Abstract: Devices and methods for performing an array assay are provided. The subject array assay devices include a degassing zone that includes a gas permeable membrane. Embodiments include degassing microarray-backing elements that are used with an array assembly to provide an enclosed assay array chamber about at least one array of the array assembly. The degassing backing elements include: (1) a substrate having a surface comprising at least one gasket, and (2) a gas permeable membrane. Embodiments also include array assemblies that include a degassing zone, for example positioned on an array substrate. Embodiments of the subject methods include contacting an array with a sample under conditions sufficient to perform an array assay, wherein the contacting step further includes degassing the sample. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for serving telecommunications customers, using the transmission capabilities of a Packet Network. A customer having Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)/Gateway for communicating with a Packet Network, is connected to a port of the Packet Network. The customer is connected to the Gateway of a Home Switch via the Packet Network, and is also connected to Gateways of one or more Guest Switches. The customer has telephone numbers in the Home Switch and each of the Guest Switches. Callers can call the customer as if that customer were directly served by the Home Switch or any of the Guest Switches. Advantageously, the customer and callers to that customer are billed only for the short, usually local, call rate from the selected Home or Guest Switch. Advantageously, the customer can make outgoing calls dynamically via any of the Guest Switches.

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.

Abstract: A charge storage device (1) includes a sealed prismatic housing (2). Two opposed folded rectangular aluminium electrodes (3, 4) are disposed within housing (2) and connected to the electrodes. A porous, electronically insulating separator material, e.g. Solupor™, sheet separator (7) is disposed intermediate electrodes (3, 4) for maintaining those electrodes in a fixed spaced apart configuration. An electrolyte (not shown) is also disposed intermediate the electrodes. Collecting means in the form of a scavenging agent is grafted to separator (7) for sequestering one or more predetermined contaminants from the housing.

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.

Abstract: A hybrid network (100) includes a plurality of network elements (102, 106, 110, 114) that are coupled together by communication links (116, 118, 120, 122, 124). The network elements operate on different communications protocols. A loop back test message traverses a path (140) across network elements to test the integrity and quality of the path. Each network element that receives the loop back message modifies the message in a predetermined manner. The originator of the message verifies that the message was modified in an appropriate manner and in an appropriate time frame to determine integrity and quality.

Abstract: A charge storage device comprising: a first electrode, a second electrode being opposed to and spaced apart from the first electrode; a porous separator disposed between the electrodes; a sealed package for containing the electrodes, the separator and an electrolyte in which the electrodes are immersed; and a first terminal and a second terminal being electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively and both extending from the package to allow external electrical connection to the respective electrodes, wherein the gravimetric FOM of the device is greater than about 2.1 Watts/gram.

Abstract: A fast unfolding two-layer temporary flooring structure consisting of preferably rigid plates (1 to 6), made of a suitable material. The plates (1 to 6) are arranged mutually parallel and cascade-linked by an articulated linking element (B) so that between two consecutive plates, the element (B) is linked to an edge of the other plates, and also preferably in a central zone of the other plate, the elements defining hinge lines between parallel planes with longitudinal or transverse axis of the plates.

Abstract: A power supply is for an electrical load in the form of a Notebook computer. The power supply includes first terminals which extend from the computer for releasably electrically connecting with a first energy storage device in the form of a battery during a first interval. A second energy storage device, in the form a second battery, releasably electrically connects with terminals during a second interval spaced apart from the first interval. This allows power to be supplied to the load during those intervals. A capacitive energy storage device supplies power to the load during a third interval that spans the spacing between the first and the second intervals.

Abstract: A power supply (1) for a pulsed load (2) includes a first energy storage device in the form of a battery (3) which is in parallel with a second energy storage device in the form of a supercapacitor (4) Battery (3) and supercapacitor (4) are respectively modelled as: an ideal battery (7) in series with an internal resistance (8); and an ideal capacitor (9) in series with an equivalent series resistance (ESR) (10). Through use of a supercapacitor (4) having a low ESR with respect to the resistance (8), the power supply (1) facilitates continuity of supply to load (2). That is, during peak demand more of the load current will be supplied by supercapacitor (4) due to the lower ESR. Moreover, during times of lower load current demands the battery recharges the supercapacitor. This reduces the peak current needed to be provided by the battery and thereby improves battery longevity.

