Abstract: An ion filtration air cleaning device for cleaning air by use of electrostatic ion attraction. Air having suspended particles is drawn into the device through an inlet by a fan. An ionization source near the inlet generates ions. Electrical charge transfers from the ions to the suspended particles. The fan pushes the air and suspended charged particles toward an outlet.

Abstract: A method for filtering air includes: passing air through a prefilter disposed in a housing to remove at least a portion of particulates suspended in the air to thereby create prefiltered air; passing the prefiltered air by an ionizer disposed in the housing to ionize at least a portion of the particulates suspended in the air to thereby create ionized particulates in the prefiltered air, the ionizer downstream from the prefilter and upstream from the fan positioned to create an airflow within the housing; and prior to the prefiltered air exiting the housing with ionized particulates, causing the ionized particulates to pass through an electrostatically charged main filter disposed within the housing downstream from each of the ionizer and the fan.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a grate. The cooktop includes a bottom surface on which at least one gas burner is mounted. The cooktop further includes a periphery and an inner recessed area. The inner recessed area is recessed relative to the periphery. The inner recessed area is substantially defined by the bottom surface. The cooktop further includes a transition extending between the periphery and the inner recessed area and a sweep section extending between the periphery and the inner recessed area. The inner recessed area is surrounded substantially by the transition except at the sweep section. The grate is configured to be placed on the cooktop. Each of the sweep section and the transition extends between the bottom surface and a predetermined elevation above the bottom surface. The sweep section reaches the predetermined elevation in a more gradual manner than the transition reaches the predetermined elevation.

Abstract: A method for filtering air includes: passing air through a prefilter disposed in a housing to remove at least a portion of particulates suspended in the air to thereby create prefiltered air; passing the prefiltered air by an ionizer disposed in the housing to ionize at least a portion of the particulates suspended in the air to thereby create ionized particulates in the prefiltered air, the ionizer downstream from the prefilter and upstream from the fan positioned to create an airflow within the housing; and prior to the prefiltered air exiting the housing with ionized particulates, causing the ionized particulates to pass through an electrostatically charged main filter disposed within the housing downstream from each of the ionizer and the fan.

Abstract: An ion filtration air cleaning device for cleaning air by use of electrostatic ion attraction. Air having suspended particles is drawn into the device through an inlet by a fan. An ionization source near the inlet generates ions. Electrical charge transfers from the ions to the suspended particles. The fan pushes the air and suspended charged particles toward an outlet. A filter located adjacent to the outlet operates by electrostatic attraction and filters the charged particles from the air, allowing cleansed air to be released from the device, with a reduced level of charged particle emission.

Abstract: An ion filtration air cleaning device for cleaning air by use of electrostatic ion attraction. Air having suspended particles is drawn into the device through an inlet by a fan. An ionization source near the inlet generates ions. Electrical charge transfers from the ions to the suspended particles. The fan pushes the air and suspended charged particles toward an outlet.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a grate. The cooktop includes a bottom surface on which at least one gas burner is mounted. The cooktop further includes a periphery and an inner recessed area. The inner recessed area is recessed relative to the periphery. The inner recessed area is substantially defined by the bottom surface. The cooktop further includes a transition extending between the periphery and the inner recessed area and a sweep section extending between the periphery and the inner recessed area. The inner recessed area is surrounded substantially by the transition except at the sweep section. The grate is configured to be placed on the cooktop. Each of the sweep section and the transition extends between the bottom surface and a predetermined elevation above the bottom surface. The sweep section reaches the predetermined elevation in a more gradual manner than the transition reaches the predetermined elevation.

Abstract: By providing a hair curler/roller which comprises a unique, distinctive construction that enables the hair roller/curler to be heated substantially more rapidly than prior art constructions, an easily used, hair curler/roller and heating system is obtained which is capable of providing rapid heating of the hair curler/roller. In addition, the heating system employed for transferring heat to the hair curler/roller is also constructed in a unique manner that optimizes heat transfer, while also being constructed efficiently and inexpensively. In accordance with the present invention, the hair curler/roller incorporates an elongated cylindrically shaped body or core formed from heat retaining metal, such as aluminum. In addition, the cylindrical body incorporates a plurality of thin, interconnected wall members peripherally surrounded by a cylindrical outer wall.

Abstract: Carrier data can be communicated between a carrier interface of the first radio base station node and a mobile switching center over a carrier bus according to a carrier protocol. In addition, bus data can be communicated between a bus interface of the first radio base station node and a second radio base station node over a radio base station bus according to a radio base station protocol that is different from the carrier protocol. Related radio communications systems and nodes are also discussed.

Abstract: A hair blower has an interior space, an air inlet, an air outlet and a fan assembly for directing air to flow from the air inlet to the air outlet. A positive ion emitter is operable to emit positive ions in the interior space for entrainment in the air upstream of the air outlet. A negative ion emitter in the interior space of the housing is separate from the positive ion emitter and is operable to emit negative ions for entrainment in the air upstream of the air outlet. A switch assembly allows selective operation of the hair blower between a negative ion mode in which the negative ion emitter is operated to emit negative ions and the positive ion emitter is inoperable, and a positive ion mode in which the positive ion emitter is operated to emit positive ions and the negative ion emitter is inoperable.

