Abstract: A roll-out sheet of construction material has a plurality of slats, each with a shelf with a generally upward facing surface and a ledge with a generally downwardly facing surface. The plurality of slats are adjacent one another so that the ledge of one slat underlies the shelf of an adjacent slat. A pivoting assembly disposed on each of the plurality of slat allows the slats to articulate relative to one another within a defined range of vertical angles. The slats may have a longitudinal opening at least partially through, which is optionally filled with thermal and/or sound insulation, and/or load-bearing filler. The openings can also include a rib or support extending across the opening and bracing one side wall of the slat against the other. A securing tab can extend outward from one or more slats, shaped as a hoop, or having a through opening. When deployed, the roll-out sheet may be flat or have some angle or curvature.

Abstract: An arrangement for fixing two concentric tubes (1, 2) together by means of one or more pressure inducing members, preferably each formed as a pad (6); the member acts to press the tubes together; a support (3), preferably formed as a collar fixed inside the outer tube (1), is provided opposite the or each location of the or each member. The support is designed to maintain the circularity of the inner tube so that it can be readily withdrawn from the outer tube without jamming. This is useful for off-shore installations.

Abstract: In a single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) processor having multiple lanes, and local memory dedicated to each lane, a method of processing an image is disclosed. The method comprises mapping consecutive rasters of the image to consecutive lanes such that groups of consecutive rasters form image strips, and vertical stacks of strips comprise strip columns. Local memory allocates memory to the image strips. A sequence of functions is processed for execution on the SIMD processor in a pipeline implementation, such that the pipeline loops over portions of the image in multiple iterations, and intermediate data processed during the functions is stored in the local memory. Data associated with the image is traversed by first processing image strips from top to bottom in a left-most strip column, then progressing to each adjacent unprocessed strip column.

Abstract: A system and method for resisting catastrophic wind damage to a structure is provided. At least a pair of anchoring devices are fixed to a foundation of the structure at opposite positions adjacent to sidewalls of the structure. A first cable and a second cable are attached to the anchoring devices, respectively. A tensioning member is provided under a roof of the structure and between the sidewalls of the structure. The tensioning member, such as a turnbuckle, is further attached to both the first and second cables for applying a tension force to the cables. Cable guides can be further provided to route the cables along the roof and sidewalls of the structure.

Abstract: An underwater clamping arrangement (100, 100?) is provided for fixing at least a first and a second member (1, 2) together, to prevent relative movement between the members along at least a longitudinal axis (2L). The clamping arrangement comprises at least a fixed portion (102, 102?) attached to the first member and a reaction portion (104, 104?) attachable to the fixed portion, and a forcing portion (106, 106?). The forcing portion is arranged to apply a clamping force (4F, 4G) in a direction along a forcing axis (2F) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the reaction portion and the second member so to fix the two members together. The reaction portion and forcing portion are removable from the fixed portion when the clamping arrangement is clamped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of storing data records produced from monitoring interactions between external agents and a system. The method comprises defining specific interactions that can occur between the external agents and the system as potential events of interest. A chain of interactions occurring during respective interaction sessions between a respective external agent and the system are monitored and potential events of interest occurring in the said chain are determined. Data records from the monitored chain of interactions are produced, the respective data record including data identifying determined potential events of interest and data associated therewith. A profile identity, representative of the external agent, is assigned to each data record produced during a said interaction session.

Abstract: A system and method for resisting catastrophic wind damage to a structure is provided. At least a pair of anchoring devices are fixed to a foundation of the structure at opposite positions adjacent to sidewalls of the structure. A first cable and a second cable are attached to the anchoring devices, respectively. A tensioning member is provided under a roof of the structure and between the sidewalls of the structure. The tensioning member, such as a turnbuckle, is further attached to both the first and second cables for applying a tension force to the cables. Cable guides can be further provided to route the cables along the roof and sidewalls of the structure.

Abstract: In a single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) processor having multiple lanes, and local memory dedicated to each lane, a method of processing an image IS disclosed. The method comprises mapping consecutive rasters of the image to consecutive lanes such that groups of consecutive rasters form image strips, and vertical stacks of strips comprise strip columns. Local memory allocates memory to the image strips. A sequence of functions is processed for execution on the SIMD processor in a pipeline implementation, such that the pipeline loops over portions of the image in multiple iterations, and intermediate data processed during the functions is stored in the local memory. Data associated with the image is traversed by first processing image strips from top to bottom in a left-most strip column, then progressing to each adjacent unprocessed strip column.

Abstract: An arrangement for fixing two concentric tubes (1, 2) together by means of one or more pressure inducing members, preferably each formed as a pad (6); the member acts to press the tubes together; a support (3), preferably formed as a collar fixed inside the outer tube (1), is provided opposite the or each location of the or each member. The support is designed to maintain the circularity of the inner tube so that it can be readily withdrawn from the outer tube without jamming. This is useful for off-shore installations.

Abstract: A roll-out sheet of construction material has a plurality of slats, each with a shelf with a generally upward facing surface and a ledge with a generally downwardly facing surface. The plurality of slats are adjacent one another so that the ledge of one slat underlies the shelf of an adjacent slat. A pivoting assembly disposed on each of the plurality of slat allows the slats to articulate relative to one another within a defined range of vertical angles. The slats may have a longitudinal opening at least partially through, which is optionally filled with thermal and/or sound insulation, and/or load-bearing filler. The openings can also include a rib or support extending across the opening and bracing one side wall of the slat against the other. A securing tab can extend outward from one or more slats, shaped as a hoop, or having a through opening. When deployed, the roll-out sheet may be flat or have some angle or curvature.

