Abstract: A system and method for registering a software license agreement utilizing user information encoded in a machine readable media is disclosed. A user installs a software program onto a processor-based system. Thereafter, the user provides user-specific information to the program which is encrypted in a machine-readable form. This encrypted user information is then sent to a owner of rights in the software program to be included in a database of registered software users.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spring hinge including forming a spring hinge housing and a hinge member of strip materials, and assembling a unitary assembly formed of at lest the hinge member and a spring member by mounting the spring member on the hinge member while the hinge member is still connected with a strip material from which it is formed, with the separation of the hinge member from the strip material after mounting of the spring member on the hinge member.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a length of pipe has a body with cross-sectional dimensions which are less than the inner diameter of the pipe to be cut. The machine has a plurality of legs which extend radially from the body such that the machine can be fitted within a length of pipe and locked in position by moving the legs radially outward. The machine further has a rotating tool for cutting the inner wall of the length of pipe.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating an exhaust gas stream containing COS and CO arising from chlorinating titanium-containing material with a cold plasma wherein oxygen is present and selectively oxidizing COS.

Abstract: For the reception of TCM modulated signals a receiver is used which comprises two cascaded Viterbi decoders. The first decoder operates according to a soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA), and its output comprises a hard decision on the transmitted symbols as well as a reliability parameter. The output of the first decoder, which is intended essentially to take into account the memory effects of the channel by contrasting the influence of inter-symbol interference, is fed, possibly after a de-interleaving action, to the second Viterbi decoder which carries out the actual decision. The preferred application is to digital communication systems such as microwave radio links.

Abstract: A conductive inflatable member is provided in an electrochemical cell between an electrode and a current for providing uniform contact pressure, and thus uniform electrical contact between the electrode and the current bus. The inflatable member may comprise a pair of flexible plates, where one plate is thinner than the other plate. The cell of the present invention is particularly useful in converting anhydrous hydrogen halide directly to essentially dry halogen gas, such as anhydrous hydrogen chloride to dry chlorine gas, or in converting aqueous hydrogen halide, such as aqueous hydrogen chloride, to wet chlorine gas.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in the rapid quenching of melt-spun polymeric filaments, whereby the filaments are cooled by quenching gas that is accelerated along the threadline by being passed through a tube of smaller dimensions with the filaments before they emerge.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions comprising an acyclic aliphatic hydrofluorocarbon represented by the formula:C.sub.x H.sub.y F.sub.2x+2-ywhere x equals 4, 5 or 6, y equals 1, 2 or 3 with the proviso that when x equals 4, Y equals 2 or 3, and a co-solvent boiling between 200.degree. C.-105.degree. C. that are alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones, chlorinated hydrocarbons, optionally containing fluorine, having 1-4 carbons atoms, acetonitrile and nitromethane.

Abstract: An objective of the invention is to provide a polyacetal resin composition which has excellent resistance to heat aging and grease resistance, has welded sections with no decrease in physical properties, and has improved friction characteristics, and molded articles therefrom. A polyacetal resin composition comprising per 100 parts by weight of a polyacetal resin, 2-7 parts by weight of a polymer composition based on an olefinic polymer having glycidyl-group-containing pendant chains and 0.5-2.5 parts by weight of a dimethyl siloxane polymer of a plasticity of at least one; a polyacetal resin composition further comprising 100 parts by weight of the preceding resin composition along with 0.05-0.5 parts by weight of carbon black; and molded articles therefrom.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions based on polybutylene terephthalate are provided which are useful in high temperature resistant wire coating applications. These compositions generally are four-component alloys with reduced ethylene copolymer (ionomer) content.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer (PFIEP) containing pendant sulfonic acid and/or carboxylic acid groups entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of metal oxide, a network of silica, or a network of metal oxide and silica are prepared from PFIEP and one or more precursors selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide precursor, a silica precursor, and a metal oxide and silica precursor using an in situ process. Such microcomposites have a first set of pores having a pore size diameter ranging from about 0.5 nm to about 75 nm and may further comprise a second set of pores having a diameter ranging from about 75 nm to about 1000 nm. These microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit high catalytic activity for a variety of reactions including, but not limited to, nitrations, esterifications, dimerizations, alkylations, polymerizations, acylations, and isomerizations.

