Abstract: A system for determining movement of an item bearing an RFID label. The system includes an RFID reader for receiving RFID label identification information from an RFID label associated with the item, and a computer for determining a location of the RFID label and the item by determining location information for the RFID reader, for determining a preferred location for the RFID label and the item, and for comparing the determined location with the preferred location to determine that the RFID label and the item have been moved.

Abstract: The coupling interconnects a trailer and a conventional hand-held two-wheeled cart. The coupling includes a frame to which a ball of a ball and socket joint is connected. The frame has a recess which is adapted to removably receive the forward portion of a lower plate of the cart. The coupling is connected to the cart by inserting the forward portion into the recess. The coupling is then positioned such that its ball is beneath the socket on the hitch of the trailer. When the cart is tipped backward, the ball rises and enters the socket and lifts the hitch thereby permitting the trailer to be moved by the cart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of poly(perfluorovinyl ether) homopolymers. The present invention further relates to a method of making an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising bicomponent particles of poly(perfluorovinyl ether) homopolymers and a second fluoropolymer. The dispersions of the present invention may be used for rendering fibrous substrates oil repellent, water repellent and/or stain repellent without altering the looks and feel of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for processing basic input output system (BIOS) modules of a computer to initialize the computer. The computer includes a system memory, a central processing unit (CPU), a computer bus, a critical nonvolatile storage device, and a secondary nonvolatile storage device. Selected BIOS modules required for operation of the computer are transferred from the critical nonvolatile storage device, and optionally a protected area of the secondary nonvolatile storage device, to system memory and executed to initialize the computer. Minimal BIOS initialization code is stored in a first portion of the critical nonvolatile storage device which is operative to initialize the CPU and the system memory. Additional BIOS modules are stored in the critical nonvolatile storage device or the protected area of the secondary nonvolatile storage device. A dispatch manager is stored in a second portion of the critical nonvolatile storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of poly(perfluorovinyl ether)homopolymers. The present invention further relates to a method of making an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising bicomponent particles of poly(perfluorovinyl ether)homopolymers and a second fluoropolymer. The dispersions of the present invention may be used for rendering fibrous substrates oil repellent, water repellent and/or stain repellent.

Abstract: Computer systems, software and methods that allow information from a nonvolatile removable media device, such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or the like, to be placed on a mass storage device. Once the information from the non-volatile removable media device is on the mass storage device, a computer operating system can then use the information in the same manner as it would normally use a CD-ROM, DVD, or other media inserted in its reader. In accordance with the present invention, the systems, software and methods are operative to create a boot engineering extension record (BEER) on the hard disk drive. The boot engineering extension record is configured to have SETMAX pointer that points to a user area of the hard disk drive and a service area pointer that points to a PARTIES service area that is part of a host protected area. Data derived from the removable storage media device is stored in the PARTIES service area, which will be used in an emulated removable storage media device.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of manufacturing a contact lens comprising the step of: dosing a contact lens mold comprising optical mold surfaces with an oxygen-sensitive reaction mixture, wherein said optical surfaces of said contact lens mold have between from 0.13×10−9 to 2.6×10−9 moles/cm2 O2 available to interfere with the reaction of said reaction mixture. This invention further provides a method of manufacturing a contact lens comprising the steps of: dosing a contact lens mold comprising optical mold surfaces with a reaction mixture, and sealing said reaction mixture and said optical mold surfaces away from a gaseous environment, wherein said optical surfaces of said contact lens mold were exposed to said gaseous environment comprising greater than 0.5 percent oxygen just prior to said sealing step.

Abstract: An aqueous composition including silica particles with a particle size distribution and particle structure that improve the water retention and exchange characteristics of the aqueous composition is provided. The aqueous silica composition includes silica network particles and water. The silica network particles comprise main particles and bridging particles that form chains between adjacent main particles. The main particles have a particle size greater than the particle size of the bridging particles. Because of the presence of the silica network particles, the aqueous composition is capable of wetting a hydrophobic substrate more than pure liquid water. The silica network particles are generated in water by a method in which an aqueous sodium silicate solution is subjected to vigorous agitation in air, followed by periods of circulation through magnetic fields of alternating direction and further periodic agitation exposed to the air. An apparatus for carrying out the method is provided.

Abstract: A fluorochemical composition for rendering a fibrous substrate oil and/or water repellent which comprises a solution or dispersion of a fluoropolymer having a partially or fully fluorinated backbone and comprising one or more repeating units corresponding to the general formula: 1

Abstract: A storage server architecture supporting virtual devices and virtual circuits for storing data is provided. The storage server includes a plurality of communication interfaces. A first set of communication interfaces in the plurality is adapted for connection to all kinds of users of data. A second set of communication interfaces in the plurality is adapted for connection to respective devices in a pool of storage devices. Data processing resources in the server are coupled to the plurality of communication interfaces for transferring data among the interfaces. The data processing resources comprise a plurality of driver modules and configurable logic linking driver modules into data paths. Each configured data path acts as a virtual circuit that includes a set of driver modules selected from the plurality of driver modules. A data storage transaction which is received at a communication interface is mapped to one of the configured data paths.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method and system for accessing at least one storage element in a processor-based system. The system comprises a memory for storing instruction sequences by which the processor-based system is processed. The memory has at least one storage element. A processor is coupled to the memory, and a storage device is coupled to the processor. Prior to booting an operating system on the processor-based system, the stored instruction sequences cause the processor to write the contents of the at least one storage element to the storage device. Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer system having a user computer in communication with a remote service computer. The remote service computer has access to a database identifying information available to the service computer.

