Abstract: A drink locking unit providing a means of temporarily blocking off and securing the contents of a previously opened common commercial drinking vessel against the harm of inconspicuous social event drink lacing and the subsequent dangers of drug rape/drug robbery and comprising a shaft (4) activated expandable plug (3) which can be secured in the expanded position within the drinking vessel's orifice (2) by a shaft position locking mechanism (38) and a key (7).

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: A channel for managing equipment cables that includes opposing first and second members and a third member extending between and connecting the first and second members. Each of the first and second members includes first and second inner and outer surfaces. At least one cable receiving area is defined between the first and second inner surfaces of the first and second members. First and second equipment mounting elements extend from each of the first and second outer surfaces of the first and second members. The first and second equipment mounting elements are connectable to equipment. A base support is coupled to at least one of the first and second members.

Abstract: A microprocessor includes a first memory to store microcode and a second memory to store predicted micro-operation addresses. Micro-operation addresses are predicted, stored in memory, and retrieved to get the next micro-operations from the microcode memory. Misprediction recovery logic is used to determine if the next predicted address is correct and to determine a recovery address to correct the predicted address if the predicted address is incorrect.

Abstract: A system for conveying fluid through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure gas is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The gas/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the gas in the accelerating chamber.

Abstract: A cable splice enclosure assembly for enclosing and storing cable splices comprising a housing member having a closed end and an open end which defines a storage chamber therebetween. An end plate is received in the open end. The end plate is axially spaced from the closed end. The end plate includes an end plate body and a plurality of selectively removable cable caps for accessing individual cables passing through the end plate.

Abstract: Under the present invention a software version is used on a first operational level by a set (e.g., one or more) of users. As the software version is being used, its performance is automatically monitored based on predetermined monitoring criteria. Specifically, data relating to the performance of the software version is gathered. Once gathered, the data is automatically analyzed to determine if the actual performance met an expected performance. Based on the analysis, a plan is developed and executed. In particular, if the actual performance failed to meet the expected performance, the software version (or components thereof) could be revised (e.g., via patches, fixes, etc.) to correct the defects, or even rolled back to a previous operational level. Conversely, if the actual performance met or exceeded the expected performance, the software version could be promoted to a next operational level.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure includes a load bearing support and a load bearing deck. Such a support structure may be used in the construction of a bridge.

Abstract: Toggling between accessing an entry in a global history with a stew created from branch predictions implied by the ordering of instructions within a trace of a trace cache when a trace is read out of a trace cache, and accessing an entry in a global history with repeatable variations of a stew when there is more than branch instruction within a trace within the trace cache and at least a second branch instruction is read out.

Abstract: A compact and stackable package for displaying and protecting products including a transparent platform member having a planar portion on which a product may be placed, and a base portion at right angles to the planar portion on which the product is supported and which has a cavity or well therein in which an absorbent material, anti-microbial agent or atmosphere modifying agents may be placed, an overwrap of plastic film unitizing the platform member and product, and a sleeve member at least partially surrounding the periphery of the unitized platform member and product and on which indicia may be printed.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying flowable material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and system are provided for positioning an implantable actuator of a semi or fully-implantable hearing aid relative to a component of the auditory system of a patient. The system includes a fixed member, a telescoping member, and a driver. The fixed member is connected to a mounting device for mounting the positioning system to a patient's skull. The telescoping member is connected to the fixed member and the implantable actuator and is movable relative to the fixed member to interface the implantable actuator with the component of the auditory system. The driver controls the movement of the telescoping member relative to the fixed member in response to electrical inputs. In one embodiment of the invention, a user device externally located relative to the patient provides the electrical inputs to the driver. The electrical inputs may be provided to the driver by the user device using either a wireless signal or via inductively coupling the inputs to the driver.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid microphone comprises a housing having an internal chamber with an aperture thereto and a first diaphragm sealably positioned across the aperture. A microphone having a second diaphragm is positioned within the chamber to define an enclosed volume between the first and second diaphragms for mechanically amplifying acoustic signals received by the first diaphragm. A peripheral rim may define the aperture of the housing, wherein the first diaphragm may be recessed between about 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm relative to the peripheral rim across the lateral extent of the first diaphragm. The internal chamber may be defined to include a first portion having a first cross-sectional area adjacent to the first diaphragm, and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area adjacent to the second diaphragm that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second portion may be disposed to extend away from the first portion about an axis that is transverse to the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A jellying food product contains agar-agar as a jellying agent. Agar-agar is dissolved in water, boiled, cooled and mixed with alcohol to prepare a gelatinous food product. A sweetener and a flavoring agent are added depending on the taste of the consumer.

Abstract: A compact and stackable package for displaying and protecting products including a transparent platform member having a planar portion on which a product may be placed, and a base portion at right angles to the planar portion on which the product is supported and which has a cavity or well therein in which an absorbent material, anti-microbial agent or atmosphere modifying agents may be placed, an overwrap of plastic film unitizing the platform member and product, and a sleeve member at least partially surrounding the periphery of the unitized platform member and product and on which indicia may be printed.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying flowable material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber.

Abstract: A snap ring having improved retention characteristics is configured for use inside a cylindrical cavity. The cavity includes a retention device having a retention surface forming an obtuse angle with the cavity wall. As an axial load is applied to the snap ring, it moves along the retention surface, thereby experiencing a reduction in diameter. The snap ring includes a circumferential discontinuity defined by two generally radial planar surfaces, or ring ends. The discontinuity is configured such that the ring ends will abut one another before the snap ring diameter is reduced beyond the retaining diameter.

Abstract: In a processing core, a newly received load instruction may be dependent upon a previously received store instruction. The core may include a predictor to predict such dependencies and provide an identification of a colliding store instruction. The load instruction may be stored in a scheduler with a dependency marker. Thereafter, the load instruction may be prevented from executing until after execution of the colliding store. Upon execution of the load, the accuracy of the prediction is confirmed. Upon retirement of the load instruction, new prediction results may be provided to the predictor.