Abstract: A data source includes a number of different messages to exchange with an occasionally connected device. When the device connects with the data source, the exchange of messages occurs transparently according to a set priority and order. Each message has associated therewith a set of one or more stamps that are evaluated and acted on based on a rule set associated with the device. Furthermore, the bandwidth (or cost) of the communication link connecting the machines is used in conjunction with the stamps and rules. In this manner, the device can receive information in a manner that is dependent on its associated rule set and also the speed, reliability, cost and other characteristics of the communications link.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) capable of gauging message freshness from the context of a receiver of a message response can include a transceiver (202) and a processor (206) coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver can be programmed to determine (312) if a message response is stale from the context of a receiver of the message response and send (318) a request for a second message response if the message response is determined as being stale. The communication device can be further programmed to determine if the message response is stale by determining if the message response is sent after a predetermined time after receipt of the message response or by determining if the message response is sent after an estimated time after a request for the message response.

Abstract: System and method for establishing a virtual circuit from a client, through an ATM network, to any one of a plurality of servers forming a functional group. The present invention operates as a peer group leader within the ATM network, routing virtual circuits when a routing request is received. The present invention selects an operation server from the functional group, computes a route from the client to the selected server, and returns the route in a designated transit list.

Abstract: A safety headlight with a battery power monitor is provided. The headlight includes one primary light bulb and at least one LED bulb. When the battery power begins to fade so that the primary bulb is in danger of going out, a sensor in the headlight switches power to the LED bulb(s) to provide safety lighting so that the headlight user can be seen by others. The safety headlight is typically used by cyclists riding before sunrise or after sunset. The headlight permits the cyclists to see the road surface and provides notice to other motorists of the cycle's presence.

Abstract: A system (10) or method (50) for controlling remote controlled apparatus can include a remote controlled apparatus (18) and a remote controlling device (12). The remote controlling device can include a wireless transceiver (9) for controlling the remote controlled apparatus and a programmable memory (16) for storing profiles defining operation of the remote controlling device corresponding to the remote controlled apparatus. The wireless transceiver receives from the remote controlled apparatus data defining a profile or a selection signal for selecting among a plurality of stored profiles. The remote controlled apparatus can be an RC toy such as a car, boat or aircraft and the remote controlling device can be a phone or other transceiving device. The remote controlled apparatus can include a stored profile that can be modified using an exchangeable housing (26, 28 or 44) having a predefined set of mechanisms for activating switches on the remote controlled apparatus.

Abstract: A representation of nested electronic data archives permitting archived resources to be efficiently accessed during use is disclosed. A method and system is disclosed which selectively expands and efficiently stores the contents of an archive during use. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a nested associative data structure to store compressed and uncompressed portions of a nested archive.

Abstract: A counter mounted dispensing system includes a bottle support under a counter and a product container having a collar key. The product container is received by the bottle support and held thereby without the need for relative rotational movement between the product container and the bottle support. The product container thus may have a cross-sectional shape that prohibits the product container from being rotated at the location of receipt, typically due to contact between the container and a wall or the sink basin. An alignment skirt on the bottle support ensures that the product container is properly oriented for receipt, and a release ring in the bottle support engages the collar key on the product container to releasably hold the product container.

Abstract: A gage and gripper assembly for directly measuring characteristics of a workpiece. The assembly is adapted to be attached to a transfer mechanism, such as a robot arm, and includes a head having a gripper and a gage. The gripper is adapted to lift and hold the workpiece using jaws or other means, and the gage is adapted to directly measure characteristics of the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the gripper.

Abstract: A method (400) of responding to a signaling problem at a communication device (102) includes identifying (404, 414) another communication device (118) to act as a peer of the communication device if a first signal quality measurement of a wide-area signal received at the communication device is less than a predetermined threshold. The method includes generating (416) a second signal quality measurement that is conveyed over a peer-to-peer connection (120) between the communication device (102) and the peer. The method further includes determining (418), based upon the second signal quality measurement, whether or not the source of the signaling problem is a fault in the communication device (102). The method can further include generating (423) a third signal quality measurement that can be compared to the first signal quality measurement for determining a source of the signaling problem.

