Abstract: A database cache manager for controlling a composition of a plurality of cache entries in a data cache is described. Each cache entry is a result of a query carried out on a database of data records, the cache manager being arranged to remove cache entries from the cache based on a cost of removal factor which is comprised of a time cost, the time cost being calculated from the amount of time taken to obtain a query result to which that cache entry is related.

Abstract: A communication system to handle call-back calls from emergency services to callers comprises a communication network and a call processing system. The communication network is configured to receive an emergency call for an emergency service from a communication device operated by a caller, and receive an incoming call for the communication device. The call processing system is configured to, in response to the emergency call, modify call controls associated with the caller, and process the modified call controls associated with the caller to determine if the incoming call is allowed. The communication network is further configured to connect the incoming call if the incoming call is allowed, and to block the incoming call if the incoming call is not allowed.

Abstract: A portable beach umbrella holder for supporting an umbrella in sand. The holder includes a flexible membrane attached to a support mount which receives a portion of the shaft. The support mount includes an upper portion located on one side of the membrane and a lower potion located on the other side of the membrane. The membrane has a hole between the upper and lower portions. The upper and lower portions are attached to one another so as to secure the membrane between them. A bore extends through the upper and lower portions for receiving the umbrella shaft. The upper and lower portions preferably include a center tubular member which defines the bore. The center tubular member in the upper portion is integral with the center tubular member in the lower portion so as to provide the attachment between the upper and lower portions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved intravascular intervention device. In one embodiment, an intravascular intervention device includes a microcatheter configured for intravascular delivery, an imaging wire received within the microcatheter, and a treatment device received within the microcatheter, wherein the imaging wire and the treatment device may be simultaneously advanced. The treatment device is configured to perform intravascular intervention. For example, the treatment device may be configured to deliver a stent, an embolic coil and/or a thrombolytic agent. In this embodiment, the intravascular intervention device may image the area of interest while performing the intravascular intervention, thus allowing imaging to take place in real time.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a dynamic configuration system comprising a number of networks, a number of imaging devices, and a dynamic host configuration protocol server. The dynamic host configuration protocol server is configured to execute a dynamic configuration process to place the number of imaging devices into the number of networks.

Abstract: A network connects stations in a distributed physics based simulation system. When the simulation detects that a weapon, especially a missile or directed energy beam, is engaging a target vehicle, one physics station determines damage status of the target vehicle. The detonation or strike of the weapon is applied to a model of the vehicle composed of pieces each made up of a number of parts. Where the damage to a piece of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold, the piece is removed from the vehicle, and where a predetermined maximum damage is reached for the vehicle, the vehicle is considered destroyed. The damage assessment from the weapon is made using raytracing in a physics engine that is also used to control movement of virtual objects in the simulation according to rules of physics of the physics engine.

Abstract: A CO controller is used in a boiler (e.g. those that are used in power generation), which has a theoretical maximum thermal efficiency when the combustion is exactly stoichiometric. The objective is to control excess oxygen (XSO2) so that the CO will be continually on the “knee” of the CO vs. XSO2 curve.

Abstract: In order to make accurate predictions on whether or not a power grid is stable, it is desirable to know the frequency and phase of at least each “control area” in the power grid. Each control area will ideally have power generation matched with its load. Rather than measure thousands of data points at low resolution in order to calculate potential grid instabilities, one may make few highly accurate measurements at low voltage to predict frequency and phase of high voltage transmission lines. Predicted data at the transmission points can then be used to calculate the relative stability of the power grid. The method includes the use of non-linear Luenberger observers and Kalman filters. The method can also be used to compute “Virtual measurements” for any component in the connected grid based on lower cost or easier to obtain measurement at other points on network. This method applies to any connected network of components.

Abstract: This invention is used to determine the condition of power transformers using real-time on-line high speed measurements. Specifically, a failure prediction method is described. This provides alerts prior to a catastrophic event that could cause major damage to the transformer and resulting business losses. Real time absolute phase angle and frequency as well as real and reactive power measurements from both sides of the transformer are used to estimate frequency domain transfer functions. The transfer functions are in fact the complex admittance functions relating the input and the outputs from the transformer. Three methods of computing the transfer function are outlined in this application. First, the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of both the input and the output wave forms are used to compute the transfer functions continuously in real time.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved intravascular intervention device. In one embodiment, an intravascular intervention device includes a microcatheter configured for intravascular delivery, an imaging wire received within the microcatheter, and a treatment device received within the microcatheter, wherein the imaging wire and the treatment device may be simultaneously advanced. The treatment device is configured to perform intravascular intervention. For example, the treatment device may be configured to deliver a stent, an embolic coil and/or a thrombolytic agent. In this embodiment, the intravascular intervention device may image the area of interest while performing the intravascular intervention, thus allowing imaging to take place in real time.

Abstract: Electric power grids are usually constantly monitored for AC frequency. The monitoring of the AC frequency, however, usually does not reveal information that would indicate impending failure in the power grid. This document describes several techniques for detecting impending failure in the power grid by examining line data in the frequency domain.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting spinal traction on a patient includes a tub containing liquid in which a patient, buoyantly supported by a floatation device, can float in a generally upright position in a state of buoyant equilibrium. The level of the liquid in the tub can be varied, which effects a variation on a traction force acting on the patient as the floatation device seeks new positions of buoyant equilibrium in response to the change in liquid level. The traction force may be generated by one or more weighted devices worn on the body of the patient or by a harness attached to the patient and secured within the tub to resist upward movement of the patient when the liquid level rises in the tub. The liquid level within the tub is varied by a liquid level varying apparatus associated with the tub which operates generally by displacing a volume of liquid within the tub to vary the level of the liquid by an amount corresponding to the volume of displaced liquid.

Abstract: In an aircraft braking system comprising a plurality of carbon brakes a brake control system is provided whereby the number and/or proportion of brakes that may be disabled at each stage of a flight spectrum (i.e. taxi-out, take-off, in-flight, landing, taxi-in or stationary on the ground) and also the number and/or proportion applicable during each stage is further adjusted in response to the specific conditions applicable to the aircraft status at any given time thereby to ensure that the overall safety of the aircraft is not hazarded. The operation of the brake control system may be controlled at least in part by an on-board brake control implementation device actuated by a remote, land-based signal. The brake control system providing for use of less than the total number of available brakes during the landing stage of the flight spectrum.

Abstract: An automated sphygmo-manometer which digitizes the pressure transducer output with sufficient resolution to preserve the details of the measured oscillation complexes. The "composite" arterial pulse signal containing the DC pressure component and the oscillation complexes is processed in a single processing channel so that the amplitudes of the oscillation pulse can be measured in the presence of the static components. Any necessary filtering is performed in the digital domain using known digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. In addition, dither signals may be added to the arterial pulse signal in the single processing channel in order to increase the apparent resolution. A simple finite impulse response (FIR) filter is used to sum respective samples to form high resolution samples from a plurality of low resolution samples.

Abstract: A communication protocol is provided to enable one of a number of transmitters using a common transmission line to independently gain exclusive use of the line. Before transmitting data, a transmitter first monitors the line to establish that it is idle. If it is, the transmitter then asserts the line for an interval unique to that given device. Thereafter the transmitter monitors the device momentarily to determine that no other transmitter is asserting the line and, if so, the transmitter may then gain exclusive control of the line.