Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter.

Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral prosthetic disk. The prosthesis comprises a male component with a support plate, an attachment element allowing fixation to a vertebra, and an articulating projection, and a female component with a support plate, an attachment element allowing fixation to a vertebra, and a circular pocket with angled walls suitable for receiving the articulating projection. The male component is placed inside the female component, and the two components are attached to the adjacent vertebrae and act as a replacement for a disk. The prosthesis allows for a natural range of motion for the patient.

Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter.

Abstract: An electrochromic device (10) for windows, displays, rear view mirrors, eye wear and other applications includes three layers (2), (4) and (5) of electrochromic materials and an electrolyte, with the transmittance of the layers (2) and (5) being variable by an applied electrical field, and protective layer (4) being transparent and not contributing to the coloration/bleaching of device. The protective layer (4) is made of the same electrochromic material as the electrochromic layer on the opposing side of the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intervertebral prosthetic disk. The prosthesis includes a male component with a support plate, an attachment element allowing fixation to a vertebra, and an articulating projection defining a concave lower surface. The prosthesis also includes a female component with a support plate, an attachment element allowing fixation to a vertebra, and a circular pocket with a flat bottom and angled walls suitable for receiving the articulating projection. A generally hemispheric bearing is provided between the male and female components. The hemispheric bearing includes an upper convex surface for cooperating with the concave lower surface of the articulating projection of the male component and a flat lower surface for cooperating with the flat bottom surface of the circular pocket of the female component.

Abstract: A network system for providing efficient transmission of real-time data and non-real-time data between a plurality of network devices, including an arbitration mechanism that provides a low cost and high performance mechanism for delivery of quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive data sharing a local area with non-time-sensitive data. Device adapters are placed at all access points to a local network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. An X-Hub placed at the center of the network provides for transparent, concurrent transport of signals transmitted by device adapters. Collisions may therefore be eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters and the X-Hub. The time reference defines a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases defines a state of the X-Hub, and a state for each of the device adapters.

Abstract: A sight glass filter and check valve apparatus for use in a fluid line. The apparatus includes a housing, first and second couplers connected to the housing, a sight glass assembly, a filter assembly, and a check valve assembly. The housing includes a pair of coordinated apertures. Each of the couplers includes a first end and a second end with the first ends threadedly received by the housing and the second ends connected to the fluid line. The sight glass assembly is disposed within the housing in alignment with the apertures. The filter assembly is disposed between the housing and the first coupler. The check valve assembly is disposed between the housing and the second coupler.

Abstract: A simulation method for imaging of an underwater object is performed by simulating the object with a test panel having several strips of different brightness, and irradiating the test panel with a pulsed laser beam having three primary colors. From the reflected beam pulses, contrast values of the test stripes are computed for reflected pulses of each color in relation to the turbidity and visibility distance. The method may be used in conjunction with an imaging apparatus having a laser generation device which produces three primary colors of three different wavelengths; a laser beam detection device to receive the reflected beam pulses of respective primary colors, to determine intensities of the reflected beam pulses of respective primary colors, and to output three primary color signals to an image monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of client and server software communicating with each other via the internet to create and maintain a multi-user role-playing game. The virtual world of the game is presented to each user by means of text and dimensional audio. The virtual world of the game is infinitely expandable and updateable, and the software reacts to user inputs to make the virtual world change according to user actions. New users may join an in-progress game at any time.

Abstract: A universal seat carrier panel for office chairs is provided with a panel member for arrangement of a chair column, a seat carrier or the like and with a slideway integrated in the panel member for adjustability of an arm-rest holder in the horizontal longitudinal direction with respect to the office chair.

Abstract: Blow-off nozzles are used for creating a high-energy air blast, for drying metal panels prior to painting. Depth or reach of penetration (in the atmosphere) is important. A bullet is provided in the center of the nozzle. The bullet is aerodynamically faired, for minimum drag. The effect of the bullet is to create a low pressure area in the jet downstream of the nozzle. The low pressure area serves to hold the jet together, preventing spreading, to a degree that enables a significant increase in penetration distance. The bullet is mounted on faired arms, which are secured to the walls of the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of treatment using compounds which are dual non-selective beta-adrenoceptor and alpha-1-adrenoceptor antagonists, in particularly the carbazolyl-(4)-oxypropanolainine compounds of Formula 1, as defined herein, for inhibiting the expression of Fas, a cell surface protein.

Abstract: A fly fishing reel comprises a large diameter spool having a broad width and a shallow line storage depth. The reel may have an arm-like body and a unique mounting member which, when attached to a fishing rod, positions the perimeter of the spool across a longitudinal axis of the rod. In an additional aspect, a drag mechanism is provided in a center hub of the spool. The drag mechanism is a unidirectional dual cone drag mechanism. The drag mechanism comprises a pair of opposing frictional conical race members, an inner race member inserted into an outer race member. The race members are biased into contact to create drag on the rotating spool. A roller clutch is utilized to produce a unidirectional drag mechanism. The roller clutch is configured to lock thereby causing relative rotation of the race members creating frictional drag only when the spool is rotated in the "reeling out direction.

Abstract: An adjustable-height armrest is provided with an armrest column, an armrest carrier which is telescopically displaceable in height on the column, an arm support located thereon and a catching system for fixing the armrest carrier with respect to the armrest column in graduated height positions. The catching system consists, on the one hand, of a double row, extending vertically in the armrest column, of mutually aligned latching recesses which are connected to one another via slots. A locking unit comprising two mutually engaging locking bolts which are displaceable relative to one another is also arranged on the armrest carrier. These locking bolts each have a latching head for the latching recesses and a narrower web adapted to the contour of the orifices. The webs are aligned with the orifices when the locking unit is released.

Abstract: Liquid-enzyme-dosing device which consists in projecting the enzymatic liquid by injection onto the end product. Dosing is highly accurate, metered by an in-piping positive-displacement flow rate meter. Regulation of dosing is carried out using a motorized microregulation valve. Monitoring of dosing takes place in a microprocessor which combines all the functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fly fishing reel comprises a large diameter spool having a broad width and a shallow line storage depth. The reel may have an arm-like body and a unique mounting member which, when attached to a fishing rod, positions the perimeter of the spool across a longitudinal axis of the rod. In an additional aspect, a drag mechanism is provided in a center hub of the spool. The drag mechanism is a unidirectional dual cone drag mechanism. The drag mechanism comprises a pair of opposing frictional conical race members, an inner race member inserted into an outer race member. The race members are biased into contact to create drag on the rotating spool. A roller clutch is utilized to produce a unidirectional drag mechanism. The roller clutch is configured to lock thereby causing relative rotation of the race members creating frictional drag only when the spool is rotated in the "reeling out direction.

Abstract: An interactive multi-player computer hosted game employs an unstructured telecommunications link, such as the Internet, between a game server and a plurality of game clients. A game server, associated with a game driver, performs a performance monitoring function to determine an optimal bandwidth for each connection to a game client. Each information packet generated by the game driver is prioritized and queued for transmission in order of relevance for the game client. The game server then optimizes the transmission of information packets through the telecommunication network to the game client. Processed user input is received through the telecommunication network from the game client and transmitted to the game driver.