Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for preventing unauthorized access to digital services comprising. Access control to digital services is distributed among a plurality of physically separate and independently controlled nonvolatile memory components on a system bus. The plurality of nonvolatile memory components are then communicatively coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to use state information in the nonvolatile memory components to provide desired functionality and enforce one or more security policies for accessing the digital services.

Abstract: A high-pressure, inert gas cushion assembly for the ram or bolster of a metal stamping press includes a manifold having fluid-flow passages defined therein, along with a plurality of cylinder mounting locations each in communication with at least one of the fluid-flow passages. A plurality of cushion cylinders are located respectively in the cylinder mounting locations. Each cylinder includes a body having an inner wall that defines a bore of diameter D. A piston is located in the bore and includes opposite inner and outer faces, wherein the outer face is oriented outwardly relative to the bore and manifold. A fluid seal is supported on the piston and is slidably engaged with the wall defining the bore. One or more bearings are supported on the piston and slidably engaged with the inner wall that defines the bore. The bearing(s) support the piston slidably in the bore for reciprocal sliding movement between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A panel assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle having passenger seating including a seat back is disclosed. A housing is mountable generally above the seat back within the passenger compartment. A light device is coupled to the housing and includes a first body portion and a second body portion being inelastic with the first body portion defining a first pivot axis. An illuminator is mounted to one of the body portions for selectively lighting a desired location over the passenger seating. A hinge is disposed between the body portions and spaced from the first pivot axis with the hinge defining a second pivot axis substantially parallel to the first pivot axis such that the second body portion rotates about the second pivot axis independently of rotation of the body portions about the first pivot axis for providing more accurate positioning of the illuminator to the desired location.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motorcycle includes a rider seat having a forward end and a rearward end, a mounting bracket pivotally coupling the forward end of the rider seat to a frame of a motorcycle, the rider seat being pivotable to raise the rearward end of the seat, and a support arm. The seat assembly further includes a rear seat support having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being pivotally coupled to the support arm and the second end portion supporting a rear seat. The rear seat support is pivotal from a first position in which the rear seat is hidden from view below the rider seat to a second position in which the rear seat can support a passenger. The seat assembly also includes a stop feature for supporting the second end portion relative to the support arm and a lock feature for inhibiting pivoting of the rear seat support.

Abstract: A handlebar assembly for a motorcycle includes a riser and a cap coupled to the riser. The cap and riser define a clamp having a cavity. The handlebar assembly also includes a handlebar having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second end portion is configured to support a hand grip. The first end portion defines an axis and is at least partially received within the cavity. At least one of the clamp and the first end portion includes an axial locking feature to inhibit movement of the handlebar relative to the clamp in a direction along the axis. The axial locking feature permits rotation of the handlebar assembly about the axis to adjust the position of the second end portion.

Abstract: An ignition and key switch assembly for a motorcycle includes a cover having a front surface, a rear surface, a first cover portion and a second cover portion, an ignition coil located in the first cover portion, the ignition coil being held in the first cover portion by a protective layer, and a key switch received within the second cover portion and being accessible at the cover front surface. A mounting bracket is provided for mounting the cover to the key switch and an aligning feature is provided for aligning the cover to the key switch.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a steering head, a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head, at least one longitudinal frame member extending rearwardly from the steering head, and a rear frame member coupled to the longitudinal frame member. The rear frame member includes a mounting portion having a mounting surface, and first and second walls extending from the mounting surface at an oblique angle to the mounting surface. The motorcycle also includes a support coupled to the rear frame member. The support includes a coupling portion having a coupling surface, and first and second walls extending from the coupling surface at an oblique angle to the coupling surface. The first and second walls of the mounting portion are wedged against the first and second walls of the coupling portion, respectively, to substantially prevent rotation of the support with respect to the rear frame member.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, software, and systems of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.

Abstract: A luggage rack and passenger seat combination for a motorcycle includes a luggage rack assembly configured to mount to the motorcycle. The luggage rack assembly has a support member operable to support cargo on a support surface thereof, the luggage rack assembly including a first engaging feature and a second engaging feature. A passenger seat assembly includes a movable mounting member and a fixed mounting member. The movable mounting member is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The movable mounting member is engageable with the first engaging feature and the fixed mounting member is engageable with the second engaging feature to removably couple the passenger seat assembly to the luggage rack assembly to support a passenger of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A saddlebag mounting system for use with a motorcycle that includes a frame having a mounting location for coupling a footpeg to the motorcycle. The saddlebag mounting system includes a first bracket configured to securely attach the mounting location, a second bracket removably coupled to the first bracket, and a saddlebag coupled to the second bracket such that uncoupling the second bracket from the first bracket disconnects the saddlebag and the second bracket from the motorcycle and leaves the first bracket attached to the frame.

