Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibial tray 1006.

Abstract: Methods and a system for the recharging of battery-operated devices, whereby the recharging process is made less burdensome and inconvenient to the users of the devices. Embodiments provide for incorporating recharging into the normal usage patterns for the devices using activities consistent with predetermined intended usage of the devices, thereby causing the user to perceive less inconvenience. Other embodiments provide for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging devices, whereby the burden to the users may be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for tracking physical play objects by virtual or non-player characters in an electronic game environment. More specifically, techniques are disclosed for enabling a game system to track a physical toy object, using tracking information to update the game state, and transmitting updated game state to the toy object and update the toy state. Additionally, a player is able to control the physical toy object, and use the physical toy object to play a game. The game system may track a remote-controlled toy, a handheld toy, or the player himself or herself. The virtual feedback to changes in the physical environment results in a more immersive game experience for the player.

Abstract: A machine for and method of manufacturing concrete U-wall type construction blocks by molding each concrete u-wall construction block from concrete poured about a block cage made from reinforcing material while said block cage is loaded within the machine. The method involves providing a system of molding jacket panels, including a core molding assembly having a pair of inside stem jacket panels that are adjustably supportable in a substantially parallel manner during a molding process, and arranged is such a manner that the front wall portion is molded in downwardly facing direction toward a horizontal support surface and completely enclosed in one or more molding jacket panels. Before block molding operations, the thickness of the front wall portion of the U-wall construction block is set by determining the thickness of a front wall surface liner and installing the front wall surface forming liner within the system of molding jacket panels.

Abstract: An asset authoring and delivery system generates a number of authored assets. Each of the authored assets includes a number of asset content objects that are logically associated with one or more components included in the item of manufacture. The authored assets generated by the asset authoring and delivery system are formatted and communicated to one or more remote devices logically associated with the item of manufacture. Authored assets may be provided responsive to one or more sensed characteristics, for instance vehicle operational parameters, vehicle operation and/or driver behavior, and may be customized to a make and/or model of vehicle.

Abstract: This invention includes a Fresnel lens assembly positioned relative to an energy receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for collection and conversion. The Fresnel lens assembly includes a thin polymeric film with prisms molded into or attached to the film. This invention also includes an articulating energy receiver which can move closer to or farther away from the lens depending on the longitudinal angle of incidence of the sunlight relative to the lens, to maintain the best focus of sunlight on the energy receiver. The prisms in the present lens are specified to provide acceptable optical performance in the presence of relatively large longitudinal solar incidence angles, relatively smaller lateral solar incidence angles, in combination with the articulating energy receiver. The new lens assembly can further be deployed and supported as a thin flexible stretched membrane with tension maintaining the lens in proper position on orbit.

Abstract: An asset authoring and delivery system generates a number of authored assets such as Owner's Guides and Maintenance Manuals. Each of the authored assets includes a number of asset content objects that are logically associated with one or more components included in the item of manufacture. The authored assets generated by the asset authoring and delivery system are formatted and communicated to one or more remote devices logically associated with the item of manufacture.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for VoIP session quality is described. A method may comprise allowing a user to define a session quality threshold for a Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) session of a VoIP conference, the session quality threshold corresponding to a session quality characteristic of the VoIP session. The method may further comprise determining a session quality value for the session quality characteristic of the VoIP session. The method may additionally comprise determining if the session quality value for the session quality characteristic of the VoIP session is unacceptable based upon, at least in part, the session quality threshold that corresponds to the session quality characteristic of the VoIP session. The method may also comprise, in response to determining that the session quality value is unacceptable, initiating one or more predefined session quality actions.

Abstract: Systems and methods can operate to improve the communication bandwidth in communication systems. Communication systems can use new forward error correction (FEC) algorithms to increase communication bandwidth. New FEC algorithms can also enable the use of other modulation formats to further improve communication bandwidth. Communication devices that can select from a plurality of FEC algorithms and modulation formats can maintain backward compatibility with the deployed FEC algorithms and modulation formats implemented in legacy communication devices while realizing increased communication bandwidth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a remote control device for operating a media device that can be used to conduct financial transactions. The remote control device includes a user interface to accept user input, and a communication interface to communicate with the media device. The remote control device also includes a hardware security module that is coupled to the user interface and the communication interface. The hardware security module includes a secure processing unit, and a public processing unit that is configured to selectively request the secure processing unit to encrypt user input based on a function that is being performed on the media device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for using near sound communication (NSC) functionalities to complete transactions are presented. According to one or more aspects, a payment server may receive a data message from a payor's telephone, and the data message may include a user-specified password. In response to validating the payor based on the user-specified password, a call may be initiated to the payor's telephone. Subsequently, a unique audio stream may be played over the call. The unique audio stream may be adapted to be captured by a merchant point-of-sale terminal for use in completing a transaction. In some arrangements, the unique audio stream may include encoded information identifying the payor and/or identifying an amount of funds to be paid.

