Abstract: An apparatus for forming a decorative pleated cover about an outer peripheral surface of a flower pot. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a platform adjustably connected to the frame assembly, a pleating assembly supported on the platform and a banding assembly also connected to the platform. The banding assembly is disposed about the pleating assembly and supports at least one band so that upon forming a decorative pleated cover about the flower pot with the pleating assembly, the decorative pleated cover so formed is secured about the flower pot with a band while the flower pot having the decorative pleated cover formed thereabout is supported within the pleating assembly.

Abstract: In a method and a device for transmission of S+P transform coded digitized images a mask is calculated by means of which a region of interest (ROI) can be transmitted lossless whereby the ROI can be transmitted and received lossless and still maintaining a good compression ratio for the image as a whole. This is possible since no or very few bits can be used for the remaining part of the image. The calculated mask can also be used for transmitting the coefficients needed for a lossless region of interest during any stage of the transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a computer program product and a device for evaluating a code which is orthogonal to one or more further codes. The method comprises the steps of receiving a signal which carries a code containing a sequence of code symbols, determining for a particular symbol instant at least one channel estimate, determining for the particular symbol instant a compensation value taking into account the at least one channel estimate, compensating each code symbol using the compensation value determined for the corresponding symbol instant, wherein the compensation is performed such that an original power relationship among the individual code symbols contained in the code is restored, and evaluating the code on the basis of the sequence of compensated code symbols exploiting the orthogonality to further codes.

Abstract: A secondary battery can prevent microscopic short circuit due to shedding of active material from an electrode and secure electric connection between the electrode and an electrode terminal. According to an example of means for preventing shedding of active material from a positive electrode 1 constituting a wound type electrode unit 7, a negative electrode side of a separator 3 is bent toward a center of the electrode unit 7. The negative electrode 2 having a flex substrate is provided with an electrode end portion 4? with almost no active material. At least a part of the electrode end portion 4? is exposed from the bent separator 3, and the exposed electrode end portion 4? is electrically connected to a battery terminal or a battery case 8 directly or via a negative electrode collector plate 6.

Abstract: A disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device includes a housing and an insulin source in the housing that is connected to a catheter for injecting insulin into a user. The catheter projects generally perpendicularly to a generally planar surface of the housing configured for abutting a skin surface of the user; which planar surface includes an adhesive layer for adhering the housing surface to the skin surface. A removable release sheet covers the adhesive layer for protecting the adhesive layer prior to use of the device. The release sheet is provided with a catheter protection element to enclose and protect an end portion of the catheter, such that removal of the release sheet for exposing the adhesive layer also exposes the end portion. A pump in the housing includes an actuator employing a shape memory alloy wire.

Abstract: A three-phase electronic electricity meter that includes configurable voltage sensing blades such that the electricity meter can be configured for use with various electrical service types. The electricity meter includes a base having a configuration to correspond to standard ANSI-type sockets. The meter base includes a plurality of individual voltage sensing blades that are received by the ANSI socket. At least one of the voltage sensing blades is movable between a first and a second position such that the voltage sensing blade contacts different areas on a meter circuit board in the first and second positions. A common circuit board can be utilized for different electrical service types and the contact arrangement can be selectively configured by moving the voltage sensing blades between their first and second positions.

Abstract: In a device (100) for continuously varying the extinction ratio, ER, a laser diode (102) is connected to a first end of a PZ fiber (108). At a second end, the PZ fiber is connected to a connector (110). At the other end of the connector a PM fiber (106) is connected. The two fibers meet in the connector, which means that opposite end facets of the fibers are located at a very close distance of each other. A rotation is produced by a rotator (104), mechanically coupled to the connector. The device can be used for: selecting a desired ER of the PM fiber; achieving high accuracy of angular alignment between the principal axes of two PM fibers (106, 506); evaluating the quality of angular alignment of a splice between two PM fibers made by a splicer; and setting the adjustment/calibration of a PM fiber.

Abstract: A public mobile access data network provides a mobile node data access to the Internet and data access to the mobile node from the Internet even when a point of attachment of the mobile node to the public mobile access data network changes. A public mobility management service is provided to locate mobile nodes so that the Internet is aware of the mobile node's current point of attachment. Advantageously, this public mobility management service is provided independently of mobility services offered by radio access, technology-specific networks. The public mobile access service is implemented using a home agent/foreign agent model where the home and foreign agents transfer data packets over the public mobile access network via a data tunnel. In a preferred, example embodiment, mobile Internet protocol (IP) is used at the network protocol layer to provide the public mobility service.

