Abstract: Antenna and related structures and circuits are described having a ground plane or ground counterpoise system that has at least one element whose shape, at least is part, is substantially a deterministic fractal of iteration order N?1. Using fractal geometry, the antenna ground counterpoise has a self-similar structure resulting from the repetition of a design or motif (or “generator”) that is replicated using rotation, and/or translation, and/or scaling. The fractal element will have x-axis, y-axis coordinates for a next iteration N+1 defined by xn+1=f(XN? ybN) and yN+1=g(XN? yN? where XN? yN define coordinates for a preceding iteration, and where f(x,y) and g(x,y) are functions defining the fractal motif and behavior, in another aspect, a vertical antenna is top-loaded with a so-called top-hat assembly that includes at least one fractal element.

Abstract: A system and associated method provides for a wireless local area network (WLAN) that permits mobile units to communicate with an external, wired network. Nodes in the WLAN include multiple components, such as a base module, antenna module, and one or more wireless modules. Indeed, this system can employ two or more wireless modules that employ different short-range wireless protocols, such as IEEE 802.11-type and Bluetooth protocols. The nodes may perform self-discovery to determine modules within the node and associated functionality, as well as identify neighboring nodes to thereby establish a mesh-type network. Nodes can be configured to provide connectivity to the wired network, while others (access points) communicate wirelessly with mobile devices. The nodes may then be interconnected wirelessly, or via wires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for applying a signature simplicity analysis for improving the accuracy of signature validation, the method including the steps of generating a plurality of synthetic fraudulent signatures for a person, encoding authentic signatures of the person using signature simplicity and validating the signatures using signature simplicity.

Abstract: A communications system may include an application server and at least one communications device for processing requests from one another. The communications device may process requests using an HTTP client application, for example. Furthermore, the system may also include an HTTP server for interfacing the HTTP client application with the application server. The HTTP server and the HTTP client application may format requests to be communicated therebetween via the Internet in an HTTP format, and each may provide additional state information with the HTTP formatted requests recognizable by the other for authenticating the application server and the HTTP client application to one another. Furthermore, the HTTP client application may request a first universal resource locator (URL) from the HTTP server for accepting work requests from the application server, and a second URL different from the first URL for responding to work requests from the application server.

Abstract: A standalone bench top laboratory instrument designed to disrupt, or lyse, cells, spores and tissue samples using ultrasonic energy. The lysing device is programmable, allowing the user control over the sample volume, sonication power level, and lysing duration in order to optimize lysing protocols for specific targets. Once a lysing protocol is entered, the device automatically lyses the sample according to the entered lysing protocol. The lysing device also provides a cooling feature, enabled by a heat exchanging sub-assembly, to prevent the sample from exceeding a maximum set temperature.

Abstract: A configurator using structure and rules to provide a user interface. According to one embodiment of the invention, a customizable product class is created. The customizable product class includes a set of one or more attributes to define the customizable product class. A component product class is added to the customizable product class, where the component product class is a subclass of the customizable product. A customizable class rule is associated to the customizable product class, the customizable class rule including expressions which provide conditions on component products added to the customizable product. A customizable UI is mapped to the customizable product class, where the customizable UI provides access structure to the configurator.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for restoration of DC in video signals is presented. A sample pulse representing the back porch of an incoming video signal is generated from the horizontal sync signal. The sample pulse triggers a sample and hold circuit to acquire the correct offset voltage in the output signal during this back porch period. The offset voltage feeds back through a summing node upstream of either the circuit causing the offset or an input amplifier thereby restoring the video signal to the desired DC voltage level with respect to ground.

Abstract: This disclosure covers polymers, which are useful in medical device applications. The polymers comprise at least two different blocks, at least one L1 block with the formula and at least one L2 block with the formula Medical devices comprising these polymers, mixtures of these polymers with therapeutic agents, and methods of making these polymers and mixtures are within the scope of this disclosure. Some of these medical devices are implantable within a mammalian body, such as in a body lumen.

