Abstract: A die is supported in a die holder such as a frame or an adapter supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A battery pack for electrically coupling with and securing to a portable electronic device having a device connector and one or more user interface components includes an electronics section and a latch section. The electronics section includes a battery compartment configured to hold one or more batteries and a connector mechanism configured to interconnect with and form a waterproof seal around the device connector. The latch section is pivotably coupled to the base portion and configured to pivot relative to the base portion to transition the battery pack between open and closed states. In the open state, the electronics section and the latch section form an open frame structure configured to enable installation of the portable electronic device in the battery pack. In the closed state, the electronics section and the latch section form a closed frame structure configured to secure the portable electronic device within an opening defined by the closed frame structure.

Abstract: A client system can improve processing speeds by executing queries locally. A remote database can have a partitioned, columnar database. Queries from the client can be executed on the remote database, and blocks of a partition of the partitioned, columnar database can be sent to the client. Once the client has enough blocks to form the partition, the client can execute queries that reference the partition. The queries can be executed using templates for specialized expression evaluators.

Abstract: A die is supported in a die holder such as a frame or an adapter supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A die is supported in a die holder such as a frame or an adapter supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurized air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A die is supported in a die holder such as a frame or an adapter supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A device, system and method for dilating a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. A surgical dilation system includes a dilator having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member sized to be movably received within an inside diameter of the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a vertical slot running through a side of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The retractor has a proximal end including at least one mounting member protruding outwardly from a side surface of the retractor and a distal end including at least one fanned blade protruding outwardly from the side surface.

Abstract: An integrated horseshoe stud storage, insertion and removal apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a stud storage cylinder containing a multi-function tool set for cleaning horseshoe stud holes; and removing and inserting horseshoe studs. The multi-function tool set is adapted to secure storage within the stud storage cylinder. In addition, the stud storage cylinder is adapted securely hold a variety of studs readily visible and available.

Abstract: A die (13, 213, 313) is supported in a die holder (381) such as a frame or an adapter (18, 518) supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose (42, 542) connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor (41) connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A device, system and method for dilating a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. A surgical dilation system includes a dilator having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member sized to be movably received within an inside diameter of the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a vertical slot running through a side of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The retractor has a proximal end including at least one mounting member protruding outwardly from a side surface of the retractor and a distal end including at least one fanned blade protruding outwardly from the side surface.

Abstract: A die (13, 213, 313) is supported in a die holder (381) such as a frame or an adapter (18, 518) supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurized air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose (42, 542) connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor (41) connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A kit and method for collecting, storing and transporting genetic samples from an animal to a storage facility. The kit comprises at least a collection swab, a protective tube, a follicle sample collection card, and an extraction device. The collection swab is housed within a sterile protective package. The collection swab has a shaft connected at one end by a collection head. The collection swab includes a cap and plug, wherein the cap is encircled around the shaft of the collection swab. The protective tube is adapted to receive the collection head of the collection swab. The follicle sample collection card has a protective backing covering an adhesive strip disposed on the follicle sample collection card. The extraction device is provided to pull at least one hair with follicle from the animal.

Abstract: An integrated horseshoe stud storage, insertion and removal apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a stud storage cylinder containing a multi-function tool set for cleaning horseshoe stud holes; and removing and inserting horseshoe studs. The multi-function tool set is adapted to secure storage within the stud storage cylinder. In addition, the stud storage cylinder is adapted securely hold a variety of studs readily visible and available.

Abstract: A die (13, 213, 313) is supported in a die holder (381) such as a frame or an adapter (18, 518) supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose (42, 542) connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor (41) connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: Automated configuration of an audio-visual system is made by determining a configuration for the system based on positioning information corresponding to a location of a user. Determination may further account for ambient conditions, content presented via the system, performance characteristics of the system, physical attributes of the user, preferences of the user, or physical constraints of the system or surrounding environment. Configuration of the system is effectuated through automated bases configured to receive signals generated based on the determination, which can involve spatial configuration of one or more system components, e.g., translational displacement and rotational motion, and/or electronic reconfiguration of one or more system components, e.g., setting adjustments. Users can modify or override configuration at any time.

Abstract: An Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) pick-up apparatus includes a magnetically permeable core, a first coil, being wound about the core so as to be inductive coupled therewith such that a current induced in the first coil is most sensitive to a first directional component of magnetic flux and a second coil, being wound about the core so as to be inductively coupled therewith such that a current induced in the second coil is most sensitive to a second directional component of magnetic flux. The first directional component is substantially orthogonal to the second directional component.

Abstract: A communication system and method is disclosed for facilitating connection by a user to a selected one or more of multiple ISP's, thereby alleviating problems associated with providing a fixed link to a single ISP. Advantages may include ease of switching between ISP's and the system may enable a virtual ISP to be created having characteristics more suited to a user's need than the individual ISP's.

Abstract: A method for version negotiation between two entities is provided. Described in the context of communication protocol negotiation, an initiating entity proposes an initial communication protocol version to a receiving entity. In response, the receiving entity accepts the protocol version if it is within the range of its supported versions or proposes an alternative protocol version selecting to be either the highest or lowest protocol version supported by the receiving entity. This allows the receiving entity to successfully limit the number of protocol versions it supports and to communicate this restriction in any protocol setting to the initiating entity. The initiating entity then accepts the proposed alternative protocol version. If version negotiation is successful, either the accepted initial version or the accepted alternative version of the communication protocol is used for the duration of the communication session between the initiating entity and the receiving entity.

Abstract: An Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) pick-up apparatus includes a magnetically permeable core, a first coil, being wound about the core so as to be inductive coupled therewith such that a current induced in the first coil is most sensitive to a first directional component of magnetic flux and a second coil, being wound about the core so as to be inductively coupled therewith such that a current induced in the second coil is most sensitive to a second directional component of magnetic flux. The first directional component is substantially orthogonal to the second directional component.