Abstract: An extruder has an auger unit having an extruder screw. The extruder also has a food product inlet passageway and a food product die outlet. The food product inlet passageway is configured to receive food product extruded via the extruder screw. The food product die outlet is configured to expel food product from the extruder as an extrudate. The extruder further has at least first and second food passageways that operatively and in parallel connect the inlet passageway to the die outlet. The first and second food product passageways are configured such that food product passing through the first food passageway will travel from the inlet passageway to the die outlet more quickly than food product passing through the second food passageway will travel from the inlet passageway to the die outlet as additional food product is forced into the inlet passageway by the extruder screw.

Abstract: A system and method for resisting an uncontrolled descent or uncontrolled flight condition of an aerial vehicle, the system including a parachute having shroud lines attached to a canopy, a housing to store the parachute, an inflatable tube that attaches to and is stored in the housing, the tube having a distal end with a connector that connects to the shroud lines, and a source of fluid that couples to the tube and selectively introduces fluid into the enclosed interior of the inflatable tube to inflate the tube and force the distal end of the tube and the attached parachute out of the housing and away from the aerial vehicle, wherein the tube tethers the parachute to the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A platform (42) and lid (44) are connected and operated by a user according to a method of applying a substance (48) to a target region. The platform (42) has an outer side (56) and has an inner side (54) defining a substance support surface (55) on which the substance (48) is supported. The user holds the open lid (44) with one hand while extending a finger of that hand alongside the platform outer side (56) and exerts a force with the finger on the platform outer side (56) in a direction to urge the substance (48) against the target region.

Abstract: An applicator package (40), consisting of an applicator and a substance (48) in the applicator, is provided so a user can apply the substance (48) to a target region. A set of components is provided for being assembled as the applicator, and a method is provided for making the applicator package (40). The applicator package (40) includes a platform (42) having an outer side (56) and having an inner side (54) defining a substance support surface (55). The substance (48) is supported on the platform support surface (55). The platform (42) defines (1) at least one fill passage (58) that extends from the platform outer side (56) to the platform inner side (54), and (2) at least one channel (60) that is located between portions of the substance support surface (55) and that communicates between the platform inner side (54) and the platform outer side (56). A dome (46 or 44) is initially, releasably mounted on the platform (42) over the substance (48) at the platform inner side (54).

Abstract: An applicator package (40), consisting of an applicator and a substance (48) in the applicator, is provided so a user can apply the substance (48) to a target region. A set of components is provided for being assembled as the applicator, and a method is provided for making the applicator package (40). The applicator package (40) includes a platform (42) having an outer side (56) and having an inner side (54) defining a substance support surface (55). The substance (48) is supported on the platform support surface (55). The platform (42) defines (1) at least one fill passage (58) that extends from the platform outer side (56) to the platform inner side (54), and (2) at least one channel (60) that is located between portions of the substance support surface (55) and that communicates between the platform inner side (54) and the platform outer side (56). An inner side cap (46) is initially, releasably mounted on the platform (42) over the substance (48) at the platform inner side (54).

Abstract: An applicator package (40), consisting of an applicator and a substance (48) in the applicator, so a user can apply the substance (48) to a target region. A set of components for being assembled as the applicator, and a method for making the applicator package (40). The applicator package (40) includes a platform (42) having an outer side (56) and having an inner side (54) defining a substance support surface (55). The substance (48) is supported on the platform support surface (55). The platform (42) defines (1) at least one fill passage (58) that extends from the platform outer side (56) to the platform inner side (54), and (2) at least one channel (60) that is located between portions of the substance support surface (55) and that communicates between the platform inner side (54) and the platform outer side (56). An inner side cap (46) is initially, releasably mounted on the platform (42) over the substance (48) at the platform inner side (54). A lid (44) may be attached to the platform (42).

Abstract: A mobile photographic accessory that simultaneously stabilizes a recording camera, illuminates the subject, and provides an optional close-up lens, thus enhancing close-up photographs and video recordings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seismological sounding with acoustic signals and, more particularly, systems and methods for performing geophysical surveys using spread spectrum acoustic waves generated by non-impulsive sources. A spread spectrum signal is generated and coupled to a medium that is to be sounded for propagation of an acoustic wave through the medium. One or more return signals are received from the medium that are generated by interaction between the acoustic wave and the medium. The return signals are possessed to obtain seismic sounding data describing the structural features of the medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with acoustic signals and, more particularly, systems and methods for communicating using direct-sequence spread spectrum acoustic waves generated by non-impulsive sources. A data signal is modulated by a pseudorandom noise signal and the modulated spread spectrum signal is coupled to a transmission medium for propagation of an acoustic wave through the medium. Acoustic signals are received from the medium and are possessed to obtain a transmitted data signal.

