Abstract: A riser for a motorcycle having a front wheel coupled to a steering assembly that is movable to pivot the front wheel and steer the motorcycle. The riser includes a first portion that is adapted to be coupled to the steering assembly and defines an axis. A carrier is adapted to engage the handlebar such that the carrier and the handlebar are fixedly attached to one another. The carrier is movably coupled to the first portion such that the carrier is movable along the axis.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence/absence of a specific substance in foods by performing PCR using primers which are designed on the basis of data obtained from a part of a gene of the specific substance. This method is highly useful in detecting a trace component contained in a food or identifying a specific harmful allergen.

Abstract: Methods are described which enable the operator of a network such as an Internet protocol (IP) network to allocate ingress and egress channel capacity for the use by different services or for use by different service providers. The methods can prevent a service provider or a service from overusing network capacity. The methods also enable the network operator to temporarily allocate unused capacity if demand for a service exceeds previously allocated capacity. Further a method is described whereby capacity on a Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network is sold to service providers with guarantees for the number of available channels, where the channel capacity guarantees could be global, or by any type of subdivision. In addition to having a committed channel capacity, the service provider could be allowed to exceed the committed capacity whenever excess capacity is available on the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing custom orthotics are described. Several embodiments of the system use sensor pads to obtain both static and dynamic three dimensional information concerning the shape or topography of the bottom surface of a patient's foot. The information is analyzed to obtain information useful in constructing a custom orthotic from a selection of basic orthotic shells. Once constructed, the orthotic can modify a patient's gait. One embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal including a sensor pad connected to a computer, a server configured to analyze three dimensional information acquired by the sensor pad, a manufacturing terminal configured to display the results of the server's analysis of the three dimensional information and a network that connects the user terminal to the server and the server to the manufacturing terminal.

Abstract: A communication assistance system is provided having a first database with a plurality of listings, each listing having at least one contact name and a corresponding contact number. A switching device receives calls from a plurality of users desiring to access the listings and an operator terminal receives the communication from the switching device and retrieves a listing from the first database. A first route is provided for handling telephone communications between the operator terminal and the user and a second route is provided with an out-of band processor for receiving information corresponding to call completion information and to provide call completion data to the switching device for completing the call between the user and the requested listing.

Abstract: An approach is provided for generating Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. An LDPC encoder generates a LDPC code with an outer Bose Chaudhuri Hocquenghem (BCH) code. For ? rate, the relevant parameters are as follows: q=120, nldpc=64,800, kldpc=nBCH=21600, kBCH=21408 (12 bit error correcting BCH). For ¼ rate, the LDPC code has the following relevant parameters: q=135, nldpc=64,800, kldpc=nBCH=16200, kBCH=16008 (12 bit error correcting BCH). For ? rate, the following parameters exist: q=108, nldpc=64800, kldpc=nBCH=25920, kBCH=25728 (12 bit error correcting BCH). The above approach has particular application in digital video broadcast services over satellite.

Abstract: The present invention is a light bulb featuring a removable LED light source. The preferred source being a lighting source with a three dimensional lead frame as disclosed in the parent applications to this application. Control circuitry is included to convert electrical power into power usable by the LEDs.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for designating membership in an online business community. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of: designating a plurality of Members as participants in an Online Business Community; and providing each of said plurality of Members with a Membership Designator.

Abstract: A system commands a movable barrier operator to control movement of a movable barrier and perform additional movable barrier functions. An identification transmitter wirelessly transmits an identification signal, where the identification signal comprises a code. A primary transmitter stores at least one vehicle identification code corresponding to a specific vehicle and receives a request to transmit a wireless control signal to the movable barrier operator to command the movable barrier operator to perform the at least one of the additional movable barrier functions. The primary transmitter also transmits the wireless control signal in response to receiving the request, detecting the identification signal, and determining that the code of the identification signal matches the at least one vehicle identification code.

Abstract: An approach is provided for efficiently decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes. An LDPC decoder includes a memory for storing a mapped matrix that satisfies a plurality of parallel decodable conditions for permitting a lumped memory structure. Additionally, the decoder includes a parallel processors accessing edge values from the stored mapped matrix decode the LDPC codes. The above approach has particular applicability to satellite broadcast systems.