Abstract: A therapeutic product formed from a high concentration of white blood cells having a high degree of cell viability. The white blood cells are sequestered from their normal population presence in whole blood by placing the blood into a container and preventing coagulation of the blood, separating the blood into two components, one of which is extremely rich in white blood cells through the use of a reagent and centrifugation, sequestering the white cell concentration, and freezing the white cells.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that protect against boot sector viruses on partitioned media of a computer system. The apparatus and methods incorporate code in system firmware, or basic input/output system (BIOS) that parses the partition table. The Apparatus and methods thus provide virus protection implemented by the system firmware (BIOS). Exemplary boot sector virus protection apparatus and methods comprise a computer system having a nonvolatile memory and a mass storage device with a master boot record containing a partition table. The apparatus and methods store code in the nonvolatile memory that is capable of reading the partition table in the master boot record stored in the mass storage device, or stored in a secure area of the mass storage device. The stored code is used to read the master boot record, locate the partition table in the master boot table, locate a bootable partition within the partition table, and begin a boot process using the bootable partition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that control removable media devices, such as CD-ROM, DVD and magneto-optical devices, and the like, using an abstraction layer in firmware (BIOS). The apparatus and methods provide for communication with CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical, and other removable media devices so that they are bootable regardless of the primary or secondary bus used to interface them to the computer system. Exemplary apparatus and methods comprise one or more abstraction layers in the system firmware that employ interrupt 13h functions to allow a program, such as an operating system or application, to communicate with the removable media device. The removable media employed with the removable media device comprises an operating system, a file system driver, a device driver that calls the abstraction layer in the BIOS, and one or more applications. The removable media employed with the removable media device may be preferably used to perform recovery of contents of a device coupled to the computer.

Abstract: Methods for granting access to a protected area, such as a PARTIES area of a storage device of a computer, after the computer has been booted. A calling process desiring access to the protected area is caused to locate an interface that interfaces between the calling process and system firmware. The calling process is caused to use the interface to create a trusted relationship between the calling process and the system firmware. Various operations may then be performed. In one embodiment, once the trusted relationship is established, access is allowed to a specific service area in the protected area. Data contained within the service area may then be processed. In another embodiment, once the trusted relationship is established, the service areas found in the protected area may be manipulated. In another embodiment, once the trusted relationship is established, the calling process is allowed access to retrieve a directory of service areas in the protected area.

Abstract: The coupling interconnects a trailer and a conventional hand-held two-wheeled cart. The coupling includes a frame to which a ball of a ball and socket joint is connected. The frame has a recess which is adapted to removably receive the forward portion of a lower plate of the cart. The coupling is connected to the cart by inserting the forward portion into the recess. The coupling is then positioned such that its ball is beneath the socket on the hitch of the trailer. When the cart is tipped backward, the ball rises and enters the socket and lifts the hitch thereby permitting the trailer to be moved by the cart.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling incorporates several improvements including the combination of several functions into a single component. A single stop member provides a structure for holding a check valve spring, and also provides a stop for the check valve. The single component further provides positioning for an o-ring. The coupling also includes a pilot which includes compressible ribs at its outer peripheral surface such that the pilot is self-centering preventing excessive off-centering of the tube. In addition, the position of an o-ring relative to a retainer is tightly controlled such that upon insertion of a tube into the connector, the tube will initially encounter a resistance force by compression of the seal. Once this resistance force is overcome, the tube will immediately begin to encounter a resistance force from the retainer. Thus, an installer does not see two separate resistance forces, but rather sees a continuous single resistance force.

Abstract: A therapeutic product formed from a high concentration of white blood cells having a high degree of cell viability. The white blood cells are sequestered from their normal population presence in whole blood by placing the blood into a container and preventing coagulation of the blood, separating the blood into two components, one of which is extremely rich in white blood cells through the use of a reagent and centrifugation, sequestering the white cell concentration, and freezing the white cells.

Abstract: A method of screening a water soluble gold complex for use as a sensitizer in a silver halide photographic element comprised of experimentally measuring the electrochemical potential of the gold complex and then determining if the electrochemical potential falls within a predetermined utility window.

Abstract: A mobile fireproofing and specialty coating apparatus comprising a trailer, a generator mounted on the trailer, and a fuel tank connected to the generator for powering the generator. There is a work platform mounted to the trailer to allow the operators to work directly on the unit. A mixer for mixing a dry product with water is mounted on the work platform and comprises a vat, a rotatable mixing tool and a motor for rotating the mixing tool. The motor is powered by the generator. A pump is connected to the generator and is mounted adjacent the mixer. A hose is connected to the pump and to a spray nozzle for spraying the product. There is a second mixer for mixing accelerator with water mounted on the work platform, and comprises a mixing tank, a rotatable mixing tool and a motor connected to the mixing tool and the generator.