Abstract: Signals in a multi-channel, impaired communication system are post-processed at the receiver. A triangular matrix Decision Feedback Demodulator (DFD) at the receiver extracts channels without requiring delivery of receiver parameters to the transmitter. Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) processing matrices and DFD parameters are computed by first applying matrix transformations to diagonalize the noise covariance matrix of the multiple channels received at the receiver. QR decompositions (i.e., decompositions into orthogonal and triangular matrices) are then applied to the main channels to obtain triangular channel matrices. The noise-diagonalizing transformations and QR decompositions are then combined to form the MIMO postprocessing matrices and DFD parameters. MIMO postprocessing matrices and DFD parameters are computed from training data and then adapted during live data transmission.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a packet-based system having a number of buses is stimulated using apparatus having 1) a hardware interface configured to provide data packets to the buses; 2) a plurality of hardware-based queue schedulers, each configured to schedule data packets received from a respective one of a plurality of data packet sources, in a respective one of a plurality of hardware-based queues; and 3) a hardware-based priority scheduler configured to cause each particular queue to transmit a next highest priority data packet over one of the buses, based on i) timing requirements of the next highest priority data packet in the particular queue, and ii) a determination that transmission of the next highest priority data packet in the particular queue will not delay a transmission of a higher priority data packet in another one of the hardware-based queues.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seismological sounding with acoustic signals and, more particularly, systems and methods for performing geophysical surveys using spread spectrum acoustic waves generated by non-impulsive sources. A spread spectrum signal is generated and coupled to a medium that is to be sounded for propagation of an acoustic wave through the medium. One or more return signals are received from the medium that are generated by interaction between the acoustic wave and the medium. The return signals are possessed to obtain seismic sounding data describing the structural features of the medium.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a packet-based system having a number of buses is stimulated using apparatus having 1) a hardware interface configured to provide data packets to the buses; 2) a plurality of hardware-based queue schedulers, each configured to schedule data packets received from a respective one of a plurality of data packet sources, in a respective one of a plurality of hardware-based queues; and 3) a hardware-based priority scheduler configured to cause each particular queue to transmit a next highest priority data packet over one of the buses, based on i) timing requirements of the next highest priority data packet in the particular queue, and ii) a determination that transmission of the next highest priority data packet in the particular queue will not delay a transmission of a higher priority data packet in another one of the hardware-based queues.

Abstract: A method for performing quality control on medical images in a clinical trial setting. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of designating an image as reference image; obtaining attribute data from the reference image as reference attribute data; storing the reference image and the reference attribute data; subsequently taking a second image; obtaining attribute data from the second image as second attribute data; comparing the second image with the reference image on a single output screen; and denoting on the single output screen the second attribute data associated with the second image which differs from the reference data associated with the reference image.

Abstract: Signals in a multi-channel, impaired communication system are post-processed at the receiver. A triangular matrix Decision Feedback Demodulator (DFD) at the receiver extracts channels without requiring delivery of receiver parameters to the transmitter. Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) processing matrices and DFD parameters are computed by first applying matrix transformations to diagonalize the noise covariance matrix of the multiple channels received at the receiver. QR decompositions (i.e., decompositions into orthogonal and triangular matrices) are then applied to the main channels to obtain triangular channel matrices. The noise-diagonalizing transformations and QR decompositions are then combined to form the MIMO postprocessing matrices and DFD parameters. MIMO postprocessing matrices and DFD parameters are computed from training data and then adapted during live data transmission.

Abstract: A cigar shaped tobacco smoking pipe having a draw piece (14) with a band (12) adapted by proper sizing or screw thread to receive either end of a bowl piece (16). A bore (18) communicates with a smoking cavity (20), a chamber (10), and a draw piece (14). Both ends of the detachable bowl piece (16) are identically adapted, in any number of ways, including by identical tapers or screw threads to insert into the band (12). The pipe may be smoked with pieces assembled either way.

Abstract: A nozzle for a spray device comprising a mixing chamber (3) for a first fluid and a second fluid, said mixing chamber (3) having an exit orifice (24), an inlet feed (8) from an inner tubular passage (4) suitable for carrying the first fluid, and an inlet feed (5I) from an annular passage (5) surrounding the inner tubular passage (4) and suitable for carrying the second fluid, characterised in that the nozzle comprises a means for causing spiral flow around the inner tubular passage (4) of a fluid passing through the surrounding annular passage (5).

Abstract: An applicator for liquid cosmetic products, wherein product is dispensed primarily by capillary flow of the cosmetic product through the applicator and wherein the liquid cosmetic composition has a flow rate outward from the porous polymeric applicator head of about 0.05 to about 1.0 cc/s when a pressure gradient of 0.5 psi is applied across the applicator device. The cosmetic products are preferably antiperspirant and/or deodorant products comprising an antiperspirant and/or deodorant active.

Abstract: A method that sends upstream a collection of data samples measured from a DSL line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of interference sources are disclosed.