Abstract: A base station for controlling transmission power during the establishment of a communication channel utilizes the reception of a short code during initial power ramp-up. The short code is a sequence for detection by the base station which has a much shorter period than a conventional access code. The ramp-up starts from a power level that is lower than the required power level for detection by the base station. The power of the short code is quickly increased until the signal is detected by the base station. Once the base station detects the short code, it transmits an indication that the short code has been detected.

Abstract: A method for managing video segments from an aerial sensor platform using a media asset management system includes collecting the video segments from the aerial sensor platform, associating corresponding geospatial data with each video segment, and creating a search thesaurus including search descriptors with cross-references therebetween. At least one respective search descriptor from the search thesaurus is associated with each video segment. The method further includes storing each video segment, its geospatial data and its at least one search descriptor on the media asset management system for later search and retrieval, such as by a surveillance organization. The search descriptors may be geospatial search descriptors that are cross-referenced in a hierarchical relationship.

Abstract: An auto-tracking spectrophotometer has a moveable look-ahead sensor for scanning at least a portion of a color matrix. The look-ahead sensor finds a portion of the color matrix for measurement by an optical system. The optical system for measuring the color matrix is then guided using the information provided by the look-ahead sensor.

Abstract: A delivery handle and assembly are provided which allow for deployment and reconstrainment of a stent. The delivery assembly may include a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; and, a housing having an aperture, the catheter extending through the aperture. A driver is movably coupled to the housing such that the driver can selectively move in different first and second directions relative to the housing. The driver is disposed to engage the catheter such that movement of the driver in the first direction causes a distal end of the catheter to move distally, and that movement of the driver in the second direction causes the distal end of the catheter to move proximally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting auxiliary eyeglasses on conventional eyeglasses in which magnets having shaped surfaces are attached to appendages on the auxiliary eyeglasses mating with magnets having complimentary shaped surfaces mounted on the temple extensions of conventional eyeglasses. The magnets on the auxiliary eyeglasses are mounted in sockets formed on the appendages on the auxiliary eyeglass frame fit beneath the temple extensions on the conventional eyeglasses frame to hold the auxiliary frames in place solely by the magnetic attractive force. The shaped surfaces of the magnets mate when the auxiliary eyeglasses are mounted on the conventional eyeglasses. The magnets may be recessed in sockets formed on one side while the magnets extend out of the sockets on the other side. A wide variety of magnet shapes and configurations are possible.

Abstract: An ablation device is provided. Electrodes are supported on counter rotating rollers. The rollers can be rotated to provide a desired spacing between the two electrodes. The rollers and electrodes can be associated with a side opening in a housing supported at a distal end of a flexible, elongated overtube sized to receive an endoscope.

Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine is described wherein the vane assembly comprises a first vane and a second vane connected together by a plurality of flanges, at least one fastener, and at least one spring plate. The fastener and hole diameters in the respective flanges are sized such that the first vane and second vane are essentially pinned together along their inner flanges and allowed to adjust due to thermal growth along their outer flanges, while maintaining a constant seal along both inner and outer platform edges. The thermal growth along the outer flanges is made possible by oversized flange holes relative to the diameter of the fastener.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a wireless transponder for a security system are described.

Abstract: Various systems for measurement of a specimen are provided. One system includes a first optical subsystem, which is disposed within a purged environment. The purged environment may be provided by a differential purging subsystem. The first optical subsystem performs measurements using vacuum ultraviolet light. This system also includes a second optical subsystem, which is disposed within a non-purged environment. The second optical subsystem performs measurements using non-vacuum ultraviolet light. Another system includes two or more optical subsystems configured to perform measurements of a specimen using vacuum ultraviolet light. The system also includes a purging subsystem configured to maintain a purged environment around the two or more optical subsystems. The purging subsystem is also configured to maintain the same level of purging in both optical subsystems.

Abstract: Embedded scalar quantizers for compression are described, along with tools for corresponding decompression. For example, a codec uses an embedded dead zone plus uniform threshold quantizer with repeated division of steps by specific factors. Non-dead-zone steps at a current level are divided into m+1 non-dead-zone steps at the next higher level, and the dead zone at the current level is divided into a dead zone at the next higher level with n new non-dead-zone steps at each side. Values for m and n depend on implementation. In some implementations, m=2 and n=1, and the dead zone ratio z=1, but other values are possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The conveying system may include at least one transport conveyor and a plurality of zone conveyors or staging zones. The transport conveyor conveys trays from the discharge of the article sorter to the induct of the article sorter, and the zone conveyors are positioned along the transport conveyor. The conveying system is operable to arrange and accumulate trays in a sequenced manner on the transport conveyor. The transport conveyor is operable to discharge the sequenced trays to the induct of the article sorter.

