Abstract: A node is configured for wireless communication with an access point according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services control parameter setting corresponding to the node. The controller is further configured to receive data, assign a priority level to the data, and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level.

Abstract: The interactive and shared surface technique described herein employs hardware that can project on any surface, capture color video of that surface, and get depth information of and above the surface while preventing visual feedback (also known as video feedback, video echo, or visual echo). The technique provides N-way sharing of a surface using video compositing. It also provides for automatic calibration of hardware components, including calibration of any projector, RGB camera, depth camera and any microphones employed by the technique. The technique provides object manipulation with physical, visual, audio, and hover gestures and interaction between digital objects displayed on the surface and physical objects placed on or above the surface. It can capture and scan the surface in a manner that captures or scans exactly what the user sees, which includes both local and remote objects, drawings, annotations, hands, and so forth.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter/monitor configured to provide tracking data and monitoring data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the transmitter/monitor when the transmitter/monitor is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the receiver, analyze the tracking data and the monitoring data, and identify an alarm condition based on the analysis of the tracking data and the monitoring data.

Abstract: A node is configured for wireless communication with an access point according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services control parameter setting corresponding to the node. The controller is further configured to receive data, assign a priority level to the data and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level.

Abstract: A node is configured for transmitting a data packet over a wireless network according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services code parameter and also to provide individualized control over a payload in the data packet. The controller is also configured to receive data to be transmitted over the wireless network, assign a priority level to the data, and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level. The controller is also configured to determine a signal quality indicator for the wireless network, and to adjust the amount of the data included in the payload based on the signal quality indicator.

Abstract: A node is configured for transmitting a data packet over a wireless network. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of a payload in the data packet. The controller is further configured to receive data to be transmitted over the wireless network, to determine a signal quality indicator for the wireless network, and to adjust the amount of the data included in the payload based on the signal quality indicator.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter configured to provide tracking data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data from the transmitter only when the transmitter is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data from the receiver. The processor is configured to estimate the location of the transmitter when the transmitter is outside the coverage area based on the tracking data.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter/monitor configured to provide tracking data and monitoring data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the transmitter/monitor when the transmitter/monitor is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the receiver, analyze the tracking data and the monitoring data, and identify an alarm condition based on the analysis of the tracking data and the monitoring data.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter configured to provide tracking data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data from the transmitter only when the transmitter is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data from the receiver. The processor is configured to estimate the location of the transmitter when the transmitter is outside the coverage area based on the tracking data.

Abstract: A pressure cuff is disclosed herein. The pressure cuff includes a sleeve and a cuff bladder. The cuff bladder defines a bladder length of 9.2+/?2.1 centimeters and a bladder width of 24.6+/?4.2 centimeters. The bladder length and bladder width dimensions provide precise non-invasive blood pressure measurements when the pressure cuff is applied to a forearm having a circumference in the range of 27 to 37 centimeters.

Abstract: A method for non-invasively estimating blood pressure is disclosed herein. The method includes inflating a cuff and collecting first oscillation amplitude data at a first plurality of cuff pressure levels while inflating the cuff. The method includes identifying an artifact in the first oscillation amplitude data. The method includes identifying a specific cuff pressure level where the artifact occurs and deflating the cuff to the specific cuff pressure level. The method includes collecting second oscillation amplitude data at the specific cuff pressure level and estimating a blood pressure parameter based on both the first oscillation amplitude data and the second oscillation amplitude data. A non-invasive blood pressure system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for non-invasively estimating blood pressure is disclosed herein. The method includes inflating a cuff and collecting first oscillation amplitude data at a first plurality of cuff pressure levels while inflating the cuff. The method also includes deflating the cuff and collecting second oscillation amplitude data at a second plurality of cuff pressure levels while deflating the cuff. The method also includes fitting a curve to the first oscillation amplitude data and to the second oscillation amplitude data and estimating a blood pressure parameter based on the curve. A non-invasive blood pressure system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixture assembly for holding printed circuit boards (PCBAs) during processing such as wave soldering. The fixture assembly consists of multiple plates which are assembled to define protective cavities and recesses for masking components such as surface mounted devices and define apertures so that pass-through leads are exposed at the bottom or secondary side of the bottom plate. An optional weighting member may be used to firmly secure the PCBA during processing. The multi-plate structure is cost effective reducing milling and machining operations normally attendant to the fabrication of a fixture assembly. In another embodiment, a stencil is provided with cut-outs corresponding to protected area on the PCBA. A soluble masking material is applied to the stencil and board prior to wave soldering. The masking material is subsequently rinsed away.

