Abstract: A method of interpreting an image using a statistical or probabilistic interpretation model is disclosed. The image has associated therewith contextual information. The method comprises the following steps: providing the contextual information associated with the image for analysis; analyzing the additional contextual information to identify predetermined features relating to the image; and biasing the statistical or probabilistic interpretation model in accordance with the identified features.

Abstract: A printed balun satisfies performance requirements for operation at a desired operational frequency (e.g., ƒ=5.3 GHz) while minimizing space requirements on a circuit board. Segments of microstrip are connected at right angles that define fingers whose dimensions can be tailored for operation at a desired operational frequency while minimizing the corresponding space required on a circuit board. Minimal separation between the fingers avoids undesirable internal interference. Mounted at the edges of distinct fingers are the necessary ports for operation of the balun including a single-ended port, an isolation port, and two differential ports.

Abstract: A phase interpolator that receives input clock phase and selection inputs that are distinct from the input clock phases. The phase interpolator generates an output clock phase based on the selection inputs. The phase interpolator includes selector devices which receive the input clock phases and receive the selection inputs, and includes cross-coupled switches which are connected to the selector devices and receive input clock phases therefrom. The selector devices select which input clock phases to provide to the cross-coupled switches based upon the selection inputs. The cross-coupled switches generate the output clock phase based upon the input clock phases which are received from the selector devices.

Abstract: A modular gas control device for use with a compressed gas cylinder (111) comprises a primary module (152) and a secondary module (252) mounted on the primary module. The primary module comprises a first supporting body (154) having a first main gas flow path (155) through the body. The supporting body has input connecting means (156) for mounting the body on the cylinder (111) and connecting the gas flow path (155) to communicate with the gas cylinder through a first flow path (157). Pressure reducing means (166) provides gas in the flow path at a lower pressure than in the container. Output connecting means (170) downstream of the pressure reducing means provides a low pressure outlet from the main gas flow path. A high pressure shut-off valve (164) is positioned upstream of the pressure reducing means, and filling means (161, 160) allows filling of the cylinder with compressed gas through the input connecting means (156) along a second flow path (159) separate from the input flow path (157).

Abstract: A marker assembly having hinged cap for preventing the loss of the cap. The marker assembly having hinged cap includes a housing that has an interior for holding ink. A wick member is coupled to the housing. The wick member extends into the interior. The wick member has a writing tip extending outwardly from the housing for dispensing ink through the wick member. A cap member is hingably coupled to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus (Z) having controllable impedance is inserted from output (22) to ground (23) of an audio-signal amplifier(20). Typically, the apparatus comprises a diode-chain (50) having multiple steps (52, 53, and so on); its first step (52) is connected to one terminal (62) of the apparatus. A capacitor (82, 84, and so on) is connected from each step to a second terminal (61). The network formed by the diode-chain (50) and the capacitor network (80) is called a matrix (60C). To bypass audio frequencies away from the chopping effect of the diodes, an inductor (31) parallels the matrix. To prevent shorting of audio signals to ground, a larger capacitor (30) is in series with the inductor. An unstable voltage at output will see increasing capacitance as it gradually breaks over more and more diodes. The changing of capacitive impedance in relation to the amplitude of the unstable voltage is designed such that the unstable voltage cannot grow too large. More complex matrices further reduce voltage fluctuations.

Abstract: An enhanced spine fixation apparatus for fixing a number of vertebrae of a spine column is disclosed. The spine fixation apparatus comprises a plurality of pedicel screws, a plurality of coupling blocks, a plurality of first securing elements, a plurality of second securing elements, a connecting rod, and a plurality of third securing elements. Each coupling block is secured on a pedicel screw by the first securing element while the connecting rod is secured on the coupling block by the second securing element. Each first securing element is fixed by the third securing element. By virtue of the provisions of a first and a second spherical convex surfaces as well as a first and a second recesses respectively on the surfaces of the pedicel screw and the first securing element as well as the surfaces of the coupling block which are being abutted, an adjustment concerning a vertical tilt angle and a horizontal rotating angle of the coupling block relative to the pedicel screw is available.

Abstract: A decorative lamp bulb and socket adapter is provided without a conventional fixed sleeve. The assembly takes advantage of contact surfaces of the sealing lug at the bottom of the bulb, a top surface of the sealing socket and the bottom surface of the bottom edge of the bulb. The lapped surfaces in both horizontal and vertical directions form a solid sealing structure to prevent water from permeating into the inside of the socket adapter. By clamping the terminal portion of the bulb with the clamping portion of the conducting strips, the connection between the electrodes at the terminal portion of the bulb and the clamping portions of the conducting strips is maintained.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing virus infections by interfering with the activity or function of Ras, the Ras pathway, the ERK pathway, MEK1/2, PKR or eIF-2 &agr;, includes the use of agents which inhibit Ras or otherwise modulate anti-PKR activity. Also, a method of diagnosing such virus infections includes the use of cell lines that have an activated Ras pathway, including cell lines which have been transformed with a gene that activates the Ras pathway. The virus infections may be herpes virus infections and HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections in particular.

Abstract: A bleach catalyst system comprising in combination, a macrocyclic organic ligand of formula (I): 1

Abstract: A modular gas control device for use with a compressed gas cylinder (111) comprises a primary module (152) and a secondary module (252) mounted on the primary module. The primary module comprises a first supporting body (154) having a first main gas flow path (155) through the body.

Abstract: A modular gas control device for use with a compressed gas cylinder (111) comprises a primary module (152) and a secondary module (252) mounted on the primary module. The primary module comprises a first supporting body (154) having a first main gas flow path (155) through the body. The supporting body has input connecting means (156) for mounting the body on the cylinder (111) and connecting the gas flow path (155) to communicate with the gas cylinder through a first flow path (157). Pressure reducing means (166) provides gas in the flow path at a lower pressure than in the container. Output connecting means (170) downstream of the pressure reducing means provides a low pressure outlet from the main gas flow path. A high pressure shut off valve (164) is positioned upstream of the pressure reducing means, and filling means (161, 160) allows filling of the cylinder with compressed gas through the input connecting means (156) along a second flow path (159) separate from the input flow path (157).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for extending a zone routing protocol. The invention is configured to provide a robust scalable framework for routing data in wireless ad-hoc networks when unidirectional links 210 are present. When the reverse path from a destination node (the tail) of a unidirectional link 210 to the originating node (the head) of the link is beyond a designated length, the invention is configured to revert to an on-demand search mechanism. The on-demand search mechanism recursively attempts to build a path to the destination 206 by recognizing nodes that have a route to the destination.

Abstract: A modular gas control device for use with a compressed gas cylinder (111) comprises a primary module (152) and a secondary module (252) mounted on the primary module. The primary module comprises a first supporting body (154) having a first main gas flow path (155) through the body. The supporting body has input connecting means (156) for mounting the body on the cylinder (111) and connecting the gas flow path (155) to communicate with the gas cylinder through a first flow path (157). Pressure reducing means (166) provides gas in the flow path at a lower pressure than in the container. Output connecting means (170) downstream of the pressure reducing means provides a low pressure outlet from the main gas flow path. A high pressure shut-off valve (164) is positioned upstream of the pressure reducing means, and filling means (161, 160) allows filling of the cylinder with compressed gas through the input connecting means (156) along a second flow path (159) separate from the input flow path (157).

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for a vehicle including a front HVAC control system that communicates with a rear HVAC control system. The rear HVAC control system includes a control panel having mode, temperature, and blower speed controls. The front HVAC control system includes a control panel having a rear manual control switch for enabling/disabling manual control of the rear HVAC system via the rear HVAC control panel. A microprocessor communicates control information from the front HVAC control system to the rear HVAC control system regardless of the position of the rear manual control switch. Whether the supplied control information is used by the rear HVAC control system is determined by the rear manual switch.

Abstract: A device for implementing a multimedia communication dissemination system is disclosed herein. The communication system integrates heterogeneous satellite transmission systems, local area computer networks, and the public telephone system to implement a flexible, high-speed communication system. The preferred communication dissemination system includes a broadcast server for broadcasting an information signal, a mobile base station for receiving the information signal broadcast from the broadcast server, and a local area network for distributing information received by the mobile base station. The preferred mobile base station includes a receiver for receiving information signals transmitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for distributing processed information signals, and a software proxy process for processing information signals. A software proxy process controls the dissemination of information through the network.

Abstract: A data flow system, where a source 100 transmits a reservation packet to an ingress element 102. The ingress element 102 polices incoming message traffic and collects data flow information. Quality of service differentiation is realized by marking data packets of different data flows. The ingress element 102 registers the reservation packet and forwards the request to a core router 106. The core router 106 evaluates the service level required, and available resources. Based on this evaluation the core router 106 will reject, accept, or modify the received message, indicate the price for the requested level of service, and forward the reservation packet. The process is repeated until the reservation packet reaches the destination 110, which sends a feedback message to the source 100 indicating the result of the reservation packet. After establishing a reservation, source 100 transmits periodic control messages and collects information regarding resource availability, and the flow path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module, comprising at least one mounting part and at least one piece of fabric material which is stressed on activation of the gas bag module and which is provided with at least one opening. The gas bag module further comprises a force-transmitting device by which the piece of fabric material is fastened to the mounting part. The device comprises a first rivet reinforcing the opening in the piece of fabric material, and a second rivet penetrating the first rivet and connecting the piece of fabric material with the mounting part.

Abstract: A device for implementing a multimedia communication dissemination system is disclosed herein. The communication system integrates heterogeneous satellite transmission systems, local area computer networks, and the public telephone system to implement a flexible, high-speed communication system. The preferred communication dissemination system includes a broadcast server for broadcasting an information signal, a mobile base station for receiving the information signal broadcast from the broadcast server, and a local area network for distributing information received by the mobile base station. The preferred mobile base station includes a receiver for receiving information signals transmitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for distributing processed information signals, and a software proxy process for processing information signals. A software proxy process controls the dissemination of information through the network.

Abstract: A method of transporting a reticle is disclosed. The reticle is placed in a reticle carrier that has an ionizer. Moreover, the reticle may be attached with a pellicle. The pellicle consists of a pellicle frame and a pellicle film stretched over the pellicle frame. The pellicle frame has included within an absorbent material.