Abstract: A device for playing digital media comprises a connection for receiving content over a network and a digital rights management (“DRM”) module that identifies rights for the received content by accessing a DRM data structure. The DRM data structure can be a temporal cache. The device receives content and the DRM module identifies identifiers associated with the content and/or the device. The DRM module uses the identifiers to access the DRM data structure and identify rights associated with the content. The identified rights are applied to the content to prevent and/or permit activities with respect to the content. Permitted activities for the content may be presented in a display of the device and can be updated as the content changes and/or as rights associated with content change. Content providers and other authorized entities can change the rights associated with particular content by updating the DRM data structure.

Abstract: A device for presenting content to a user comprises a connection for receiving content over a wireless communications network associated with a content provider and a display or other user interface means for presenting the content to the user. The wireless communications network can be an 802.11-based communications network. The content provider determines that the device is within a range of the wireless communications network and authenticates the device for the receipt of content. If the device is authenticated, the content provider transmits the content to the device. In one embodiment, the content provider comprises a merchant and the content comprises an electronic coupon that the device user can redeem at a locale of the merchant.

Abstract: A mechanism for actuating an engine poppet valve includes two rotatable cams, a first rocker mounted on a pivot shaft and acting between a first of the two cams and the stem of the valve, and a second rocker mounted for rotation about a fixed axis and acting between the second of the two cams and the pivot shaft of the first rocker to raise and lower the pivot axis of the first rocker cyclically in synchronism with the rotation of the second cam, whereby the valve is operated in dependence upon the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the two cams.

Abstract: A personal media managing system includes a portable media device that interfaces with a peripheral media device. When in communication, media content is transferred between the devices such that the peripheral media device serves as a redundant backup of data from the portable media device and as a repository of data to be uploaded to the portable media device. Among other things, the portable media device may include: an interactive control display; memory for storing media; and a media player module configured for playing selected media for a user. Additionally, among other things the peripheral media device may include: systems for uploading selected media from a media source; a content management system; and a mass storage device for storing media.

Abstract: The contents of clear or lightly colored plastic containers or films are protected from ultraviolet radiation by the incorporation of certain UV absorbers of the class of durable benzotriazoles and tris-aryl-s-triazines in the container or film. Contents to be protected include foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, shampoos and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing a semiconductor on glass (SiOG) structure include: subjecting an implantation surface of a donor semiconductor wafer to an ion implantation process to create an exfoliation layer in the donor semiconductor wafer; bonding the implantation surface of the exfoliation layer to a glass substrate using electrolysis; separating the exfoliation layer from the donor semiconductor wafer, thereby exposing at least one cleaved surface; and subjecting the at least one cleaved surface to a wet etching process.

Abstract: A substantially liquid impermeable moisture vapor permeable laminate structure comprising: (i) a substrate layer comprising a woven or non-woven material, (ii) a moisture vapor control layer attached to said substrate, (iii) a tie layer comprising one or more copolymers comprising from about 30 to about 90 weight percent ethylene co-monomer units and from about 10 to about 70 weight percent vinyl acetate co-monomer units, and (iv) a layer comprising one or more copolyetherester(s) in an amount of at least 50 weight percent based on the total amount of polymer in the layer. The moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) in the direction away from the copolyetherester-containing layer and tie layer and towards the substrate is preferably greater than the MVTR in the direction away from the substrate layer and towards the tie layer and copolyetherester-containing layer.

Abstract: Pads of cigarette papers for making self-rolled cigarettes are provided comprising a stack (1) of cigarette paper sheets (3) adhered to a base sheet (2). Each sheet (3) is adhered by means of an adhesive (7) applied on the bottom side (4) of the sheet, to the top side (6) of the sheet (5) immediately below it in the stack (1). The top side of the sheet (3) may be provided with a further layer of adhesive (10). The invention enables self-rolled cigarette papers, that traditionally have been sold in packets manufactured on customised paper folding and interleaving machines, to be manufactured in pads on machines that may be readily adapted to manufacture other paper products, such as pads of repositionable notes and party hats.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pointer within a region of interest includes a first reflective element extending along a first side of the region of interest and reflecting light towards the region of interest. A second reflective element extends along a second side of the region of interest and reflects light towards the region of interest. The second side is joined to the first side to define a first corner. A non-reflective region generally in the plane of at least one of the first and second reflective elements is adjacent the first corner. At least one imaging device captures images of the region of interest including reflections from the first and second reflective elements.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to: the use of an effective inhibitor of a bacterial ?-amylase and/or ?-glucosidase in the manufacture of a composition for the treatment of acidosis; a method of treatment of rumen acidosis which comprises administration of an effective amount of an effective inhibitor of a bacterial ?-amylase and/or ?-glucosidase to a ruminant; a formulation suitable for the treatment of acidosis in an animal which comprises an effective inhibitor of a bacterial ?-amylase and/or ?-glucosidase in admixture with a suitable excipient, diluent or carrier selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical/veterinary/farming practice; screening methods useful in the identification of a suitable inhibitor of a bacterial ?-amylase and/or ?-glucosidase for the treatment of acidosis in a ruminant; a process for improving ruminant milk quality and/or quantity which comprises treatment of a ruminant with an effective amount of an inhibitor of bacterial ?-amyla

