Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for optimizing storage device distribution within a RAID to provide fault tolerance for the RAID is disclosed. A distribution of storage devices is determined and the distribution of storage devices is analyzed to provide a distribution that optimizes the fault tolerance of the RAID.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and data structure for use in providing transaction control for a computer-implemented database management system. The database management system manages one or more databases. A transaction processing system provides transaction control for one or more of the databases managed by the database management system, wherein the transaction processing system assigns a recoverable, unique sequence number whenever a request is made by an application.

Abstract: The application provides an overhead passenger airbag module for use in vehicles. The overhead passenger airbag module has a clamshell inflator housing configured to retain an airbag inflator. The inflator housing is also constructed to allow attachment of an airbag cushion to the airbag module. The overhead passenger airbag module also includes an airbag cushion having an airbag throat portion and a cushion portion. The invention also provides a method of folding the airbag cushions of the invention to aid proper deployment and help assure proper support and deceleration of a vehicle occupant during a collision event.

Abstract: An audio system (100) is provided with improved adaptive filter (206) to automatically adjust signal gain depending on the ambient noise level. The original music signal passes through a normalized adaptive filter (206), and is subtracted from the ambient room signal detected by a microphone (120), resulting in an error signal that is an estimate of the ambient noise. The error signal is used to update a set of adaptation coefficients so that the normalized adaptive filter more accurately simulates the room transfer function, resulting in an better estimate of the ambient noise. The audio system (100) is calibrated automatically upon initial use to determine adaptation coefficients and noise threshold level to prevent runaway gain. System parameters are adjusted using a controller (124) with a user-friendly interface (400).

Abstract: A method for performing a system level backup of a log-ahead database management system (DBMS) without suspending updates by application programs is described. The DBMS comprises a database mainline system, a backup utility and a restore utility. The data and log records are stored on separate storage volumes. Log records are written to identify objects that require special handling during the point-in-time recovery. The database engine operates normally during a backup except for suspending actions that would alter the file system catalog or write updates across a storage volume boundary; and by freezing the REDO log point in its checkpoint information. The backup utility copies the data volumes first and optionally the log volumes second while updates are allowed. The resulting inconsistencies are resolved either during a DBMS restart or during a point-in-time (PIT) recovery performed by the restore utility.

Abstract: A means/product seamlessly gathers and retains data for consumer products and services to enable e-commerce in handheld devices. Data is available at the product and rich enough in content to provide details about the product or service for use in the purchasing decision of the consumer or immediately allow access to additional information through a wireless connection. In one embodiment, the solution utilizes RFID tag technology.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically predicting timing and costs of future service events in a life cycle of a product. A database contains a plurality of service information and performance information for the product. A statistical analyzer automatically analyzes the plurality of processed service information to determine a plurality of compartment failure information. A performance deterioration rate analyzer automatically analyzes the performance deterioration rate of the product from the plurality of service information and performance information. A simulator, automatically simulates a distribution of future service events in the life cycle of the product and predicts the costs of the service events according to the plurality of compartment failure information and the performance deterioration rate analysis.

Abstract: A method of quadrature amplitude modulation involving encoding phase differentially and amplitude absolutely, allowing for a high data rate and spectral efficiency in data transmission and other communication applications, and allowing for amplitude scaling to facilitate data recovery; amplitude scale tracking to track-out rapid and severe scale variations and facilitate successful demodulation and data retrieval; 2N power carrier recovery; incoherent demodulation where coherent carrier recovery is not possible or practical due to signal degradation; coherent demodulation; multipath equalization to equalize frequency dependent multipath; and demodulation filtering.

Abstract: A method of quadrature amplitude modulation involving encoding phase differentially and amplitude absolutely, allowing for a high data rate and spectral efficiency in data transmission and other communication applications, and allowing for amplitude scaling to facilitate data recovery; amplitude scale tracking to track-out rapid and severe scale variations and facilitate successful demodulation and data retrieval; 2N power carrier recovery; incoherent demodulation where coherent carrier recovery is not possible or practical due to signal degradation; coherent demodulation; multipath equalization to equalize frequency dependent multipath; and demodulation filtering.