Abstract: Port multiplexing apparatus and methods are disclosed. Time slots in a time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme are allocated to transfer signals such as Ethernet or Fiber Channel packets associated with ports of a signal processing device. Signals associated with multiple ports are transferred between those ports and another signal processing device over a single logical link in accordance with the time slot allocation. An indication of the time slot allocation may also be transferred on the link, illustratively by replacing protocol overhead traffic to be transmitted on the link with allocation information. At a receiver, the replaced protocol overhead traffic may be substituted back into a received multiplexed signal. A port multiplexing apparatus may be controllable to operate in a multiplexing mode or in a non-multiplexing mode. Aspects of the invention may also be embodied in other forms, such as in a data structure stored on a machine-readable medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the deliver path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.

Abstract: A tile used to hold one or more probes for testing a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The tile has one or more sites for inserting one or more probes to test the semiconductor wafer. Each site has one or more holes. Each hole is coupled with a slot forming an angle. A probe is inserted into the tile from a top of the tile through the hole and seated on the slot. The probe has a probe tip. The probe top is in contact with the semiconductor wafer at one end of the slot at a bottom of the tile. The probe tip is aligned with an X and Y coordinate of a bond pad on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A Process Automation System and accompanying method provides for the automated or semi-automated creation of workflow management procedures having an arbitrary number of tasks to be performed manually or via computer automation in specified sequences. Workflows are automatically or in a semi-automatic generated by prompting the user with valid choices. After creating the workflow, the system then acts as the executive for execution; initiating tasks, tracking status, and managing intermediate and final products. The capability is provided to define new products and tasks for the system via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for configuring and executing portlet responses to events within a web portal framework. These mechanisms and methods can enable event descriptions to be organized within a portlet configuration file with event handlers designated for responding to the event. As used herein, the term event handler refers to description in a configuration file for a portlet that includes an event identifier, an event description, and a response to the event. The term can also refer to the functionality that is generated from the configuration information. The ability of embodiments to organize enable event descriptions within a portlet configuration file with event handlers designated for responding to the event can enable the portlet to respond as indicated by the configuration when an event is detected.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting an expandable cylindrical vascular prosthesis includes an outer tube and an inner tube which can be displaced relative to one another. The inner tube is longitudinally slotted on the distal end, at least in an area thereof, and ensheathes the stent with this area which includes the longitudinal slot. In order to implant the stent, the outer tube is retracted. The stent then expands with continuous retracting movement of the outer tube and the inner tube is pressed open along the longitudinal slot. Implantation is terminated, when the outer tube is retracted along the entire length of the stent. The implantation is reversible by pushing the outer tube forward, as long as the stent has not yet fully exited the instrument. In this way, the inner tube is constricted together with the stent, and compressed to an initial position.

Abstract: A sonication apparatus is directed to a microfluidic-based system to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The microfluidic-based system includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a raceway, a lampholder, and a power pack. The raceway includes an aperture and a locking aperture. The lampholder is electrically connected to a lampholder connector. The power pack includes a power pack cover and a ballast. The power pack cover includes a latching end. The ballast includes a power input connector adapted to electrically connect to a power cord and a ballast output connector adapted to electrically connect to the lampholder connector. The latching end includes a flange adapted to mate with the aperture of the raceway and a locking protrusion adapted to mate with the locking aperture of the raceway such that the power pack is detachably mountable to the raceway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: A token handler API which can be instantiated to allow for custom token types. The token handler API can interact with a web service security handler and security service provider interfaces of security framework in order to do a number of security functions such as authentication, digital signatures and encryption for SOAP messages in a Web Service security system.

Abstract: A communications system includes a polling agent that can be part of a mobile office platform for polling an electronic mailbox to retrieve unique identifiers (UID's) of electronic messages. A database stores the UID's resulting from the polling operation. The polling agent is operative for polling the electronic mailbox and retrieving only those UID's that are newer than the UID's from a previous polling to determine that new messages are available.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve is provided with a peripheral mounting portion and a connecting sleeve connecting the peripheral mounting portion with a head which defines a dispensing orifice. The valve head includes a central inner surface portion that bulges axially inwardly to project from a radially outer surface portion.