Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for overlaying video from different video sources on a display device. The sources may include a primary video source that provides first image data in the form of a first video signal, and an overlay video source that provides second image data in the form of a second video signal and a fast blank signal. The system encodes the fast blank signal into the second video signal to form encoded image data. The fast blank signal can occupy one bit of the encoded image data. The system stores the first image data and the encoded image data in a frame buffer. A controller reads the first image data and the encoded image data from the frame buffer. The controller processes and decodes encoded image data, extracting the fast blank signal. The controller then uses the extracted fast blank signal to combine the second image data and the first image data, effective to overlay an image from the overly video source onto an image from the primary video source.

Abstract: An improved method and system for edge adaptive interpolation. The method uses a “9×2” window to detect the edge direction with post-processing to remove any artifacts due to the possible false edge detection, and a hierarchical scheme is employed to reduce the computation required. The method detects if there is edge existing along the current pixel. If there is no edge, then the edge detection output will be 90 degrees (the interpolation will be performed along the vertical direction). If an edge does exist, the method determines whether the edge direction falls within a first or second direction group. Once the edge direction is assigned to a particular group (e.g., 0–90 degrees or 90–180 degrees), the edge direction will be detected among five (5) possible directions. To further improve the edge detection precision, and also to remove the possibility of false edge direction detection, a post-processing technique may be applied to the edge direction signal.

Abstract: A saw such as a chop saw, a circular saw, a compound miter saw or a sliding compound miter saw having a rotatable saw blade is provided with a laser arbor alignment system. The laser arbor may include a power generator that generates power as the saw blade and the laser arbor are rotated by a spindle. The generator may include a stator comprising an electrical magnet or a permanent magnet mounted on a fixed portion of the saw. The other portion of the generator is a rotor comprising a coil that is rotated with the laser arbor to generate power for the laser. Power may also be provided to the laser by slip ring contacts from a stationary source to the laser arbor.

Abstract: Compounds used to block non-essential androgen receptors are described. In particular, cyclohexenone compounds containing an alkyl group may be used in the treatment of conditions mediated by the blocking of non-essential androgen receptors such as acne, male patterned baldness, keloids, skin-wrinkling, and osteoarthritis. The cyclohexenone compound may be administered orally, topically, or internally.

Abstract: The use of an agent in the manufacture of a medicament to affect an allergic condition and/or a hypersensitivity condition is described. The agent is capable of modulating a ganglioside associated activity. The agent is not coupled to an antigen. The modulation of the ganglioside associated activity affects an allergic condition and/or a hypersensitivity condition.

Abstract: A device for monitoring at least one environmental condition of a plant or any other type of vegetation. Another exemplary embodiment is a method for providing a visible indication of at least one environmental conditional of a plant. In one exemplary embodiment, a device may emit light to provide notice of at least one environmental condition of a plant. An exemplary embodiment of the device may include means for controlling and/or adjusting the light output. As a result, an exemplary embodiment of the device may provide a desirable and suitable visible indication of at least one environmental condition of a plant.

Abstract: An enterprise application system including a run-time transformation server, and a message broker for routing and transforming data in the form of messages between a source application and a target application, including a plug-in for preparing requests to the run-time transformation server and for processing responses from the run-time transformation server. A method is also described and claimed.

Abstract: Buoys are used for mooring purposes and as navigational marks. An embodiment of the invention is be explained in relation to catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoys. Conventional CALM buoys generally have a hull constructed of steel plate by traditional ship building techniques requiring plate benders. Webs, beams and girders are welded inside the hull which is divided into several tanks. The buoy has a central moonpool and a steel turntable. Bending plate, in effect, doubles its cost. A method of constructing a buoy is disclosed, comprising: constructing a framework and affixing flat steel plate to it.

