Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: An implantable, readable miniature transponder has an antenna coupled to a microchip integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has unique identifying information stored in the chip. The integrated circuit microchip also has control logic, a muscle stimulator, an EMG amplifier and a data transmitter. The integrated circuit is connected to the antenna and to muscle electrodes that have EMG sensors. When an external reader illuminates the transponder the control logic alerts the implanted subject and inhibits any data from being sent to the reader. Through a series of predetermined voluntary muscle contractions the subject sends a signal to the control logic to either allow or deny the reader access to the identifying information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing a set of assets. Generally, a distribution is computed for a characteristic of assets, setting a range in a tail of the distribution and partitioning the range into at least one partition. Subsequently, a multiplier is assigned to each partition, wherein the multiplier represents how the characteristics affect the risk associated with an asset. These multipliers can be used in a risk analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides for a dispensing apparatus removably mounted to a toilet for dispensing a fluid into the toilet to control bathroom odor. The apparatus includes a housing having an open end and a bottom defining a cavity for receiving the fluid. The housing further defines an outlet for communicating the fluid to the toilet. A pump is mounted about the open end of the housing and defines a chamber above the cavity. The chamber is in fluid communication with the cavity and includes a plunger movable within the chamber between actuated and unactuated strokes. The plunger includes at least one aperture in fluid communication with the chamber. The aperture is blocked during the actuated stroke of the plunger for displacing the fluid. The aperture is open during the unactuated stroke of the plunger to equalize pressure within the chamber and the cavity with atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of soluble proteins of high molecular weight with little or no damage to the structural integrity of the proteins. The process is economically and environmentally acceptable by virtue of the cost of reagents that are used, and the recycling of some of those reagents, and is suitable for the production of soluble proteins on a large scale. The process includes a first stage using oxidative sulfitolysis followed by a second stage using mild conditions to extract the soluble protein. In the case of wool as the protein source the process leads to the production of soluble keratin proteins fractionated into the classes S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins and S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur proteins.

Abstract: A switched reluctance drive is controlled without using a physical rotor position detector. The control method causes current to flow continuously in a single winding when the rotor is turning and detects position by finding either the peak of the current waveform or some other feature which can be uniquely related to the position of the rotor.

Abstract: An interlocking, modular floor tile that comprises a planar member defined by a perimeter having four sides and a top surface, a plurality of downwardly projecting support legs of common length dispersed pattern-wise inside the perimeter of the planar member and coupled with the top surface, and at least one female interlocking connector element that extends outside the perimeter of the planar member for receiving a support leg of a like tile and thereby forming an interlock with the like tile.

Abstract: A multimedia/personal computer-based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management strategy which reduces power consumption and boot-up time in a manner which facilitates use of a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor system. A power management fault strategy detects fault conditions and restores proper operation without user intervention. A low power microprocessor off-board of the main motherboard switches a plurality of regulated voltages to the main motherboard and other devices. The main application microprocessor on the main motherboard sends periodic status messages to the low power microprocessor. Various strategies are provided for limiting attempts to correct a fault, monitor the state of the application microprocessor, and transition between states.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in interconnecting consumer electronic devices in an entertainment system that allow for switching between composite video and S-video formats. The systems and methods support left audio, right audio, and can be selectively adapted to support either composite video or S-video signal formats. The systems and methods further allow for a determination that a consumer electronic device is connected, the type of device that is connected, and the type of signal format that is being utilized for the transmission.

Abstract: A switched reluctance drive is controlled without using a physical rotor position detector. The control method causes current to flow continuously in a single winding when the rotor is turning and detects position by finding either the peak of the current waveform or some other feature which can be uniquely related to the position of the rotor.

Abstract: A system is provided for capturing and processing information from a collection item. The system includes: one or more scanners structured to scan and extract information, including image information, from a collection item and/or one or more documents associated with the collection item; a client operable to receive the information from the one or more scanners, associate the collection item and any associated documents together as an image-based unit of work, provide a display interface for a user of the client, accept input from the user, and perform processing of the collection item in accordance with the user's input; a database operable to store the extracted information so as to be retrievable on a unit of work basis; and an application server coupled to the client and the database, the application server being operable to access information stored in the database, make information from the database available to the client, and interface with external systems.

