Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sharing information with third parties and providing mechanisms whereby those third parties may legitimately pass the personal information on to other, for example affiliated, third parties. In one example of information sharing, information is shared electronically between an information provider and an information requester, the information provider storing a body of information and associated sharing criteria provided by an originator, receiving a first information request from a first requestor and revealing the information and the sharing criteria to the first requestor if the first request is authorised by the originator, receiving a second information request from a second requestor and revealing the information to the second requestor if the second request contains an information identifier obtained from the first requester and the sharing criteria so permits, and storing evidence of information requests.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improved Christmas tree stand employing a Velcro® hook and loop strap to lock in place the clamping means for the tree trunk.

Abstract: A method for retrieving water samples from a body of water comprises positioning a remotely controlled boat on a body of water, moving the boat to a predetermined location on the body of water, lowering a probe attached to the boat into the body of water, wherein the probe includes a plurality of sample tubes contained therein, rotating a disc positioned above the plurality of sample tubes to line up a mouth of one of the sample tubes with an aperture to flow water into the sample tube.

Abstract: An ink cartridge comprising: (a) an ink cartridge body including a floor and an exterior wall partially defining an interior volume, the ink cartridge body including a capillary producing medium; and (b) an ink cartridge cap mounted to the ink cartridge body to substantially enclose the interior volume, the ink cartridge cap including two vents in direct communication with the interior volume, wherein a first vent incorporates an ink supply port. The invention also includes the utilization of a universal ink tank lid for use both in replacement and starter ink tank configurations, as well as methods of utilizing a universal ink tank lid to reduce production costs and complexities.

Abstract: A removable ink tank includes a floor including an ink output port. A free ink chamber is located over the floor. A suspended ink chamber is located over the floor and around the ink output port. The suspended ink chamber is separated from the free ink chamber by a divider wall. The divider wall has an ink communication port located near the floor to facilitate fluid communication between the free ink chamber and the suspended ink chamber. A frame is formed around the ink communication port. The frame protrudes outwardly into the suspended ink chamber to ensure a good seal with the ink suspension member.

Abstract: A method for in vivo imaging of at least one cell including: first obtaining a first image of at least one cell; second obtaining a second image of the at least one cell; adjusting at least one of the first image and the second image to account for a movement of the at least one cell; generating a final image based at least in part on the adjusting.

Abstract: A muffler sound simulator for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or toys. The simulator is driven through the circular motion of the wheel. The bicycle wheel is engaged by a drive wheel that in turn manipulates a drive shaft that acts upon an actuator. The actuator rotates, striking the hammer. The duel action of the load spring and the repositioning spring allow the hammer to interface repeatedly against the tympanic membrane. The sound derived from the resonation of the membrane is directed through the hollow casing, amplifying the sound that is generated. Another embodiment of the device is a muffler sound simulator for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or toys that is a mechanically driven actuator that compresses a switch tab against a momentary contact switch that is electrically connected to a printed circuit, and a speaker for the reaction output of the printed circuit.

Abstract: A system where commodity hardware can be utilized to act at least as a front-end to a database system, while maintaining transaction commitment reliability. A separate table to track if a transaction has been previously committed is provided. Preferably this separate stateless transaction protocol (STP) table utilizes indices relating to the user and to the particular request to determine if the particular transaction has been previously committed. By inspecting this table prior to providing the transaction to the primary transaction database, a determination can be made whether the transaction has been previously committed. If so, the response, which is stored in the STP table, is simply provided. If not, then the transaction is committed and an entry is made in the STP table to indicate the commitment. In the preferred embodiment the primary transaction database table entries and the entry into the STP table are committed with the same transaction.

Abstract: An adjustable connector is provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that attaches to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and a cap that attaches to the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member, with a pin connection that enables rotation between the cap and the side attachment member. An unadjustable connector is also provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that can attach directly to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member.

Abstract: An adjustable connector is provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that attaches to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and a cap that attaches to the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member, with a pin connection that enables rotation between the cap and the side attachment member.

Abstract: A trading table handling dense arrays of cabling and connected data and voice communications hardware includes a main multi-function beam comprising the main structural connection between leg assemblies and support for the table top, the beam also providing support for vertical post assemblies to mount hardware and other equipment and a variety of support devices to support and organize wires and cabling for data and voice communications and power below the table top in a manner that readily facilitates access for installation, maintenance and repair. A pan assembly supplements the beam in providing support for the table top and also supports a tray arrangement positioned below the beam for supporting cabling.

Abstract: A print head and regulator assembly for a printer including: (a) a print head; (b) an ink source; and, (c) a regulator for regulating the flow of ink between the ink source and the print head, the regulator including: (i) a pressurized chamber having an ink inlet in fluid communication with the ink source, an ink outlet in fluid communication with the print head, an opening extending through a chamber wall, and a flexible film covering the opening, the flexible film having an inner surface facing an interior of the pressurized chamber and an outer surface in contact with the ink in the ink source; and, (ii) a lever including a flexible arm positioned in proximity to the inner surface of the flexible film and an opposing arm operatively coupled to a seal that closes the ink inlet when the lever is in a first position and opens the ink inlet when the lever is pivoted to a second position, the lever being biased to the first position, where a higher pressure differential across the flexible film brings about a h

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a computing device and detecting whether an error condition is present in the computing device. In one aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus that can be coupled to a controlled computing device, comprising an input stage for receiving signals from the controlled computing device, and a control stage for determining whether an error condition is present in the controlled computing device from the signals and generating an error indicator if it is determined that the error condition is present in the controlled computing device. The present invention facilitates the monitoring of the computing device for error conditions automatically, without the need for ongoing direct maintenance of the computing device by a user. In another aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for remotely controlling the computing device.

Abstract: A moveable hot tub cover structure removably covers a hot tub and includes at least one rail structure mounted generally adjacent the hot tub and extending outwards therefrom and a rigid hot tub cover structure including at least two upright walls having bases and upper sections and a roof extending between and connecting the at least two upright walls adjacent upper sections thereof such that the roof is spaced from the bases of the upright walls to permit the rigid hot tub cover structure to enclose the hot tub and be used with the rigid hot tub cover structure thereon. At least two rail-engaging wheels are mounted on the rigid hot tub cover structure. The wheels are operative to rollably engage the rail structure.