Abstract: A method and related apparatus for producing a compilation of works, including the steps of generating an excerpt from a work that has an associated original copyright metadata, creating an additional copyright metadata with per object pricing for objects of the excerpt, and associating the original copyright metadata and the additional copyright metadata with the excerpt.

Abstract: A method of verifying intellectual property rights of a compilation of works generated for print on-demand (POD) purchase, including the steps of compiling the compilation of works, and before making the compilation of works available for purchase, automatically verifying intellectual property right of each of the works compiled to ensure legitimate distribution of the compilation of works.

Abstract: A method for controlling rights for purchasing and using a compilation of works, including the steps of compiling the compilation of works, obtaining rights to use the compilation of works in different formats, setting different options for a user to purchase the rights to use the compilation of works in different formats, and allowing a user to purchase the rights to use the compilation of works with different options such that they may be exercised based on the user's needs.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for managing files for producing a compilation of works, comprising the steps of obtaining a file of a work to be compiled in a booklet by a first user, sharing the file or sharing or transferring part of whole of the booklet created by the first user with a second user, and selecting by the second user to accept or reject the sharing of the file or the sharing or transferring of the booklet by the first user.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for managing files for producing a compilation of works, including the step of obtaining a complete file of a work to be compiled in the compilation of works, selecting a portion of the complete file as a separate excerpt file to be compiled in the compilation of works, and independently managing the complete file and the excerpt file for producing the compilation of works.

Abstract: A method for managing files for producing a compilation of works. The method includes the steps of obtaining a file of a work to be compiled in the compilation of works, specifying a type designation to the file or a portion thereof, and rendering special treatment of the file or the portion thereof according to the type designated to the file or the portion thereof when producing the compilation of works.

Abstract: Embodiments of a launch lock assembly are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system including one or more launch lock assemblies. In one embodiment, the launch lock assembly includes first and second mount pieces, a releasable clamp device, and an axial gap amplification device. The releasable clamp device normally maintains the first and second mount pieces in clamped engagement; and, when actuated, releases the first and second mount pieces from clamped engagement to allow relative axial motion therebetween. The axial gap amplification device normally residing in a blocking position wherein the gap amplification device obstructs relative axial motion between the first and second mount pieces. The axial gap amplification device moves into a non-blocking position when the first and second mount pieces are released from clamped engagement to increase the range of axial motion between the first and second mount pieces.

Abstract: Resilient aircraft engine mounts and mounting systems including the same are provided. A resilient aircraft engine mount comprises a base and a pair of opposed spiral springs in parallel forming a clevis with the base. A first spiral spring of the pair of opposed spiral springs has a first center opening extending therethrough. A second spiral spring of the pair of opposed spiral springs has a second center opening extending therethrough that is concentric with the first center opening for accepting a clevis pin. First and second spiral springs are each comprised of a rectangular cross section beam. The resilient aircraft engine mount is tunable in three translational axes to support three degrees of freedom vibration isolation. Two or more resilient aircraft engine mounts provide six degrees of freedom vibration isolation. Resilient aircraft engine mounts attach the aircraft engine to a pylon structure and help isolate vibratory forces.

Abstract: Mounting systems for structural members, fastening assemblies thereof, and vibration isolation systems including the same are provided. Mounting systems comprise a pair of mounting brackets, each clamped against a fastening assembly forming a mounting assembly. Fastening assemblies comprise a spherical rod end comprising a spherical member having a through opening and an integrally threaded shaft, first and second seating members on opposite sides of the spherical member and each having a through opening that is substantially coaxial with the spherical member through opening, and a partially threaded fastener that threadably engages each mounting bracket forming the mounting assembly. Structural members have axial end portions, each releasably coupled to a mounting bracket by the integrally threaded shaft. Axial end portions are threaded in opposite directions for permitting structural member rotation to adjust a length thereof to a substantially zero strain position.

Abstract: A method and system for managing print job through a process that includes the steps of receiving a print job order for printing a multiplicity of articles, processing the multiplicity of articles to create an identification (ID) for each article, and determining whether an article ID stored in a database matches any of the new IDs of the multiplicity articles. If a matching article ID does not exist, then keeping the article and storing the ID of the kept article in the database. If a matching article ID exists, then removing the article from the print job, and repeating the above steps until all of the multiplicity of articles are processed accordingly. When printing the job, only the remaining articles are printed.

Abstract: A system is described for facilitating purchase of copyrighted works, in particular, works that may be offered for variable prices depending on the purchaser's characteristics. A server interacts with multiple digital content repositories as well as users. The server stores user characteristics information in user accounts, and uses such information to obtain best prices for users for the contents they request. If additional user characteristics information is request by some repositories before offering a price, the server interacts with the user to obtain such information. The server automatically selects the best price among those offered by the repositories, and completes the purchase transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for managing print job through a process carried out by an online web-store server. The process includes the steps of receiving a print job order by a web-store server, and checking a remote cache via a network to determine whether a PDF file is stored therein. If the matching PDF file does not exist, then the server generates a new PDF file containing the sequence of articles and transmits the new PDF file to the print server, and saves the new PDF file in the remote cache. If the matching PDF exists, then the stored PDF is retrieved from the remote cache, and the print server uses the retrieved PDF file to print the print job without the web-store server creating the new PDF file or transmitting the new PDF file to the print server.