Abstract: A method and system for edge-adaptive frame rate up-conversion are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of image compression comprises the steps of recursively transforming a image using a Discrete Wavelet Transform. This creates a plurality of levels including at least a first level, multiple intermediate levels, and a low-low pass subband of the last level. The transformed image at each level is quantized, and datapacking the quantized image is performed. The step of datapacking further includes, encoding of the first level using adaptive run length of zero cofficients; encoding of the intermediate levels using run-length coding of zero coefficients and a predetermined two-knob huffman table for non-zero coefficients and encoding of the low-low pass subband using a low frequency packing algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for separating electrical connector assemblies. Electrical connector assemblies typically comprise a male connector, commonly called a plug, and a female connector, commonly called a receptacle. The separation of an electrical connector assembly is accomplished by at least one lever disposed in the body of at least one of the connectors. The lever is attached to the body of the connector such that when the lever is “up” the lower portion of the lever is flush with the mating surface so as not to not interfere with the coupling of the connector. Actuation of the lever, i.e., moving the lever to its down position, causes a displacement of at least one of the connectors comprising the electrical connector assembly. The present invention may be adapted to a wide range of electrical connectors including, but not limited to: standard household plug and sockets, parallel connectors, serial connectors, and inline connectors.

Abstract: A pump primer for a pump on a fire truck uses a high-speed compressed air in a venturi in a compressed air chamber to generate a vacuum in a vacuum chamber to prime a pump, with an integral valve which separates the pump from the priming ejectors (venturis), the valve being opened by the compressed air when the primer is activated, the valve being closed by a spring return when the compressed air supply is removed, where water drawn in through the primer is freely drained by gravity to prevent freezing in cold weather.

Abstract: A framework of magnet pods and beams or strongbacks can be quickly and easily assembled to plug a leak in a ferromagnetic container wall. The magnet pods are located on either side of the leak. One or more beams extend between the magnet pods. Each magnet pod has a yoke with plural holes therethrough. The yoke loosely receives the beam. Each beam has lines of holes therethrough all along the beam length. The plurality of holes in the yokes and beams simplifies the alignment of at least one set of holes between the yoke and beam, wherein a pin is inserted to couple the beam to the magnet pod. A clamp is pinned to the beam so as to be adjacent to the leak. The clamp is tightened to exert removable pressure on a patch over the leak.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a user interface for control of a display device. A video signal is provided to a display device and a graphic image is displayed by the display device. The video signal may be provided to the display device by a host computer system coupled to the display device. Input to the host computer system is received by a user manipulating the graphic image via an input device. The host computer system responds to the input by communicating a command to the display device, the command for adjusting a parameter of the display device. The parameter may be selected from a group consisting of: brightness, contrast, horizontal orientation, horizontal size, vertical orientation, vertical size, tilt, pincushion, and color tint for the display. The command may be communicated via a data sequence sent to the display device by the host computer system. The data sequence may be encoded onto the video signal sent to the display device by the host computer system.

Abstract: A catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy of modular construction comprises an open framework and at least one replaceable buoyancy module. The buoyancy module is mounted to the framework. The CALM buoy also comprises mooring means and fluid application means which are rotatably mounted to the framework via a two-armed turntable. The framework may comprise elongate frame members. Preferably a plurality of buoyancy modules are provided, each detachably mounted in a symmetric configuration within the framework.

Abstract: An electricity distribution system such as a power strip that has adjustable outlets. The adjustable outlets have no fixed position within a housing. The power strip comprises a power cord/cable that is adapted to receive an input of electricity. One end of the power cord/cable may be terminated with an electrical connector. The opposite end of the power cord/cable is connected to a bus system which may be mounted inside of a housing. The system further includes at least one other power cord/cable that is connected to the bus system. As a result, each additional power cord/cable is adapted to be in electrical communication with the power cord/cable that is adapted to receive the input of electricity. Each of the additional power cord(s)/cable(s) may also be terminated with an electrical connector. In this manner, the present invention may provide at least one adjustable power outlet.