Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for estimating motion vectors having as an input a first image frame and a second image frame, each containing a plurality of pixels representing an image. The apparatus comprises: a pyramid processor for decimating a search area within the first image frame to produce a reduced resolution search area and for decimating a block of pixels in the second image frame to produce a reduced resolution pixel block; global search system for performing a global search within the reduced resolution search area using the reduced resolution pixel block until the reduced resolution pixel block substantially matches a matching block of pixels in the reduced resolution search area; and subsystem for computing an estimated motion vector representing a distance between a location of the reduced resolution pixel block within the second image frame and a location of the matching block of pixels within the first image frame.

Abstract: A speculum includes manually operated scissor arms with keyed shafts at the ends of each arm adapted to receive speculum jaw or blade members supported on the shaft in a desired, adjustable orientation. The speculum blades include a self-contained fiber optic light source. An optional sleeve with shape memory characteristics may be used in combination with the speculum jaw members.

Abstract: A motorcycle chassis having two axially aligned internally threaded pin receiving bushings secured in axially aligned passages extending through opposed sides of the motorcycle chassis;a swing arm having opposed ends in which are positioned bearings, the bearing having axially aligned pin receiving apertures;a pair of mounting pins, each of the mounting pins having a first end, a second end, and an externally threaded body, the externally threaded body being sized to mate with the internally threaded pin receiving bushings;a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an external diameter sized to fit within the passages of the motorcycle chassis and an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the body of the mounting pin, such that the sleeve slides over the mounting pin, the second end of the sleeve having a flange;threaded main body of each of the mounting pins being mated with the internally threaded pin receiving bushings in the motorcycle chassis until the first end of the mounting p

Abstract: A connector adapted to facilitate medicinal access into an intravenous tube includes a housing having a base and a cap defining a channel through the housing. A valve element disposed in the channel includes a plug and elastomeric shaft which biases the plug into sealing engagement with the housing. Operation of the connector by inserting a male Luer fitting in the housing axially compresses the valve element to a canted position thereby permitting medicinal access through the channel and into the intravenous tube. Canting of the valve element can be facilitated by providing a finger along the channel or by providing a predetermined buckling section along the valve element. The shaft of the valve element can be rounded and disposed in an arcuate cavity of the housing to further facilitate canting of the valve element.

Abstract: A machine for peeling and cleaning fruits and vegetables using a plurality of rotating abrasive rollers which are each driven by an electric motor. The machine has a frame with a pair of end plates that rotatively carry the rollers. Each motor is carried by an end plate and coupled to a roller solely to drive only that roller. In one preferred embodiment, the motor is coupled to a gear reducer that preferably is a cycloidal gear reducer having an output shaft coupled to one end of a roller and which has an output shaft axis of rotation generally coaxial with the axis of rotation of the roller. In another preferred embodiment, the motor can be directly coupled to the roller with its output shaft axis of rotation generally coaxial with the roller axis of rotation. To control operation and speed of the abrasive rollers, the motors are controlled by a motor controller that preferably is a variable frequency electric motor drive.

Abstract: A zoomable beamspreader is disclosed having two lenses arranged in closely spaced, confronting relationship, with each lens incorporating an array of alternating positive and negative lens segments. One of the two lenses is controllably movable relative to the other, in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis, between a non-spread position, in which the positive and negative lens segments of one lens are aligned with the respective negative and positive lens segments of the other lens, and a spread position, in which the positive and negative lens segments of one lens are aligned with the respective positive and negative lens segments of the other lens. The two lenses can take any of several alternative forms, including a one-dimensional array of cylindrical lens segments, for providing a zoomable beamspread along just one dimension, and a two-dimensional array of spheric or aspheric lens segments, for providing a zoomable beamspread along both dimensions.

Abstract: An electrically heatable warming device for warming up substances contained in a receptacle having a housing whose upper part is constructed as a cup for receiving therein a water bath, the receptacle to be introduced in said water bath. The bottom of the cup is a metallic heating plate and a heating element is at least one PTC resistance element arranged directly below the heating plate. A thermostat switch is provided for controlling the temperature and is connected to a heat-conducting member arranged laterally on the cup wall, the thermostat switch being arranged at a location where it is subjected to the direct influence of the heating element.