Abstract: A dampened slide for a wedge assembly includes a slide housing having perimeter walls. First and second alignment members connect to the perimeter walls, each having a deflectable portion. The deflectable portions extend opposite to each other and transverse to a centerline of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for locating, identifying and provisioning devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, first location information included in a DHCPDISCOVER request can be used to determine appropriate configurations for networked devices. In some such implementations, the first location information is read from an RFID tag near the networked device and is inserted in the DHCPDISCOVER request. The first location information may include any type of absolute or relative coordinate, positioning, cartographic or similar information and/or information from which such information may be derived. Second location information, which may be a logical name, is provided to the device. If the device is an RFID reader, the second location information may be included with reads from RFID tags that are transmitted from the RFID reader.

Abstract: Described herein is an implementation that facilitates the reverse presentation of an encoded digital media stream. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image compression using temporal and resolution layering of compressed image frames, and which provides encryption and watermarking capabilities. In particular, layered compression allows a form of modularized decomposition of an image that supports flexible encryption and watermarking techniques. Using layered compression, the base layer and various internal components of the base layer can be used to encrypt a compressed layered movie data stream. By using such a layered subset of the bits, the entire picture stream can be made unrecognizable by encrypting only a small fraction of the bits of the entire stream. A variety of encryption algorithms and strengths can be applied to various portions of the layered stream, including enhancement layers. Encryption algorithms or keys can be changed at each slice boundary as well, to provide greater intertwining of the encryption and the picture stream.

Abstract: A method for making an implantable stent includes the steps of (i) providing a plurality of elongate stent wires; (ii) forming said wires into a hollow tubular structure having opposed first and second open ends; (iii) terminating said wires at the second end; (iv) aligning the wires at the second end into a plurality of mated adjacent wires to define a plurality of abutting regions; (v) welding the mated adjacent wires to one and the other at the abutting regions to define a plurality of welds; and optionally (vi) chemically or electro-chemically removing a portion of the welds. The method may further include the steps of (a) extending at least one of the mated stent wires to provide an extended stent wire; (b) looping the extended stent wire so the extended end abuts a proximal pair of stent wires; and (c) welding the extended and looped wire to the proximal pair of wires.

Abstract: A first medical instrument includes a flexible catheter and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The medical guidewire has first and second segments, wherein the bending moment of inertia of the first segment is less than the bending moment of inertia of the second segment. A second medical instrument includes a flexible catheter, a mechanized guidewire assembly, and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The medical guidewire has an exterior surface including a repetitive series of spaced-apart surface elevation features. One example of surface elevation features is external threads. The spaced-apart surface elevation features are adapted for operable engagement with the mechanized guidewire drive assembly.

Abstract: A system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. A device is advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or several divisions or plications within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a stapler assembly having a tissue acquisition member and a tissue fixation member. The stapler assembly approximates tissue from within the hollow body organ with the acquisition member and then affixes the approximated tissue with the fixation member. In one method, the system can be used as a secondary procedure to reduce the size of a stoma within the hollow body organ.

Abstract: Various systems for measurement of a specimen are provided. One system includes an optical subsystem configured to perform measurements of a specimen using vacuum ultraviolet light and non-vacuum ultraviolet light. This system also includes a purging subsystem that is configured to maintain a purged environment around the optical subsystem during the measurements. Another system includes a cleaning subsystem configured to remove contaminants from a specimen prior to measurement. In one embodiment, the cleaning subsystem may be a laser-based cleaning subsystem that is configured to remove contaminants from a localized area on the specimen. The system also includes an optical subsystem that is configured to perform measurements of the specimen using vacuum ultraviolet light. The optical subsystem is disposed within a purged environment. In some embodiments, the system may include a differential purging subsystem that is configured to provide the purged environment for the optical subsystem.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Fruit with an attractive orange-red skin color. 2. Producing fruit ripening in the early maturity season. 3. Producing peento shaped fruit (saucer, donut or flat shape). 4. Fruit with firm, white flesh, good flavor and eating quality. 5. Having a moderate winter chilling requirement of approximately 500 hours. 6. Vigorous, upright growth habit.