Abstract: In one example, a rocket nozzle assembly is disclosed that has stowed and deployed positions, and includes a casing including an outer wall and an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface defining a diverging region, wherein the casing defines a plurality of fin slots, and wherein each of the plurality of fin slots extend through the outer wall of the casing and the inner surface of the casing, and wherein the diverging region defines a bell-shaped contour. The assembly further includes a plurality of fins pivotally engaged to the casing, wherein in the stowed position, each of the plurality of fins extends into the diverging region through a respective one of the fin slots, and wherein in the deployed position, each of the plurality of fins extend outwardly from the casing.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for VoIP session quality is described. A method may comprise allowing a user to define a session quality threshold for a Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) session of a VoIP conference, the session quality threshold corresponding to a session quality characteristic of the VoIP session. The method may further comprise determining a session quality value for the session quality characteristic of the VoIP session. The method may additionally comprise determining if the session quality value for the session quality characteristic of the VoIP session is unacceptable based upon, at least in part, the session quality threshold that corresponds to the session quality characteristic of the VoIP session. The method may also comprise, in response to determining that the session quality value is unacceptable, initiating one or more predefined session quality actions.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for electronic communication is described. A first unified telephony session is selected. A first arbitrator associated with the first session is selected. A first set of participants associated with the first session is selected. The first arbitrator is directed to act as a proxy connection for a first channel associated with the first set of participants.

Abstract: This invention includes a flexible Fresnel lens assembly which can be efficiently stowed into a small volume, and then deployed with a mechanism, including structural elements, that provides tensioning at the ends of the lens assembly to position and support the lens assembly in proper position relative to a photovoltaic receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for conversion into electricity. The flexible stretched lens assembly includes a transparent prismatic polymer film, comprising a refractive optical element, attached to flexible cords, fibers, or wires that carry the bulk of the tension load in the stretched lens assembly when it is deployed in its final functional position. This present invention represents a critical and mission-enabling improvement to an earlier stretched lens array invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,200 (Reference 1).

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to isolated compounds useful as antifungal agents, for example, compounds having a structure represented by a formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxyl; wherein R2 is hydrogen, a-xylose or ?-xylose; and wherein R3 and R4 are each hydrogen or together oxygen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; methods of isolating and purifying same; pharmaceutical compositions comprising same; agricultural compositions comprising same; and methods of treating and/or preventing fungal infections using same. In one aspect, R2 is not hydrogen or ?-xylose when R1 is hydroxyl and R3 and R4 are together oxygen. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A display system that includes a projector light bulb. The system includes a light fixture with a conventional light bulb socket. A projector light bulb is provided with a socket adapter for mating electrically with the light bulb socket. A projector such as a pico projector is fit into the socket adapter or to mate with this adapter to be powered by the light bulb socket via the adapter. In lamp-type implementations, the projector is used to project onto a lamp shade-shaped rear projection screen or through a translucent shade and also upon surfaces of the ceiling or objects above the projector light bulb. A light conditioning or directing assembly may be provided that directs a portion of the projected light onto the projection screen (or shade) and another portion up onto the ceiling so as to concurrently focus on two or more surfaces at two or more focal distances.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to isolated compounds useful as antifungal agents, for example, compounds having a structure represented by a formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxyl; wherein R2 is hydrogen or xylose; and wherein R3 and R4 are each hydrogen or together oxygen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; methods of isolating and purifying same; pharmaceutical compositions comprising same; agricultural compositions comprising same; and methods of treating and/or preventing fungal infections using same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing voice collision in multi-party communications are generally provided. Embodiments herein may include identifying a voice collision between a first speaker and a second speaker in a multi-party call. One or more voice collision rules may be received. One of the first speaker and the second speaker to be determined to be a priority speaker based upon, at least in part, the one or more voice collision rules. Call bandwidth may be allocated to the priority speaker.

Abstract: There is herein described a device and method for positioning a load (18) attached to apparatus (10) capable of lifting and moving loads in suspension. More particularly, there is described a device and method for safely positioning a suspended load (18) attached to a crane hook (16).