Abstract: A trocar system comprising a rack apparatus and a trocar device are disclosed. The trocar device is adapted for insertion into a body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity, using the rack apparatus which eliminates the need for cavity insufflation. The rack apparatus comprises a movable member which attaches adhesively to the external skin surface of the body wall overlying the body cavity. Means are provided moving the member attached to the skin away from the body cavity in order to lift the abdominal region and create a separation between the body wall and the underlying internal organs. This separation permits the obdurator portion of a trocar device to be inserted with a minimum risk of cutting any internal organs. The trocar device comprises applicator and trocar components. The trocar components comprises a cylindrical trocar tube and detachable obdurator.

Abstract: The invention provides nuclease protection assay comprising: (A) attaching a nucleic acid probe comprising a first nucleotide sequence to a solid surface area; (B) contacting the nucleic acid probe with a nucleic acid template under conditions that promote hybridization between complementary polynucleotides, forming a probe-template complex if the template includes a segment that is complementary to the probe; (C) contacting the probe-template complex with a nuclease effective to selectively cleave the nucleotide bonds of (1) the first nucleotide sequence when the first nucleotide sequence is single stranded or (2) mismatched regions of the first nucleotide sequence when the first nucleotide sequence is in duplex nucleic acid; and (D) detecting the presence of duplex nucleic acids formed by the probe and template nucleic acids by detecting the presence of the first nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: A method for indexing video sequences relative to a reference model. A system implementing the method includes an (optional) image pre-processor that produces the reference model or is provided the reference model. The pre-processor is then provided input image data such as a video sequence containing a series of frames of a particular scene. The pre-processor performs a transformation to align the images within the video sequence with the reference model. The pre-processor then stores the transformation, the reference model and the image data within a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive. Subsequently, the system provides access to the information stored within the mass storage device through a user interface. The user may recall and position on a computer screen the reference model, select a particular point within the reference model, and request that the system produce all of the image data that contains that particular point within the reference model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the parameters of a PLL in a communication system. The method measures the rate of transmission of clock reference information by measuring the time of arrival of successive clock references or the difference of the clock reference values. The method applies the measured transmission rate to a plurality of predefined transmission rate ranges to acquire the proper gain factor values. These gain factor values are used to control the responsiveness of the PLL to new clock reference information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting a rejection response by a primate to a transplanted organ. One exposes the primate to a mutant diphtheria toxin linked to anti-CD3 antibody so as to largely eliminate the host's peripheral blood T cell lymphocyte population. At the same time as, or after, the exposure step one administers to the primate's thymus gland donor lymphocytes. Transplantation of the organ follows. The primate is tolerized to the transplanted organ.

Abstract: An aquaculture system for growing aquatic animals such as fish and crustaceans is shown and described. A rigid-walled floating tank is positioned in a body of water, a volume of water being provided to the tank via a floating pump assembly that is positioned in the body of water external to the tank. An inlet of the pump assembly is movable and may be positioned in a desired location and depth of the body of water, such that clean water that is free of surface contaminants and that is at a selected temperature is provided to the tank. The introduction of new water to the tank displaces and discharges a volume of water from the tank, thereby renewing the oxygen source in the tank and removing dissolved waste products such as ammonia. Additional oxygen may be injected into the water at different locations via oxygen diffusers.

Abstract: A wood treatment composition. The composition comprises a stain vehicle wherein the stain vehicle comprises modified tung and linseed oils, a co-solvent, a foam control agent, an alkali, a surfactant, at least one UV-light blocker, a free radical scavenger, a drier catalysts and an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: An apparatus and a concomitant method for encoding video frame sequences (input images) using overlapping block motion compensation in conjunction with zerotree wavelet coding. The method partitions each input image into a plurality of overlapping blocks and applies wavelet transform on the partitioned input image. Various optional quantization processes can be selectively applied to determine an optimal quantizer scale for each wavelet coefficient. Zerotree coding is then optionally applied to selectively prune the wavelet coefficients. Finally, the quantized coefficients are encoded into a bitstream.

Abstract: A grapple includes a ferrous body with a plurality of tines pivotally connected thereto. A magnetic coil is disposed within the ferrous body. When the magnetic coil is energized, it creates a magnetic field within the area defined by the tines. The tines are also magnetized by the field. Additional magnetic coils may be added to one or more of the tines.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eyeglass frame having a portion of the frame removably coupled to the body of the frame to permit the removal and replacement of the lenses in the frame. The frame includes a shoulder member that serves as a retainer plate and includes a leg portion and a recess located between the leg and a rear portion of the frame. A mechanism for disengaging the recess member can be accessed through the recess and pull of the leg portion to release the retaining member so that lenses can be removed and inserted.