Abstract: A X-ray exam system includes an x-ray source, a detector positioned to receive x-rays transmitted for the x-ray source, a patient table positioned so that the x-ray source emits x-rays towards a patient thereon, a video monitor for displaying images while performing an exam, and a voice activated control system coupled to the x-ray source, the detector, and the video monitor. The voice activated control system configured to control playback imaging sequencing based on a voice command to facilitate analysis of a plurality of acquired images. The control system includes an audio microphone configured to be positioned for receiving audio input from an operator, and an audio signal processor coupled to the microphone for processing amplified audio signals from the amplifier. The processing includes at least one of word and phrase recognition.

Abstract: A method for generating a numeric or alpha-numeric identifier representative of a chemical structure having at least two atoms connected by a bond includes the step of assigning a numerical value to each atom and a numerical bond value to each bond. The method updates the numerical values for each atom based on the current values assigned to each atom and the numerical bond value. After the numerical values for each atom have been updated the method calculates a numeric or alpha-numeric identifier for the chemical structure.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: A solid-state electricity meter uses a sensor to measure a current supplied to a load. In one aspect, the electricity meter housing includes a meter base, a register cover, and a meter cover. The meter base includes a plurality of meter cover lock notches disposed about a periphery of the meter base. The register cover includes a plurality of secure ramps disposed on a base portion thereof, each secure ramp having a ramped portion along one side and a land portion. The meter cover includes a plurality of locking tabs corresponding to the meter cover lock notches and further includes a plurality of meter cover locks corresponding to the secure ramps. Upon insertion of the meter cover locking tabs into the meter base lock notches and rotation of the meter cover in a predetermined clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the meter cover locks engage the corresponding secure ramps, thereby biasing the meter cover locking tabs against the backside of the meter base to provide a secure connection.

Abstract: To provide integrated electronic presentment of bills and payment, bill information representing a plurality of bills of a plurality of electronic billers for a plurality of subscriber payors, is transmitted from a service provider via a communications network. A first payment instruction from the first subscriber payor, to pay a first electronic bill of a first electronic biller based on the transmitted bill information, is received at the service provider via the communications network. A second payment instruction from another payor, which may or may not be a subscriber, to pay another payee, which may or may not be an electronic biller or a biller at al, based on other than the transmitted bill information, is also received at the service provider via the communications network. Payment of the first bill to the first electronic biller is initiated, at the service provider, based on the received first payment instruction.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: To electronically present and pay bills, bill information representing a plurality of bills of a plurality of billers for a plurality of payors is transmitted to the plurality of payors. The transmitted bill information includes first information representing a first of the plurality of bills of a first of the plurality of billers for a first of the plurality of payors. A payment instruction from the first payor to pay the first bill, based on the transmitted first information, is received. A risk associated with payment of the first bill is determined and a debit type is selected based upon the determined risk. A payment of the first bill to the first biller is initiated based on the received payment instruction and to the selected debit type.

Abstract: A method for forming an abrasion resistant sheet which comprises forming a web of cellulosic fibers on a papermaking machine and applying a slurry including an encapsulated abrasion-resistant grit to the upper surface of the web on the papermaking machine.

Abstract: A service provider activates, for a subscriber, a first biller for electronic presentment of bills and a second biller for electronic bill payments by receiving, from the subscriber, information identifying the first and the second of a plurality of billers, as well as subscriber information associated with the subscriber. The service provider transmits to the first biller a request for verification of validity of the received subscriber information, and receives a verification of validity responsive to the transmitted verification request. Based on the received verification of validity, the service provider activates electronic presentment of bills of the first biller for the subscriber. On the other hand, the service provider activates only electronic bill payment of the second biller for the subscriber, without any verification from the second biller of the validity of the received subscriber information.

Abstract: A service provider activates subscribers for electronic presentment of bills and for electronic payments by receiving, from a first subscriber, information identifying a first of a plurality of billers and information that the first biller associates with the first subscriber. The service provider also receives, from a second subscriber, information identifying a second of the plurality of billers and information that the second biller associates with the second subscriber. The service provider transmits to the first biller a request for verification of validity of the received information which the first biller associates with the first subscriber, and receives a verification of validity responsive to the transmitted verification request. Based on the received verification of validity, the service provider activates the first subscriber for electronic presentment of bills of the first biller.