Abstract: A first frame of carrier data can be communicated between a first carrier interface of a first radio base station node and a mobile switching center over a first carrier bus. In addition, a first frame of bus data can be communicated having a first number of dedicated control timeslots at a first bus interface of the first radio base station node over a first radio base station bus. Furthermore, a second frame of carrier data can be communicated between a second carrier interface of a second radio base station node and the mobile switching center over a second carrier bus. Finally, a second frame of bus data having a second number of dedicated control timeslots, different from the first number of dedicated control timeslots, can be communicated at a second bus interface of the second radio base station node over a second radio base station bus.

Abstract: By providing a beard and mustache trimmer construction wherein a single motor driven element is employed for directly operating both the main cutting blades as well as a pop-up trimmer, an easily employed, efficient, beard and mustache trimmer is realized. The trimmer is constructed in a manner which enables the pop-up trimmer to be directly driven by the same element which drives the principal cutting blades. In this way, greater power is delivered to the pop-up trimmer element than has otherwise been attained with prior art systems as well as providing substantially reduced noise levels. As a result, a substantially enhanced cutting and trimming system is realized.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing a communications channel for inter-object communication are provided. According to the method, a request may be received from a first object executing within a managed code environment to transmit data to a second object. In response thereto, an instant message (“IM”) including the data may be transmitted to an IM server computer. The IM may be forwarded to the managed code environment in which the second object is executing. The IM may then be received by the managed code environment, the data contained therein may be extracted, and the data may be presented to the second object. A reverse path may also be utilized for return communication between objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an improved communications channel for telephone conference initiation and management are provided. Messages for initiating and managing a telephone conference are exchanged between a client computer and a gateway computer utilizing XML formatted messages transmitted over an instant messaging compatible protocol. The gateway computer converts the messages to web services requests and communicates with telephone conference network hardware utilizing the web services-based request. Status indicators from the telephone conference equipment is converted from web services requests to XML by the gateway and transmitted back to the client computer via the instant messaging protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic response telecommunication system and method. The present dynamic response system marries client, server and services with telecommunication service provider's back-end to provide a richer customer experience in place of or in combination with static voice answering or messaging. The present invention enables dynamic creation of a response to an incoming telephone call based on evaluation of a calling party's credentials against local information and call rules stored on a user's computer system or device or alternatively cached at the service provider. The result can be a dynamic response message, locale and announcer information for prompt playback in a specific language as well as action options for further call processing.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of portals in a housing which forms a hair dryer attachment which is merely fixed to the exist portal of any conventional hair dryer, a hair dryer attachment is realized which is capable of substantially reducing the drying time required for drying the hair of any individual, while also being easily employed and comfortable. In the preferred embodiment, at least one raised, sloping panel is formed adjacent the inlet portal of the attachment with the panel sloping outwardly from the generally circular shaped inlet portal. In addition, a plurality of apertures or portals are formed in the panel for enabling ambient air to freely flow therethrough. In this way, the heated air flowing through the central portion of the attachment creates a low-pressure zone on the inside surface of the portals, drawing ambient air through the portals into the interior of the hair dryer attachment, thereby enabling the quantity of the air reaching the hair of the user is substantially increased.

Abstract: A method and system for using web services to notify a subscriber that an event has occurred at a voice mail switch and to retrieve the event is described. A notification server receives an event and an associated identifier from the voice mail switch. The identifier is correlated to a subscriber and an alert indicating that the event occurred is generated. The alert is sent to a destination selected by the subscriber. The alert includes an event reference that links the subscriber to the event through a network via a URL. The subscriber retrieves the event through a web portal view associated with the URL.

Abstract: By incorporating ceramic materials to produce far-infrared and/or infrared radiation and impart the radiation into the heated air stream for delivery directly to the hair fibers, a hair dryer is realized which is capable of providing enhanced beneficial effects to the hair fibers in a cost effective manner. In accordance with the present invention, ceramic components or ceramic coated components are mounted in association with the heating means and/or the exit portal for delivering the desired infrared/far-infrared radiation directly to the airflow exiting the hair dryer, for delivery to the hair fibers. In one embodiment, a ceramic coated member is mounted adjacent the exit portal, positioned for enabling the heated airflow to contact the ceramic coated member and generate and/or emit far-infrared/infrared radiation, while several alternate embodiment mount the ceramic material directly with the heating member.

Abstract: By providing a hair curler/roller which comprises a unique, distinctive construction that enables the hair roller/curler to be heated substantially more rapidly than prior art constructions, an easily used, hair curler/roller and heating system is obtained which is capable of providing rapid heating of the hair curler/roller. In addition, the heating system employed for transferring heat to the hair curler/roller is also constructed in a unique manner that optimizes heat transfer, while also being constructed efficiently and inexpensively. In accordance with the present invention, the hair curler/roller incorporates an elongated cylindrically shaped body or core formed from heat retaining metal, such as aluminum. In addition, the cylindrical body incorporates a plurality of thin, interconnected wall members peripherally surrounded by a cylindrical outer wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high quality, timely medical interpretations of radiological images acquired in one time zone and interpreted and a different time zone. The use of a different time zone allows images acquired at night to be interpreted during regular working daylight hours. The images can include images created by conventional x-ray technology, computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound imaging, and nuclear medicine equipment. The invention includes the transmission of these images, the interpretation of these images, and the transmission of the interpretations back to the originating facility. The interpretation is performed on high-resolution workstations and the written report is created either by voice recognition software or dictation and typed transcription.