Abstract: Architecture that employs a cost-effective mechanism to only engage the services as needed, and then release these services in a managed way. This reduces the runtime cost so that users can have more conferences for the same amount of hardware purchased for such purposes at a minimum cost. The architecture provides the efficient and seamless integration of PSTN phone users and VoIP audio users in a cost effective and efficient way by the use of the same conferencing server and the same audio-video multi-point control unit that users currently employ with additional services that include a conferencing auto attendant service authenticates the phone user and transfers the phone user into the conference, a conference announcement server application is responsible for playing conference announcements, and a personal virtual assistant application which is responsible for translating user-initiated DTMF (dual-tone multi-frequency) tones into conference control commands.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for customizing media routing for a conference. In one method, a request to modify a routing table is received. The routing table specifies connections between a plurality of sources and a plurality of sinks. The method determines whether the request to modify the routing table is permitted. Upon determining that the request to modify the routing table is permitted, the routing table is modified according to the request.

Abstract: An interactive information distribution system that facilitates automatic transmission of a variety of information packets to the communication devices of a calling party and parties called during a call. The information packets are comprised of actual files and or links to files or websites, and are automatically transmitted following the initiation of a call. Upon initiating a call, an indicator that may include metadata linked to information packets is processed to identify at least one database for locating information packets to which the metadata is linked. The interactive information distribution system also includes a verbal communication conversion engine that allows verbal telephone communications to be converted to text and filtered to generate keywords which are used in additional database searching to identify additional information packets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward recellularizing a devitalized cartilage graft with viable recellularizable cells in vivo, in situ, or in vitro to render the tissue vital. The present invention is also directed toward repairing a cartilage defect and implanting a cartilage graft into a human or animal by crafting a cartilage matrix into individual grafts, disinfecting and cleaning the cartilage graft, applying a pretreatment solution to the cartilage graft, removing cellular debris using an extracting solution to produce a devitalized cartilage graft, recellularizing the devitalized cartilage graft, implanting the cartilage graft into the cartilage defect with or without an insertion device, and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The devitalized cartilage graft is optionally stored between the removing cellular debris and the recellularizing steps.

Abstract: A detachable and portable fuel cell power unit (10) fox a vehicle has a unitary housing (11) containing: a fuel reservoir (22) for storing fuel; at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack (20, 21) for delivering electrical power from the fluid fuel; a refueling port (16) in an outer surface of the housing; and an airflow path extending between a first inlet port (12, 14) on an outer surface of the housing (11) and a first outlet port (15) on an outer surface of the housing (11), via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack (20, 21). The unit includes a control circuit (23) for interfacing with a power controller on the vehicle for determining allowable operating conditions of the vehicle while the power unit (10) is coupled thereto.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at improving the quality of a video stream that is transmitted between networked computers. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that dynamically modifies the properties of a video stream based on network conditions. In this regard, the method includes collecting quality of service data that describes the network conditions that exist when the video stream is being transmitted. Then, the amount of predicted artifact in the video stream is calculated using the collected data. In response to identifying a triggering event, the method modifies the properties of the video stream to account for the network conditions.

Abstract: A self-standing, orthopedic knee crutch includes an ambidextrous cushioned knee pad attached to an upper end of a vertical support member that employs centerline distribution loading to transfer the weight of a user onto a plurality of horizontal legs that distribute a user's weight. Each horizontal leg includes an elastomer tip for increasing a coefficient of friction between the knee crutch and the ground surface to minimize sliding or slipping. An adjustable, rotatable handle extends upward and away from the vertical support member to aid in supporting the weight of the user.

Abstract: A web based system for creating video compositions has a network connected interface generator for providing web pages to a user coupled to the network. A content library stores video clips and optionally images for use in creating the video composition or a sequence of video clips and/or images. A project database contains metadata for one or more projects that are being edited by a user via the network, and a rendering engine provides down resolutioned previews of a user selected project for viewing by a user via the network.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides techniques for wireless communication of medical event information between medical devices that treat a particular patient. In general, medical event information describes the condition and treatment of a patient. A medical device may detect another medical device via a wireless communications medium, and establish a local wireless communication session the other device in order to receive medical event information stored by the other device for a patient. The wireless communications medium may be a radio frequency communications medium, and the medical devices may establish a local wireless communication session according to any of a number of local wireless data communication standards. The medical event information received from the other medical device may be used to select a therapy, or to generate a report or patient chart detailing the condition and treatment of the patient.

Abstract: A razor cleaning device particularly suited for multi-bladed disposable razors, comprising a brush and at least two sets of teeth supported by a handle. One of the sets of teeth of said device extend from the handle at an oblique angle. The second set of teeth extend from the opposite side of the handle at equal but opposite oblique angles. Therefore, the teeth on each side to point in equal, but opposite directions. Further, the teeth in each set are tapered in a stepwise fashion to coincide with the offset parallel blades of a razor. This allows each set of teeth to align with and clean several blades of the razor simultaneously. A cloth-like tail is also attached to the device for wiping and cleaning the blades and razor during or after cleaning with the brush and teeth.

Abstract: Techniques to control illumination for an image sensor are described. An apparatus may include an image sensor having an array of pixels, and a sensor cover to modify an amount of illumination received by at least a subset of the pixels. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient with laser energy to improve hearing loss. The method involves applying laser energy to the patient's spine, preferably by sweeping a linear laser beam over the patient's skin. The method may alternatively include applying laser energy to the patient's jaw, skull, ears, or a combination thereof. The laser device used for treating the patient is preferably a hand-held probe that moves freely relative to the patient's skin and can generate more than one wavelength of laser energy. In the preferred treatment, the patient is treated with a hand-held probe that emits two laser beams, one laser beam producing a pulsed line of red laser light and the other producing a pulsed line of green laser light. In the preferred embodiment, the patient's upper back, cervical vertebrae, cranial nerves, and temporomandibular joints are treated with laser energy for a total of less than 20 minutes in a single treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising mutations in a GPCR5-1 gene. Such transgenic mice are useful as models for disease and for identifying agents that modulate gene expression and gene function, and as potential treatments for various disease states and disease conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for wireless and wired optical data communications, in particular infrared data communications using techniques borrowed ultra wideband (UWB) radio. Data is input for communication. The data defines a plurality of data symbols for transmission. Each the data symbol is encoded onto first and second optical carriers. The encoding comprises encoding each of the data symbols as respective first and second pulse packets each comprising at least one optical pulse. The encoding uses a common pulse packet position modulation for the first and second carriers. The first and second optical carriers have respective first and second optical wavelengths. An optical signal comprising the first and second optical carriers is transmitted, received, and decoded to recover the data symbols.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for wireless and wired optical data communications, in particular infrared data communications using techniques borrowed ultra wideband (UWB) radio. An optical data communications receiver for receiving data encoded using optical pulse position, the receiver comprising: an optical signal reception device; a reference signal memory for storing a reference channel response signal; and a correlator coupled to said reference signal memory and to said optical signal reception device for correlating a received optical pulse with said stored reference channel response signal to determine said optical pulse position; an output coupled to said correlator to provide pulse position data for said received optical pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising mutations in a SOCS-5 gene. Such transgenic mice are useful as models for disease and for identifying agents that modulate gene expression and gene function, and as potential treatments for various disease states and disease conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor genes. Such transgenic mice are useful as models for disease and for identifying agents that modulate gene expression and gene function, and as potential treatments for various disease states and disease conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising mutations in an ACTHR gene. Such transgenic mice are useful as models for disease and for identifying agents that modulate gene expression and gene function, and as potential treatments for various disease states and disease conditions.