Abstract: Techniques are provided for enriching a non-linkable media representation presentable at a user terminal. In an illustrative embodiment, a hotlink canvas receives a hot link composition from an action enabling kernel and displays hotlinks in the hotlink canvas by overlaying a transparent panel on top of the non-linkable media whereby the non-linkable media becomes interactive and hyperlinkable. The hotlink canvas provides the following functions: query media current position and state; forward media position and state to the action enabling kernel; receive contending hotlink candidates from the action enabling kernel; pick one hotlink among a set of hotlink candidates; compose hotlinks by receiving hotlinks meta data from the action enabling kernel; display range contours of hotlinks on the media object by overlaying a hotlink canvas; perform an action specified; request the action enabling kernel to handle an action; and decouple hotlinks in otherwise linkable media.

Abstract: A network implementing HotMedia architecture provides real time measurement and prediction of bandwidth for adaptive content delivery of rich media according to available user bandwidth. The rich media file created at the creation station is transmitted by the delivery station to the client station in steaming Java applets having a framework including a thumbnail frame and a media frame. In real-time, the client station detects the bandwidth used by the Java applet; predicts the available bandwidth for next media delivery based on the detected bandwidth and fetches the corresponding sensitive bandwidth media fame from a web server according to a linear or non-linear prediction algorithm resulting in bandwidth sensitive rich media content delivery from the delivery station to the client station for display and user interaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener assembly for a spinal fixation system and is particularly useful in treatment of pediatric and small-statured patients. The fastener assembly includes a fastener, an attachment member, and a locking member. The fastener has a lower portion for contacting a bone and a upper portion integral with the lower portion and having two open channels. Each channel is configured and dimensioned for receiving a portion of the longitudinal member along its circumference. The attachment member is positionable on the fastener and at least partially covers the channel that receives the longitudinal member. The attachment member is configured and dimensioned for receiving another portion of the longitudinal member along its circumference. The locking member is operatively associated with the upper portion of the fastener and secures the attachment member and longitudinal member to the fastener.

Abstract: A system and method for unifying hotspot subject to non-linear transformation and interpolation in heterogeneous media representations includes a content creator for creating Rich Media, e.g. stills, animation, panorama and a delivery system including an action handler for responding to a hotspot in the Rich Media when selected by a user interacting with a projected image display. The hotspot is expressed in the media as an area defined in terms of a Euclidean, rectangular coordinate system for transformation and mapping of the media image hotspot coordinates into corresponding coordinates of a hotspot location in the projected image display. Unfortunately, the image coordinates in the media do not necessarily map directly into corresponding coordinates in the projected image. Flat media images can be linearly transformed to projected image coordinates. However, panorama media require non-linear transformation of media coordinated to projected image coordinates.

Abstract: A multi-media information system enables tracking of user interactions to media presentations. A content creation phase enables a creator to specify presentation events or user interactions that can be tracked. A token(s) is introduced into the content by the creator to represent each piece of information to be tracked. A deployment delivery phase delivers the presentation to a web page for a user experience phase and interaction. Trackable information is communicated by the user to the tracking server at different instances of time. Each pre-authored trackable information can be flagged to be “real-time” or otherwise at the granularity of the token or at the granularity of each trackable context. When trackable information is not “real-time”, the information is put into one of several information clusters of different priority. When each cluster achieves a critical mass, the cluster moves to a ready state for transmission to the tracking server.

Abstract: A network capable of providing rich media presentations includes a network server and a client station. The network implements HotMedia architecture to transmit the presentation including non-linkable media from the server to the client station. The server transmits the presentation as a streaming file in a framework of frames including a header frame, thumbnail frame, meta frame, media frame and end-of-stream frame. The client station includes an action enabling kernel and a client master module. The action enabling kernel contains a table lookup of action triggering inputs and consequent action commands for hotlinking. The master module controls a selection process of the various types of media involved in the presentation and provides a signal to the action enabling kernel to provide an appropriate action handler to the server. When a media frame is encountered the master module checks to determine that a media object has been created to handle the media frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener assembly for a spinal fixation system and is particularly useful in treatment of pediatric and small-statured patients. The fastener assembly includes a fastener, an attachment member, and a locking member. The fastener has a lower portion for contacting a bone and a upper portion integral with the lower portion and having two open channels. Each channel is configured and dimensioned for receiving a portion of the longitudinal member along its circumference. The attachment member is positionable on the fastener and at least partially covers the channel that receives the longitudinal member. The attachment member is configured and dimensioned for receiving another portion of the longitudinal member along its circumference. The locking member is operatively associated with the upper portion of the fastener and secures the attachment member and longitudinal member to the fastener.

