the range 75-77° C. Optionally the melting process can be carried out in an extruder. Tablets containing advantageous processing properties and dissolution characteristics are obtained.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items in the environment. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over the wireless interface, through one of the gateways, to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to identifications of certain RFID tagged items to be manipulated which were identified in the received instruction.

Abstract: An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.

Abstract: An improved high frequency connector including an insulative housing, a shield covering the housing, a first terminal and a second terminal defining a switch and securely contacting with each other in normal position. The housing includes an upper insulating case and a lower insulating case with a central cavity, wherein the contact portion of the first and second terminals are extending inside. The second terminal includes a second fixed portion and a second contact portion that is uniform in width up to the second fixed portion before bending forming. The invention is advantageous in that since the second contact portion of the second terminal is uniform in width up to the end of the second fixed portion before being punched and bent to form a contact area, no abrupt change will incur within that region, and therefore providing consistency of impedance, and thus attaining good signal transmission properties.

Abstract: Drink bottle with a promotional object, characterised by the plastic or glass body (1) of the drink bottle being on at least one point provided with a concave recess (2), into which a object (3) is inserted and at least a part of the surface of the drink bottle with the object (3) is covered with wrapping (4), constituting namely the drink bottle label, when the cover (4) is advantageously made of shrink-wrap.

Abstract: Various apparatuses, arrangements, and methods are provided for creating various structures including microstructures. In one embodiment, a method for creating a microstructure is provided comprising packing a plurality of particles into a micromold, and then applying energy to the particles in the micromold. As a result of the application of energy, a microstructure is formed in the micromold out of the particles. Thereafter, the microstructure is removed from the micromold.

Abstract: A method for forming a convex tilting zone (23) at a main body-surface (11) of a transverse element for application in a push belt for a continuously variable transmission comprises the step of applying a die (30) that is placed against the main body surface (11) under pressure. However, the die (30) is pressed against the main body surface (11) just outside of an area where the tilting zone (23) needs to be formed. By applying the die (30), a recessed area (27) is arranged in the main body surface (11), wherein retraction of the material of the transverse element takes place along an upper edge (28) of this area (27). A retraction area that is obtained in this manner is suitable to function as tilting zone (23). An important advantage of the application of the described method is that the pressure that is exerted on the die (30) may be considerably lower than the pressure that is required during conventional processes for forming a tilting zone (23).