Abstract: This invention teaches to the details of an interference suppressing receiver for suppressing intra-cell and inter-cell interference in coded, multiple-access, spread spectrum transmissions that propagate through frequency selective communication channels to a multiplicity of receive antennas. The receiver is designed or adapted through the repeated use of symbol-estimate weighting, subtractive suppression with a stabilizing step-size, and mixed-decision symbol estimates. Receiver embodiments may be designed, adapted, and implemented explicitly in software or programmed hardware, or implicitly in standard RAKE-based hardware either within the RAKE (i.e., at the finger level) or outside the RAKE (i.e., at the user or subchannel symbol level). Embodiments may be employed in user equipment on the forward link or in a base station on the reverse link. It may be adapted to general signal processing applications where a signal is to be extracted from interference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlled displacement, rotation and deformation of parts of a fiber optic collimator so as to provide multiple degrees of adjustment freedom that are decoupled one from another, for adjusting the path of a light beam, comprising: an output elongate hollow node for passing a light beam therethrough and towards a lens, and an elongate hollow base node having separate top and bottom parts connected to each other by opposed ends of a plurality of flexible rods that restrict the relative movement between the top and bottom parts of the base node to substantially only translational parallel movement. Opposed portions of the top and bottom parts of the base node each include a respective screw and an opposed slanted surface, which upon interaction, develop a shearing force which is applied to the top and bottom parts of the base node and cause a translational parallel relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A mechanism for an office chair includes an adjusting device and an electromotive drive used to actuate the adjusting device to simplify manipulation of the adjusting device for changing a movement characteristic of the office chair.

Abstract: Modular authentication and session management involves the use of discrete modules to perform specific tasks in a networked computing environment. There may be a separate authentication server that verifies the identity of the user and an authorization client that grants various levels of access to users. There may also be an authentication client that receives an initial request from a requesting application and forwards the request to the authentication server to verify the identity of the use. The authorization client may then be invoked to provide the necessary level of access. The use of discrete modules allows multiple business applications to use the same modules to perform user authentication tasks, thus alleviating the unnecessary multiplication of code.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixture comprising protolichesterinic acid or a salt thereof or a diastereoisomer thereof or a derivative thereof, and lichesterinic acid or a salt thereof or an enantiomer thereof or a derivative thereof, for use for stimulating pigmentation of the skin and/or of its appendages. The invention also relates to derivatives of lichesterinic acid of formula (A).

Abstract: The fibre comprises a core (2) having an index N and diameter of 10 ?m or more, surrounded by a ring (4) having an index N+?n and thickness ?R, and cladding (6) surrounding the ring and comprising for example air gaps (8). According to the invention: ?n?10?3 and ?R=?/(?n)? [1] where: 5×10?4 ?m???5×10?2 ?m and 0.5???1.5. The numbers ? and ? are dependent on the wavelength ? of the light guided by the fibre, the number of missing gaps therein, the diameter d of the gaps, the spacing ? thereof and N. To design the fibre, ?, the number of missing gaps, d/?, the core doping content, ?0 and ?n are chosen; and ?R is determined using equation [1] so as to obtain a flattened fundamental mode.

Abstract: The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts.

Abstract: One-to-many comparisons of callers' voice prints with known voice prints to identify any matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customer's and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a customer voice print, and it formats the segmented voice print for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's voice print with multiple known voice prints to determine any matches, meaning that the customer's voice print and one of the known voice prints are likely from the same person. The identification of any matches can be used for a variety of purposes, such as determining whether to authorize a transaction requested by the customer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shaft and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shaft, the motor to apply torque to the roller tube through rotation of the motor casing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for heating an object (6) in an intense magnetic field, comprising:—a light source (1), an optic fibre (2) for transporting the light emitted by said light source (1) and emitting a beam of light in the direction of the object (6) to be heated, a converging optical system (3), a diaphragm (4) positioned at the focusing point of the optical system (3),—a reflector (5), whereof the inner wall is defined by the revolution of a semi-parabola around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the parabola and passing through the focal point of said parabola, the optical axis of said reflector (5) coinciding with the optical axis (A) of the optical system (3) and the focal point (F?) of said reflector coinciding with the focusing point of said optical system (3).

