Abstract: A ground based launch detection system consisting of a sensor grid of electro-optical sensors for detecting the launch of a threat missile which targets commercial aircraft in proximity to a commercial airport or airfield. The electro-optical sensors are configured in a wireless network which broadcast threat lines to neighboring sensors with overlapping field of views. When a threat missile is verified, threat data is sent to a centrally located processing facility which determines which aircraft in the vicinity are targets and send a dispense countermeasure signal to the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting an implant device having a corkscrew-type anchor associated therewith into a patient includes an elongated, flexible shaft. A retention mechanism is located at the distal end of the shaft for retaining the device at the distal end of the shaft. The apparatus includes means selectively operable for disengaging the retention mechanism from the implant device when the anchor has been anchored into tissue at a target site. In another aspect, an apparatus for releasing an implant into a vessel within a patient includes an elongated shaft for inserting into the vessel of the patient. A tether wire extends through the proximal portion of a secondary lumen, exits a first port, engages a portion of the implant, enters a second port, and extends through at least a portion of a distal portion of the secondary lumen.

Abstract: A preferred path between two selected entities is determined. Initially, there is provided a representation of the data structure in the form of a plurality of entities having relations between them indicative of roles and the relations reflecting a cardinality of one of a one-to-one, one-to-many and a many-to-one relationship between the entities. A query is entered that provides an indication of a first selected entity and a second selected entity. A preferred path is selected through the entities and relations that couples the first selected entity to the second selected entity. The preferred path is selected from a plurality of paths as a function of the number of changes in cardinality along the plurality of paths and a indicator indicative of a preferred role relating two entities.

Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host. In addition, the ATM includes an ink bearing roll to print indicia on checks moving in the ATM.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for caching domain name system (DNS) information on a network gateway. In particular, a network gateway that interfaces one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) devices to an IP network maintains a centralized on-board cache for storing domain names and corresponding IP addresses. The domain names and IP addresses in the cache are used by the network gateway to resolve DNS queries generated by application programs running on the CPE devices in a manner that is transparent to the CPE devices and that does not expend CPE resources. The cache may be initially loaded by an attached CPE or an external network entity and is continuously populated with information extracted from DNS messages exchanged between a CPE device and the external IP network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing vehicle motor rotary accessory devices has a base and a housing assembly connected to the base. A mounting component is attached to the base. The apparatus includes a door cover which is rotatably attached to a side of the housing assembly and the mounting component. A switch assembly is mounted to the mounting component and positioned to contact a portion of the door cover when the door cover is rotated to a prescribed position.

Abstract: A decoder for decoding a plurality of digital video data is described. In an embodiment, the decoder comprises a DV video decoder for decoding digital video data which is formatted according to the DV standard. The DV video decoder has a Very-Long Instruction Word (VLIW) processor and a variable length decoding unit. The VLIW processor includes a preparser unit for recovering a decoding order of the digital video data so that the variable length decoding unit can process the digital video data. The variable length decoding unit decodes a variable length coding format of the digital video data which has been preparsed by the VLIW processor. Furthermore, the VLIW processor includes a decompression unit for decompressing the digital video data which has been decoded by the variable length decoding unit. In an embodiment, the VLIW processor and the variable length decoding unit are formed on the same semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for growing carbon nanotubes using a catalyst system that preferentially promotes the growth of single- and double-wall carbon nanotubes, rather than larger multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Ropes of the carbon nanotubes are formed that comprise single-wall and/or double-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode for use in the manufacture of electrolytic capacitors for implantable cardioverter defibrillators comprises first coating the foil with a photoresist, second, applying a holographic image to the photoresist, third, removing a portion of the photoresist to expose a portion of the foil and create a pattern of photoresist on the foil and etching the foil. Alternatively, the method comprises applying an oxide or metal layer to the exposed foil surface, removing the pattern of photoresist to create a pattern of oxide or metal and etching the foil. The patterns of photoresist, oxide or metal all retard or prevent etching of the foil where the foil surface is covered. This results in a pattern of unetched foil with the remaining area being heavily etched. The resulting patterns stop crack propagation through the etched portions to yield foils with high gain and improved strength.

Abstract: A computing system that incorporates an auxiliary processor to the main system processor. The auxiliary system utilizes a separate application runtime for processes and is capable of operating even when the primary system is in an off state. Methods for load-balancing are provided based on computing needs respective to power consumption requirements. Processes that are not computationally intensive are processed by a low-power, auxiliary processor. In addition, peripheral components accessible to the overall computing system are shared.

Abstract: A hinge pin is suited for use in a hinge for a rotatable arm of a vehicle lift. The hinge pin has a groove formed within its side surface. The groove is configured to permit engagement of the pin with a restraining member configured to prevent rotation of the arm. The engagement of the pin with the restraining member limits longitudinal movement of the pin.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. In one embodiment, scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process.

Abstract: Producing calibration data (to remove vignetting, e.g., color-dependent vignetting) for a digital camera includes: arranging, in front of the camera, a white reference surface that is to be imaged; capturing, via the camera, a characteristic array of data corresponding to an image of the reference surface for each color that the camera can image; and manipulating each characteristic array to reduce a total amount of data representing the reference image.

Abstract: An illumination system has a housing that rotates with a vehicle wheel, and the housing has a cavity with lighting and controls within the cavity. Light from the cavity is directed onto a vehicle wheel, and the light flashes in relationship to the rotation speed of the wheel which makes the wheel appear to be stationary or slowly rotate in a backward or forward direction.

Abstract: Individual records of a data set include data and semantic information to describe the data. The records in the data set are encoded to generate an encoded data set using a compression function which is determined from semantic information that is common to multiple records of the data set. Multiple records of the encoded data set include the data without the common semantic information. The encoded data set is transmitted, or otherwise communicated, to a destination device along with an expansion function that includes the semantic information that is common to the multiple records of the data set. The destination device expands the encoded data set with the expansion function such that the multiple records of the encoded data set are expanded to include the common semantic information.

Abstract: A device for sampling and/or analyzing blood or other body fluid of a subject. A housing contains a plurality of lancets and optionally includes test elements to take up a sample of blood, an evaluation system and a display. A complete system that can be handled as a single device, for example in the form of a wristwatch, includes a multiplicity of test elements and lancets, which can be brought successively to a working position to perform multiple measurements. A cassette or carrier includes multiple lancets and/or test elements, for insertion into the device.

Abstract: A circuit for transforming a raster image at least partially stored within an image buffer includes memory storing micro-code; a multiplier; an accumulator; and a sequential logic circuit. The multiplier is in communication with the image buffer and the memory and is operable to form a weighted pixel value as a product of a given pixel value from the buffer and an associated weighting factor within the micro-code. The sequential logic circuit is in communication with the memory and the buffer. It steps through the pixels and the memory to present pixels in the buffer and associated weighting factors from the micro-code, to the multiplier. The accumulator sums weighted pixel values calculated by the multiplier. Conveniently, the memory may be loaded with coefficients of linear equations to scale a raster image.