Abstract: A device for translating linear reciprocal motion to rotational motion includes a reciprocating linearly moving piston with a central slot. The aperture has a set of recessed annular gears opposite each other which engage corresponding gear teeth on a cog located on a crankshaft that rotates inside the piston. Connecting braces on the crankshaft imparts an offset on the crankshaft and a corresponding lateral force on the cog, keeping the cog engaged with the recessed annular gear which imparts a rotational force upon the crankshaft.

Abstract: There is provided a frame assembly for a foldable cycle. The assembly has a rear frame portion including a mounting for a rear wheel; a forward frame portion, hingedly connecting to the rear frame portion such that the two are foldable towards each other; and hingedly connecting to the forward frame portion, a pivot assembly for a mounting arm including a mounting for a forward wheel. On folding of the cycle, hinged movement of the pivot assembly relative to the forward frame portion moves the mounting arm to move the forward wheel mounting relative to the forward frame portion. The rear frame portion and pivot assembly are coupled such that folding of the frame portions towards each other results in the distance between the forward frame portion and forward wheel mounting extending relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved radio frequency receiver and method enabling the dynamic range of a radio frequency receiver to be extended are disclosed. In the receiver system, the effective received channel power is a combination of the wanted signal level, the noise floor and any in band spurious signals generated from blocking signals present at the input to the receiver system. When this total effective channel power is known, the front end gain is optimized by adaptively minimizing the total effective channel power. Since the wanted input signal power does not vary with the receiver gain setting, this optimizes the noise figure and input intercept point for the presented input signal conditions.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequence capable of regulating transcription during embryogenesis in plants is provided. This sequence may be used in transgenic plants to promote high levels of expression of foreign and endogenous genes in developing seeds to affect seed lipid metabolism, protein or carbohydrate composition and accumulation, or seed development. In addition, these sequences may be useful for the production of modified seed containing novel recombinant proteins which have pharmaceutical, industrial or nutritional value, or novel products like plastics.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: A method and system to identify skills and tools needed to address a process. The method comprises the steps of storing in a computer database a series of templates identifying pre-given sub-processes, managed elements, skills and tools; and accessing the computer database to use the templates to identify a set of sub-processes for a process, and to identify a set of managed elements. The set of sub-processes and the set of managed elements are used to form a matrix having a multitude of cells. The templates are also used to identify a set of skills and tools for each of the cells of the matrix.

Abstract: A surgical implant comprises a core region and a porous surface region extending over at least part of the core region. The surface region has a predetermined pore volume fraction. A method of manufacturing a surgical implant comprises: (i) loading metallic powder having a predetermined particle size distribution around a pre-formed core in a sealable capsule; (ii) reducing pressure within the capsule to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure; (iii) pressurising the capsule with a process gas to a predetermined pressure higher than the predetermined pressure of step (ii); (iv) sealing the capsule; (v) heating the pressurised sealed capsule at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure for a predetermined time to produce an implant precursor; (vi) cooling the sealed capsule, and; (vii) heating the implant precursor for a predetermined time at an elevated temperature and a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure, whereby to generate porosity in the implant precursor.

Abstract: A unitary fiber reinforced plastic aerodynamic bicycle handlebar is molded with a one piece base bar having tubes that slidably receive forward handlebar extensions, the extensions being either locked in place with binder collars, or telescopingly mounted, and either the extensions receiving arm pad brackets or the arm pad brackets being mounted to the base bar, the base bar extending outwardly and terminating in grips, the extensions permitting the rider to assume an aerodynamic position and the grips enabling control while maneuvering, an improved stem permitting a light weight, aerodynamic mounting of the bar to a bicycle.