Abstract: Methods and systems for removing gases and/or pressure formed during the sterilization, e.g., the gamma irradiation, of prepacked chromatography systems (column plus attached tube and valve set) are described. The methods include purging the gas and/or pressure through specially designed tube and valve sets without breaching the sterility of the prepacked sterile chromatography system. The systems include a sterile or aseptic pre-packed chromatography column including a column having an inlet and an outlet, a tubing and valve set attached to the inlet and the outlet, and a pump configured to pump sterile or aseptic liquid from the fluid source along the tubing and valve set, into the column tube inlet and out of the column tube outlet along a first flow path, thereby removing any entrapped gas and/or pressure from the chamber.

Abstract: Media content is provided for remote playback over a packet-based network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host server authenticates remote users and further processes media content requests from authenticated remote users by directing or otherwise facilitating the delivery of requested media content from a user's media content source to a remote playback device. The remote playback device is classified and the media content is selectively configured at one or both of the media content source and the host server in accordance with the classification, prior to delivery to the remote playback device. Communications among the host server, remote playback device and media content source are over the packet-based network.

Abstract: Media content is provided for remote playback over a packet-based network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host server authenticates remote users and further processes media content requests from authenticated remote users by directing or otherwise facilitating the delivery of requested media content from a user's media content source to a remote playback device. The remote playback device is classified and the media content is selectively configured at one or both of the media content source and the host server in accordance with the classification, prior to delivery to the remote playback device. Communications among the host server, remote playback device and media content source are over the packet-based network.

Abstract: Media content is provided for remote playback over a packet-based network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host server authenticates remote users and further processes media content requests from authenticated remote users by directing or otherwise facilitating the delivery of requested media content from a user's media content source to a remote playback device. The remote playback device is classified and the media content is selectively configured at one or both of the media content source and the host server in accordance with the classification, prior to delivery to the remote playback device. Communications among the host server, remote playback device and media content source are over the packet-based network.

Abstract: Data transfer between remote and base locations over a network is effected. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a data router controls the routing of data between base and remote network appliances as a function of metadata describing the data and capabilities of the remote network appliance.

Abstract: Data transfer between remote and base locations over a network is effected. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a data router controls the routing of data between base and remote network appliances as a function of metadata describing the data and capabilities of the remote network appliance.

Abstract: Data transfer to a remote packet-communicating device over a network is effected using a network-based cache to selectively store data. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a network-based server facilitates selective, rule-based storage of a registered user's data in a network-based cache. The registered user's data is available via the user's data source coupled to a packet-based network (e.g., via a user's home or business computer coupled to the Internet). The server controls remote access to data stored in the cache as well as data accessible via the registered user's data source. For instance, when a request for data transfer is received from a remote packet-communicating device, the network-based server authenticates the request and, for authenticated requests, facilitates a transfer of the requested data from one or both of a registered user's data source and the cache.

Abstract: Data transfer over a network is effected in a manner that facilitates the use of available communications channels and makes possible enhanced data routing control and monitoring. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, data is routed to a remote (e.g., mobile) user device over a packet-communicating network having a plurality of communication links. When the transfer of data to the remote use device is requested or otherwise initiated, a host server selects one of the plurality of communications links available for transferring the data to the remote user device. The host server then uses routing functions (e.g., software) at a registered data source to access and transfer data from the registered data source to the remote user device.

Abstract: Data transfer between remote and home locations over a network is effected using an electronic token to facilitate access to the data. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a network-based server facilitates the generation of a token specifying conditions upon which data access to a registered user's data can be made. When a request for data transfer is received in connection with a token, information in the token is used together with the request to selectively authenticate and serve the request.

Abstract: Signal processing is used to detect transient signals in the presence of noise. Two embodiments are disclosed. In both embodiments, the time series from a remote sensor is broken into a number of short time series. The power spectrum of each short time series are then calculated along with the mean noise level. The moments of each peak in every power spectrum are calculated and the peak with the largest power selected from each power spectrum. A histogram of the moments from these selected peaks is generated and normalized to become a measured PDF. In addition, a pre-determined PDF is derived, in the same method as above, from theoretically calculated noise, numerically simulated noise, or measured noise. Comparison between the measured and pre-determined PDF's establish the detection of a transient signal. The first embodiment compares the area between the measured and pre-determined PDF's against a threshold to determine detection.

