Abstract: A surface-mountable interface module is attached to a central surface portion of a composite structure to interface with an optical transmission means embedded in the composite structure. The module has a mating surface for coupling to the composite structure to define an intersection between the module and the central surface portion, and contains interface optics to manipulate light that, in use, passes between the module and the optical transmission means through the intersection. A ‘smart’ variant of the module contains interrogation means for interrogating a sensor system associated with the optical transmission means, and power means for powering components within the module.

Abstract: The inventor, Ian Popoff, of Encinitas, Calif., wishes to disclose the novel utility of the Passenger Safety Handlebar. The Passenger Safety Handlebar is a fixed-mounted device to be used with in-line-seating arrangement vehicles, such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, and the like, to improve passenger safety and stability while using such vehicles. What is novel with respect to the Passenger Safety Handlebar is primarily the secured-mounting properties of the device to the vehicle (as opposed to the driver of such vehicle), which are not observed in the prior art. Second, the innate nature of the Passenger Safety Handlebar predisposes it against action or movement of either the passenger or driver to each other. Further, the actual location of the Passenger Safety Handlebar is novel with respect to prior art, in that it is forward of the driver of the vehicle, rather than lateral or behind.

Abstract: A system for controlling the bandwidth allocated to a network connection between two nodes. The system receives a bandwidth change request, and generates and sends control commands to network switches of the connection in order to satisfy the change request. A bandwidth control interface, available over the Internet, has code for generating a display of bandwidths available for selection; code for receiving a bandwidth selection chosen from the bandwidths; and code for sending the change request to the network to adjust the bandwidth on the basis of the selection. The interface provides a bandwidth dial representation of the bandwidths that can be selected.

Abstract: A class of substituted and/or ring-fused pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives, possessing an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, phenyl or heteroaryl substituent on the pyrazole nitrogen atom adjacent the pyridine nucleus, and an optionally substituted cycloalkyl-alkoxy, aryl-alkoxy or heteroaryl-alkoxy substituent on the carbon atom adjacent the pyridine ring nitrogen atom, are selective ligands for GABAA receptors, in particular having high affinity for the &bgr;2 and/or &bgr;3 subunit thereof, and are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of adverse neurological disorders, including anxiety and convulsions.

Abstract: A method and of determining scanner coordinates to accurately position a focused laser beam. The focused laser beam is scanned over a region of interest (e.g. an aperture) on a work-surface by a laser scanner. The position of the focused laser beam is detected by a photodetector either at predetermined intervals of time or space or as the focused laser beam appears through an aperture in the work surface. The detected position of the focused laser beam is used to generate scanner position versus beam position data based on the position of the laser scanner at the time the focused laser beam is detected. The scanner position versus beam position data can be used to determine the center of the aperture or the scanner position coordinates that correspond with a desired position of the focused laser beam.

Abstract: An assembly for use in connecting optical fibers includes a housing (12) for optical fiber joints and a fiber routing device (70) associated with the housing. The housing has a first inlet (41) for receiving optical fibers from a primary side of an optical fiber network and a second inlet (13) for receiving optical fibers from a customer side of an optical fiber network. The fiber routing device (70) has an outlet (78) for feeding fibers from the customer side of the optical fiber network into the second inlet (13) and two inlets (72, 74) for receiving the customer-side optical fibers for feeding to its outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly 10 for use in connecting optical fibres, the assembly comprising a plurality of housings 12 for housing connections between optical fibres and a guide arrangement for guiding optical fibres into said housings 12. The guide arrangement comprises a plurality of guide devices 14 mounted side-by-side, each guide device 14 having at least one inlet port 22 for the passage of optical fibres into the guide arrangement, at least one outlet port 26 associated with a said housing 12 for guiding optical fibres into the associated housing 12. Each guide device 14 also comprises at least one further inlet port 28 for receiving optical fibres from another one of the guide devices when positioned adjacent the guide device 14 on one side thereof and at least one further outlet port 30 for guiding optical fibres to another one of the guide devices when positioned adjacent the guide device on another side thereof. The guide arrangement comprises at least two guide devices 14.

Abstract: An electrical component includes an initial structure (40) molded of an insulative first material and having a plurality of regions (81, 82, 83) that each forms a passage (42), with the regions being largely separated to leave gaps (90, 92, 94) between them, but with the regions joined by small tabs (44). The initial structure is plated everywhere, including along the passages and on the tabs. A quantity of second insulative material (108) is overmolded to the plated initial structure to fill the gaps between them but not some portions of the passages. The tabs then can be cut away to electrically isolate the platings on the different regions, and to thereby electrically isolated contacts, such as the outer conductors of coaxial connectors, installed in the passages while the regions that form the passages are mechanically held together by the overmolding second material.

Abstract: Substituted or 6,7-ring fused 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives are selective ligands for GABAA receptors useful in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system.

