Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly and method employing one or more fiber movement supports. The one or more fiber movement supports are each disposed around one or more optical fibers and are configured to inhibit kinks or sharp bends from occurring in the one or more optical fibers. The fiber movement support is more rigid than an optical fiber. Thus, when a force is exerted on an optical fiber in a direction angled to the axis of the optical fiber, the force is directed to the fiber movement support. The fiber movement support translates the non-axial force in a direction toward the axis of the optical fiber. This causes the optical fiber to be pushed back towards the fiber optic cable instead of the kinking or bending the optical fiber, thus avoiding or reducing high insertion losses resulting from bending of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packet switch and a packet switching method. An example embodiment of the present invention comprises at least three network ports, at least one instrument port, a mux-switch, a packet switch fabric, and an address table. The embodiment updates the address table to include the source address of each ingress packet of each network port and associate the source address with that network port. The mux-switch routes the ingress packet traffic of each network port according to the identity of the network port so that at least a copy of the packet traffic of one of the network ports is routed to an instrument port. The packet switch fabric routes the packets from the instrument ports to the network ports according the destination address of the packet and the identity of the network port that is associated with the destination address as recorded in the address table.

Abstract: A method of making tough, water-proof building panels depositing a first fiber-rich layer onto a support, the first fiber-rich layer having a width defined by first and second side edges, a length direction, and a top surface; placing foam blocks on the first layer, lengths of the foam blocks extending generally between the first and second side edges of the first fiber-rich layer; depositing a second fiber-rich layer onto the combination of the first fiber-rich layer and the foam blocks, thereby to develop an uncured precursor to the building panel; and curing the uncured precursor to the building panel thereby to make a generally rigid structural building panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and posting media is provided. For example, the invention allows a user to quickly create, signal process, encode, and transfer media files to a server for storage, posting, distribution, and retrieval. Thus, media such as audio, video, display, photo, spreadsheet, Web Clips, and HTML pages can be combined into a media file for uploading to a server and accessed from listings posted at web sites. In accordance with embodiments, a user downloads and installs a plug-in at the user's client computer. The user then registers and logs onto the server to perform various tasks. For example, the user can create a combined audio and photo media file at the client computer, in accordance with server based control parameters received from the system server. The plug-in then allows the user to perform digital signal processing and encoding of the media file at the client computer.

Abstract: A method and/or apparatus for at least one of: protecting the sub-surface metal refrigerant transport tubing of a DX heat pump system from corrosive sub-surface environments via a specially designed protective coating; efficiently insulating the sub-surface liquid refrigerant transport line in a DX heat pump system; and enhancing at least one of the convective heat transfer rate and the efficiency of at least a DX heat pump system; and where the outside diameter (“OD”) of a central containment core upon which to roll a spool of sub-surface refrigerant transport tubing is specially sized so as not to damage any tubing insulation and so as to avoid any “S” bends during ground loop installation.

Abstract: A housing including a plurality of light emitting elements respectively positioned within plurality of discrete housing modules, each housing module forming an inside chamber and being disposed on a perimeter of the housing along a horizontal plane directed outwardly. The light emitting elements directing the generated light outwardly and generally downwardly. The chambers include a lens for directing the generated light. The light emitting apparatus may be attached to a structure such as a light pole, a wall, or a ceiling. The light emitting apparatus may have a hollow center to enclose the surveillance camera, and may also have an opening at the bottom, covered by a transparent cover, through which the camera may capture images of the outside of the apparatus.

Abstract: Improved roof cable bolts with reduced protrusion from a mine roof. Particularly, a roof cable bolt head can preferably be dimensioned such that most of its length fits inside a drilled hole in the mine roof.

Abstract: Optical interconnection methods for high-speed data-rate optical transport systems are disclosed that optically interconnect active assemblies to a fiber optic cable in a polarization-preserving manner. The methods include defining active-assembly-wise connector ports that connect to active assembly transmit and receive ports, and defining or establishing a pairings method between the active-assembly-wise connector ports. In a first optical interconnection assembly, an active-assembly-wise port is optically connected to a cable-wise port. In the second optical interconnection assembly, the cable-wise port that corresponds to the connected cable-wise port in the first optical interconnection assembly is optically connected to a select active-assembly-wise port as defined by the pairings method. The optical connection process is then repeated from the second to the first optical interconnection assembly. The optical interconnection acts are repeated until all of the active-assembly-wise ports are connected.

