Abstract: In a process automation controller, a universal digital input module is provided. The universal digital input module comprises a plurality of digital input channels, each channel to sink a first current at a first voltage level associated with an input having a digital high value and to sink a second current at a second voltage level associated with the input having a digital high value, wherein the first current is greater than the second current and wherein the first voltage is less than the second voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a security device are provided for attaching to and securing small articles, such as jewelry or other accessories that are either loose or attached to a display card. The security device may engage various sizes of card stock and/or secure articles that include a ring component in a practical and unobtrusive manner. The security device may detect unauthorized removal of the item from the retail premises. In some cases, the security device may also be configured to detect tampering of the security device and may include one-alarm, two-alarm, or three-alarm functionality. Moreover, the security device may also provide other features or functionalities that a retail operator may prefer or consider prior to the use or selection of a particular security device over others. The device may provide easy securing to and/or removal from an object by an authorized operator, such as an employee, and may be reusable.

Abstract: An on-line waste management reporting and tracking system allows contractors to create waste management plans. Cities and other governing bodies can manage and enforce their recycling policies. Property owners can track the recycling on construction debris within their property. Recycling facilities can create diversion reports and upload tickets directly to a project. Users communicate and interact via the system. Waste management plans can be submitted directly to the governmental bodies. Users track recycling on construction projects through detailed recycling reports. The system calculates a plan's emissions and gives suggestions on how to reduce a plan's carbon footprint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the sample preparation of nucleic acids for diagnostic purposes. More precisely, the invention provides a process for simultaneously isolating at least a first and a second target nucleic acid from a plurality of different types of fluid samples and optionally amplifying said isolated nucleic acids in a simultaneous manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical devices including coatings. The coatings include a topcoat which includes a copolymer comprising a block of an elastin pentapeptide. The topcoat is over a layer of poly(vinyl alcohol) on a hydrophobic coating or over a porous coating comprising pores or depots that include a bioactive agent.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a container includes a baseplate and a handle portion. A post extends from an arm of the handle portion and is configured to allow the baseplate to be snapped onto the post. In turn, the baseplate may be fastened or otherwise attached to the container. When lifting the container, the handle is rotated from a stored position and mechanically halted in a lifting position with interlocking complementary stops coupled to the handle portion and baseplate, respectively. In one embodiment, the stops include complementarily angled surfaces that are placed in interlocking bearing contact when the handle portion is in the lifting position. A biasing member coupled to the handle portion and engaged with the baseplate biases the handle portion toward the stored position.

Abstract: A flexible multi-line conductor and multiple luminaire connectors may be provided. Each one of the luminaire connectors may be coupled to a corresponding luminaire and the flexible multi-line conductor. Each of the luminaire connectors may be moveable relative to each other. The flexible multi-line conductor may bend in response to movement of any of the luminaire connectors relative to each other. The flexible multi-line conductor may include multiple conductors. Each one of the luminaire connectors may couple a corresponding one of the luminaires to a different set of the conductors than the other luminaire connectors couple to the other luminaires.

Abstract: A method identifying an element in a document corresponding to an edit selected from a list of available edits to distinguish the selected edit from the other edits in the list. The identifying may reflect the type of edit, or otherwise demonstrate the change to the element effectuated by the edit. Multiple edits may be selected and temporarily highlighted or otherwise identified in chronological order to demonstrate the effect of multiple edits on the elements of the document.

Abstract: A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure.

Abstract: An inter stage seal housing for a turbine engine having upper and lower half inter stage seal housings in which a contact sealing surface of the seal housing is restored after an interval of engine operation. The contact sealing surface is restored by fitting a replaceable wear strip on the downstream sealing surface of the seal housing. In order to fit the replaceable wear strip, a circumferential groove is machined along an outer peripheral edge of the seal housing. The groove is machined to include axial location and radial retention such that the wear strips can be slid into the upper half and lower half inter stage seal housing circumferentially from the horizontal joint. The groove includes through holes and the wear strips include corresponding threaded holes such that the wear strips can be fastened in the groove by fasteners and fastener retention hardware.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater including a back-flow preventing device located at or adjacent an outlet of the heater. In some embodiments, the back-flow preventing device has an open position and a closed position. When the back-flow preventing device is in the open position, water is able to flow freely through the heater. When back-flow preventing device is in the closed position, water is prevented from flowing or migrating back into the heater.