Abstract: A concrete form liner includes a microporous membrane having pores that transmit water, but prevent the passage of particles with a diameter of 2 microns or greater, and a porous sheet having pores in the range of 0.2 microns to 60 microns on one side of the microporous membrane, the porous sheet having an air permeability at least five times greater than that of the microporous membrane. The form liner is permeable to air and water in a concrete mix, but is substantially impermeable to cement particles in the concrete mix. A drainage scrim may be juxtaposed against the side of the microporous membrane opposite the porous sheet.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer resin is extrusion foamed at low temperature using carbon dioxide as the foaming agent.

Abstract: A charger device has a box and two charger jibs. The box has a slot, a channel recess, and a magnet device. Each charger jib has a button, a threaded rod disposed on a bottom of the button, and a probe support device connected to the button. The probe support device has an upper casing, a lower casing coupled with the upper casing, a probe bar disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing, an adjusting seat clamping the upper casing and the lower casing, a nut disposed on a bottom of the adjusting seat, a magnet disk disposed on a bottom of the nut, and the threaded rod passing through the slot, the adjusting seat, and the nut.

Abstract: A process is provided for the bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol in which genes from a bacteria known to possess a diol dehydratase enzyme for 1,2-propanediol degradation are cloned into a bacterial host and the host is grown in the presence of glycerol; expression of the foreign genes in the host cell facilitates the enzymatic conversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol which is isolated from the culture.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transport cover is made of a vapor permeable, water impermeable, synthetic nonwoven sheet. The transport cover is includes a mechanism for firmly attaching the nonwoven sheet in a position on a motor vehicle that covers substantially all of the roof, hood, and front bumper fascia of the vehicle and remains attached at air speeds along the major axis of the vehicle of at least 50 mph. The attachment mechanism is readily releasable and it leaves no visible adhesive residue on the vehicle at the moment the nonwoven sheet is removed from the vehicle. The transport cover does not significantly inhibit access to the covered vehicle and it does not obstruct the view of a driver of the covered vehicle. The transport cover has a front sheet piece made to cover the hood of the covered vehicle and a top sheet piece made to cover the roof of the covered vehicle. Where the covered vehicle is a sedan, the transport cover may also cover the trunk and rear bumper of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for remote postage metering of postage indicia, including demanding a desired postage amount and subsequently printing the postage indicia onto a piece of mail. A user inputs certain necessary information, as well as additional desired information, into a local processor-based system. The local system then assembles a postage demand in suitable format and transmits the same to a remote postage metering device. The remote postage metering device then verifies the demand for authority to demand and valid funding. Upon verification, the remote postage meter assembles a data packet representing an authorized postage indicia. The data packet is transmitted to the local system for printing. Printing of the postage indicia may be unaccompanied, or may include additional information. Such additional information may include destination and return address, machine readable routing or identification information, or a complete document to be posted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of spatial filtering a point distribution representing a structure buried in noise and each of the points of which are defined by n coordinate values of an n-dimensional space, wherein for each point the function representing the number of the points in an area around the point concerned as a function of a dimension of the area is established, and a scaling coefficient equal to the exponent (a) of a simple power function is determined which approximates as near as possible the function determined in step a) in a certain area having the dimension (d), furthermore the scaling coefficients of the points of a n-dimensional stochastic point distribution of a type equivalent to the point distribution to be filtered are determined, the difference between the scaling coefficients of the point distribution to be filtered and the scaling coefficients of the stochastic point distribution are determined, and the points, the scaling coefficients of which are contained in the difference an