Abstract: A braking assembly includes a depressible brake pedal. The brake pedal remains in a neutral position when not depressed. A link arm is mechanically linked with the brake pedal. The link arm moves as a function of a position of the brake pedal. A bell crank is mechanically linked with the link arm. The bell crank moves as a function of a position of the link arm. A stop member moves with the bell crank. The stop member abuts against the link arm to prevent the brake pedal from over-travelling beyond a predetermined distance past the neutral position after the depressed brake pedal is released.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tabbed divider making apparatus preferably adapted for use with smaller, more individualized jobs in an office or the like. The apparatus preferably includes a paper feeder, a film provider, a knife package for shearing a portion of the paper to create a tab, at least one strut, a pivotable arm, at least one spring, and a cam having an oblong shape. The rotation of the cam preferably causes movement between loaded and unloaded positions of the spring, which causes the knife package to shear the paper. Also disclosed is a removable film cartridge for use with the apparatus. The cartridge preferably includes a housing, a roll of film, one or more rollers, a creasing finger for creasing the film, and two or more opposed extensions for folding the film along the crease. Further disclosed is a method of producing a tabbed divider utilizing the above-mentioned apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral flow assay and system, including a test strip, for detection and quantification of analytes in samples, such as samples containing cells and fluid. In general, according to the present invention, a test strip for a lateral flow assay for detection of at least one analyte in a sample comprises: (1) a chromatographic strip, a sample filter, a fluid-impermeable barrier, and means for providing a mobilizable detectable agent that is capable of binding to the at least one analyte or to the capture agent after capturing the analyte to the chromatographic strip such that the mobilizable detectable agent migrates through the chromatographic strip and contacts sample that has passed through the sample filter and also has migrated through the chromatographic strip. The test strip allows detection with or without quantitation of an analyte in a sample containing whole cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting one or both of the native material in an object and any foreign material in the object by parallel-mode spectroscopy, comprising parallel-mode data acquisition, signal processing and data reduction and providing results. Parallel-mode data acquisition comprises producing an interrogating signal simultaneously containing electromagnetic radiation of sufficient bandwidth in the range of approximately 10 GHz to approximately 25 THz to allow simultaneous detection of a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies, each signal being at some amplitude, which collectively provide a unique spectral signature of a material whose detection is desired. The signal processing and data reduction comprises processing a signal resulting from exposing the object to the interrogating radiation to produce a three-dimensional data matrix representative of at least any foreign or native material associated with the object.

Abstract: An approach is provided for processing structure Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. Memory storing edge information and a posteriori probability information associated with a structured parity check matrix used to generate Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coded signal are accessed. The edge information represent relationship between bit nodes and check nodes, and are stored according to a predetermined scheme that permits concurrent retrieval of a set of the edge information.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing electronic features for creating a customized media player interface for an electronic device include providing a graphical user interface design area having a plurality of display elements. Electronic input signals then may define for association with selected display elements one or more electronic actions relative to the initiation and control of media files accessible by the electronic device (e.g., playing, pausing, stopping, adjusting play speed, adjusting volume, adjusting current file position, toggling modes such as repeat or shuffle, and/or establishing, viewing and/or clearing a playlist.) Additional electronic input signals may define for association with selected display elements labels such as action identification labels or media status labels.

Abstract: The present invention describes an alternative approach to increase GABA production in prokaryotes or eukaryotes, namely by the insertion of the putrescine catabolic pathway in organisms where the pathway does not exist or has not clearly been identified. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode functional putrescine aminotransferase (PAT) and gamma-aminobutyricaldehyde dehydrogenase (GABAlde DeHase) polypeptides in plants to increase GABA production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Changes in GABA availability will improve growth and increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress.