Abstract: A method, program and system aligns students and teachers according to dominant learning and teaching styles. The invention creates a menu of learning styles, and a second menu of teaching styles. Students are then tested using each learning style contained in the first menu, and the test scores are entered into a student database. Teachers are also tested using each teaching style contained in the second menu, and a database is then created for the teacher test scores. Using the student and teacher test scores, the system calculates a best-fit match between students and teachers according to corresponding learning and teaching styles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a cooling fan in a vehicle engine compartment, such as a tractor or combine. A fan control receives inputs from sensors and uses the sensor inputs in determining fan speeds which meet cooling needs while limiting fan energy consumption. Sensor data include at least one of PTO and transmission settings, throttle command and engine speed, and fan speed and air conditioner settings. Sensor data is received and processed in the fan control, which sends the greatest determined fan speed to a fan actuator. When the PTO is activated and the transmission is in park, fan speed can be controlled according to an alternate coolant temperature table. When throttle command is zero and engine speed is above a maximum, fan speed is set at maximum. When air conditioning is activated, fan speed is set at least at a predetermined minimum speed.

Abstract: A valve system for an engine is provided. The valve system includes a cylinder head that defines an intake passageway, an exhaust passageway, and an auxiliary passageway. The auxiliary passageway includes a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway. A control valve is disposed in the auxiliary passageway. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the control valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where control valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.

Abstract: A valve system for an engine is provided. The valve system includes a cylinder head that defines an intake passageway, an exhaust passageway, and an auxiliary passageway. The auxiliary passageway includes a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway. A control valve is disposed in the auxiliary passageway. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the control valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where control valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.

Abstract: Operation of a power-by-light valve (15) by a source (11) along an optical fibre (13) is monitored by means of optical sensors (14) from which light passes back along fibre (13) to monitoring and processing units (16, 17). The sensors (14) include fibre bragg gratings (41, 43) for detecting differential pressure across diaphragms (42) and for detecting temperature. At the input end, an optical coupler (12) supplies sensor signals to units (16, 17) which can control source (11) via a signal (32).

Abstract: A transmission controller determines a requested engine torque value. For an upshift the requested engine torque value is determined as a function of slippage of one of an off-going clutch. For a downshift, the requested engine torque value is determined as a function of actual sensed engine torque. The requested torque value is sent to an engine controller which controls the engine so that the engine generates the requested engine torque. Then the appropriate transmission clutches are swapped to complete the requested shift while the engine torque is controlled. The engine controller also limits engine torque to the requested engine torque value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for accessing, transmitting and storing a client's hearing profile on a network, which results in the creation of an audio font that is customized to the client's hearing preferences. In turn, the client's audio font may be accessed by the client and transmitted to a client's selected digital audio device via a network connection, which attenuates the sound drivers of the digital audio device to properly filter and adjust audio output in a manner that best enhances the sound quality to the client's needs and preferences. The invention allows the client to customize the sounds emitted from digital audio devices by providing audio preference feedback which modifies the selected audio font to more accurately represent the audio preferences of the client.

Abstract: A stable anaesthetic composition is described which is particularly suitable for use in cats and dogs. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of an anaesthetically effective amount of a water soluble cyclodextrin or a cyclodextrin derivative complex of alfaxalone and a buffer, excluding phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 0.1M mixed as defined in the British Pharmacopoeia 1998, such that the pH of the solution is from 6.0-8.0.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing an operation on a workpiece at an inaccessible location are described. The apparatus includes a tube with proximal and distal ends, the distal end being insertable in use into an inaccessible location. A head is flexibly coupled to the distal end of the tube and can be moved relative to the tube by control means. Laser energy can be transmitted through the tube and out of the head. The apparatus includes viewing means for gathering and displaying an image of the workpiece and tracking means operable to identify and record the position of one or more selected points of the workpiece. A processor is provided to actuate the control means so as to move the head to direct the laser energy to the selected point or points of a workpiece and to control the laser so as to perform the desired operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a cooling fan in a vehicle engine compartment, such as a tractor or combine. A fan control receives inputs from sensors and uses the sensor inputs in determining fan speeds which meet cooling needs while limiting fan energy consumption. Sensor data include at least one of PTO and transmission settings, throttle command and engine speed, and fan speed and air conditioner settings. Sensor data is received and processed in the fan control, which sends the greatest determined fan speed to a fan actuator. When the PTO is activated and the transmission is in park, fan speed can be controlled according to an alternate coolant temperature table. When throttle command is zero and engine speed is above a maximum, fan speed is set at maximum. When air conditioning is activated, fan speed is set at least at a predetermined minimum speed.

