Abstract: An interface apparatus identification system for a respiration machine such as, for example, a medical ventilator, includes a detection element which is adapted to communicate with the ventilator, a patient interface assembly including a patient interface apparatus for delivering a flow of gas from the ventilator to an airway of a patient, and a differentiating feature which is incorporated into the patient interface assembly. The patient interface apparatus is selected from a predetermined category such as, for example, a specific make or brand. The differentiating feature is detectable by the detection element to distinguish patient interface apparatus that fall within the predetermined category from those that do not. Operation of the respiration machine in conjunction with the patient interface apparatus is dependent upon detection of the differentiating feature by the detection element. An associated identification method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for utilizing radio frequency signals to dynamically determine the location of a medical device throughout a procedure and to improve navigation of the medical device. For these purposes, a plurality of RF receivers are mounted at operative locations in the operating room and operate on the same clock signal. The system also utilizes a diagnostic medical image such as an MRI, and overlays the position feedback signal on the image. This allows, for example, a surgeon to pick a desired spot on the diagnostic image, and then cause a robotic arm driven device to be moved to that particular spot inside the human body.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes a host processing unit, a modem processing unit, and a memory transport interface. The wireless communications device typically runs a variety of software tasks, some of which require considerably more memory than others. By processing the memory intensive tasks with the host processing unit and assigning tasks requiring high computing power but relatively smaller memory to the modem processor unit, a smaller on-chip memory can be used for the modem processor unit tasks. In addition, by using a messaging transport interface to transfer data between tasks running on different processing units, smaller local memories can be used in place of a shared memory. For example, by allocating and storing L1 tasks at the modem processing unit and allocating/storing L2 and L3 tasks at the host processing unit, duplicate memory components may be reduced or removed, thereby lowering system costs and improving system efficiency.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mountable recreation table that mounts on the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked and the tailgate is open. The recreation table includes a table top and a table pole attached to the underside of the table top. A table mount attaches to the rear of the vehicle, and the mount includes a receiver for the table pole to be inserted into. The mount is secured to either a striker or a seat headrest in the rear of the vehicle. Advantageously, the recreation table of the present disclosure easily attaches to the rear of the vehicle. The recreation table can be utilized in combination with seats in the rear of the vehicle, and the present disclosure requires no modification to attach the table to the vehicle.

Abstract: A magnesium treatment for removing water-soluble impurities in a process for making crystalline sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, or sulfite. A waste comprising such impurities is treated with a magnesium compound to form water-insoluble matter which is removed to form a purified solution. The treatment may be performed on a solution which contains the waste and optionally dissolved calcined trona. The purified solution may be used as a feedstock to form crystalline soda ash, and/or used as a reactant to produce crystalline sodium sulfite or bicarbonate via reaction with SO2 or CO2. In preferred embodiments, the waste may comprise a purge or weak liquor, a reclaimed solid, or combinations thereof. The water-soluble impurities may be silicates and/or foam-causing impurities, and the waste may contain sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and/or one or more sodium carbonate hydrates, such as decahydrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and decoding data. The method comprises: receiving a set of data signals from an external data source; detecting a size of said received set of data signals; decoding said received set of data signals; extracting a destination address from said set of data signals; comparing said destination address extracted from said data signals to a known data value; determining whether said received data signals should be received by a host circuitry based upon said comparison of said destination address extracted from said data signals to a known data value; generating at least one status signal alerting said host circuitry of said determination that said received data signals should be received by said host circuitry; and waking up said host circuitry upon a determination that said received set of data is addressed to said host circuitry.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.

Abstract: An assembly for delivering a supply of liquid fuel and a supply of purge air to a gas turbine engine, the assembly comprising: an annular dual-flow check valve for controlling the flow through concentric channels that have a common outlet, the annular dual-flow check valve comprising: an outer body and an inner body that define the concentric channels, which include an outer channel and an inner channel formed therein; a spring activated annular poppet that resides in the outer channel and has a range of motion in the axial direction; and an opening through the inner body that connects the outer channel to the inner channel; wherein the axial movement of the annular poppet is regulated by the pressure of the flow upstream of the annular poppet in the outer channel; and the axial range of motion of the annular poppet includes at least two axial positions.

Abstract: A multiwavelength transmitter comprises several laser sources (1) each configured to generate light of a different wavelength and a first array waveguide grating (2) arranged to direct light from each of the laser sources (1) into a first waveguide. The transmitter further comprises several electroabsorption modulators (7) each arranged to modulate light at one of the wavelengths with a respective data signal and a second array waveguide grating (6) arranged to direct each of said different wavelengths of light from the first waveguide to a respective one of the modulators (7). The optical modulators (7) are reflective optical modulators and the second array waveguide grating (6) is arranged to direct the modulated light reflected from each of the optical modulators (7) back into the first waveguide. An optical circulator (5) is provided in the first waveguide to couple modulated light from the second array waveguide grating (6) into an output waveguide.

