Abstract: In a protocol for preserving the privacy of communications between a RFID reader and a RFID tag, two distinct actions are taken. First, the reader and the tag must be mutually authenticated as being authorized participants in the communications. After that process is successfully completed, the authenticity of each authorized participant must be validated prior to each subsequent communication between reader and tag.

Abstract: Power distribution devices, systems and methods for a Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) distributed communication system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interconnect unit is coupled between a head-end unit and one or more remote units. The interconnect unit includes a plurality of optical communication links each configured to carry RoF signals to and from a head-end unit to remote units. The RF electrical signals from the head-end unit are converted to RF optical signals and communicated over the optical communication links in the interconnect unit to the remote units. The remote units convert the optical signals to electrical signals and communicate the electrical signals to client devices. To provide power to the remote units, the interconnect unit electrically couples power from at least one power supply to a plurality of power branches. Each power branch is configured to supply power to a remote unit connected to the interconnect unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods for use in ultrasound guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The ultrasound devices of the present invention include an ultrasound transducer. The devices can also include means and methods for imaging a virtual probe overlaying the sonogram formed by the ultrasound device such that a real time image of the probe approach to the target may be observed during and after probe placement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing textual messages which are integrated with one or more digital attachments is described. These systems and methods are useful in the electronic filing and processing of, for example, image data, and of textual data associated with the image data. One particular application of these systems and methods would be for the electronic filing and processing of dental x-rays with patient claim forms.

Abstract: Duplex fiber optic connectors and fiber optic cable assemblies suitable for polarity reversal along with methods of polarity reversal are disclosed. The duplex fiber optic connector assemblies and fiber optic cable assemblies allow rotation of individual fiber optic connectors within the housing assembly for polarity reversal. In one embodiment, the duplex fiber optic cable assembly may use a single boot and a single fiber optic cable, thereby reducing the backside footprint of the cable assembly for improved access and/or airflow. In another embodiment, the housing of the duplex assembly has integral detents to limit rotation, and may further include a removable trigger mechanism and/or a rotatable boot to facilitate polarity reversal.

Abstract: Furcation assemblies (100) for furcating a fiber optic drop cable (10) are disclosed. An example furcation assembly includes a furcation member (110) having an elongate furcation body (112) defining an axial channel (130) with a front section (132). The channel front section is configured to accommodate and be secured to either a buffer tube (30) of a buffered drop cable or a protective cover (20) of an unbuffered drop cable. A flexible guide (150) is secured to the furcation member back end. A flexible protection member (180) slidably fits within the guide back end and is telescopically adjustable relative thereto. To create a cable assembly (200) using the furcation assembly, the furcation member is secured to the drop cable so that the optical fiber (40) carried thereby is passed through the furcation member, through the guide and through the protection member to form an exposed fiber section.

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly comprising an adapter assembly defining an internal cavity, a first end for a receiving a first fiber optic connector, and a second end for receiving a second fiber optic connector, wherein the first and the second fiber optic connectors are dissimilar. A fiber optic connection comprising a first fiber optic connector comprising a connector housing, a first multi-fiber ferrule, and a clearance about an end face of the first multi-fiber ferrule for clearing a ferrule surround during connector mating, and a second connector that is a FOCIS 5 compliant MTP connector.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: An expandable fixture for various linear lamp lengths that includes telescoping segments and a lamp connector connected to one or more of the telescoping segments. The telescoping segments defines a longitudinal axis and includes at least two segments slidably engaged with each other. In this way, the length of the expandable fixture may be increased and decreased along the longitudinal axis of the expandable fixture. The expandable fixture may include a mechanism to lock the expandable fixture at the adjusted length. In a typical version, the expandable fixture may have a length of about forty-eight (48) inches when fully extended and about twenty-four (24) inches when fully contracted, with the electrical ballast being housed within the fixture.

Abstract: Push-pull fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies having a latch that is actuated by a cam surface are disclosed. The fiber optic connectors include a ferrule and a housing having the latch. A shroud fits over a portion of the housing and allows the craft to grab the shroud and push the shroud and hence the fiber optic connector into a suitable adapter or the like. Likewise, the craft can grab the shroud and pull on the same to remove the fiber optic connector out of the adapter or the like. The cam surface is disposed on a decoupling member, wherein the decoupling member is attached to the shroud so the components can move together. Methods of making the push-pull fiber optic connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wristband is provided. The wristband includes an elongated first body, an elongated second body, and an adhesive coupling system all of which are disposed in layers. The first body, which is the upper layer has an outer surface that is a printing surface. The second body, which is the lower layer is made from a comfortable fibrous sheet material. The adhesive is disposed between the two bodies, thereby coupling the bodies together. A portion at one end of the second body, a tab portion, has a release coating on the inner surface. In this configuration, the tab can be removed and the adhesive underneath can be attached to the other end of the wristband. As the tab is part of the second body, as opposed to a separate release liner, the wristband may be disposed on a roll and passed through a label printer.

