Abstract: Persons on a bicycle or other muscle-powered vehicle, equipped through an attachment means, with a reaction plate secondary of a linear induction motor, LIM, receive intermittent, augmenting propulsion forces from a sequence of spaced LIM primary coil assemblies, positioned flush with a surface on a pathway, to augment the rider's muscle-created propelling forces when the LIM primaries are receiving power supplied by a utility. At each LIM primary, interacting magnetic fields are commonly created as the attached bicycle LIM secondary is moveably positioned by the rider proximately the centerline of a respective LIM primary. The augmenting propelling force results as thrust, derived from the interaction of the respective magnetic fields of the primary and secondary of the now temporarily completed linear induction motor at the respective, spaced locations of the primaries along the pathway.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and article of manufacture are shown for linear signal modification. An input signal is modified by providing one or more non-linear current sources and regulating at least one of the one or more current sources to output a signal based on one or more of the input signal characteristics. The modification of the output signal includes both amplification and attenuation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to pen polypeptides having pen-specific structure and activity, related polynucleotides and modulators of pen function. The invention provides isolated pen hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with natural pen genes, pen-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis (e.g. genetic hybridization screens for pen transcripts), therapy (e.g. pen inhibitors to modulate APP processing) and in the biopharmaceutical industry (e.g. as immunogens, reagents for screening chemical libraries for lead pharmacological agents, etc.).

Abstract: Color shifting retroreflective articles can provide features such as decorative effects, evidence of tampering, security authentication or positional information. In some embodiments, the color shifting retroreflective article includes a layer of microspheres, and a reflective coating that is disposed in optical association with the layer of microspheres. The reflective coating includes a spacer layer disposed between a semitransparent first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer includes a reflective layer disposed adjacent the layer of microspheres. At least one layer of the reflective coating includes a non-uniform thickness associated with each of a plurality of microspheres such that light incident on the article from a first direction is retroreflected at a first color and light incident on the article from a second direction is retroreflected at a second color visibly different from the first color.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are shown for modifying electromagnetic waves. Through using various wave characteristics such as amplitude to regulate a current source, a current is output that may be used in any number of ways, such as driving an antenna or other load.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: A transmitter for directly modulating an RF carrier with a complex baseband waveform comprises a programmable device adapted to generate amplitude and phase information collectively corresponding to a complex baseband waveform, a signal generator adapted to generate an RF carrier whose phase is responsive to phase information generated by the programmable device, a plurality of delta modulators, and an amplifier coupled to the signal generator and receiving the RF carrier with phase information. Each delta modulator is operative to sample an error signal at a time period offset from all other delta modulators to thereby generate streams of pulses collectively approximating the amplitude information. The supply voltage of the amplifier is adjusted in accordance with approximated amplitude information represented by the streams of pulses generated by the delta modulators.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to update one or more low-level resources of a computer system in a user-friendly manner is disclosed. In particular, multiple computer files are grouped. These computer files are utilized in a pre-boot environment to provide a menu-driven update guide that requests one or more responses from the user. Moreover, the computer files are utilized to initiate updating of the low-level resources based on the responses. Furthermore, a bootable image file of the computer files is generated. The user is provided access to the bootable image file.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and article of manufacture are shown for linear signal modification. An input signal is modified by providing one or more non-linear current sources and regulating at least one of the one or more current sources to output a signal based on one or more of the input signal characteristics. The modification of the output signal includes both amplification and attenuation.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are shown for modifying electromagnetic waves. Through using various wave characteristics such as amplitude to regulate a current source, a current is output that may be used in any number of ways, such as driving an antenna or other load.

Abstract: An adjustable, sturdy upper body support assembly for keyboard operators includes a pair of adjustable armrests mounted on a rigid frame which can be incorporated into a standalone system or into a workstation system. In one embodiment, the support assembly is positioned adjacent and partially underneath a piece of furniture. The support assembly in this embodiment includes a counter-balance member which is adjustable and can be positioned adjacent an underside surface of the piece of furniture. The piece of furniture interacts with the counter-balance member to prevent the assembly from tipping when the user rests part of their upper body, including their arms, on the armrests. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a support frame and an upper body support apparatus. The upper body support apparatus is movably engaged with the support frame to permit the apparatus to be moved underneath a piece of furniture when not in use.

Abstract: Connector mounting receptacles include either a mounting base or a wall plate having a spaced apart tooth and resilient latch disposed to engage mounting slots in a modular connector to releasably mount the connector to the receptacle. The connector includes corner mounting slots disposed to engage lateral stops formed in the wall plate. Steel wall plate receptacles are integrally formed of conductive metal with the connector latching features being configured to concurrently releasably latch and conductively ground a shielded connector mounted in the receptacle.

Abstract: Connector mounting receptacles include either a mounting base or a wall plate having a spaced apart tooth and resilient latch disposed to engage mounting slots in a modular connector to releasably mount the connector to the receptacle. The connector includes corner mounting slots disposed to engage lateral stops formed in the wall plate. Steel wall plate receptacles are integrally formed of conductive metal with the connector latching features being configured to concurrently releasably latch and conductively ground a shielded connector mounted in the receptacle.

Abstract: An adjustable, sturdy upper body support system for keyboard operators includes a pair of adjustable arm rests mounted on a rigid frame which can be incorporated into a standalone system or into a desk workstation system. In either embodiment, the frame includes a portion extending forward under the arm rests to prevent the device from tipping. The arm rests can be pivoted about two axes relative to a U-shaped frame slidable within a primary frame underneath a keyboard platform. The standalone version includes outwardly diverging feet for added maneuverability and can be positioned underneath an existing desk. In one version, the upper body support is mounted to a height adjustable desk workstation. Another combined upper body support and desk system includes a height adjustable desk positionable with respect to the arm rests.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer comprises axle means having wheel means mounted on each end. A post member is latchably secured at one location to the axle means and at another location it is pivotally mounted to a hitching member which is to be secured onto a bicycle frame. Supporting members extend outwardly from the post member onto which container means are secured.