Abstract: In some implementations, video camera networks can be used to track people or objects and determine their locations. In some implementations, location accuracy better than one meter can be achieved using video cameras. According to some implementations, Wi-Fi localization and video localization systems can be fused together to perform calibration. In some implementations, by using the video network to continuously update the Wi-Fi localization calibration database, Wi-Fi location accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the catheter by a multi-step process for increasing scaffold-catheter yield following a crimping sequence. Damage reduction during a crimping sequence includes modifying blades of a crimper, adopting a multi-step crimping sequence, and inflating a supporting balloon to support the scaffold during crimping.

Abstract: A dual method of installing a mounting device to a load-bearing surface includes a mounting device having a back member installed closer to the load-bearing surface than a front member on which an object is mounted. A mounting member is either attached to the back member in a first configuration or the mounting member is attached to the back member in a second configuration. The mounting member is attached to the load-bearing surface such that the load-bearing surface is between the back member and the front member in the first configuration. The back member is between the load-bearing surface and the front member in the second configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for merging audio data streams receive audio data streams from separate inputs, independently transform each data stream from the time to the frequency domain, and generate separate feature data sets for the transformed data streams. Feature data from each of the separate feature data sets is selected to form a merged feature data set that is output to a decoder for recognition purposes. The separate inputs can include an ear microphone and a mouth microphone.

Abstract: A system and method for applying steam to baked products in a conveyorized oven. A steam tunnel sub-enclosure includes exhaust ducts collecting steam at the conveyor's entrance and exit thereof to prevent steam from being released into the rest of the oven where it might interfere with ignition control equipment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve used in both conventional and bag-on-valve aerosol container applications that allows a high flow rate of especially viscous substances. Valves according to the present invention include a valve housing, a valve stem, and a spring or other biasing device that allows the valve stem to move relative to the valve housing. The valve stem is hollow to allow the flow of product to and from a bag attached to the valve housing. There are radial bores and a seal near the bottom of the valve stem that dictate the passage and flow rate of pressurized product between the product container and the environment. The bore shape and size can be selected to facilitate a high volume flow rate for highly viscous substances.

Abstract: A method of treatment of sinusitis and other related diseases including disposing a radially expandable stent into a nasal passageway and radially expanding the stent in a blocked region of the nasal passageway to expand the blocked region is disclosed. The stent includes a tissue-cushioning portion composed of a hydrogel-forming or elastomeric polymer material to provide cushioning between the stent and nasal tissue and reduce irritation of the nasal tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and distributing an over-the-air signal over a network. At least one antenna receives an over-the-air signal containing a plurality of channels, at least one tuner isolates from the over-the-air signal information associated with a selected channel and produces an intermodulated carrier wave associated with the selected channel, at least one demodulator demodulates the intermodulated carrier wave to produce a data stream in a first format. Optionally a processor (for example a transcoder) converts the data stream in a first format into a second format. A communications interface produces a network transport stream from the data stream in the second format and distributes the network transport stream over the network. A line coupling unit (LCU) sets resistance/capacitance values which optimize the signal for distribution.

Abstract: A safety needle device includes a housing, a Huber needle, a cap and a sheath. The Huber needle has a first needle leg disposed in the housing and a second needle leg extending perpendicularly of the first needle leg. The cap is disposed over the second needle leg and is movable relative thereto from a first position with the second needle leg extending through the cap to a second position with a tip of the needle disposed in sealed relation in the cap. The sheath is concentrically disposed on and about the needle in a collapsed state, and secured to and between the housing and the cap. The sheath is extendable from the collapsed state to an extended state in response to movement of the cap from the first position to the second position.