Abstract: A method for switching railcars at a railroad yard includes accessing a list of selected railcars for an outgoing train. The method further includes generating a plurality of train consists that each comply with a set of train rules. The method further includes displaying indications of the generated train consists and their associated number of railyard switch moves on an electronic display. The method further includes receiving a user selection of a desired train consist from the plurality of displayed train consists. The method further includes generating a plurality of switch lists according to the desired train consist and a current inventory of railcars in the railyard. The switch lists include instructions about how to form the desired train consist in the railyard. The method further includes displaying the plurality of switch lists on the electronic display.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis, more particularly, to tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium salts which are precursors to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands with tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium rings, organometallic ruthenium complexes comprising gem di-substituted imidazolinium NHC ligands, organometallic ruthenium complexes comprising tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium NHC ligands, and to olefin metathesis methods using them. The catalysts and methods of the invention have utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, and industrial chemistry.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of saturated imidazolinium salts and related compounds that comprises reaction of formamidines with compounds such as dihaloethane and an optional base are disclosed. Alternatively, the imidazolinium salts and related compounds can be prepared in a one-step process without purification of the formamidine reactant. These methods make it possible to obtain numerous imidazolinium salts and related compounds under solvent-free reaction conditions and in excellent yields.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis, more particularly, to tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium salts which are precursors to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands with tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium rings, organometallic ruthenium complexes comprising gem di-substituted imidazolinium NHC ligands, organometallic ruthenium complexes comprising tri- or tetra-substituted imidazolinium NHC ligands, and to olefin metathesis methods using them. The catalysts and methods of the invention have utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, and industrial chemistry.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of saturated imidazolinium salts and related compounds that comprises reaction of formamidines with compounds such as dihaloethane and an optional base are disclosed. Alternatively, the imidazolinium salts and related compounds can be prepared in a one-step process without purification of the formamidine reactant. These methods make it possible to obtain numerous imidazolinium salts and related compounds under solvent-free reaction conditions and in excellent yields.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for authorizing an additional set-top device in a location with an existing authorized set-top device without the need to connect the two devices via a dedicated wired connection. After the additional set-top device is connected to the satellite television network, for example through a coaxial cable used to deliver satellite television signals, the existing set-top device is designated as a master set-top device. The additional set-top device is then authenticated as a slave set-top device via the connection to the satellite television network. In one embodiment, an intelligent bridge, which is preferably a QUAD LNB, authorizes the slave set-top device after receiving the master set-top device indication and the slave set-top device presence indication. Alternatively, in a repeater embodiment, a repeater may be used for signal routing only and slave authentication is accomplished in the master set-top device.

Abstract: A control method, apparatus, and system capable of monitoring or controlling. Aspects of the present invention relate in general to a system that controls and monitors remote devices through a standard interface that easily facilitates human or machine input through remote electronic data interchange. The system, method and apparatus enable monitoring and control through the exchange of extensible Markup Language (XML) formatted data.