Abstract: An accessory for use with an existing portable electronic device has a housing that removably couples to a housing of the existing portable electronic device such that the accessory and portable electronic device function and can be portably carried as a single unit. A tunable FM radio receiver in the housing receives an FM broadcast signal and produces a broadcast audio output. A connector on the housing electrically connects the broadcast audio output to a corresponding connector on the device. Application software residing on the device utilizes an internet connection of the device to download digital content related to the broadcast audio output and display the digital content on a display of the device.

Abstract: A method for determining a subject's Barix, comprising receiving a scanned image of a subject's body, defining the torso portion of the scanned image, calculating the torso height, the torso surface area, and the torso volume of the torso portion, and applying a mathematical formula to the torso height, torso surface area, and torso volume calculations to produce a Barix calculation.

Abstract: A method for producing a virtual forecasted model of a breast augmentation subject, comprising, receiving a preoperative subject's scanned image, wherein the scanned image comprises a three dimensional image, converting the scanned image from a scanned image format to a VRML image format, importing the converted VRML image into a VRML image editor, receiving, from a breast implant database, at least one modeled virtual breast implant, wherein the received virtual breast implant is selected based on a desired actual breast implant that is to be implanted in the preoperative subject, and embedding the received virtual breast implant in the preoperative subject's converted VRML image.

Abstract: An attachment clip used in combination with a steel fence post for affixing a horizontal support member thereto. The clip, the steel fence post and the horizontal support member when combined provide additional stability and reduce tilting and settling thereof. This in turn facilitates to maintain the overall height and alignment of the fence line. The clip is a unitary member having a rear elongated gripping channel, an elongated vertical centralized trough, upper and lower attachment flanges and clearance slots.

Abstract: The invention is an elevated seat that adjusts to different seat back angles with the seat supported at a height to reduce the distance a user has to bend over or kneel down in order access the child.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one of an apex, flipper, and chipper, the at least one of an apex, flipper, and chipper comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 5 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a short aramid fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm and having a thickness ranging from 2 to 30 microns, said fiber having disposed on at least part of its surface a composition comprising an aliphatic fatty acid or synthetic microcrystalline wax; a Bunte salt; a polysulfide comprising the moiety —[S]n or —[S]o—Zn—[S]p, wherein each of o and p is 1-5, o+p=n, and n=2-6; and sulfur or a sulfur donor.

Abstract: A reheat furnace system and heating process is provided. A hydrocarbon fuel and steam mix is supplied to a chemical recuperator that uses heat from the waste gas of the reheat furnace to produce preheated reformed fuel to the burners of the reheat furnace. The steam may be supplied from a waste heat boiler.

Abstract: A reheat and tunnel furnace system, and heating processes therefor, are provided. A hydrocarbon fuel and steam mix is supplied to a chemical recuperator that uses heat from the waste gas of the reheat or tunnel furnace to produce preheated reformed fuel to the burners of the reheat or tunnel furnace. The steam may be supplied from a waste heat boiler.

Abstract: A transmitting accessory couples with a portable electronic device such that audio signals or data from the device can be digitally transmitted to a remote receiver. The accessory includes an input port for receiving audio data from the portable electronic device. A digital transmitter transmits digital data corresponding to the audio signals or data from the portable electronic device to the remote digital receiver. If the audio signal is an analog signal, the accessory uses encoding circuitry to digitally encode the analog audio signal for transmission. The audio signal may be encoded into an HD radio format for reception by an HD radio receiver. The user inputs of the portable electronic device can preferably be used to control functions of the accessory and the device's display to display the selected transmission frequency or channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The systems, which feature multiple components, include a support component defining an exterior surface, a carrier component including an interior surface to slideably engage the exterior surface of the support component, and a seal disposed relative to the carrier component. The seal includes a lip portion and a fluid-responsive gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid to urge the lip portion towards or into contact with a shaft. The gel material contracts in the absence of the fluid to form or increase the size of a gap between the shaft and the lip portion. Methods of assembling and installing such a system are also described.

Abstract: A media content monitoring system uses a rack adapted to receive multiple carrier boards to improve the system's ability to be configured to specific applications. Each carrier board contains tuner modules for receiving AM/FM broadcasts, satellite radio broadcasts, TV audio broadcasts, HD, IBOC, DAB and DRM digital radio broadcasts, etc. The tuner modules produce a USB output that is combined by a USB hub on the carrier boards into a single USB output. The carrier board outputs are in turn combined by a rack based USB hub into single USB output that is provided to a host computer. The host computer includes content identification software that automatically identifies selected media content received by the tuner modules and stores the selected content in a database. The host computer can send control codes to the tuner modules to alter their reception parameters.

