Abstract: Edible tubular casings for meats, such as sausages are described. The casings are comprised of reconstituted collagen combined with natural casing material comprising bovine, porcine or sheep gut, or combinations thereof. Methods for producing the casings by forming a gel consisting of a combination of the natural material and the reconstituted collagen are also described.

Abstract: A device for applying liquid flavors to collagen casing is provided. In one embodiment, the device comprises a cup and a roller for applying liquid flavor to the surface of the collagen casing prior to drying. In another embodiment, the device comprises an applicator having a base plate with a first hole in the base plate to allow the collagen casing to pass through the base plate, a second hole in the base plate in fluid communication with the first hole to inject liquid flavor through the second hole into contact with the collagen casing as it passes through the first hole, a wiper removably attached to the base plate to wipe excess liquid flavor from the surface of the collagen casing, and a liquid flavor injection line attached to the second hole in the base plate. In some embodiments, the cup and roller are combined with the applicator to apply the liquid flavor.

Abstract: Herein provided are methods and systems for detecting an uncommanded or uncontrollable high thrust (UHT) event in an aircraft, comprising arming a UHT function, comparing an engine fan speed to a reference target and detecting a first condition when a first threshold is exceeded, comparing a rate of change of a high pressure rotor speed to a reference deceleration schedule and detecting a second condition when a second threshold is exceeded, detecting a UHT event based on excess thrust when the first condition and the second condition are detected, and accommodating the UHT event.

Abstract: A method for producing collagen casings having one or more flavor ingredients incorporated into the collagen is provided. The flavor ingredients may be added during processing of collagen to produce the collagen casing; prior to, during or after drying of the collagen casing; prior to, during or after humidification to add moisture to the collagen casing; prior to, during or after shirring of the collagen casing; prior to or after the casing has been stuffed with meat products; during cooking of the stuffed collagen casing; and/or prior to packaging of the meat product. The flavor ingredient may be a water based flavor ingredient, an oil based flavor ingredient, a powdered flavor ingredient, a microencapsulated flavor ingredient, or a combination of two or more of these types of flavor ingredients. Collagen casings having one or more flavor ingredients incorporated into the collagen casing are also provided.

Abstract: Collagen casings comprising chitosan as an anti-microbial agent are provided. The collagen casings may be produced by adding chitosan during the gelling of quarter grind hides, by injecting chitosan into collagen gel prior to extrusion, or by applying a chitosan solution to a surface of extruded collagen casings.

Abstract: Herein provided are methods and systems for detecting an uncommanded or uncontrollable high thrust (UHT) event in an aircraft, comprising arming a UHT function, comparing an engine fan speed to a reference target and detecting a first condition when a first threshold is exceeded, comparing a rate of change of a high pressure rotor speed to a reference deceleration schedule and detecting a second condition when a second threshold is exceeded, detecting a UHT event based on excess thrust when the first condition and the second condition are detected, and accommodating the UHT event.

Abstract: A device for applying liquid flavors to collagen casing is provided. In one embodiment, the device comprises a cup and a roller for applying liquid flavor to the surface of the collagen casing prior to drying. In another embodiment, the device comprises an applicator having a base plate with a first hole in the base plate to allow the collagen casing to pass through the base plate, a second hole in the base plate in fluid communication with the first hole to inject liquid flavor through the second hole into contact with the collagen casing as it passes through the first hole, a wiper removably attached to the base plate to wipe excess liquid flavor from the surface of the collagen casing, and a liquid flavor injection line attached to the second hole in the base plate. In some embodiments, the cup and roller are combined with the applicator to apply the liquid flavor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to syringe assemblies comprising detachable needle assemblies, that are configured in such a manner as to minimize the dead space after deployment of the syringe piston and injection of the material in the syringe into a patient's body, as well as with bevel indicators that provide guidance as to optimal angles at which to inject the needles into patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to kits comprising syringe assemblies having detachable needle assemblies, as well as shield apparatuses to protect the needle assemblies. The syringe assemblies are configured to minimize the dead space after deployment of the syringe and injection of the material in the syringe into a patient's body, as well as to include detachable needle assemblies, such that different needle assemblies can be interchanged on a single syringe barrel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to shield apparatuses configured to hold syringe assemblies in a manner that preserves their ease of use and convenience. In some embodiments, the syringe assemblies are detachable, and the shield apparatuses provide for convenient interchanging of the needle assemblies, as well as methods for administering injections to a patient.

