Abstract: An exemplary method for constraining spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of a spinal segment comprises piercing an interspinous ligament to form a first penetration above an upper side of an upper spinous process and advancing a first end of a first tether through the first penetration. The interspinous ligament is pierced again to form a second penetration below a lower side of a lower spinous process and a second end of a second tether is advanced through the second penetration. Joining the first and second tethers together forms an extensible tether structure coupling the upper and lower spinous processes together while permitting extension therebetween. Adjusting the tether structure sets relative distance or angle between the upper and lower spinous processes to a target value.

Abstract: A damper for an airplane landing gear leg comprises a main strut (11) and a rod piston (13) co-operating with the strut (11) to define a main chamber (15) and annular chamber (16) for hydraulic fluid, and presenting internally two adjacent chambers (19, 20) that are isolated from each other by a separator piston (21). The damper (10) further comprises a first secondary strut (26) telescopically Slidable on the above-mentioned rod piston (13), and a second secondary strut (37) telescopically slidable on the other end of the first secondary strut (26). The two second annular chambers (31, 40) as defined in this way are respectively connected to associated control circuits thus enabling the total length of the damper to be shortened or lengthened respectively for the purpose of causing the landing gear to contract or to be extended.

Abstract: A spinal implant for limiting flexion of the spine includes a tether structure for encircling adjacent spinal processes. Usually, a pair of compliance members will be provided as part of the tether structure for elastically limiting flexion while permitting an extension. A cross-member is provided between the compliance member or other portions of the tether structure to stabilize the tether structure and prevent misalignment after implantation.

Abstract: A detection system in which a single sensor (14) is employed to detect two, or more, levels, or ranges, of a parameter. The output signal from the sensor (14) is fed to a detection circuit (12) for amplification and thence to a control circuit (24). The control circuit (24) is switchable, either manually, or preferably programmably, for example by a timer, between two or more modes of operation for processing the output signal from the sensor (14) in a different manner, for example using different algorithms, according to the condition that is to be detected. The switching of the control circuit (24) between its modes results in a signal being sent to the detection circuit (12) to change its sensitivity to the signal received from the sensor (14), thereby to maintain accuracy of measurement of the parameter in both or all modes of operation.

Abstract: Methods and kits for implanting constraints around spinous processes are described.

Abstract: A motor vehicle key for locking or unlocking a door of a motor vehicle or for operating the motor vehicle includes a display configuration for displaying information which relates to the motor vehicle or for displaying the function of an operator control element of the motor vehicle key. The display configuration includes at least a MEMS display, a cholesteric display and/or an electrophoretic display.

Abstract: An intelligent query system for processing voiced-based queries is disclosed, which uses a combination of both statistical and semantic based processing to identify the question posed by the user by understanding the meaning of the user's utterance. Based on identifying the meaning of the utterance, the system selects a single answer that best matches the user's query. The answer that is paired to this single question is then retrieved and presented to the user. The system, as implemented, accepts environmental variables selected by the user and is scalable to provide answers to a variety and quantity of user-initiated queries.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes distributed processing across a client and server for recognizing a spoken query by a user. A number of different speech models for different natural languages are used to support and detect a natural language spoken by a user. In some implementations an interactive electronic agent responds in the user's native language to facilitate an real-time, human like dialogue.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes distributed processing across a client and server for recognizing a spoken query by a user. A number of different speech models for different natural languages are used to support and detect a natural language spoken by a user. In some implementations an interactive electronic agent responds in the user's native language to facilitate an real-time, human like dialogue.

Abstract: An intelligent query system for processing voiced-based queries is disclosed, which uses a combination of both statistical and semantic based processing to identify the question posed by the user by understanding the meaning of the user's utterance. Based on identifying the meaning of the utterance, the system selects a single answer that best matches the user's query. The answer that is paired to this single question is then retrieved and presented to the user. The system, as implemented, accepts environmental variables selected by the user and is scalable to provide answers to a variety and quantity of user-initiated queries.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes distributed processing across a client and server for recognizing a spoken query by a user. A number of different speech models for different languages are used to support and detect a language spoken by a user. In some implementations an interactive electronic agent responds in the user's language to facilitate a real-time, human like dialogue.

Abstract: Spinal implants for limiting flexion of the spine are implanted between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or sacrum. The implants include upper straps which are placed over the upper spinous process, while the lower portions of the implant are attached to the adjacent vertebra or sacrum. The attachments may be fixed, for example using screws or other anchors, or may be non-fixed, for example by placing a loop strap through a hole in the spinous process or sacrum.

Abstract: A speech recognition engine is configured to permit partial or full recognition of an utterance at a client device and/or a server device. This allows for support for client devices having differing computing capabilities. Natural language operations can also be supported as desired. A user can thus interact with content also accessible at a web page and select items of interest using speech as a mode of input. Dynamic grammars can assist in the recognition operations to improve speed and comprehension.

Abstract: A speech-enabled WWW based computing system allows a user to interact with content associated with a web page and select items of interest using speech as a mode of input. Dynamic grammars can assist in the recognition operations to improve speed and comprehension.

Abstract: A speech-enabled internet based computing system includes a configurable speech recognition engine which allows support for client devices having differing computing capabilities. Natural language operations can also be supported as desired.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, in particular for a convertible, has a display that displays information by emitting light. A reflective-type linear polarization layer is disposed in front of the display layer, with reference to a defined viewing direction. There is no absorption-type polarization layer disposed in front of the reflective-type linear polarization layer, with reference to a defined viewing direction.

Abstract: A real-time speech recognition system includes distributed processing across a client and server for recognizing a spoken query by a user. Both the client and server can dedicate a variable number of processing resources for performing speech recognition functions. The partitioning of responsibility for speech recognition operations can be done on a client by client or connection by connection basis.

Abstract: A network based interactive speech system responds in real-time to speech-based queries addressed to a set of topic entries. A best matching response is provided based on speech recognition processing and natural language processing performed on recognized speech utterances to identify a selected set of phrases related to the set of topic entries. Another routine converts the selected set of phrases into a search query suitable for identifying a first group of one or more topic entries corresponding to the speech-based query. The words/phrases can be assigned different weightings and can include entries which are not actually in the set of topic entries.

Abstract: A speech-enabled internet based computing system includes a configurable speech recognition engine used for interacting with content on a web accessible page. The speech recognition engine is distributed across a client and server architecture, and is adaptive so that speech processing operations can be allocated as needed between the two. This allows for support for client devices having differing computing capabilities. Natural language operations can also be supported as desired. A user can thus interact with a web page and select items of interest using speech as a mode of input. Dynamic grammars can assist in the recognition operations to improve speed and comprehension.

Abstract: A damper for an airplane landing gear leg comprises a main strut (11) and a rod piston (13) co-operating with the strut (11) to define a main chamber (15) and annular chamber (16) for hydraulic fluid, and presenting internally two adjacent chambers (19, 20) that are isolated from each other by a separator piston (21). The damper (10) further comprises a first secondary strut (26) telescopically slidable on the above-mentioned rod piston (13), and a second secondary strut (37) telescopically slidable on the other end of the first secondary strut (26). The two second annular chambers (31, 40) as defined in this way are respectively connected to associated control circuits thus enabling the total length of the damper to be shortened or lengthened respectively for the purpose of causing the landing gear to contract or to be extended.