Abstract: A system and program implement a process for allowing users of third party vendors to access print shop applications without separate authentication. The process includes the steps of creating a query-string having identification information of a third party vendor and authentication information of a user of the third party vendor. The query-string is created in response to the user's access to the third party vendor's web-site, and is contained in an inline frame and encrypted. Upon receiving the encrypted query-string sent from a third party vendor server to a print shop server, the query-string is decrypted. It is then determined whether the user has an existing account on the print shop server. If the user has an existing account, the user is automatically logged into the print shop server so that the user may access and use any print-on-demand applications on the print shop server without manually inputting user authentication information on the print shop server.

Abstract: A composite sealed vessel is provided. The vessel includes a non-metallic, generally cylindrical inner containment piece, a non-metallic, generally cylindrical outer containment piece disposed around the inner containment piece. A pair of non-metallic flanges are disposed at ends of the inner and outer containment pieces to form a closed structure defining a cavity therein. The vessel also includes a metallic external lining disposed over the closed structure to form a leak-tight pressure boundary.

Abstract: A pest control system (20) includes pest control devices (110) installed about an area or building (22). These devices (110) each include a bait member and a communication circuit. The communication circuit may be in the form of a passive RF tag that transmits information indicative of bait status and an identifier unique to each pest control device (110). A hand held interrogator (30) is provided to locate and communicate with the pest control devices (110) via the communication circuit. A data collection unit (40) to accumulate data gathered from the pest control devices (110) may alternatively or additionally be utilized. The bait member may be configured with a magnetic component to provide a magnetic signature indicative of the bait consumption behavior of targeted varieties of pest. The devices optionally include one or more environmental sensors to evaluate and predict pest behavior.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition in a multilayer ceramic capacitor with a composition of formula: {[(CaO)t(SrO)1-t]m[(ZrO2)v(TiO2)1-v]}1-s-xAsEx wherein: A is a transition metal oxide; E is an oxide of an element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, Ga and combination thereof; m is 0.98 to 1.02; t is 0.50 to 0.90; v is 0.8 to 1.0; s and x are selected from the group consisting of: a) 0?x?0.08, 0.0001?s?0.043 and x?1.86s; and b) 0?0.0533, 0.0001?s?0.08 and x?0.667s.

Abstract: A pest control system (20) includes pest control devices (110) installed about an area or building (22). These devices (110) each include a bait member and a communication circuit. The communication circuit may be in the form of a passive RF tag that transmits information indicative of bait status and an identifier unique to each pest control device (110). A hand held interrogator (30) is provided to locate and communicate with the pest control devices (110) via the communication circuit. A data collection unit (40) to accumulate data gathered from the pest control devices (110) may alternatively or additionally be utilized. The bait member may be configured with a magnetic component to provide a magnetic signature indicative of the bait consumption behavior of targeted varieties of pest. The devices optionally include one or more environmental sensors to evaluate and predict pest behavior.

Abstract: Among the embodiments of the present invention are pest control devices (1010, 1110, 1210) each operable to detect the presence of pests. The pest control device (1010, 1110, 1210) has a bait (1032) that is consumed or displaced by one or more species of pest, a pest sensing circuit (1052, 1152, 1252), and a monitoring circuit (1069, 1169, 1269). The pest sensing circuit (1052, 1152, 1252) can be altered by pest activity. The monitoring circuit (1069, 1169, 1269) detects this alteration and reports it automatically or in response to an external stimulus or interrogation to indicate pest presence.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition in a multilayer ceramic capacitor having a composition of formula: ((CaO)t(SrO)1-t(ZrO2)v(TiO2)1-v)1-s-x-y-zAsExGyHz wherein: A is a transition metal oxide; E is an oxide of a group III or IV element; G is an oxide of a group II element; H is an oxide of a lanthamide; t is 0.50 to 0.90; v is 0.8 to 1.0; s is 0.0001 to 0.08; x is 0 to 0.08; y is 0 to 0.20; and z is 0 to 0.20.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition in a multilayer ceramic capacitor having a composition of formula: ((CaO)t(SrO)1-t(ZrO2)v(TiO2)1-v)1-s-x-y-zAsExGyHz wherein: A is a transition metal oxide; E is an oxide of a group III or IV element; G is an oxide of a group II element; H is an oxide of a lanthanide; t is 0.50 to 0.90; v is 0.8 to 1.0; s is 0.0001 to 0.08; x is 0 to 0.08; y is 0 to 0.20; and z is 0 to 0.20.