Abstract: An RF filter includes elongate radiator elements constructed from printed circuit board (PCB) materials and using PCB fabrication techniques. The radiator elements are spacedly disposed and contained within a shielded enclosure. The filter apparatus has input and output leads exterior to the filter to pass a signal to be filtered. The filter is tuned by the shape and of the elongate radiator elements and shielded enclose and by conductive leads extending from the shielded enclosure toward the elongate radiator elements. The shape and number of the conductive lead elements may be varied to control RF coupling between radiator elements and the tuning of the filter.

Abstract: Video, stills, panorama, sound and all forms of media as Rich Media in a Multimedia Vehicle Repository (MVR) file editable with a Rich Media Content description file. The Rich Media Content description file enables users to specify a vocabulary that defines the media elements and relations among the media elements thereby permitting the users to easily create and edit the Rich Media Content and compose various raw or compressed Rich Media components using any text editor. A multimedia authoring server side processor accepts the raw formatted Rich Media Content along with description text file in XML format and outputs the Rich Media, text and graphic components as an edited MVR file in accordance with user's design for execution on a multimedia player.

Abstract: An automatic, multi-stage rich media content creation system includes a network based server executing an operating system, a text editing program, typically XML editor, and an authoring or batch processing program for combining Rich Media in a Multimedia Vehicle Repository (MVR) file. Video, stills, panoramas, sound, film, etc are combined as raw Rich Media from one or more sources and transmitted to the server in a framework over a digital network. The raw Rich Media is incorporated into the framework as a series of related frames. The raw Rich Media is stored on a storage device, typically a disk at the network based server. A creator using a standard graphical or text editing tools has access to the raw media assets on the disk for preparing a textual specification description, typically XML in an electronic template of desired Rich Media content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener assembly for a spinal fixation system and is particularly useful in treatment of pediatric and small-statured patients. The fastener assembly includes a fastener, an attachment member, and a locking member. The fastener has a lower portion for contacting a bone and a upper portion integral with the lower portion and having two open channels. Each channel is configured and dimensioned for receiving a portion of the longitudinal member along its circumference. The attachment member is positionable on the fastener and at least partially covers the channel that receives the longitudinal member. The attachment member is configured and dimensioned for receiving another portion of the longitudinal member along its circumference. The locking member is operatively associated with the upper portion of the fastener and secures the attachment member and longitudinal member to the fastener.

Abstract: In this invention streaming video data is embedded within a panoramic image for display. The invention teaches a method and system for displaying an image of a scene of interest from a stored environment map of the scene and from video data of the scene. The method includes the steps of: (A) receiving and storing the video data of the scene; (B) selecting an orientation of the scene; (C) retrieving video data according to the selected orientation of the scene; (D) rendering the environment map according to the selected orientation of the scene to generate a first image for the selected orientation; (E) synchronously combining the retrieved video data and the first image to form a composite image for the selected orientation of the scene of interest; and (F) displaying the composite image. In one embodiment the method for displaying the image of the scene of interest further includes a step of continuously receiving video data packets that include image data and sound data.

Abstract: A filter described which includes helical resonator elements constructed using printed circuit board (PCB) materials and fabrication techniques. A helical resonator element is formed from conductive traces on either side of a double sided PCB substrate with interconnection of the traces using plated through holes to form a three dimensional serpentine or helical conductor path. Multiple resonator elements are RF coupled using ferromagnetic coupling elements. The shape and number of the coupling elements may be selected to control RF coupling between resonator elements and the tuning of the filter.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified polysaccharide graft copolymer complex which comprises the steps of:i. subjecting polysaccharide to graft copolymerization with a vinyl monomer;ii. treating the polysaccharide graft copolymer with:a. polyethylene glycol to provide a polymer-PEG complex; orb. a silicate compound to provide a silica precipitated polymer; andiii. recovering the polymer-PEG complex or silica precipitated polymer.This modified polysaccharide graft copolymer may be used as a surface sizing agent in the preparation of paper.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of paper from pulp employs at least one graft copolymer of starch selected from the group consisting of starch graft-polymethacrylic acid, starch graft-polyacrylic acid, cationic starch graft-polymethacrylic acid and cationic starch graft-polyacrylic acid as a wet-end additive. The graft copolymer preferably has an add on amount of acid of from about 0.1 to about 50% based on the weight of the starch, and is typically added to cellulosic pulp in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% based on the weight of the pulp. Such wet-end additives are also useful in processes involving relatively high alum levels of up to about 15 or 25%, based on the weight of the pulp.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dental restorative composition containing a hydrophobic polymerizable composition, a polymerization initiator, and a quartz or heat treated barium or strontium glass hydrophobic filler having an average particle size below 15 microns, with said filler being present in an amount within the range of from about 35 to about 78 volume percent.

Abstract: The affinity for water of acid-washed barium or strontium glass powder is reduced by a heat treatment.