Abstract: A method of integrating presentment and payment of bills is provided. Bill information, representing a first bill of a first payee, but not a second bill of a second payee, for a payor is transmitted from the service provider to the payor via the communications network. A first payment instruction to pay the first bill based on the transmitted bill information, and a second payment instruction to pay the second bill which was not transmitted to the payor by the service provuder, are received at the service provider via the communications network. Payment of the first bill to the first payee is initiated by the service provider based on the received first payment instruction. Payment of the second bill to the second payee is initiated by the service provider based upon the second payment instruction.

Abstract: A system for delivering and paying subscriber bills associated with a plurality of billers includes a server computer and at least one subscriber computer connected to a communications network. The server computer transmits bill presentment information representing one or more bills for a subscriber, each of the one or more bills having an associated biller, via the network. A subscriber computer includes a communications port for receiving the transmitted bill presentment information representing the one or more bills for the subscriber, and a display for displaying the received bill presentment information. An input device is also provided for selecting at least one of the one or more bills represented by the displayed bill presentment information. The subscriber computer additionally has a processor for causing the communications port to transmit a payment record for the selected at least one bill, to the server computer via the network, responsive to the selection.

Abstract: A method for operating a storage controller and associated disk or disk portion such that after the storage controller terminates its access to said disk or disk portion, data integrity problems in the disk or disk portion can be detected. The storage controller is coupled to one or more host computers to receive write commands to write host data onto the disk or disk portion. The storage controller receives a write command from the host and writes host data associated with the write command into a cache memory in the storage controller. Before the host data is written from the cache memory to the disk or disk portion, the following is recorded on the disk or disk portion—an identity of the storage controller as a current user of the disk or disk portion and an indication that the storage controller is operating in a mode in which it stores data in a cache before writing the data to the disk or disk portion.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: A musical instrument capable of producing the sound spectrum associated with a traditional Australian didjeridoo, but in a more compact and portable form. In certain embodiments, an air column follows a tortuous path between a mouthpiece, having an input orifice between about one to about one-and-one-half inches in diameter, and an exit port. The air column is housed within a body having a length. The ratio of length of the air column to the instrument body length is preferably greater than 1.5 to provide a compact instrument. The instrument may be manufactured tuned to a traditional key-scale note, and may include tone holes to play other fundamental notes. In certain embodiments, a vibrating membrane may be provided in sealed relation over one or more through-holes in the body to produce other sounds of which a traditional didjeridoo is incapable.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: A process for forming an abrasion resistant, printable sheet which comprises forming a web of cellulosic fibers on a papermaking machine and applying a slurry including an abrasion-resistant grit to the upper surface of the web on the papermaking machine and then applying a secondary web of cellulosic fibers over the grit to form a three layer overlay product.

Abstract: A medical examination suite is described. In one example embodiment, the suite comprises an exam room having a microphone and at least a portion of a medical imaging system therein. A microphone sensitivity zone is located in the exam room. The suite further comprises a control room adjacent the exam room and having a video monitor and controls for the imaging system therein, and an equipment room having a computer therein. The computer is coupled to the microphone and to the video monitor and controls for the imaging system.

Abstract: A system including a user input device for controlling a position of medical equipment is described. In an example embodiment, the user input device is configured to be coupled to the medical equipment and is responsive to an operator input representation of a desired movement of the equipment. A processor determines a direction in which the operator desires the equipment to move based on a device output.

Abstract: A live well cooling and aeration system for preventing fish within a live well from dieing because of undesirable temperature and aeration conditions. The live well cooling and aeration system includes a cold plate positionable within an interior portion of a live well of a boat, a compressor in fluid communication with the cold plate, a condensing coil in fluid communication with the compressor, and an aeration unit in fluid communication with the interior portion of the live well. A thermostat within the live well determines when the compressor circulates coolant through the cold plate when the temperature of the water within the live well exceeds a maximum level. When the temperature of the water within the live well is lowered to a minimum level, the thermostat terminates operation of the compressor. The aeration unit draws water from within the live well, aerates the water and then returns the aerated water back into the live well.