Abstract: A material machining system for machining a workpiece (PCB, PWB etc.) for drilling blind vias. The system includes a laser supply system (20, 26, 30) for supplying discrete machining beams (22a, 22b) that are separate from each other. A deflecting devices (28, 32) is provided for deflecting each of the discrete machining beams to generate multiple independent beams at a plurality of positions within a field of operation on the workpiece. A scan lens (34) having an entrance pupil configured to receive the multiple independent beams from the deflecting devices is provided proximate to the entrance pupil of the scan lens. A computer is used for controlling the deflecting devices to change the respective positions of the multiple independent beams in at least one co-ordinate direction within the field of operation. The deflecting devices include galvo/mirror pairs at the entrance pupil of the scan lens. This is accomplished since the scan lens has a relatively large entrance pupil and the mirror parts are small.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coupling a first optical transmission means (10,42), such as an optical fiber, embedded within an aircraft composite (12,40) to a second optical transmission means (14), such as an optical fiber, external to the composite (12,40) is described. The method comprises locating the position of the first optical means (10,42) embedded within the composite (12,40) using X-ray scanning for example; forming a passageway (20,62) by laser machining or drilling within the composite (12,40) to the first optical transmission means (10,42); and establishing an optical connection between the first and second optical transmission means (10,42,14) at the intersection of the passageway (20,62) and the first optical transmission means (10,42).

Abstract: An application server system has a constructed environment for executing application programs where the system has a plurality of processors, for receiving data from client requests and then modifying the constructed execution environment accordingly and for receiving and returning server data, and an interface for each of the processors, for receiving client request data and server data and returning server data, via the interface to/from its corresponding processor for modification of the execution environment and determination of server data to be returned. Each processor includes a receiving unit for calls containing client request data, a unit for processing the client request data and modifying the execution environment, and a unit for determining that another processor must be invoked, locating the other processor and invoking the other processor using the interface, and passing server data and client request data corresponding to the other processor.

Abstract: An electrical component includes an initial structure (40) molded of an insulative first material and having a plurality of regions (81, 82, 83) that each forms a passage (42), with the regions being largely separated to leave gaps (90, 92, 94) between them, but with the regions joined by small tabs (44). The initial structure is plated everywhere, including along the passages and on the tabs. A quantity of second insulative material (108) is overmolded to the plated initial structure to fill the gaps between them but not some portions of the passages. The tabs then can be cut away to electrically isolate the platings on the different regions, and to thereby electrically isolated contacts, such as the outer conductors of coaxial connectors, installed in the passages while the regions that form the passages are mechanically held together by the overmolding second material.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system wherein the main attachment to the chassis of the steering and suspension components is by the king pin mounting. The suspension system includes a first member attached directly to a shaft rotating with the chassis attachment; a second member attached to the first member by a swivel joint or a bush, allowing vertical movement of a stub axle attached solidly to the second member; and a third member attached to the first member which acts as the steering arm connection and load transference support for the forth member, a telescopic shock absorber and spring unit. The stub axle being at right angles to the king pin. Use of the suspension system allows a lessening or elimination of the toeing in or out of the wheels which commonly occurs with the vertical movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A switch assembly is provided for mounting on a circuit board and for receiving a coax connector plug that opens the switch and connects the central coax plug element to one of the switch contacts, which enables the use of a plug (100) without a long projecting center contact element (102) and which enables many degrees of misalignment between the plug and switch. The switch (10) includes a housing (11) with an exposed upper face (22) having an entrance (24) for receiving the connector plug. First and second contacts (12, 14) are mounted on the housing, with the first contact including a resilient beam (18) biased up against the second contact but deflectable downwardly out of engagement with the second contact. An electrically conductive projection (19) projects upward at least partially through an opening (26) at the bottom entrance, so the center contact element of the plug does not have to project deeply through the opening in order to operate the switch and electrically connect to the beam.

Abstract: A thruster is adapted to be laterally mounted through the hull of the vessel and has propulsive ducts for opening to respective sides of the vessel and an inlet to the inboard end of both of the ducts, the inlet being at least partially provided by a tunnel having an internal cross-sectional area greater than that of the ducts, the tunnel at least partially surrounding each of the ducts and opening to each side of the vessel.

Abstract: Estrogen receptor-modulating pyrazole compounds are described in addition to methods and compositions for treating or preventing estrogen receptor-mediated disorders. The compounds described have been found to have unexpected and surprising activity in modulating estrogen receptor activity. Thus, the compounds of the present invention have utility in preventing or treating estrogen receptor-mediated disorders such as osteoporosis, breast and endometrial cancers, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method for supporting the end-user of a software application program is provided, wherein the end-user is provided the capability of communicating directly with the application program vendor and/or developer to request enhancement, provide comments, report defects and/or to ask questions. Moreover, this method provides an automatic communication that provides the developer of an application program such critical information as usage of program or document information, defects, and user comments. This invention provides a technique that minimizes the load and/or requirements for specially trained customer service personnel while simultaneously decreasing the feed-back lag time, thereby providing information, which is sufficiently timely to aid in the improvement of the quality of application software.

Abstract: Isoxazole estrogen receptor agonist and antagonist compounds having unexpected and surprising activity in modulating estrogen receptor activity are described. In addition, methods and compositions for treating or preventing estrogen receptor-mediated disorders are disclosed. The compounds, methods, and compositions of the invention have utility in preventing or treating estrogen receptor-mediated disorders such as osteoporosis, breast and endometrial cancers, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.