Abstract: A concrete countertop includes a concrete slab that defines a substantially planar work surface. The work surface is treated for direct contact with foodstuffs. A piping circuit is embedded within the concrete slab and is coupled to a refrigeration motor for circulating refrigerant through the piping circuit. The concrete slab and work surface are thereby cooled by the circulation of refrigerant through the piping circuit. In another aspect, the concrete countertop may additionally, or alternatively, include a heating element embedded within the concrete slab to facilitate maintaining the work surface at an elevated temperature. The concrete countertop may further include a control communicating with the refrigeration motor and/or the heating element and operative to maintain the work surface within a desired temperature range.

Abstract: A technique for comparing pressure oscillations obtained during a blood pressure determination wherein two or more sets of matching criteria may be employed. The set of matching criteria to be employed is determined based on the heart rate variability or the presence of heart beat irregularities or arrhythmias as determined by an independent heart monitor, such as an ECG. The selected set of matching criteria may then be employed in determining the acceptability of the time interval between two oscillations and the equivalence of the two oscillations based upon one or more oscillation characteristics, such as peak amplitude. In this manner, non-consecutive oscillations may be matched and used in determining blood pressure.

Abstract: A fixture assembly for holding printed circuit boards (PCBAs) during processing such as wave soldering. The fixture assembly consists of multiple plates which are assembled to define protective cavities and recesses for masking components such as surface mount devices and define apertures so that pass-through leads are exposed at the bottom or secondary side of the bottom plate. An optional weighting member may be used to firmly secure the PCBA during processing. The multi-plate structure is cost effective reducing milling and machining operations normally attendant to the fabrication of a fixture assembly.

Abstract: A storage and display unit for prepaid telephone calling cards, collectible cards, and the like which is made, at least in a major part, of a substantially transparent plastic having a reasonable amount of impact resistance to breakage, the unit being combinable with other units to assemble larger units, the unit providing one or more bins holding cards that are for sale, with the cards in view through the transparent portions of the unit, and arranged to have a key-lockable cover to at least deter unauthorized removal of cards. The unit also provides for display of a card's face to indicate the type of card in each card bin. The display can be arranged to be on the front or back of the unit, or both. When on the back, the unit is best oriented so that the display card seen through the transparent unit back is facing customers, and the locked cover is facing the clerk or other salesperson who has a key and is authorized to remove cards for sale.

Abstract: A control system for operating and integrating automated applications in a small building environment. The control system includes a plurality of application controllers that control the operation of various automated applications, such as HVAC, lighting, access control and security. The control system further includes a local control interface that integrates and coordinates/controls operation of the various application controllers. The local control interface is preprogrammed with profiles for each of the different types of application controllers designed to operate with the system, but also is able to acquire new profiles from new or custom application controllers that are unknown to the local control interface at the time of installation. The profiles include control variable definitions for each of the control variables supported by the corresponding application controller. This information permits self-configuration of the application controllers.

Abstract: A bag dispensing system providing plastic bags from a roll of bags where one end is attached to the top of the next bag by perforation lines with a slot therebetween. The roll of bags provides a core having an indexing member on at least one end. The dispenser comprising a wire frame formed into channels to support the core. The channels include a core retaining member for restraining the core in the channel. The dispenser includes at least one brake attached to a support member and disposed at an angle thereto to provide tension to the edges of the roll of bags as the core passes through the channel passageway as bags are removed from the roll. Spaced apart from the support is a separating tongue. The tongue engages the slot regardless of whether the bags are drawn over or under the tongue.

Abstract: Live vaccines are provided and methods for preparing the live vaccines for protection of a host from a pathogenic microorganism. The vaccines are prepared by introducing at least one modification in a gene involved in at least one, normally at least two, biosynthetic pathways involving the production of products which are unlikely to be found in the disease susceptible host. The modification results in a gene change which cannot be repaired by a single step, e.g. polynucleotide deletions and inversions. Where the aro gene suffers such a change, the resultant auxotrophic mutants require aromatic amino acids, p-aminobenzoic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid or a highly concentrated source of absorbable iron. The auxotrophic mutations have substantially reduced or nonexistent virulence while retaining the desired immunogenicity to initiate the immunogenic response. Various techniques can be employed for providing the desired change.