Abstract: An approach is provided for transmitting messages using low density parity check (LDPC) codes. Input messages are encoded according to a structured parity check matrix that imposes restrictions on a sub-matrix of the parity check matrix to generate LDPC codes. The LDPC codes are transmitted over a radio communication system (e.g., satellite network), wherein a receiver communicating over the radio communication system is configured to iteratively decode the received LDPC codes according to a signal constellation associated with the LDPC codes. The receiver is configured to iteratively regenerating signal constellation bit metrics after one or more decoding iterations.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for providing and managing sub-communities within an online business community. An exemplary system may comprise an Online Business Community having a Community Website hosted on at least one Hosting Server, said at least one Hosting Server communicatively coupled to a Network; a Homepage on said Community Website accessible to a plurality of Members via said Network; and a plurality of Groups accessible to said plurality of Members via said Homepage, wherein each of said Groups relates to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for interdependent control of multiple power sources. The system includes at least first and second power sources for supplying power to an electrical load. At least first and second sensors are respectively coupled with outputs of the first and second power sources, such that the first and second sensors respectively emit first and second signals indicative of the output of the first and second power sources. A comparator unit is coupled to the first and second sensors for comparing the first and second signals emitted by the first and second sensors. The comparator unit is configured for emitting a difference signal indicating a difference between the first and second signals. A controller unit coupled to the comparator unit and at least one of said first and second power sources is configured for controlling at least one of said first and second power sources based on the difference signal.

Abstract: The invention is a three stage wastewater treatment system having a first tank, a second tank and a third tank, all in fluid communication and forming a unitary structure. The first and second tanks are nested, where the first tank is the innermost tank. The first tank has a clarifier structure disposed therein separating the interior of the first tank into a quiescent zone and an aeration zone. Positioned in the aeration zone is at least one air injector positioned. The treatment system is covered, and is generally buried (but can be used above ground).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for collecting, storing and processing usage data from a device. Usage data is extracted from the device, wherein the usage data is associated with a customer identifier. The customer identifier is obfuscated, but not eliminated, from the extracted usage data. The extracted usage data is then correlated over a period of time using the obfuscated customer identifier.

Abstract: A system for facilitating electronic transactions among participants to a transaction is afforded that comprises a server having a software application stored thereon, one or more databases associated with the server for storing transactional data and documents relating to the transactions, and one or ignore client computer systems connected with the server for remotely accessing the transactional data and documents pertaining to the transactions and for performing particular tasks relating to the transactions. The software application is logically segmented into particular sites for controlling the functionality of the electronic transactions, and each site has a set of associated templates for managing information about the transactions. The templates control the business rules and functionality of the transactions. Preferably, the templates are grouped according to particular categories, such as transaction types, data forms, transaction data, participants rules, services rules, and documents.

Abstract: An automated heterogeneous configurator employs a technique by which the state of a context can be changed and restored automatically to facilitate the configuration of systems having components that span multiple contexts. The technique employs a high level constraint that is programmed into the component class of a model that requires a component object to determine the appropriate context for that object at the beginning of its installation within the configuration, and if the current state of the context is not that which is appropriate for the object component, the installation process for the component changes the state of the context to reflect that which is appropriate for the component. The most common context is the product line context, but any other context pertinent to the configuration of heterogeneous systems can be applied to this technique.

Abstract: A method and system for converting an annuity fund to a life insurance policy at a predetermined conversion date comprising the following steps: establishing an annuity fund including selecting an initial predetermined value and purchasing an annuity for the initial predetermined value, establishing an irrevocable life insurance conversion plan including selecting the predetermined conversion date, selecting a predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date and purchasing a guaranteed insurability option to guarantee the availability of the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing investment income within the annuity fund on a tax deferred basis until the predetermined conversion date, converting the annuity fund to the life insurance policy with the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing income within the life insurance policy until the death of the owner of the life insurance policy and disbu

Abstract: A communications system includes a base station that is configured to transmit a signal that is modulated according to a predetermined modulation scheme and an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme, wherein the signal is encoded using space-frequency coding. The base station includes a plurality of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transceivers. The system includes a terminal that is configured to receive the modulated signal. The above arrangement is particularly applicable to providing multichannel multipoint distribution services (MMDS) over a radio communications system.

Abstract: A low energy method of pyrolysis of rubber or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The hydrocarbon material is heated while maintaining a vacuum, using a clay catalyst. In an additional embodiment, also under a vacuum and optionally with or without the catalyst, the temperature of the reaction chamber and corresponding fuel input is varied either over time or spatially within the reaction chamber, to take advantage of the exothermic properties of the reaction. With the method of the present invention, an improved solid reaction product can be achieved.