Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer, including processing the tobacco leaf at the location, including means for weighing and grading of the received tobacco leaf and, optionally, determining moisture content and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, the weight, and the grade of the received tobacco leaf to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.

Abstract: An adapter including a coupling portion defining a lumen to receive a pedicle post, an intermediate portion including a first end fixedly attached to a side of the coupling portion and including a second end distal from the coupling portion, and a bolt. A proximal end of the bolt is rotatably coupled to the second end of the intermediate portion and a distal end of the bolt includes a connector.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating the approximate location of a mobile station along a recurrent route is disclosed. In an embodiment for the method in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the method for storing reference data includes decoding a first unique identifier for a cell in communication with the mobile station at a first location and a first time, storing the first unique identifier and the first time, decoding, upon handoff to a next cell, at a second location and at a second time, a second unique identifier for the next cell, and storing the second cell identifier and the second time. In a method for calculating an estimated time of arrival at the endpoint of a segment for a mobile station traveling along a recurrent route of travel, the method includes detecting the startpoint of one of the plurality of segments at a first time, and calculating an estimated time of arrival at the endpoint of the segment.

Abstract: A disposable plate for carrying and serving food is disclosed. One particular aspect of the invention includes a plate with a substantially circular food-contact area with a substantially oval rim periphery. The rim is formed to make the plate easy to hold, with grooves adapted to accommodate fingers and/or thumbs. The present invention may be designed to segment the food storage areas of the plate into multiple compartments by using a divider wall. Also, the food-contact area can be slightly domed to force food to shift to the outer portion of the food-contact area and inhibit the food from slipping to the middle of the plate, thus keeping the plate center from sagging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanoporous non-oxide material which comprises a modified derivative of silicon nitride and comprises a plurality of nanoscale pores. The nanoporous non-oxide material is preferably prepared by means of a sol-gel procedure and preferably comprises a metal-containing derivative of silicon nitride [SiN4], silicon oxynitride [Si2N2O] or silicon imidonitride [Si3N4-2x(NH)3x] which contains a Group III metal or a transition metal. The nanoporous non-oxide material also additionally comprises surface modifications. The invention also provides for the use of the nanoporous non-oxide material in the manufacture of selective gas filters for solid state gas sensors and catalysts for chemical reactions.

Abstract: The wireless device described herein uses a single crystal oscillator to generate the high and low frequency clock signals required by the wireless device during both active and inactive radio communications. An exemplary multi-mode clock unit comprises a single crystal oscillator operable in a normal power mode and a reduced power mode, and a control unit that selectively switches the crystal oscillator between the first and second power modes based on a current clock signal quality requirement. The control unit may selectively switch between the first and second power modes by selectively varying a capacitive load of the crystal oscillator and/or by varying a drive signal of the crystal oscillator. For example, the control unit may select the normal power mode when a cellular transceiver is active, and a reduced power mode when the cellular transceiver is inactive to reduce power consumption during the inactive state.

Abstract: A system for generating orientation information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data are collected using at least one reflector with some orientation-specific characteristic or a reflector integrated into a device that includes some orientation-specific structural feature. Once collected, the two sets of image data are used to generate orientation information related to the reflector. In particular, orientation information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two sets of image data.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program selectively capture a re-playable sequence of web pages. In one form, the system comprises an internet browser comprising a plurality of network addresses maintained in computer memory, the network addresses representing a sequence; at least one browser window configured to display to a user at least one web page identified by one of the network addresses; and a playlist engine configured to retrieve successive network addresses from the sequence and to display, in the browser window, web pages corresponding to the network addresses.

Abstract: A system for generating orientation information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data are collected using at least one reflector with some orientation-specific characteristic or a reflector integrated into a device that includes some orientation-specific structural feature. Once collected, the two sets of image data are used to generate orientation information related to the reflector. In particular, orientation information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two sets of image data.

Abstract: A variably controlled stagger antenna array architecture is disclosed. The array employs a plurality of driven radiating elements that are spatially arranged having each radiating element or element groups orthogonally movable relative to a main vertical axis. This provides a controlled variation of the antenna array's azimuth radiation pattern without excessive side lobe radiation over full range of settings.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting neural interference between a bone anchor and a neural element during or subsequent to the application of force on the bone anchor to adjust the orientation of one or more vertebral bodies relative to the spinal column. The method includes engaging at least one bone anchor to the vertebral body and applying force to the bone anchor to adjust the positioning or orientation of the vertebral body. A nerve monitoring system provides an electrical signal and is operable to detect a neural element and its proximity to the bone anchor as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.

Abstract: A method of reducing the symptoms of allergy including exposing the patient to the allergenic substance in containers and applying an electrical stimulus device to acupuncture meridian points on the patient's body to clear blockages in the flow of life-energy of the patient. The electrical signal acts as a carrier for the natural frequency of the allergen, exposing the patient to the natural frequency of the allergen, carried by the electrical signal.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes a ceramic media sintered at a lower temperature than the apparatus' maximum exposure temperature is described. The media's physical and chemical properties may contribute to its thermal stability when exposed to temperatures that exceed the media's sintering temperature by at least 50° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.

Abstract: The present application relates to a marine buoy featuring a novel bracing assembly disposed within a marine buoy and featuring a plurality of bracing members extending between and connecting to a first fastening member and a second fastening member.