Abstract: An arrangement for capturing data from a data stream of a predetermined data transfer rate using a flip-flop, comprises a symmetrical multi-phase clock generator that is adapted to be locked to a reference clock which in turn is adapted to generate a reference clock signal at the data transfer rate or at a fraction thereof. The multi-phase clock generator is adapted to generate “n” clock signals mutually shifted in phase 360°/n from each other. A selector is connected to the clock generator to receive the n clock signals and selects one of these n clock signals as the system clock signal in response to a control signal from a clock phase counter. The clock phase counter is controlled to count up or down in response to the phase of the system clock signal when a predetermined number of data transitions have occurred in the data stream. The flip-flop is controlled by the opposite phase of the system clock signal to capture the data from the data stream.

Abstract: A digital radio transceiver integrated circuit includes MOS transistors with normal threshold voltages in the digital circuits, and with reduced threshold voltages in at least some of the analog RF components. This allows the transceiver to be reduced in size and weight, without requiring performance to be compromised.

Abstract: A communications assembly includes a transmitter configured to receive a first electrical input signal and a second electrical input signal, and to provide a light signal having (i) light modulation based on the first electrical input signal and (ii) average power over time based on the second electrical input signal. The communications assembly further includes a receiver configured to receive the light signal and to provide (i) a first electrical output signal based on the light modulation of the light signal and (ii) a second electrical output signal based on the average power of the light signal over time. The communications assembly further includes an optical fiber interconnecting the transmitter with the receiver to convey the light signal from the transmitter to the receiver. Accordingly, the communications assembly provides a robust and reliable mechanism for providing multiple communications pathways using a single light signal through a single optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described establishing multimedia communications on a shared communications channel. A first and a second communication unit, such as a master and slave unit, establish a synchronous communications link. Additional synchronous communications links may be established. A first data packet associated with the synchronous communication link is communicated to the second communication unit by including an address. Time slots reserved for the synchronous channel by the first unit are separated by a fixed time interval. One or more additional communications units may communicate over an asynchronous link established between the master and additional units using remaining time slots. Data packets may be communicated to additional units by including addresses associated with each additional units The synchronous link may be interrupted with the asynchronous link by communicating an asynchronous data packet on a time slot reserved for the synchronous communications link.

Abstract: A device for the transcutaneous administration of substances by means of iontophoresis comprises an operative head (1) provided with an inlet (2) for a fluid transporting substances to be administered, with a dispenser (3) of the fluid which has a part (30) in contact with the skin, with an electrode (4) positioned on a path of the fluid from the inlet (2) to the dispenser (3). The dispenser (3) is made of an electrically conducting material and it is in electrical contact with the electrode (4) only by the action of the fluid. The dispenser (3) and the electrode (4) are arranged in a predetermined relative position which maintains constant over time the geometric shape of the volume of fluid present between them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food product (such as sausage or cheese) having a mould-like appearance which has a coating of a powder which gives a mould-like appearance, whereby the powder comprises a polyene antifungal compound. (such as natamycin).

Abstract: A process of producing organic compounds, such as acetaminophen, nitroalcohols and indoles, employs a catalyst system of an oxyethylene ether and a metal containing inorganic or organic reagent. The oxyethylene ether at least partially complexes the metal of the inorganic or organic reagent. As such, the reactions may be conducted neat. The processes are environmentally friendly and operationally simple.

Abstract: A limited electronic system and method are provided for automatically shutting down equipment when an account associated with purchased or leased equipment falls into arrears. The system includes a control center (connected to a machine) with a screen display, means for entering a code, and a controller. The controller has a disabling program that shuts down the machine after a predetermined interval, such as time. Because the program automates the shut-down when no (timed) interval is in place, the user must obtain a “re-set code” from a non-user—i.e., the financing entity, the equipment supplier, the account manager, or other entity—and enter it into the system to set the next interval so the machine remains operational. The re-set code is generated by the machine. The non-user at a location remote from the machine receives or generates parallel re-set codes.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the use of an encapsulation additive having between about 0.1 to about 30 percent isolated and purified vitelline protein B to provide for mixed and extended release formulations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel sol-gel methods in which metal oxide precursor and an alcohol-based solution are mixed to form a reaction mixture that is then allowed to react to produce nanosized metal oxide particles. The methods of the present invention are more suitable for preparing nanosized metal oxide than are previously-described sol-gel methods. The present invention can provide for nanosized metal oxide particles more efficiently than the previously-described sol-gel methods by permitting higher concentrations of metal oxide precursor to be employed in the reaction mixture. The foregoing is provided by careful control of the pH conditions during synthesis and by ensuring that the pH is maintained at a value of about 7 or higher.

Abstract: A receiver circuit including an oscillator, a mixer coupled to the oscillator, a switch coupled to an output of the mixer, and an envelope detector coupled to the oscillator, such that the envelope detector generates a timing signal for actuating the switch based on the envelope of a signal produced by the oscillator. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver circuit may be used as part of a radar based sensor system.