Abstract: A trim assembly for an interior of a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a first panel, a first shell, and a second shell. The first panel forms interior trim for the vehicle and defines a first receptacle. The first shell defines a convex surface and a concave surface and is removably coupled within the first receptacle so that one of the convex surface and the concave surface is exposed. The second shell defines a convex surface and a concave surface and is matable to the first shell to define a case. The case is removable from the first receptacle.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a motorcycle engine including a header having an upstream end adjacent a combustion chamber of the engine and having a downstream end opposite the upstream end. The exhaust system includes a catalytic converter positioned downstream of the combustion chamber and configured to improve the emissions quality of exhaust gases discharged from the combustion chamber. The exhaust system further includes a perforated section at least partially defining an exhaust passageway, the perforated section disposed adjacent the downstream end of the header. A resonator chamber is in fluid communication with the perforated section. The resonator chamber is configured to allow expansion of the exhaust gases in the exhaust passageway through the perforated section.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable reuse of water in processing of animals into food. In one method, water used in processing of animals into food is received. The water is treated so as to convert the water into a treated from capable of being reused in the processing of the animals into food. The treating includes reducing the amount of solid particles in the water and adding gas to the water. The treated water is provided to be used in the food processing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for maximizing power and spectral efficiencies in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful for layered modulation applications because power levels for such applications are relatively high. A layered modulation signal comprises an upper and a lower layer signal that interfere with each other within the same frequency band such that the upper layer signal can be demodulated directly from the layered modulation signal, and the lower layer signal can be demodulated after subtracting the first layer signal from the layered modulation signal. The invention applies one or more of the following four signal schemes in a communication signal including varying the symbol rate (rather than the code rate), reducing or eliminating the guard band, reducing excess signal bandwidth and employing layered modulation within the guard band of the legacy signal.

Abstract: A plasma arc generation system includes a power module operably engaged with a plasma arc torch head portion and adapted to provide an electrical current for causing an arc at the torch head portion or generating a plasma. A cooling device is operably engaged with the power module so as to direct a fluid thereto for cooling the power module. The cooling device is configured such that the fluid directly contacts the power module to receive heat therefrom generated by the power module. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Thiazoloquinolines and thiazolonaphthyridines with an alkoxy substituent at the 6, 7, 8, or 9-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: Structurally strong composites are formed with shape memory polymer resins to create composites with shape memory properties. A system and method for using these composite structures to quickly manufacture composite products involves: 1) creating a preform composed of a shape memory polymer composite; 2) heating or otherwise activating the shape memory polymer; 3) using a mold to deform the composite material to a desired shape; 4) cooling or otherwise deactivating the shape memory polymer so that the composite structure retains the desired mold shape.

Abstract: A wireless response system and method of retrieving user selections includes providing a plurality of response units and a plurality of base units. Each of the response units has a wireless response transceiver and an input device. The input device is adapted to receiving a user input selection. The wireless response transceiver is adapted to transmitting a response transmission in response to receipt of a base transmission. Each of the base units has a wireless base transceiver. The base transceiver is adapted to transmitting base transmissions and receiving response transmissions from the response units. Each of the base units and each of the response units are assigned a communication identification. A response unit is adapted to exchanging wireless transmissions with a base unit having a common communication identification with that response unit. Each of said base units is also assigned a base address. The base transmissions include the base address of the base unit transmitting that base transmission.

Abstract: Topical compositions are disclosed that are useful for delivering a therapeutic level of an NSAID to a target within a subject having a local inflammatory disorder. A composition of the present invention comprises a Drug and a solvent system, wherein the solvent system comprises at least two solvent alcohols and wherein the solvent system is present in an amount sufficient to solubilize the Drug, the solvent system is a low alkanol system, and the composition is a single phase composition. Exemplary solvent systems are those for which one of the at least two solvent alcohols is polyethylene glycol, glycerin, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, isopropanol, or a derivative thereof. Optionally the local inflammatory disorder is pseudofolliculitis barbae, dermatitis, psoriasis, wounds, or sunburn.

Abstract: A method of repairing a composite component having a damaged area including: laying a composite patch over the damaged area; activating the shape memory polymer resin to easily and quickly mold said patch to said damaged area; deactivating said shape memory polymer so that said composite patch retains the molded shape; and bonding said composite patch to said damaged part.