Abstract: A method for advertising over a network and broadcast media combination. A user's computer at a location on the network is operable to receive a signal from a broadcast generated by an advertiser, which signal has embedded therein unique coded information. The user's computer is connected to an advertiser's location in response to extracting a representation of the audio signal including at least the unique coded information. The advertiser's location is correlated to the unique coded information. The operation of connecting causes profile information of the user to be sent to the advertiser's location over the network. The profile at the advertiser's location is then received, and information generated to forward to the user based upon the user's profile forwarded thereto. This information is then forward to the connected user.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a product code having product information contained therein for interfacing over a network. A representation of the product information is extracted from the product code, which product code is disposed on or in close association with an associated product. In response to this extraction, network routing information is associated with the product code information.

Abstract: A rough road detection system for an engine having a crankshaft includes a control module and a comparison module. The control module receives a crankshaft speed signal and determines a crankshaft rotation time and a crankshaft acceleration and jerk. The crankshaft rotation time is based on said crankshaft speed signal. The crankshaft acceleration and jerk are based on said crankshaft rotation time. The control module detects a crankshaft disturbance based on said crankshaft acceleration and jerk and counts a number of crankshaft disturbances. The comparison module determines a dispersion value and asymmetry value based on the crankshaft disturbances and determined whether rough road conditions exist based on first and second comparisons. The first comparison is between the dispersion value and a first predetermined threshold. The second comparison is between the asymmetry value and a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An engine torque control system for balancing torque output across cylinders of an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines a derivative term for each cylinder of the engine based on rotation of a crankshaft. A second module determines a torque correction for a first cylinder based on an average derivative term associated with the first cylinder. The second module adjusts a torque output of the first cylinder based on the torque correction and adjusts a torque output of a second cylinder based on the torque correction.

Abstract: A method for interfacing a user location on a network to a destination location on the network is disclosed. A bar code having product information contained therein relating to an associated product is first scanned with a scanner, which bar code has no network routing information contained therein. The product information contained within the bar code is then extracted. Routing information over the network from the user location to the destination location is then defined in response to the steps of scanning and extracting, which routing information defines the location of the destination location on the network. With the routing information, the user location is then connected to the destination location in accordance with the defined routing information.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a method of detecting a misfire in an internal combustion engine. The method includes detecting a first engine speed at a first crankshaft position that corresponds to about a top dead center compression position of a first piston within a first cylinder and detecting a second engine speed at a second crankshaft position that corresponds to about a position subsequent to the top dead center compression position. The method determines whether the misfire occurred in the first cylinder based on the first engine speed and the second engine speed. The method provides an improved signal to noise ratio for engine misfire detection.

Abstract: A method for allowing a consumer to access an advertiser's location over a global communication network. A normal broadcast program is broadcast to a class of consumers having a unique signal embedded therein, which unique signal embedded therein is associated with a particular advertiser and a predetermined location on the network. Additionally, the unique signal has encoded therein a unique code that correlates with the location of this predetermined location on the network. When the unique signal is received at a consumer's location, the unique signal is decoded to extract therefrom the unique code. In response to this decoding, routing information to the predetermined location on the network from a consumer's computer on the network at the consumer's location is determined. This determined routing information is then archived in the consumer's computer.

Abstract: A method for providing an interconnection relationship between a product and a desired location on a global communications network. A machine readable product code is disposed on the product machine readable product code, the machine readable product code having encoded product information contained therein. The product code has no routing information embedded therein which would allow the product code, in and of itself, to cause routing to the desired location over any path on the network. The machine readable product code is read and decoded. The extracted product code is then converted for routing information over the network to the desired location, which routing information defines the manner by which a user or a computer at a user location wherein the machine readable product code was read can communicate with the desired location via an interconnection therewith.

Abstract: A rough road detection system includes a collection module, a statistical module, and a comparison module. The collection module collects samples from a vibration sensitive signal. The statistical module removes a periodic anomaly from the samples and removes a random anomaly from the samples with a filter having a filter coefficient based on an engine speed signal. In addition, the statistical module calculates a statistical signal based on the samples. The rough road detection system also includes a derivative module that calculates a first and second derivative based on a rate or time. The derivative module removes negative derivatives when the derivatives are calculated with respect to the rate and positive derivatives when the derivatives are calculated with respect to time. The comparison module determines whether a rough road condition exists based on the statistical signal or the first and second derivatives.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.