Abstract: This concerns a method and system for using virtual trading stamps to conduct commerce on public data networks such as the Internet. Virtual trading stamp offers are distributed through the network to network users. These offers are presented on viewable pages of material and may have ancillary or no relevance to other information presented on the same pages. Offers may be presented in the form of icons having the appearance of trading stamps. Sponsors of such offers arrange for their distribution with hosts of what are termed cool sites on the networks (e.g. operators of popular or frequently “surfed” sites). A page transmitted from a cool site may contain plural offers from one or more sponsors. Each offer/icon is linked to a program applet designed to establish network contact with a stamp server when the respective icon is selected (“clicked on”) by a viewer.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for conducting purchases of products with only a single action to be performed by the purchaser is disclosed. A user captures an image of an item for purchase with a client device, to which the user performs only a single action (e.g., pressing a button). The client device transmits the image and a client identifier to a central server, which identifies the item and combines the information about the item with customer billing and shipping information to automatically create and process an order for the item without any further intervention by the user.

Abstract: A method, program and system for facilitating a request for proposal (RFP) in an electronic marketplace are provided. The method comprises posting the content of the RFP in an electronic marketplace. A portion of the RFP is sent to at least one of a plurality of primary and secondary marketplace participants (i.e. general contractors and subcontractors). In one embodiment, primary and secondary participants can directly access the RFP posted in the electronic marketplace. The primary and secondary participants can then attach their proposals directly to the RFP so that other marketplace participants may examine the proposals. In another embodiment, access to the posted proposals might be restricted to specific parties, rather than all marketplace participants.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing open source translations of media via a data network are provided. With the apparatus, system and method, users may upload translations of media to a server which then makes these translations available to other users for download. The uploading of the translation may be in the form of a complete file or may be performed in realtime while the user is receiving the media at his/her client device. The apparatus, system and method further provide a mechanism by which a submitter of the translation may be compensated based on the number of times the translation is downloaded. In addition, the apparatus, system and method provide a mechanism by which a translation may be converted from one format to another, such as from an audio format to a text format.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for providing a post-sale customer service facility is disclosed. The present invention provides a commercial web site in which an inventory of products sold to a customer is maintained. The customer can use the inventory to look up information from the seller or manufacturer regarding the product or can engage in interactive information exchange with the seller's web site concerning the product.

Abstract: A medication package and method, system, and computer program product for making same is provided. In one embodiment, medications are grouped into dosage groups. Each dosage group contains at least one element of medication, such as a pill or capsule. Furthermore, each element of medication in a dosage group should be taken by a patient at substantially the same time as other elements of medication in the same dosage group. Each dosage group of medication is placed into a separate compartment in a package. The compartments of the package are covered and labeled with an indication of the time for which the associated medications within the compartment should be taken by a patient. The compartments are covered in such a manner such that removal of a dosage group from the package provides an indication to a patient that the medications in the dosage group have been taken by the patient.

Abstract: A method, program and system for aligning students and teachers according to dominant learning and teaching styles are provided. The invention comprise creating a menu of learning styles, and a second menu of teaching styles. Students are then tested using each learning style contained in the first menu, and the test scores are entered into a student database. Teachers are also tested using each teaching style contained in the second menu, and a database is then created for the teacher test scores. Using the student and teacher test scores, the system calculates a best-fit match between students and teachers according to corresponding learning and teaching styles.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring testing environments from a remote location are provided. More specifically, a mechanism for proctoring tests to users from a remote location as a test administration service is provided. With this mechanism, test environment data is obtained from sensor devices in the user's testing environment and forwarded to a proctor workstation. A human proctor may monitor the user's test environment to determine if cheating is taking place. The testing environment data may be recorded along with test input data from the user's client device for later use should cheating be suspected. Moreover, the administering of the test may be done by a third party as a test administration service to which a test developer may subscribe. Alternatively, the users of the test administration service may be billed for their individual use of the test administration service.

Abstract: An optical scope for viewing a feature at an inaccessible location includes a tube having a distal end which is insertable in use into an inaccessible location and a proximal end connected to a housing. The tube contains an optical system for gathering an image of a feature and relaying the image to a viewer. The tube also contains a device for directing a laser beam to a first reference point in the distal end, a first reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about the first reference point to change the direction of the laser beam so as to direct the beam out of the scope to a target feature, and a second reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about a second reference point to change the direction of a reference axis intersecting the second reference point so as to cause the axis to intersect the laser beam at a target feature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing cookies in a data processing system. In response to a selected event, a cookie file is requested from a source in which the cookie file contains a set of cookies of previously obtained cookies and is associated with a user. The cookie file is received in which the cookies are to access Web sites.