Abstract: A process management system uses a radio frequency identification (RFID) detection system in the form of, for example, a phased array antenna based RFID detection system to track and manage material storage and flow in a manufacturing process or plant. The process management system operates in conjunction with the various machines that implement manufacturing stages or steps of the manufacturing process to assure that the correct materials and processing procedures are used at or on the various production machines of the process to produce a particular product as defined by a job number or job order. The process management system is thereby able to increase the efficiencies of the plant and to increase the quality of the plant production by reducing or eliminating waste, manufacturing errors and shipping errors in the production facility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-Axl antibodies and uses thereof in diagnostic and therapeutic methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody having specificity for Axl comprising an heavy chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO:2 in the H-CDR1 region, SEQ ID NO:3 in the H-CDR2 region and SEQ ID NO:4 in the H-CDR3 region; and a light chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO: 6 in the L-CDR1 region, SEQ ID NO:7 in the L-CDR2 region and SEQ ID NO:8 in the L-CDR3 region. Said monoclonal antibody binds to the extracellular domain of Axl via, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO: 10.

Abstract: A system and method for generating popup content in response to user's actions within an enabled web page is disclosed. Generation of the popup occurs in response to a user triggered event which invokes a script referencing a secondary web page to display within the bounds of the enabled web page. The user triggered event results from movement of a mouse pointer or a keyboard event which may indicate a user's intention to exit the web page by closing the web browser window or navigating to a different web site or web page. The resulting popup is contained within the web page content itself, thereby resulting in a less intrusive popup display and avoiding the effects of popup suppression utilities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to security systems that utilize electromagnetic radiation. The security system includes an authentication security document, an authentication system, and a process for authenticating security documents. The security document includes a document body with an RFID and body information pertinent to the security document. The RFID inlay includes a radiopaque material or other material that is opaque to ranges of electromagnetic radiation. The authentication system for secured documents includes an electromagnetic scanning device, a document with a document body, and the RFID device. The scanning device includes a secured device inlet suitable to accept the document body and a display that shows the results of the electromagnetic bombardment of the document body. The process for authenticating security documents includes positioning within the scanning device the security document to create a radiated image thereof that displays the inlay information.

Abstract: An OFDM signal transmission apparatus is provided, which includes a mapping unit configured to map first signals into N subcarriers and second signals into M subcarrier(s) to form an OFDM signal, wherein N is larger than M. The first signals are each indicating a same bit of retransmission information and the second signals are each indicating a same bit of information other than retransmission information. The OFDM signal transmission apparatus further includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the formed OFDM signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnosis of active tuberculosis, comprising a step of contacting lymphocytes of a patient suspected to have active tuberculosis with at least one protein of mycobacteria, said protein being an enzyme having a lipolytic activity, and a step of detecting the presence of specific activated lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and process for monitoring the existence of secured, marked digital files. A cryptographic token inertly embedded in markup language tags of digital files is sought in relation to external, third-party databases, e.g. files over the Internet. Instances of files lacking the cryptographic token are identified.

Abstract: An encoding device for a flow of digital images comprises: a working memory (42) for already decoded image blocks data, a pilot (40), mounted to analyze an incidental flow of data of digital images, and arranged to determine data to be decoded of a current block, said data to be decoded being of the complete data type or of the parameters-data type, to store the complete data in the working memory (42) as already decoded image blocks data, and to call a decoding unit (48) with the parameters-data, the decoding unit (48) reacting to the reception of parameters-data by: selecting some already decoded image blocks, forming an approximation base, which borders the current block according to a selected rule, calculating an approximation of the current block, based on a linear algebraic function of the approximation base data, and storing in the working memory (42), for the current block, already decoded image blocks data derived from this approximation.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly within a housing with the battery assembly electrically connected to the atomizer assembly. The housing has one or more air inlets. A liquid storage component is in contact with a porous component of the atomizer assembly, with the porous component having a run-through hole. A heating wire is in an air flow path through the run-through hole.

Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for creating additional interest and participation for attendees at, or viewers of, live events and for fans and audience members observing or following along on television or the internet. The system provides a “game within a game” for an event by allowing participating patrons to predict event outcomes before or during the event, even on a short term real-time basis. The participant is rewarded for correct guesses and can even be given recognition at the event on a display (e.g. scoreboard) or jumbo screen. The participant can also earn points for using the system, even when guessing wrong. Participation and attendance are rewarded and the user can redeem points at the venue, further encouraging attendance.