Abstract: High voltage high current regulator circuit for regulating current is interposed between first and second terminals connected to an external circuit and comprises at least one main-current carrying cold-cathode field emission electron tube conducting current between the first and second terminals. First and second grid-control cold-cathode field emission electron tubes provide control signals for first and second grids of the at least one main-current carrying cold-cathode field emission electron tube for positive and negative excursions of voltage on the first and second terminals, respectively. The current regulator circuit may be accompanied by a voltage-clamping circuit that includes at least one cold-cathode field emission electron tube.

Abstract: A portable flooring system has one or more edge attachment members which can be used to quickly connect and secure panels or slats of the flooring system for deployment, installation and use, in one embodiment, the edge attachment elements are ultrasonically welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the flooring panels.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for insulating piping installed in an exterior wall in a manner that protects the piping from freezing. Generally, the system includes an insulation block that has an interior side, an exterior side and a slot formed therein for receiving a pipe to be insulated adjacent the interior side, wherein the block is dimensioned particularly for installation into a building wall cavity. When installed, the block insures that the piping is positioned immediately adjacent the back surface of the interior sheathing material. The insulation block reliably provides a thickness of insulation material behind the piping such that the insulation material is positioned between the piping and the exterior wall surface while also maintaining the piping in contact with the rear surface of the interior wall sheathing to facilitate heat transfer from the interior of the building and into the piping.

Abstract: The invention is a composition administrable orally to provide systemic glutathione (reduced) and a method for providing systemic glutathione by oral administration of glutathione (reduced) in a liposome encapsulation. The administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oral liposomal glutathione (reduced) results in improvement of symptoms in disease states related to glutathione deficiency such as Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis. Compounds enhancing the effect of the liposomal glutathione are contemplated such as Selenium, EDTA, carbidopa, and levodopa.

Abstract: A method and device for accurately easily and accurately positioning patients with breast cancer in the prone position for imaging and radiotherapy is disclosed. The device is a couch or support structure with a double-layer structure that allows relative planar motion between the two layers. To easily slide the top layer, an array of ball transfer units is embedded on the upper side of the bottom layer while the under side of the top layer has a corresponding array of bearing plates to prevent the ball transfer units from grinding into the top layer. A locking mechanism is specially designed to interlock the two layers safely when a knob handle is tightened. A frame of bars is attached to the bottom layer to constrain translation of the top layer. Each layer has two openings for the through insertion of breasts. When a patient lies in the prone position, the breast to be treated is pendent through the couch, and the untreated breast may be blocked from radiation exposure by a removable opening cover.

Abstract: A water treatment system, such as a water softener, is remotely operated and a method of remotely controlling a water treatment system. In a first embodiment, the water treatment system having a web server is delivered and installed on the users LAN. The user PC is redirected by a remote server to the water treatment system by use of the water treatment system MAC address, IP protocol address and user information. In this manner, the user is able to control the water treatment system and communicate with the remote server. In a second and third embodiment, the water treatment system and user PC communicate indirectly via the remote server. In the second embodiment, the water treatment system is provided with a wireless network interface to couple to the remote server. In the third embodiment, the water treatment system is provided with an internet interface.

Abstract: A control device and a method for controlling scanning speed of a scanner. The control device includes a decision device and a driving device. The decision device further includes an image buffer, an up-down counter and a comparator. The decision device receives the input image data and utilizes the up-down counter to compute data access volume inside the image buffer. The comparator decides whether to increase or decrease the scanning speed according to the data access volume and also outputs decision data to the driving device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for efficiently initializing a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). The method monitors host write operations and uses that information to select the optimal method to perform a parity reconstruction operation. The bins to which data access write operations have not occurred can be initialized using a zeroing process. In one aspect, the method identifies drives in the RAID array capable of receiving a ‘WriteRepeatedly’ command and leverages that capability to eliminate the need for the RAID disk array controller to provide initialization data for all disk array initialization transfers. This reduces the RAID array controller processor and I/O bandwidth required to initialize the array and further reduces the time to initialize a RAID array. In a different aspect, a method is provided for efficiently selecting a host write process for optimal data redundancy and performance in a RAID array.