Abstract: A valve cover includes a base that attaches to an engine and a display window that attaches to the base. The display window is made of material that can withstand the operating environment of the engine, including temperature and resistance to petroleum-based substances. The display window is secured to the base using a flexible gasket that encircles the display window and snaps into a groove in the base to secure the display window to the base. The display window may be see-through so the valves are visible. The display window may also include one or more display elements, such as light-emitting diodes, optical fibers, electro-luminescent panels, incandescent bulbs, liquid crystal displays, etc. The display window may include embossed or etched portions, and may include multiple colors and sequenced operation to provide any desired effect on the display panel.

Abstract: A valve cover includes a base that attaches to an engine and a display window that attaches to the base. The display window is made of material that can withstand the operating environment of the engine, including temperature and resistance to petroleum-based substances. The display window is secured to the base using a flexible gasket that encircles the display window and snaps into a groove in the base to secure the display window to the base. The display window may be see-through so the valves are visible. The display window may also include one or more display elements, such as light-emitting diodes, optical fibers, electro-luminescent panels, incandescent bulbs, liquid crystal displays, etc. The display window may include embossed or etched portions, and may include multiple colors and sequenced operation to provide any desired effect on the display panel.

Abstract: A valve cover includes a base that attaches to an engine and a display window that attaches to the base. The display window is made of material that can withstand the operating environment of the engine, including temperature and resistance to petroleum-based substances. The display window is secured to the base using a flexible gasket that encircles the display window and snaps into a groove in the base to secure the display window to the base. The display window may be see-through so the valves are visible. The display window may also include one or more display elements, such as light-emitting diodes, optical fibers, electro-luminescent panels, incandescent bulbs, liquid crystal displays, etc. The display window may include embossed or etched portions, and may include multiple colors and sequenced operation to provide any desired effect on the display panel.

Abstract: An electronic package. The electronic package includes an electronic component having a heat producing device, an attachment piece, and at least two attachment units. Each unit includes an attachment pillar having a mating surface, a solder layer formed on the mating surface, and an attachment pad located on the attachment piece. The pillar of each unit is attached to its unit attachment pad via its unit solder layer and is otherwise attached to the electronic component. One pillar at least partially covers the heat producing device. Prior to attachment of pillars to their associated unit pads, the unit solder layer of the pillar at least partially covering the heat producing device is patterned to cover less than its mating surface, and the pillar at least partially covering the heat producing device is thermally connected to the heat producing device and to its unit attachment pad via its unit solder layer.

Abstract: Data transfer over an IP network is effected in a manner that improves the use of available communications channels and makes possible enhanced data routing control and monitoring. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, data is transferred over an IP network having a plurality of communication links. An origin node coupled to the network supplies data to the network, and system nodes coupled to the network are adapted to store at least a portion of the data supplied by the origin node. Two or more servers are adapted to route data between at least one of the system nodes and the network. A network-distributed application routing controller is implemented throughout the network and ascertains location information of the data supplied by the origin node. A data request from one of the system nodes is received at the application routing controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing image sensor lag are described. In one aspect, an image sensor includes multiple pixels, pixel circuits, and a bias circuit. Each of the pixels includes a respective photodiode region. Each of the pixel circuits is operable to control integration and readout steps for a respective pixel. The bias circuit is operable to apply voltages across the pixels to induce carrier injection into the photodiode regions to reduce image lag. In another aspect, non-reverse-bias flow of carriers is induced in the photodiode regions of image sensor pixels to reduce image lag.

Abstract: A computerized multimedia delivery system designed to simultaneously display multiple streams of multimedia content is disclosed. The interactive delivery system is capable of (1) providing multiple streams of content to users of the system, (2) allowing users to interact with the system, (3) providing information concerning such users to a centralized computer for processing, (4) providing users with the ability to perform financial transactions, and (5) provide a printed receipt or redemption coupon. Content is digitally stored on a medium suitable for storage and retrieval by the computer system such as large capacity hard disk drives. The content to be displayed is selected either using a scheduling device or by user interaction. A user can interact with the system through a touch-screen graphical user interface on a video display. Once the content is selected, the system reads the configuration information for that particular content.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced by the partial oxidation of a fuel feedstock comprising a heavy liquid and/or petroleum coke having a sulfur, nickel and vanadium-containing ash. An additive comprising basalt is introduced into the reaction zone along with the feed. The basalt additive interacts with the ash and sulfur in the feedstock to produce molten slag comprising a minor amount of oxysulfide liquid phase washing agent and a major amount of liquid silicate phase. The minor oxysulfide liquid phase washing agent collects and transports at least a portion of the vanadium-containing oxide laths and spinels and other ash components out of the reaction zone. The remainder of the vanadium is washed or dissolved by the major silicate phase. In another embodiment, the basalt additive is uniformly dispersed in petroleum coke having a sulfur, nickel and vanadium-containing ash.