Abstract: An air flow producer of non-rectangular shape is adapted for installation in a rectangular opening of a drop ceiling. In preferred form, the producer has a circular housing with an open bottom covered with a grill. A fan with a rotary blade assembly is mounted in the housing to produce a downward air flow, and a circular metal band surrounding the rotary blade assembly defines an air discharge zone centered in the grill and an annular air intake zone surrounding the discharge zone. Flow rates are optimized by positioning the band close to the grill. The grill is preferably integrally molded with a rectangular flange that seats in the drop ceiling opening. The flange supports the housing from the framework and closes the opening to prevent the producer from drawing air from the plenum above the drop ceiling.

Abstract: A docking station, which connects a cellular telephone with one or more landline telephones, includes a connection switch configured to detect a condition of at least one landline of a premises and to establish a connection with a landline based on a detected condition, an interface configured to connect with any of a plurality of types of cellular telephones, and a processor configured to control a plurality of functions of the docking station and to communicate with each of the plurality of types of cellular telephones. An electrical characteristic of a cable or a wireless module connected to the cellular-telephone interface is used by the processor to identify a type of a cellular telephone connected to the docking station. The processor is programmed to enable a landline telephone connected to the docking station to send or to receive calls via the cellular telephone connected to the docking station, based on an identified type of the cellular telephone connected to the docking station.

Abstract: Active seal assisted latching assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to effect the latching. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications tailored for vehicles such as in a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically packaging component objects. A server receives a request from a client. The server identifies one or more objects based on the request. The identified objects may be copied from the server's nonvolatile storage area, generated dynamically, or be a result of modifying objects stored on the server's nonvolatile storage area. The identified objects are written to a package file. The server downloads the package file to the client. A dialog may be sent to the client to determine whether the client wishes to download the package file. The package file is provided dynamically in response to the client's request. The package file may include objects that include generated code, such as Java tag handler files, Java tag extra info files, and Java tag library description information. Java definitions may be included with the package file to create a Java jar file.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle window application, the seal force can be selectively reduced during movement of the window and increased when the window is stationary, thereby selectively changing seal effectiveness. Active materials refers to several different classes of materials all of which exhibit a change in at least one attribute such as dimension, shape, and/or flexural modulus when subjected to at least one of many different types of applied activation signals, examples of such signals being thermal, electrical, magnetic, stress, and the like.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. The active seal assemblies are generally configured to reduce the noise (sound waves) that is transmitted through the seal by measuring and actively canceling and/or absorbing the noise.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.

Abstract: A furrow forming tool (20) for use in agricultural apparatus, the tool (20) including a furrow forming disc (27) and a ground engaging wheel (28) associated therewith, the disc (27) and its associated ground engaging wheel (28) being assembled another with respect to the normal direction of travel of the tool (20) when in use, the disc (27) being mounted relative to the tool (20) so that its leading edge (29) is disposed forwardly of the leading edge of the ground engaging wheel (28).

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods which facilitate movement of an instrument relative to an item or location being monitored and/or the item or location relative to the instrument, whilst successfully excluding extraneous ions from the detection location. Thus, ions generated by emissions from the item or location can successfully be monitored during movement. The technique employs sealing to exclude such ions, for instance, through an electro-field which attracts and discharges the ions prior to their entering the detecting location and/or using a magnetic field configured to repel the ions away from the detecting location.

Abstract: A system and method for developing custom programmable tags. A user specifies custom programmable tag attributes and actions using a user interface. Code is generated to handle actions, attributes, and Java beans. Actions include whether the tags the user is creating include nested objects, such as JSP tag, expressions, and scriptlets. Actions also controls how many times the tag processes its content and whether the tag accesses the results from processing the tag's content. Attributes are specified including the attribute name, type, whether it is required, and whether an expression is allowed for the attribute. Code is generated to handle the attributes. Code is also generated to handle Java beans that may be used in conjunction with the tag. The user's specification are processed and a package of custom tag files (tag handler, tag extended info (TEI), and tag library description (TLD)) are returned to the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of water insoluble polymer particles comprising: a) preparing by polymerisation an aqueous dispersion of water insoluble particles of a heteropolymer including monomeric units of a reactive amphiphile having a cloud point and monomeric units of a hydrophilic monomer, said polymerisation being conducted in the presence of a stabilising agent and the reactive amphiphile and at a temperature above the cloud point of said amphiphile, and b) cooling said aqueous dispersion to a temperature below the cloud point of the reactive amphiphile such that the viscosity of the aqueous dispersion increases. The invention also relates to aqueous dispersions of water insoluble heteropolymer particles which incorporate units of reactive amphiphile.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus suitable for capturing a image of one or more of a user's facial features is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spherical cold mirror which presents a concave surface to the user and is disposed between the user and the camera. The user is able to conclude that he is close enough to the camera for successful image capture when the reflection he sees in the mirror is the right way up. In a preferred embodiment, markings are provided on the front surface of the mirror to aid the user in placing his eye within a predetermined range of distances from the camera. The imaging apparatus is suitable for use in iris recognition apparatuses and provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to known apparatuses.

Abstract: The apparatus and method provide a technique for significantly reducing capacitance effects in detector electrodes arising due to movement of the instrument relative to the item/location being monitored in ion detection based techniques. The capacitance variations are rendered less significant by placing an electrically conducting element between the detector electrodes and the monitored location/item. Improved sensitivity and reduced noise signals arise as a result. The technique also provides apparatus and method suitable for monitoring elongate items which are unsuited to complete enclosure in one go within a chamber. The items are monitored part by part as the pass through the instrument, so increasing the range of items or locations which can be successfully monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, media and signals for controlling a wireless communication appliance are disclosed. A method implemented by the apparatus, media and signals involves producing a message signal comprising an address portion and a payload portion, in response to an action signal received at an adjunct apparatus, causing the adjunct apparatus to perform a function identified in the payload portion when the address portion satisfies a condition and transmitting the message signal to the wireless communication appliance when the address portion fails to satisfy the condition.

Abstract: In a method of using iris recognition to determine whether a person is authorised to pass a security check, the person is first identified by comparing a captured and digitised iris code with iris codes stored in a database of iris codes for authorised persons. Then, the iris code for an identified person is compared with all previously recorded iris codes for that person. If there is an exact match, the identified iris code is deemed irregular since the chances of obtaining an exact match are significantly low. As a result, either further identifying information is requested or access to resources or systems is denied to the person.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically packaging component objects. A server receives a request from a client. The server identifies one or more objects based on the request. The identified objects may be copied from the server's nonvolatile storage area, generated dynamically, or be a result of modifying objects stored on the server's nonvolatile storage area. The identified objects are written to a package file. The server downloads the package file to the client. A dialog may be sent to the client to determine whether the client wishes to download the package file. The package file is provided dynamically in response to the client's request. The package file may include objects that include generated code, such as Java tag handler files, Java tag extra info files, and Java tag library description information. Java definitions may be included with the package file to create a Java jar file.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods which facilitate movement of an instrument relative to an item or location being monitored and/or the item or location relative to the instrument, whilst successfully excluding extraneous ions from the detection location. Thus, ions generated by emissions from the item or location can successfully be monitored during movement. The technique employs sealing to exclude such ions, for instance, through an electro-field which attracts and discharges the ions prior to their entering the detecting location and/or using a magnetic field configured to repel the ions away from the detecting location.