Abstract: The spindle area tube removal and installation tool includes an outer tube assembly; an inner tube assembly disposed within the outer tube assembly, the inner tube assembly having a first end and a second end; a handle assembly attached to the first end of inner tube assembly such that when the handle assembly is rotated the inner tube assembly rotates; a head assembly for gripping clamps within the spindle area; a gear assembly communicating with the head assembly, the gear assembly attached to the second end of the inner tube assembly such that when the inner tube assembly rotates the gear assembly provides a ninety degree power transfer to the head assembly, such that the head assembly rotates the clamps within the spindle area 360 degrees, allowing removal of the spindle area tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shipping to be executed within the framework of a social networking system or social network using information managed within the social networking system through interfaces to carriers that perform the shipping are provided. Shipping registration information for a first user of a social networking system is received, wherein the shipping registration information includes a physical address and at least one authorized payment mechanism. A request by the first user to ship a physical item to a second user of the social networking system is received at the social networking system. Shipping information including a physical address is obtained from the second user. A shipping label for shipping the physical item is generated and provided to the first user for shipping the physical item to the second user.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an improved system and method for patient communication during MR procedures. In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The system includes a scanner having an opening configured to receive a patient and being operable to perform a magnetic resonance imaging sequence. The system also includes a visual communication device disposed in the opening of the scanner and being operable to capture an image of the patient and transmit the image to circuitry outside of the scanner.

Abstract: A method for generating a postal indicia associated with a mailpiece is disclosed. The method includes generating an indicia data stream including a postal information segment and a security segment that is based upon the postal information segment and modifying a portion of the security segment to include additional information, thereby defining a modified indicia data stream.

Abstract: A method to provide consolidated shipping information to a server of a carrier by which a package is to be shipped in exchange for a rebate, a discount, or both, is disclosed. The method includes receiving shipping criteria including destination address information and tracking/confirmation information for the package, creating shipping payment information for the package by a postal meter, and generating consolidated shipping information from the destination address information, the tracking/confirmation information, and the shipping payment.

Abstract: A water-soluble photoluminescent compound including a symmetrical skeletal structure of the formula (A) in which x may represent any integer, and in which the phenyl rings may be substituted, is disclosed. A protein detector comprising such a compound and a method of measuring the total dissolved protein content of a fluid sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for tuning a radio frequency coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system includes disposing a plurality of probes at selected portions of a fixture, disposing the fixture proximate to the radio frequency coil at a first location, and obtaining a first set of measurements of an output of the radio frequency coil using an automated test equipment.

Abstract: An electrode structure wherein galvanic corrosion at adhesion layers formed between electrodes and electronic or electro-optic substrates is eliminated. The electrode structure includes an electro-optic crystalline substrate, an amorphous layer disposed on the crystalline substrate, the amorphous layer having a composition substantially similar to a composition of the crystalline substrate, and a gold layer disposed directly on the amorphous layer. The amorphous layer is created using ion sputtering etching techniques that clean and activate the surface of the crystalline substrate such that the gold layer is able to adhere to it.