Abstract: A variable displacement piston compressor comprising a housing and a shaft supported within the housing for rotational movement about an axis. The shaft includes a stepped down portion defining a reduced diameter within the shaft. A pin extends generally outward from the shaft and includes a distal end. A sleeve is mounted about the shaft, is slidable along the shaft, and is rotatable with the shaft. The sleeve extends over a portion of the stepped down portion of the shaft and defines a radial gap between the sleeve and the stepped down portion. A swash-ring is supported on the sleeve and is rotatable with the shaft. The swash-ring is pivotably coupled to the distal end of the pin. The swash-ring defines an angle with the axis that is adjustable with respect to the axis. A biasing member engages the sleeve and biases the sleeve along the shaft.

Abstract: A variable displacement piston compressor comprising a housing and a shaft supported within the housing for rotational movement about an axis. The shaft includes a stepped down portion defining a reduced diameter within the shaft. A pin extends generally outward from the shaft and includes a distal end. A sleeve is mounted about the shaft, is slidable along the shaft, and is rotatable with the shaft. The sleeve extends over a portion of the stepped down portion of the shaft and defines a radial gap between the sleeve and the stepped down portion. A swash-ring is supported on the sleeve and is rotatable with the shaft. The swash-ring is pivotably coupled to the distal end of the pin. The swash-ring defines an angle with the axis that is adjustable with respect to the axis. A biasing member engages the sleeve and biases the sleeve along the shaft.

Abstract: A multimedia/personal computer based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management system which provides power to volatile ram during engine startup. During engine startup, battery voltage decreases to a point that most electronic devices can not function and may be harmed. A low power microprocessor off-board of a main processor board, which is a complex instruction set (CISC) processor system, switches a primary voltage regulator, which provides a plurality of regulated voltages to the main processor board, off to reduce power requirements. The main processor board stores a state of predetermined peripheral devices in volatile ram and then turns the devices off. The main processor then goes into a suspend mode awaiting a wake up signal from the low power microprocessor. A secondary voltage regulator turns on to supply power to the volatile ram when the primary voltage regulator is turned off.

Abstract: A wool or the like fiber scour including at least one of the following, (a) scouring process wherein the fiber is subjected to an acid extraction process to remove absorbed iron, and by to greatly improve the brightness (Y tristimulus value) of the wool; (b) a scouring process wherein a bleaching process is carried out part way through the wet process following by dying, rewriting and chemical reduction, therefore stabilising the bleached color to prevent subsequent reversion in the dyebath; or (c) a scouring process wherein scoured clean fiber is dried and dusted, and then reimmersed in liquors containing detergents and dispersants, thereby effectively removing extra amounts of residual dirt. The scour produces an improved quality of fibres.

Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a well includes the steps of drilling through a subterranean formation with a drill bit so as to form a well bore having a side wall; applying a consolidating material to the side wall under pressure so that said consolidating material flows into the side wall and provides a coated side wall coated with the consolidating material; and passing a scraping member having a desired profile past the coated side wall so as to provide the coated side wall with the desired profile an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a well includes the steps of drilling through a subterranean formation with a drill bit so as to form a well bore having a side wall; applying a consolidating material to the side wall under pressure so that said consolidating material flows into the side wall and provides a coated side wall coated with the consolidating material; and passing a scraping member having a desired profile past the coated side wall so as to provide the coated side wall with the desired profile an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Structured packing for mass-exchange or energy-exchange processes uses a stack of parallel, flat sheets forming flat channels therebetween. A number of tabs extends between adjacent pairs of sheets to form both bridges for fluid flow and spacers for structural rigidity of the packing. Some of the tabs serve predominantly to divert fluid over the entire surface of a given sheet to prevent so-called channeling, while other tabs are disposed to predominantly enhance fluid transfer between the adjacent sheets. Fluid communication between both sides of each sheet is facilitated due to slots caused by the punching of the tabs. Preferably, the tabs or even entire sheets are perforated as well to facilitate fluid wetting of downward-faced portions of the tabs thus reducing “dry zones” on the packing.

Abstract: A multimedia/personal computer-based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management strategy which reduces power consumption and boot-up time in a manner which facilitates use of a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor system. A power management fault strategy detects fault conditions and restores proper operation without user intervention. A low power microprocessor off-board of the main motherboard switches a plurality of regulated voltages to the main motherboard and other devices. The main application microprocessor on the main motherboard sends periodic status messages to the low power microprocessor. Various strategies are provided for limiting attempts to correct a fault, monitor the state of the application microprocessor, and transition between states.