Abstract: A node in the telecommunication network supports location and direction services that are especially suited for wireless subscribers. Location coordinates such as determined by the global positioning satellite system are entered by a subscriber from the location to be marked. The node stores the coordinates and compares the marked location to the current coordinates of a subscriber making a request for directions to find the first location, e.g. the subscriber's parked car. The node provides the requesting subscriber with directions for proceeding from the current location to the first location. Subscribers other than the subscriber entering the location coordinates may also access the stored location information and obtain directions to the marked location to facilitate a meeting of subscribers at a location previously marked by a subscriber.

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing an XML document object model with the corresponding object model on the fly and in real time such that changes in either the document object model or the object model can be immediately reflected in the other without re-parsing the XML document. The invention utilizes a series of DOM/object model adapter software modules, each responsible for one (or more) object model properties and document object model nodes, respectively. Each adapter is registered to receive notification of a change in an object model property or DOM node for which it is responsible and updates the corresponding DOM node or object model property, respectively.

Abstract: A method of producing a Raney type catalyst, the method comprising melting together a Raney metal and aluminium to form an alloy mixture, pouring the mixture through a nozzle, directing a gas jet on to the mixture to form a spray of droplets, which droplets are directed on to a metallic substrate, the substrate material and thickness and latent heat and superheat of the sprayed material upon initial contact with the substrate being such that the temperature is sufficiently high for an exothermic reaction to take place between the alloy mixture and the substrate such that intermetallic bonds are formed therebetween, and subsequently chemically removing at least some of the aluminium from the sprayed material.

Abstract: Information is obtained from a database based on a query from a wireless subscriber's device that does not support direct communications with the database. A first e-mail message containing the first query is received at a workstation. Determined from the first e-mail message are the address of the first subscriber, whether the subscriber has a limited bandwidth capability, and the requested information by the subscriber. A response to the requested information is obtained from a database. The response is parsed in accordance with predetermined rules to limit the amount of data contained in a second message if the subscriber has been determined to have a limited bandwidth capability. The second message is transmitted to the first subscriber's address.

Abstract: In a packet data communications system (100) where a customer premises (120) has only a packet-based connection, a proxy modem (200) is provided at the customer premises to connect to devices that send and receive modulated transmissions, e.g., facsimile, modem, and TDD/TTY. The proxy modem demodulates the modulated transmissions (208), organizes the resulting digital signal into a packet (210) and forwards the packet over a packet network (104, 106). Another proxy modem (200) that connects to the packet network and to a telephony network (110) receives the packets from the packet network. The packets are re-organized into a digital signal that is then modulated and forwarded over the telephony network to a destination. Use of the proxy modems in the network prevents unnecessary digitizing of modulated transmissions, which slows transmission and introduces errors.

Abstract: A temporary surface covering with a woven structure formed of warp threads and weft threads and whose weave is such that each warp thread intersects or intertwines with the following weft threads, and a second auxiliary woven structure being superposed having a layer of warp threads and a layer of weft threads, the connection between the two woven structures being carried out in the course of a same weaving operation simultaneously with the overlapping of the structures, so as to constitute between the two structures, from place to place, tubular pockets oriented in the direction of the warp threads or in the direction of the weft threads, the pockets serving for the reception of elements devoted to various uses.

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.

Abstract: In a packet data communications system (100) that supports VoIP communications via cable modem, a fail over detector (200) identifies trouble (eq, no dial tone, delayed dial tone, low quality of service, no voltage, no current, network busy) on or within the communications path. In response, voice communications are switched to a secondary path, such as, for example, the PSTN, or some other reliable and/or predictable communications network, thereby insuring uninterrupted voice communications.

Abstract: A gesture recognition interface for use in controlling self-service machines and other devices is disclosed. A gesture is defined as motions and kinematic poses generated by humans, animals, or machines. Specific body features are tracked, and static and motion gestures are interpreted. Motion gestures are defined as a family of parametrically delimited oscillatory motions, modeled as a linear-in-parameters dynamic system with added geometric constraints to allow for real-time recognition using a small amount of memory and processing time. A linear least squares method is preferably used to determine the parameters which represent each gesture. Feature position measure is used in conjunction with a bank of predictor bins seeded with the gesture parameters, and the system determines which bin best fits the observed motion. Recognizing static pose gestures is preferably performed by localizing the body/object from the rest of the image, describing that object, and identifying that description.