Abstract: A steering column assembly (10) of the collapsible type includes a mounting plate (30) for rigid attachment to a vehicle body structure. The mounting plate (30) supports the steering column (12) during normal operation through interconnecting release capsules (24) which allow the steering column (12) to collapse, away from the rigidly attached mounting plate (30), during a frontal collision. An energy absorbing tear strip (44) in formed integrally in the mounting plate (30) and is connected via tab (43) to a fixed connection (42) which adjoins a portion of the column bracket (18). The column bracket (18) moves together with the steering column (12) during a collapse situation. The tear strip (44) simultaneously bends and tears in a peeling fashion as the steering column (12) collapses to provide energy absorption for the assembly (10).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lace end assembly having a male end connector and a female end connector. The lace end assembly uses an integrated magnet in one connector that interacts with another magnet in the other connector to couple the connectors. The male end connector is adapted to retain a knotted end of a pair of laces, such as found in a wakeboard binding. The female end connector is mounted on the wakeboard binding. The male end connector includes a protrusion that houses a first magnet. The female end connector includes a body portion that houses a second magnet. The female end connector also includes a cavity. The cavity receives the male end connector to allow the magnet to align and link magnetically, thus securing the lace ends to the binding.

Abstract: A system for remotely identifying, tracking, and monitoring transported goods includes a sensing and communications device (14) embedded in a shipping container (2). The sensing and communications device (14) includes onboard sensors (58,60,62) and wirelessly communicates with external sensors (24,26) to receive environmental and structural condition data. The device (14) communicates the data via either an RF interface (52,54) or a cellular telephone system interface (48,50) to a remote monitoring station (68). The remote monitoring station (68) analyzes the data, presents the data to a user, and enables the user to program the device (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to 5H-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine compounds, that are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases, for treating disorders associated with MET activity, and for inhibiting the receptor tyrosine kinase MET. The invention also related to compositions which comprise these compounds, and methods of using them to treat cancer in mammals.

Abstract: A cache memory configured to store media data to be output as a media stream includes a session data file configured to store properties of the media stream, wherein the properties may include encoding scheme, duration, and others, and a plurality of data object files, each data object file individually and directly accessible by a file system, each data object file comprising a data object configured to store only a portion of the media data.

Abstract: An application independent, in-kernel cache is implemented. In-kernel caches provide applications with commonly used data quickly and efficiently. Methods and instruments for storing content, cache objects, are implemented leveraging operating system supplied mechanisms. Every operating system has one or more specific means of in-kernel storage usable by kernel extensions. A system that acquires storage for the cache objects is implemented. Techniques for allowing multiple varying sources of data are defined. Multiple data sources may provide application specific and/or application independent data using various protocols. The aforementioned cache object storage mechanisms are independent of the source of the data and vise versa. Techniques for fast lookup and management of cache objects are defined. Mechanisms for moving the data from the data source into the cache object storage mechanism are implemented.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a first electrode and a second electrode positioned distal to the first electrode; a first portion of a first cable conductor extends through a channel of the first electrode to couple with the second electrode and a second cable conductor, insulated from the first cable conductor and coupled to the first electrode, is wound about a second portion of the first cable which extends proximally from the first portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides rich media presentations to a requesting device when required. Attributes of the requesting device are determined and used to create optimized code for the requesting device. The attributes may include information relating to the operating system of the requesting device; a media player; a bandwidth parameter; presence or absence of a firewall, permissions related to the requesting device, and the like. A virtual player is created that includes code to play media files. A presentation package is created that sets the presentation attributes for the multimedia experience. A media package is created that instructs the virtual player what multimedia content to play.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preconditioning a lithium niobate or lithium tantalate crystal. At least a portion of a surface of the crystal is covered with a condensed material including one or more active chemicals. The crystal is heated in a non-oxidizing environment above an activating temperature at which the active chemicals contribute to reducing the crystal beneath the covered surface portion. The crystal is cooled from above the activating temperature to below a quenching temperature at which the active chemicals become essentially inactive for reducing the crystal.

Abstract: Several systems and associated methodologies are provided for adding one or more property pages to one or more types of data. The property pages are added to a data type based upon a unique identifier associated with the data type. The property pages can be selectively enableable property pages which can be selectively enabled for a particular item for a type of data. In accordance with user input, a property page control can display appropriate property pages to a user via a display.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an alternator has a base, a motor mounted to the base and a pulley extending from the motor. A belt is connected to the motor pulley and the alternator. A mount mounts the alternator to the base, and a pivoting idler arm pivotally is mounted with respect to the base and has an idler pulley that engages the belt to apply tension to the belt.

Abstract: A write counter provides a write count value synchronized with a write clock signal. A read counter provides a read count value synchronized with a read clock signal. The read and write count values are routed through logic, which introduces noise to these values. A first delay circuit generates a first blanking signal, which has a duration corresponding with the duration of the noise introduced to the write count value, in response to the write clock signal. A second delay circuit generates a second blanking signal, which has a duration corresponding with the duration of the noise introduced to the read count value, in response to the second clock signal. The read and write count values are latched into read and write blanking registers, respectively, in response to the first and second blanking signals, respectively, effectively filtering the introduced noise prior to a subsequently performed comparison operation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight sensing system includes a plurality of sensors mounted below a seating surface of a vehicle seat. Each sensor includes a tubular inner wall about which are coiled an activation coil and a detection coil. All of the weight of the seating surface is borne by the inner walls of the sensors. The activation coil induces a current in the tubular inner wall which is detected by the detection coil. Stress in the inner wall alters the signal detected by the detection coil. Analysis of the wave form of the signal indicates the amount of stress applied to the tubular inner wall and the weight upon the vehicle seating surface. A fastener connecting to vehicle seat components passes through the tubular inner wall and retains the sensors in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device is provided. The device has an anode, a cathode and an organic layer disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for billing for the usage of direct group communication services, such as push-to-talk services. A direct group communication service provider sets up an account for each direct communication service user whereby the user can establish a target group of wireless devices associated with his account. A billing server monitors the direct communication attempts of the wireless device of the user with the target group and bills the user based upon a predetermined criteria, such as number of wireless devices in the target group communicated with, use of a direct communication service, or duration of talk time.

Abstract: A scalable multi-service node system uses a stackplane architecture which allows the transport capacity to be flexibly expanded while providing first traffic mode and second traffic mode link channels. The primary channel bank is provided, and one or more secondary channel banks are connected to the primary channel bank through the stackplane first traffic mode and second traffic mode links. The system is expandable by adding secondary channel banks to the system through the stackplane links.