Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A submersible power supply apparatus provides the ability to provide power for recharging batteries used to operate underwater vehicles, manned and unmanned. A battery charging station apparatus containing at least one modular reserve battery magazine with a plurality of compartments is provided. A plurality of reserve battery modules may be respectively provided in the plurality of compartments, each of the plurality of reserve battery modules being configured to provide power when a reserve battery provided therein is activated.

Abstract: A submersible power supply apparatus provides the ability to provide power for recharging batteries used to operate underwater vehicles, manned and unmanned. A battery charging station apparatus containing at least one modular reserve battery magazine with a plurality of compartments is provided. A plurality of reserve battery modules may be respectively provided in the plurality of compartments, each of the plurality of reserve battery modules being configured to provide power when a reserve battery provided therein is activated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively loading and enabling software stored within firmware of an electronic device to support an input device coupled to the electronic device if a power switch is pressed and held for at least a predetermined period of time as the power switch is used to turn the electronic device on.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking current memory configuration is presented. In this regard, an enhanced Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is introduced to initialize system memory during an initial boot and to store initialization settings in a non-volatile memory for use during a subsequent boot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading and enabling firmware software support for an input device coupled to an electronic device if a switch is pressed and held for a predetermined period of time at a time when the electronic device is turned off.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for protecting boot block code while allowing updating to BIOS code during a flash BIOS operation. The boot block code is stored in a boot block or boot region of a flash part, and then a copy of the boot block code is written into another region of the flash part. The image of the boot block code in the another region is compared with the boot block code in the boot block, and if there is a match, the boot block region is unprotected, thereby allowing an update of code in the boot block. The boot block code of the flashed-in BIOS image in the boot block region is compared with the copy of the boot block code in the another region, and if there is a match, the code in the boot block region is protected. If there is not a match or if a power failure occurs, the system is booted up using the boot block code in the another region.

Abstract: A unitary or one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame and a method for making the one-piece grille frame. In the unitary acoustical cabinet grille frame a sound-transmissible fabric is integrally bonded or fused to serrations in a slot within the shaped plastic face. In the method for manufacturing the one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame, a sound-transmissible fabric is placed over a shaped plastic face. A heated fusion blade having the configuration of the slot is placed over the sound-transmissible fabric. The fabric is forced into contact with the plastic serrations in the slot and the plastic serrations are plasticated or melted. The sound-transmissible fabric is then fused with the plastic. Finally, the heated fusion blade is removed from the slot and the plastic is allowed to cool.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a unitary or one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame and a method for making the one-piece grille frame. In the unitary acoustical cabinet grille frame a sound-transmissible fabric is integrally bonded or fused to serrations in a slot within the shaped plastic face. In the method for manufacturing the one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame, a sound-transmissible fabric is placed over a shaped plastic face. A heated fusion blade having the configuration of the slot is placed over the sound-transmissible fabric. The fabric is forced into contact with the plastic serrations in the slot and the plastic serrations are plasticated or melted. The sound-transmissible fabric is then fused with the plastic. Finally, the heated fusion blade is removed from the slot and the plastic is allowed to cool.

Abstract: In a game, performable in a gaming house, the winner, as between a banker player and the other players, is determined by assigning a value of one or eleven points to aces or special pieces, between zero and one point to face pieces, and face value to numeric pieces. A nominal value between 7 and eleven and one half is established. If the value of the banker player's hand is less than the nominal value and the value of another player's hand is greater than the banker player's hand but less than or equal to the nominal value, the other player is declared the winner. If the value of the banker player's hand is more than the nominal value and the value of the other player's hand is less than the value of said banker player's hand, the other player is declared the winner. The holder of a single special piece is declared the winner as against all other combinations. The banker player is declared the winner under all other conditions.

Abstract: A toning station particularly usable in a multicolor image-forming apparatus includes an applicator and a developer mixing mechanism. A transport roller with a fluted surface transports developer from the mixing device to the applicator. A magnetic gate is positioned inside the transport roller and has a first position in which it attracts developer from the mixing device to the transport roller to facilitate delivery of developer to the applicator. The magnetic gate is movable to a position opposite the applicator where it inhibits passage of developer to the applicator to stop the development action of the station.

Abstract: A toner monitor system includes a toner monitor having an output signal which is proportional to the toner concentration of a measured development mixture and further to an applied control voltage. The control voltage is set such that the toner monitor output voltage midpoint is constant regardless of environmental changes. The output voltage is centered at mid range for a nominal toner concentration, and the control voltage setting used to center the toner monitor output voltage at its midpoint is stored during a setup cycle. A reference member having a temperature stable magnetic permeability is positioned to align with the toner monitor so as to simulate to the toner monitor a nominal toner concentration, wherein the control voltage setting centers the toner monitor output voltage at its midpoint for the nominal toner concentration.