Abstract: An online communication system (10) includes a plurality of remote session clients (12) and one or more online servers (14). The online communication system (10) provides continuity of an online session (80) between a server (14) and one of the remote session clients (12). A first session client (18) participates in the online session (80), including receiving and accumulating a plurality of session information (182) for the online session (80). The first session client (18) initiates a transfer of the session information (182) to a second session client (20) to enable the second session client (20) to seamlessly continue the online session (80) in place of the first session client (18) after the transfer of the session information (182).

Abstract: The invention relates to metRS polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing metRS polypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A dispenser for releasably receiving a collapsible bottle having a neck and a pump projecting from the neck. The dispenser includes a back plate with a cover hinged thereto and a container receiving bracket carried on the back plate for receiving the neck of the bottle. The bottle may include a security collar fixed to the neck with a rib geometry on its periphery for mating with a complemental geometry on the bracket to fix the bottle in place on the back plate. The cover carries a projecting transverse rib on its inner surface so that, when the cover is closed, the rib engages the security collar to further assist in retaining and locating the bottle. The cover also includes a transparent sight window located adjacent its lower end for observing the level of the contents of the bottle, a light window adjacent its upper end for admitting ambient light into the closed dispenser and a push bar for activating the pump to dispense material from the bottle.

Abstract: A method (50) and system (10) for recipient based scoping of location information can include a communication device (12, 14, or 16) within a communication network and a processor (22, 28, or 32) coupled to the communication network. The processor can be programmed to obtain or receive (52) location information having more than one level of granularity and automatically adjusting (54) a level of granularity of the location information at the communication device based on location related characteristics of a recipient (39) at a selective call receiver (14).

Abstract: A portable electronic device (10) can include a user interface (12) enabling the representation of a characteristic of an application using a user perceptible representation of the application on a presentation device (14, 18 or 20) and a processor (15) coupled to the presentation device. The processor can be programmed to enable the selection (102) of a menu containing a representation of the application and non-textually vary (104) the user perceptible representation of the application based on a change in a characteristic of the application from an initial state of the application. The characteristic can be a frequency of use of the application or a power consumption measure of the application. Note, the portable electronic device can be any number of devices including, but not limited to a cellular phone, a camera phone, a video phone, a PDA, a two-way radio, a messaging device, or a laptop computer for example.

Abstract: An optical data storage device includes an optically readable disk that has a body extending in a radial direction from a central axis. The body has a side and an elongated portion that extends along the side. The elongated portion includes a first side surface and a second side surface. A plurality of optically readable discontinuities may be located on each of the first side surface and the second side surface of the elongated portion.

Abstract: A loose wheel detection assembly includes a sensor assembly secured to a mounting hub. The sensor detects relative movement between the hub and the wheel and emits a signal indicative of the sensed movement. The signal is received by a controller that processes the received information and alerts a vehicle operator of the relative movement through a warning device within the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: The invention discloses a waste disposal apparatus including a waste packet forming device integrated with a tool for cutting the packet, and a method for using the apparatus. The disclosed integrated twist-and-cut system provides an improvement over existing waste disposal systems by reducing steps in the disposal of waste material.

Abstract: A metal and fiber reinforced plastic composite combines a welded metal tube spine with a reinforced plastic composite seat assembly, top tube and seat stays.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switch element that through electromechanical actuation is able to be used to influence the propagation of an electromagnetic signal within a guiding medium. An electromagnetic switch element that is activated by displacement of conducting elements, the displacement being forced through electrostatic, electric field, magnetic field, thermal or other means.

Abstract: A modified release preparation having one or more coated core elements, each core element including an active ingredient and having a modified release coating, wherein a stabilising coat is provided between each core element and its modified release coating so that, upon in vitro dissolution testing, the amount of active ingredient released at any time on a post-storage dissolution profile is within 40 percentage points of the amount of active ingredient released at any time on a pre-storage dissolution profile.