Abstract: The invention is a container cap with a timer. The timer has a centralized activation pin or mechanism that activates the timer when the cap is secured to a container. The timer is used to determine how much time has passed since the cap was secured to the container. The timer cap of the present invention is streamlined, easier to use, more reliable, and has a lower manufacturing cost than currently available timer caps.

Abstract: The present methods and systems relate to means for job seekers to provide more detailed information to prospective employers to aid in job hiring decisions. The means comprises validation of job history, education, and skills information provided by the job seeker, which can comprise third party support and feedback. The means further comprises a display of information that comprises the relative strength of the validation, as well as possible means of further validation for the prospective employer to use. The means further comprises a skills assessment that is taken by the job seeker at a time of the seekers time and place convenience, but that can be validated at the place of employment. The means also provides the job seeker with information about how they could improve their employment prospects.

Abstract: A method for the detection of microorganisms in a sample comprising contacting said sample with a biosensor concentration module, allowing microorganisms to grow for a first period of time and detecting growth of discrete microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates invoking a command. During operation, the system suggests with a graphic element a gesture to use to invoke a command. The system then receives the gesture from a user at a device. Note that the gesture is received via an input mechanism, and also note that the gesture is a predetermined manipulation of the input mechanism. The system then determines a graphic element within the user interface that is associated with the gesture. Finally, upon determining the object associated with the gesture, the system invokes the command associated with the graphic element.

Abstract: The present method relates to the manual assistance for the automated indexing (100) of a collection of images using facial recognition. In a first automated indexing step, automated indexing of faces within a collection of images is performed, creating sets of faces each of which comprises faces that are determined by the automated process to be representative of the same person. In a second splitting step (200), sets are displayed to an operator, who determines whether there are false-positive associations within a set. If false-positive associations are found, the faces representing different people are manually split into different sets, hi this way, there will be no false-positive associations within the collection of images, hi a third merging step (300), sets that have some degree of similarity are presented to the operator, who determines whether the two sets comprise representations of the same person. If so, the two sets are manually merged, thereby eliminating false-negative errors.

Abstract: A method for the detection of microorganisms in a sample comprising contacting said sample with a biosensor concentration module, allowing microorganisms to grow for a first period of time and detecting growth of discrete microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

Abstract: A headphone and method for allowing manually controlled reception of ambient sound by a user. More particularly, the invention relates to a headphone for listening to an audio signal while allowing varying amounts of ambient sound to the user. In one aspect, the headphone comprises a manually-controllable physical characteristic that controls the amount of ambient sound accessible to the user. The physical characteristic can be sound ports that can be opened or closed. In another aspect, the headphone can comprise a microphone receptive of ambient sound, wherein the user can control the proportion of sound that comes from the ambient sound or the audio signal. The microphone can be part of a noise cancellation system.

Abstract: A compliant circuit element spacing system comprises a circuit board, a dummy spacer component, and a compliant circuit element. One or more active components are mounted to the circuit board. The dummy spacer component is also mounted to the circuit board, such that the dummy spacer component is electrically isolated from each active component mounted to the circuit board. The compliant circuit element is positionable proximate the circuit board, and spaced from the circuit board by the dummy spacer component. The spacing component isolates the compliant circuit element from each active component mounted to the circuit board.

Abstract: The present methods and systems relate to the removal of sulfur oxides and/or mercury from flue gases by use of a sorbent. Sorbent can comprise an alkali or alkaline earth metal oxide, a transition metal oxide catalyst, and a clay. The sorbent can additionally comprise a polyanion for binding mercury oxides and salts. Methods are provided to produce individual sorbent particles of small diameter, resulting in larger numbers of particles. The state of agglomeration of sorbent particles is important, and aspects of the production and composition of the sorbent are specified so as to either prevent agglomeration or to break up such agglomeration if it occurs. Methods of sorbent injection are indicated both to increase effectiveness as well as economic returns.

Abstract: A headphone and method for allowing manually controlled reception of ambient sound by a user. More particularly, the invention relates to a headphone for listening to an audio signal while allowing varying amounts of ambient sound to the user. In one aspect, the headphone comprises a manually-controllable physical characteristic that controls the amount of ambient sound accessible to the user. The physical characteristic can be sound ports that can be opened or closed. In another aspect, the headphone can comprise a microphone receptive of ambient sound, wherein the user can control the proportion of sound that comes from the ambient sound or the audio signal. The microphone can be part of a noise cancellation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining in-situ hydrate saturation of hydrate-bearing formations using dielectric properties of gas hydrate amounts are described. In accordance with one aspect, a method for determining gas-hydrate saturation concentration of hydrate-bearing formations includes collecting data using a dielectric propagation tool indicative of propagation time (tpl) and attenuation time (?), collecting data indicative of density using a density device, and processing the combination of data indicative of tpl, ? and density to determine the concentration of gas-hydrate saturation and porosity of the formations.