Abstract: A cooling enclosure for a valve includes an elongated housing body having a pair of housing portions and a pair of removable end plates, the pair of housing portions separable along at least one longitudinally-extending seam. Fastener devices are provided for securing the pair of housing portions engaged along the at least one longitudinal extending seam. One or more apertures are provided for accommodating a like number of valve fittings, and cooling air inlet and outlet openings are also provided in the housing body for supplying and removing cooling air to the housing body.

Abstract: A system and method for processing prepaid financial transactions. The system and method describe the utilization of one or more remote terminals that are adapted to acquire transaction information from a user and transmit a first signal indicative of the transaction information. The remote terminal is further adapted to receive a second signal indicative of authorizing information that is delivered to the user. In addition, an authorizing host is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the one or more remote terminals. In one aspect, the authorizing host routes the first signal including the transaction information to an exchange host for approval of the financial transaction, and the exchange host transmits the second signal including the authorizing information to the remote terminal via the authorizing host.

Abstract: A method of displaying data, comprising the steps of defining a set of documents, each document having a unique identification and optionally citing other documents by their respective unique identification, the set being defined by selecting at least one starting document, with the set further comprising documents being included based on predetermined relationships with at least one other document in the set; generating a hierarchal tree representation of the at least one subset of documents, a subset inclusion and hierarchy thereof being defined by said predetermined relationships between documents within the set; and selectively focusing on a node of said hierarchal tree, to define a graphic display representation of at least a portion thereof to emphasize the selected focus while depicting the hierarchal relationships.

Abstract: A milling device is disclosed for the preparation of microscopy specimens or other surface science applications through the use of ion bombardment. The device provides the ability to utilize both gross and fine modification of the specimen surface through the use of high and low energy ion sources. Precise control of the location of the specimen within the impingement beams created by the ion sources provides the ability to tilt and rotate the specimen with respect thereto. Locational control also permits the translocation of the specimen between the various sources under programmatic control and under consistent vacuum conditions. A load lock mechanism is also provided to permit the introduction of specimens into the device without loss of vacuum and with the ability to return the specimen to ambient temperature during such load and unload operation. The specimen may be observed and imaged during all active phases of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of optical communication, in particular optical communication involving spectral filtering in a passive optical network. The method includes the steps of: (i) performing a first spectral filtering function on a source signal having a spectral width so as to generate a plurality of feeder signals that are spectrally spaced apart from one another; (ii) performing a respective noise reduction function on the feeder signals; (iii) combining the feeder signals over a common waveguide of the optical link; (iv) receiving the feeder signals carried over the optical link and modulating the received feeder signals so as to impose data thereon; and, (v) returning the modulated feeder signals over the optical link so as to communicate the imposed data. Because noise is reduced centrally, a simpler passive optical network can be achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mountable recreation fable that mounts on the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked and the tailgate is open. The recreation table includes a table top and a table pole attached to the underside of the table top. A table mount attaches to the rear of the vehicle, and the mount includes a receiver for the table pole to be inserted into. The mount is secured to either a striker or a seat headrest in the rear of the vehicle. Advantageously, the recreation table of the present disclosure easily attaches to the rear of the vehicle. The recreation table can be utilized in combination with seats in the rear of the vehicle, and the present disclosure requires no modification to attach the table to the vehicle.

Abstract: A computing device has a plurality of subsystems located in subsections that are moveable with respect to each other. Communication between the subsections is accomplished with wireless transceivers transmitting over the air gap interface separating the subsections. Data from multiple communicating subsystems in the subsections is multiplexed into a single data stream and encoded into the communication protocol of the wireless transceivers. The encoded data stream is transmitted to a compatible transceiver where it is decoded. The decoded data stream is demultiplexed into individual data streams for each of the communicating subsystems. The wireless transceivers include multiple communication protocols and transmission frequencies from radio frequencies to optical frequencies. Optical fibers, transmission lines or waveguides may be used to transmit signals within each subsection depending on the wireless technology and protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.

Abstract: A system and method for processing prepaid financial transactions. One or more remote terminals are adapted to acquire transaction information from a user and transmit a first signal indicative of the transaction information. The remote terminal is further adapted to receive a second signal indicative of authorizing information that is delivered to the user. In addition, an authorizing host is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the one or more remote terminals. In one aspect, the authorizing host routes the first signal including the transaction information to an exchange host for approval of the financial transaction, and the exchange host transmits the second signal including the authorizing information to the remote terminal via the authorizing host.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.