Abstract: Image representation is performed by dividing a source image into foreground, background and selector planes. The foreground plane is selected to contain mainly line type art or textual type information, the background plane mainly contains image data, and the selector plane identifies whether the image data is maintained in either a specific plane or a combination of planes. A color is selected, by averaging or selecting an appropriate value based on overflow or other criteria, to replace each color in the foreground plane. Error in portions of the foreground plane resulting from replacing foreground colors is fed into corresponding portions of the background plane. Each plane is then compressed using compression schemes appropriate for the type of data maintained in each plane (LZW for the foreground, and JPEG for the background and lossless fax LLITT, for example).

Abstract: Systems, processes, and devices may facilitate asset management. In particular systems, processes, and devices may test and analyze inventory tags on objects, such as a company's assets, and track and manage objects. A system may include inventory tags, inventory tag readers, and/or a data storage module. Various types of inventory tags may be positioned on various positions of an object using different types of coupling and tests may be performed. Results from the test(s) may be analyzed and an appropriate type, position, and/or type of coupling for the inventory tag on the object may be determined. Inventory tags may be positioned on one or more objects based on the determined appropriate location and the objects may be tracked and/or managed.

Abstract: A roll-out sheet of construction material has a plurality of slats, each with a shelf with a generally upward facing surface and a ledge with a generally downwardly facing surface. The plurality of slats are adjacent one another so that the ledge of one slat overlies the shelf of an adjacent slat. A load-bearing flexible film is secured to the plurality of slats on one side, the opposite sides of the slats from the flexible film are free allowing the slats to articulate relative to one another. The slats may have a longitudinal opening at least partially through, which is optionally filled with thermal and/or sound insulation, and/or load-bearing filler. The openings can also include a rib or support extending across the opening and bracing one side wall of the slat against the other. A securing tab can extend outward from one or more slats, shaped as a hoop, or having a through opening. When deployed, the roll-out sheet may be flat or have some angle or curvature.

Abstract: Circuitry in a wireless remote control apparatus applies a signal to a sensor plate of the device and detects the field, e.g. to sense a parameter related to the field that is responsive to relative position of a part of the body of the operator. In the example, the field generation and sensing are performed during a first time slice. During a second time slice, a reference voltage is applied to the plate, and a transmitter sends a signal via an antenna representing the sensed field state. During the first time slice, however, there is no transmission from the antenna, and the antenna functions as a shield with respect to a lead connecting the circuitry to the plate. The antenna comprises a coaxial conductor around a portion of the electrical lead, and a dielectric material separates the electrical lead and the antenna. The example takes the form of a ring.

Abstract: Image data from a CMOS sensor with 10 bit resolution is reformatted to allow the data to pass through communications equipment that is designed to transport data with 8 bit resolution. The incoming image data has 1280 columns and 1024 rows with 10 bit resolution. The communication equipment can transport image data that has 1280 columns and 1024 rows with 8 bit resolution. This invention transports image data that has 1000 columns and 1023 rows with 10 bit resolution through the communication equipment by reformatting the image data.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing pressure for a well fracturing operation is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more docking areas for docking one or more pumping units to a pressure manifold wherein the one or more docking areas are operable to provide access between one or more pumping units, and a structure operable to enclose the one or more docking areas and pumping units. An apparatus for providing pressure for a well fracturing operation is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more pumping units, a central fueling system connected to the one or more pumping units, a central power system connected to the one or more pumping units, a central lubrication system connected to the one or more pumping units, and a central cooling system connected to the one or more pumping units.

Abstract: A portable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antenna for managing or otherwise processing RFID tagged items using a portable cart. The RFID cart comprises an onboard power source and an RFID antenna operable to communicate with an RFID tag at a distance greater than five feet and powered by the onboard power source. The RFID tag is coupled with an item and the tag communications comprise at least an RFID identifier uniquely identifying the item. The RFID cart further comprises an RFID reader operable to communicate with the RFID antenna and the RFID cart is operable to relocate via a mobile component.

Abstract: The spatial sound conference system enables participants in a teleconference to distinguish between speakers even during periods of interruption and overtalk, identify speakers based on spatial location cues, understand low volume speech, and block out background noise using spatial sound information. Spatial sound information may be captured using microphones positioned at the ear locations of a dummy head at a conference table, or spatial sound information may be added to a participant's monaural audio signal using head-related transfer functions. Head-related transfer functions simulate the frequency response of audio signals across the head from one ear to the other ear to create a spatial location for a sound. Spatial sound is transmitted across a communication channel, such as ISDN, and reproduced using spatially disposed loudspeakers positioned at the ears of a participant.

Abstract: Image representation is performed by dividing a source image into foreground, background and selector planes. The foreground plane is selected to contain mainly line type art or textual type information, the background plane mainly contains image data, and the selector plane identifies whether the image data is maintained in either a specific plane or a combination of planes. A color is selected, by averaging or selecting an appropriate value based on overflow or other criteria, to replace each color in the foreground plane. Error in portions of the foreground plane resulting from replacing foreground colors is fed into corresponding portions of the background plane. Each plane is then compressed using compression schemes appropriate for the type of data maintained in each plane (LZW for the foreground, and JPEG for the background and lossless fax LLITT, for example).

Abstract: The concepts discussed herein address a system, method, and computer product by which an e-mail is automatically formatted. An e-mail is sent by an e-mail client and received by a server for processing outbound and inbound e-mail including a SMTP server, POP3/IMAP server, or another server in communication with the SMTP server, POP3/IMAP server, or both. The server receives the e-mail message from the e-mail client and text-parses the received e-mail for identifying an e-mail attribute. Next, the system formats the received e-mail message in accordance with a predetermined format corresponding to the identified e-mail attribute, which is sent to intended recipient(s).