Abstract: A method of quadrature amplitude modulation involving encoding phase differentially and amplitude absolutely, allowing for a high data rate and spectral efficiency in data transmission and other communication applications, and allowing for amplitude scaling to facilitate data recovery; amplitude scale tracking to track-out rapid and severe scale variations and facilitate successful demodulation and data retrieval; 2N power carrier recovery; incoherent demodulation where coherent carrier recovery is not possible or practical due to signal degradation; coherent demodulation; multipath equalization to equalize frequency dependent multipath; and demodulation filtering.

Abstract: A method of quadrature amplitude modulation involving encoding phase differentially and amplitude absolutely, allowing for a high data rate and spectral efficiency in data transmission and other communication applications, and allowing for amplitude scaling to facilitate data recovery; amplitude scale tracking to track-out rapid and severe scale variations and facilitate successful demodulation and data retrieval; 2N power carrier recovery; incoherent demodulation where coherent carrier recovery is not possible or practical due to signal degradation; coherent demodulation; multipath equalization to equalize frequency dependent multipath; and demodulation filtering.

Abstract: A means/product seamlessly gathers and retains data for consumer products and services to enable e-commerce in handheld devices. Data is available at the product and rich enough in content to provide details about the product or service for use in the purchasing decision of the consumer or immediately allow access to additional information through a wireless connection. In one embodiment, the solution utilizes RFID tag technology.

Abstract: A system, computer usable medium and computer-based method for altering a sequence number assignment pattern while preserving integrity and high concurrency in an environment having a plurality of applications on at least one computer system sharing a direct access storage device (DASD). The method generates and assigns sequence numbers for a shared sequence object located on the shared DASD to a plurality of applications executing concurrently and using the shared sequence object. When an application starts altering the shared sequence object attribute(s) during concurrent assignment of sequence numbers by other applications, it notifies all computer systems using the shared sequence object to locally refresh the sequence object attribute descriptor and discard unused reserved sequence numbers, and then updates the altered shared sequence object attribute and last assigned sequence number on the shared DASD.

Abstract: A means/product seamlessly gathers and retains data for consumer products and services to enable e-commerce in handheld devices. Data is available at the product and rich enough in content to provide details about the product or service for use in the purchasing decision of the consumer or immediately allow access to additional information through a wireless connection. In one embodiment, the solution utilizes RFID tag technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated retinoid inducible serine carboxypeptidase proteins or polypeptides, and the nucleic acid molecules encoding such a protein or polypeptide. Nucleic acid constructs, expression systems and host cells containing those nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies raised against the proteins or polypeptides are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to methods for detecting a vascular disease or disorder, inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth, treating vascular hyperplasia, and inhibiting the activity of extracellular regulated kinase. The present invention also relates to a transgenic non-human animal lacking a gene encoding a retinoid inducible protein or polypeptide.

Abstract: The Planet Earth is losing its breathable atmosphere. Water and oxygen are necessary to life. Populations are growing, and people are having a hard time finding enough places to live, It is, therefore, extremely important to do whatever can be done to both reduce and eliminate any practices resulting in pollution of our precious water and air, as well as maximizing the utility of any available Earth surface. Since the majority of the Earth's surface is covered by salt water/ocean, we are presented with a vast opportunity to have access to endless supplies of water, oxygen, and fuel—without pollution.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting timing of future service events of a product. A database contains a plurality of service information and performance information for the product. A statistical analyzer analyzes the plurality of processed service information to determine a plurality of compartment failure information. A performance deterioration rate analyzer analyzes the performance deterioration rate of the product from the plurality of service information and performance information. A simulator, simulates a distribution of future service events of the product according to the plurality of compartment failure information and the performance deterioration rate analysis.

Abstract: A sign stand assembly includes a sign panel, support base and an upright mast between the two. The support base defines a locking recess and a hollow leg is pivotally connected to a plate portion and extending from the support base. A locking pin and actuator are carried within the hollow leg with the actuator including an outward protruding tab. The actuator includes a clevis portion defining an opening to receive the locking pin in interlocking engagement therewith.