Abstract: The virtual surgery systems, methods, and apparatuses that provide for the prediction, evaluation, and validation of various cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures. The virtual surgery systems, methods, and apparatuses utilize a scanner, measurement software, queries to a postoperative patient scan catalog, conversion of a preoperative image to a Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) image, grafting and scaling of chosen postoperative surgery candidates, conversion from the converted VRML image to a scanner readable format, and measuring the forecasted VRML image.

Abstract: An on-board base station, comprising an interface device on board an aircraft that interfaces with a separate wireless device of a user inside the aircraft and with a wireless bearer system, an RF detector that detects RF emissions of the separate wireless device, a controller coupled to the RF detector, that controls RF emissions of the separate wireless device, as a function of detected RF emissions, and an RF repeater communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller controls the RF repeater to receive and send signals between the antenna and the interface device to maintain the RF emissions below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A freestanding remote functionality module 100 for a computer is provided, the module comprising a hardware control switch 110 for receiving user input 120 regarding a desired hardware state of the computer, and a communicating device 150 coupled to the switch 110 to a receive hardware control signal 114 from the switch 110 and transmit said hardware control signal 114a to an interface mounted on the computer to control the hardware of the computer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for disinfecting an item, for example, a handle for a door or a tap in a toilet facility. The apparatus includes a movable member, e.g., a door handle having a contact surface for being manually engaged to move the movable member; germicide applying means for applying germicide to the surface; and an operating mechanism coupled between the movable member and the germicide applying means and operable in response to movement of the movable member for applying germicide to the contact surface after movement of said movable member. The germicide applying means may be a pump. The operating mechanism may act to prime the pump when the door handle is turned to open the door. The germicide is sprayed over the handle after the handle is released and returns to its initial position. The return movement may be retarded.

Abstract: A security device is described with a housing having a top wall and an intermediate wall that define a first bore. A bottom wall and the intermediate wall define a central cavity, a second bore, and an end cap receiving opening. The intermediate wall includes a recessed portion that defines a cusp at an end of the second bore interior to the housing. An end cap is disposed within the end cap receiving opening and has a hole therethrough. A resilient member is disposed within the central cavity adjacent to the end cap. A first securing member is disposed within the cavity adjacent to the resilient member. A second securing member is disposed adjacent to the first securing member. A cable has a first end fixedly secured within the first bore and a second end that is insertable through the second bore and a hole in the end cap.

Abstract: A security device is described including a bolt and a securement washer through which the bolt is be disposed. The securement washer includes a hole, at least one circumferential groove within the hole, and a C-shaped ring disposed within the circumferential groove. The security device also includes a first end cap with a bolt head receiving well, a first end cap hole through which the shaft of the bolt is disposed, and a first end cap circumferential wall extending above the head of the bolt. The first end cap circumferential wall permits the first end cap to be closed around the head of the bolt. The security device also includes a second end cap with a securement washer receiving well and a second end cap circumferential wall extending above the securement washer. The second end cap circumferential wall permitting the second end cap to be closed around the securement washer.

Abstract: A worktop comprises a first surface and second surface spaced apart by a face to define the thickness of the worktop. The worktop is provided with a compartment towards the rear which can receive a standard computer base unit. A source of mains power is provided to this compartment by means of cad e, and further connections to the base unit within the compartment allow for the standard peripherals, namely a display, a keyboard and a mouse to be attached. The worktop and associated compartment are supported on legs or other suitable supports which may be movable so that the worktop can be raised or lowered. The worktop has at least one peripheral component (20), e.g. a DVD, embedded in its thickness which is accessible at the front of the worktop. In order that the base unit of the computer can communicate with the component, a conversion module (31) is provided which converts the USB signals at the base unit to IDE/EIDE signals received by or transmitted from the component.

Abstract: An approach for automated skills assessment over a network is provided herein. Test subjects request an evaluation session via a phone call, email exchange, instant message exchange, or facsimile transmission. An information capture system facilitates the evaluation session forwarding prompts to the test subject and forwarding responses to a processing system. Upon completion, the responses are stored along with the prompts and assigned a unique identifier. Assessors including humans and computer applications access the network through a data transfer system and receive the stored evaluation session. Assessments for each evaluation session are stored by the processing system for subsequent delivery to subscribers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a damping apparatus and/or method for a rotatable shaft. The damping apparatus includes a damper housing disposed about a portion of the rotatable shaft. A variable viscosity fluid, such as a magneto-rheological fluid, is disposed within the damper housing and in contact with the rotatable shaft. A control device is operatively connected with respect to the variable viscosity fluid. The control device is configured or operable to control the viscosity of the variable viscosity fluid and correspondingly control the amount of rotational resistance applied to the rotatable shaft.