Abstract: An electrode structure wherein galvanic corrosion at adhesion layers formed between electrodes and electronic or electro-optic substrates is eliminated. The electrode structure includes an electro-optic crystalline substrate, an amorphous layer disposed on the crystalline substrate, the amorphous layer having a composition substantially similar to a composition of the crystalline substrate, and a gold layer disposed directly on the amorphous layer. The amorphous layer is created using ion sputtering etching techniques that clean and activate the surface of the crystalline substrate such that the gold layer is able to adhere to it.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for verifying the integrity of each one of a number of communication paths, illustratively telephone subscriber loops, that runs between a near end location, illustratively a telephone company central office, and a corresponding remote ("far end") location(s). This system utilizes circuitry, such as a line verification module, that is located at the far end of each path to impart a selected test signal specifically a selected one of a number of sub-audible frequencies, thereto. In one embodiment, the circuitry continously transmits a test signal over the path. The level of the test signal is automatically adjusted such that this signal remains at an approximately constant amplitude regardless of whether that path is in an on-hook or off-hook condition. Central office monitoring circuitry is connected to the near end of every path being verified.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for verifying the integrity of each one of a number of communication paths, illustratively telephone subscriber loops, that runs between a near end location, illustratively a telephone central office, and corresponding remote ("far end") location(s). This system utilizes circuitry, such as a line verification module, that is located at the far end of the path to detect one or more conditions thereat (e.g. loop current and loop voltage) that are indicative of normal operation of the path, e.g. proper on-hook and off-hook conditions. As long as the path is normally operating at the far end, this circuitry would then transmit a test signal, e.g. a selected one of a number of sub-audible frequencies, over the path to the near end. This test signal is chosen to be substantially transparent to normal communication (e.g. local telephone company signalling and transmission frequencies) occurring over that path.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selecting a single telephone line from among multiple line pairs at a location remote from the central office and isolating that line from the respective subscriber line to allow the performance of line tests on same. Line pairs are sampled sequentially for a short time interval to determine whether a signal is present within an initial detection band, that band having a range about .+-.100 hz of the test signal frequency. If a signal is found, the system shifts to a validation made to defect a signal within a range of about .+-.10 hz of the test signal frequency during a preselected long time interval. Upon finding a signal present at the end of the validation cycle, the system disconnects the selected line from its respective subscriber line and begins performing line tests to diagnose problems.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be coupled into a party telephone line for selecting a ringing signal transmitted on the line from among a plurality of possible coded ringing signals that could be transmitted on the line and for coupling the ringing signal to a telephone is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rectifier coupled to the party line for providing a rectified ringing signal, a first switch having the rectified signal as an input for reversing the polarity of the rectified signal at selected times, a second switch coupled to the first switch for selecting either the rectified ringing signal or the ringing signal itself and a third switch coupled to the second switch for coupling the selected signal to a telephone coupled to the third switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing a predetermined tone signal transmitted on a transmission line, such as a telephone transmission line, and for generating a signal indicating the presence of the tone signal. The apparatus comprises a tone detector circuit including an amplifier, bandpass filter and comparator, a power supply for generating power for the detector circuit from a voltage present on the transmission line and logic circuitry for gating pulses of power from the power supply to the detector circuit on a periodic basis thereby to enable the detector circuit to check for the presence of the tone signal during the durations of the power pulses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selecting a single telephone line from among multiple line pairs at a location remote from the central office and isolating that line from the respective subscriber line to allow the performance of line tests on same. Line pairs are sampled sequentially for a short time interval of about 35 ms to determine whether a signal is present within an initial detection band, that band having a range about .+-.100 hz of the test signal frequency. If a signal is found, the system shifts to a validation mode to detect a signal within a range of about .+-.10 hz of the test signal frequency during a preselected long time interval. The system remains in validation mode for about six iterations of the validation routine, each long time interval being about 0.5 seconds duration. Upon finding a signal present at the end of each such validation cycle, the system disconnects the selected line from its respective subscriber line and begins performing line tests to diagnose problems.

Abstract: A telephone line testing circuit for determining whether a fault exists on a telephone line entering a customer's premises or whether the fault exits in the customer's wiring and equipment. The testing circuit comprises a test switch, a polarity detector, a current detector, a dial tone detector and an indicator. The polarity, current and dial tone of an incoming telephone line signal are tested sequentially in the same circuit and in one operation such that if any one of the three characteristics of the entering telephone line contains a fault, the indicator will not generate a signal. When the entering telephone line signal has the correct operating polarity, sufficient operating current draw and a dial tone of the correct operating frequency, the indicator will generate a signal indicating that no fault exits on the entering telephone line.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for disconnecting and reconnecting equipment to a telephone line in response to at least one AC signal sent over the telephone line. The equipment can automatically be reconnected after a predetermined time period, or reconnected only after another AC signal is received. The apparatus includes digital circuits for detecting a signal within a predetermined frequency range which is present uninterrupted for a minimum time period to activate switching. The apparatus also includes digital timing circuits which can provide relatively long time periods during which the equipment is disconnected which do not utilize large energy storage devices. The digital circuits of the apparatus are operable at extremely low currents, e.g. less than 30 ua total drain. The regulator utilizes one or more light-emitting diodes drawing a current of only about 5 ua to generate a reference voltage.