Abstract: The use of a robust statistical method for self-calibration of a measuring instrument, such as a mass spectrometer, is disclosed. The method involves the use of differences in mass and complementary pairs for example, to estimate calibration parameters. Self-calibration of various mass spectra is described. Related systems and computer-readable media are also described.

Abstract: The present methods and systems relate to the automated determination of meat tenderness through the use of high-resolution imaging of meat surfaces. This imaging is performed at a resolution such that the ultra-structural organization of muscle fibers can be observed. Features are extracted from these images, which feature extraction can be aided by the use of texture analysis or wavelet analysis algorithms. In addition, observation of the colors of different areas or constituents of the muscle fibers can provide features. A laser scanner can be used instead of imaging methods, wherein data obtained from such scanner can be analyzed as linear waveforms, rather than two-dimensional arrays of information. These features are then used to estimate tenderness using decision algorithms.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a modular inter-unit transmitter/receiver for a portable audio device such as an MP3 player, a handheld device for playback of audio signals, a telephone, etc. More particularly, the unit is configured for an audio player device to enable the player device for wireless transmission and reception of audio signals. In one aspect, a communication means connects the modular audio unit to the audio player device. The device further comprises a switch in which a user of the audio player device can select to play audio signals received from an inter-unit transmitter/receiver or from the audio player device. The switch further enables the user to select whether to play the audio signal on the audio player device or to play the audio signal while transmitting the signal to a compatible device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access of a mobile audio device to a cluster of compatible devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method to establish communications between a portable audio player and one or more audio players within a cluster. By way of example, users can use identifiers and matching to decide whether to accept or reject a requesting audio player to join the cluster. Further, the identifiers may be stored on the audio players for future reference. Also, directional exchange of information can allow a user to visually select members of the cluster. In a further example, a mobile audio device is configured to communicate within a cluster of audio devices. In addition, the broadcasting responsibility can be transferred among members of the group.

Abstract: The present methods and systems relate to the automated determination of meat tenderness through the use of high-resolution imaging of meat surfaces. This imaging is performed at a resolution such that the ultra-structural organization of muscle fibers can be observed. Features are extracted from these images, which feature extraction can be aided by the use of texture analysis or wavelet analysis algorithms. In addition, observation of the colors of different areas or constituents of the muscle fibers can provide features. Furthermore, the muscle surface can be treated with indicators, which can include indicators of pH, calcium ions or protease activity, so as to provide information about the localized pH or calcium or other parameter of the muscle physiology. These features are then used to estimate tenderness using decision algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for distributing music to members of a music sharing group. In one aspect, the method can include identifying a mobile audio player device that introduces a music selection to another mobile audio player device. A signal comprising the music selection, a musical identifier that identifies the music selection and an identifier that identifies the transmitting device is transmitted from a first mobile device to a second mobile device. The second device stores the musical identifier and the identifier of the transmitting device in association with one another. In another aspect, the devices are enabled to connect over a wide area network and use the identifiers to obtain the music selection from a music distributor over the network. In yet another aspect, the transmitting device receives points or other compensation for introducing the music selection to the second device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a front plate for an ion source that is suitable for an ion implanter. The front plate according to the invention comprises obverse and reverse sides, an exit aperture for allowing egress of ions from the ion source that extends substantially straight through the front plate between the obverse and reverse sides, and a slot penetrating through the front plate from obverse side to reverse side at a slant for at least part of its depth, the slot extending from a side of the front plate to join the exit aperture. The slot is slanted to occlude line of sight into the ion source when viewed from in front, yet provides an expansion gap.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for identifying a first mobile device that introduces a music selection to a second mobile device. In one aspect, the first device transmits a music signal to a second device. The music signal comprises a music selection, a music identifier and an identifier of the first device. The second device is enabled to store the identifier of the first device and the music identifier in association with each other. In another aspect, a computerized database is disclosed for the purposes of transacting with the second device, wherein transacting may include storing the music identifier, the first user identifier and the second user identifier in the database, providing a requested music selection to the first user, registering the first user as a broadcaster, awarding points for purchasers of the music selection broadcast by the first user, or storing and providing ratings of devices of a cluster.

Abstract: A location information system uses a positioning system, such as the civilian Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS), in combination with a distributed network. The location information system includes a radio transceiver for communicating to the distributed network and a GPS receiving system. The GPS receiving system receives a signal from the GPS and converts it into a coordinate entry. The coordinate entry is transmitted to the distributed network for retrieval of corresponding location specific information. The location specific information may reside on a web page. The coordinate entry may be incorporated into the web page address that supports the coordinate entry or linked to an existing web page associated with the coordinate entry. The web page and associated information is displayed. Bar code labels, infrared beacons and other labeling systems may also be used in the location information system in place of or in addition to the GPS receiving system to supply location identification information.