Abstract: A safety device for a cantilevered beam pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floating platform suitable for supporting a motorized fowl decoy upon a post attached to the-platform. The floating platform comprises a rectangular-shaped solid base portion having a vertically-mounted post attached to the top surface of the platform. Hingedly attached to each long side of the base is a foldable wing frame, each wing frame being a quadrilateral assembly of two longitudinal members and two lateral members, connected by four 90-degree elbows. The longitudinal member of each wing frame is pivotally attached to each long side of the base. The base and each wing are further enclosed in lightweight material to ensure buoyancy of the entire floating platform. The device is easily transportable by pivoting the wing frames upward and carrying the device in the manner of a briefcase.

Abstract: A touch system comprises a large scale touch surface on which an image is presented and at least two imaging devices looking across the touch surface and having overlapping fields of view. Processing structure communicates with the imaging devices and processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to determine pointer contacts on the touch surface using triangulation. The processing structure further executes at least one application to facilitate user interaction with the touch surface. Methods of interacting with the touch surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for filling a canister for an inhaler is provided. The canister may be filled with components of a medicament. The canister may be suitable for use in a pressurised metered dose inhaler, such as a breath-actuate inhaler. The process may include sealing the canister with air at ambient conditions. A filling device may dispense a pressurised liquid or gas into the sealed, air-filled canister through a metering valve. The pressurised liquid or gas may comprise at least a propellant. While pressure-filled canisters were previously purged with propellant immediately before sealing to remove the air, the present process may exclude the purging step.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises an interactive surface; at least one proximity sensor in proximity with the interactive surface and generating output signifying user proximity to the interactive surface; and processing structure configured to process user input generated in response to user interaction with said interaction input system and output from the at least one proximity sensor, said processing structure controlling interactive input system operation based upon at least one of said user input and proximity sensor output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floating platform suitable for supporting a motorized fowl decoy upon a post attached to the upper surface of the floating platform. The floating platform comprises a rectangular-shaped solid base portion having a vertically-mounted post attached to the top surface of said floating platform. Hingedly attached to each long side of the base is a foldable wing frame, each wing frame being a quadrilateral assembly of two longitudinal members and two lateral members, connected by four 90-degree elbows, with one longitudinal member of each wing frame pivotally attached to each long side of the base. Each wing frame may also comprise a one-piece structure. The base and each wing frame of the floating platform are further enclosed in lightweight material to ensure buoyancy of the entire floating platform. The device is easily transportable by pivoting the wing frames upward and carrying the device in the manner of a briefcase.

Abstract: A safety device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for a cantilevered beam (86) pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface (84) and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam.

Abstract: A visual and/or audible beacon is provided by an access device or an external device to assist emergency response personnel to locate the person that initiated the emergency call. A communication server that handled the emergency call can cause lights on the access device to blink in a specified pattern, so that emergency personnel may more easily locate the access device that was used to place the emergency call. The communication server can also cause the access device to output a series of audible tones that may be used to locate the access device that was used to place the emergency call. Emergency response personnel may control the audible/visual beacon through the communication server to cause the beacon to be selectively activated or deactivated as necessary. Optionally the beacon may be turned off from the access device as well.

Abstract: An optically enhanced flat panel display system, including apparatuses and methods for assembling same, for displaying images generated by a computer or electronic device with increased luminance and reduced reflectance, and for receiving user input for a computer or electronic device via a touch screen portion thereof. The flat panel display system comprises a touch screen portion integrally incorporated with and forward of a display portion. The display system has only one front polarizer such that the touch screen and display portions are generally positioned rearward thereof. In exemplary embodiments, the touch screen portion employs resistive touch screen technology and the display portion employs liquid crystal display technology. By including only one front polarizer, attenuation of display image light is minimized and an increase in net luminance is achieved over other flat panel display systems.

Abstract: A safety device for a cantilevered beam pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a management system for analyzing call detail records (CDR's) from terminating switches. The management system recovers CDR's by polling through switch managers which poll dependent exchanges. CDR's indicating a call clear occurring within a short predetermined time after a call answer are stored and used to indicate potentially faulty access network lines.

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: A touch system comprises a large scale touch surface on which an image is presented and at least two imaging devices looking across the touch surface and having overlapping fields of view. Processing structure communicates with the imaging devices and processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to determine pointer contacts on the touch surface using triangulation. The processing structure further executes at least one application to facilitate user interaction with the touch surface.

Abstract: The line test apparatus includes a PC (5) which stores known line test signature parameters for a number of known fault conditions in which by application of varying signals to a line pair (2,3) under test and capturing parameters during a period in which varying signals are applied to the line via a test head (1), an estimate of the state of the line can be made. A remote unit (6) located at a switch or exchange may also be used to complete the automated scanning of parameters of a line in response to various electrical stimuli. The invention is particularly effective at determining faults which are “dynamic” as well as those which are permanent until repaired.

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: A camera-based system for capturing images of a target area includes a boom assembly adapted to extend outwardly from a generally vertical surface. At least one digital camera is mounted on the boom assembly at a location spaced from the surface. The at least one digital camera is oriented so that the field of view thereof encompasses a target area on the surface. A controller is in communication with the at least one digital camera. The controller conditions the at least one digital camera to acquire an image of the target area. The image acquired by the at least one digital camera is conveyed to the controller and is processed to form a digital image of the target area. The digital image is published automatically to allow the digital image to be accessed by a user through a web client application.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a management system for analysing call detail records (CDR's) from terminating switches. The management system recovers CDR's by polling through switch managers which poll dependent exchanges. CDR's indicating a call clear occurring within a short predetermined time after a call answer are stored and used to indicate potentially faulty access network lines.

Abstract: A pedicle attachment assembly includes a pedicle attachment device having a head. A polyaxial housing has a through bore comprising a base portion and two posts upstanding from the base portion, the posts defining therebetween a slot for receiving a rod. A saddle-shaped element is disposable in the slot and has a part cylindrical recess in an upper surface for engagement in use with the rod. The saddle-shaped element has a convex lower portion for engagement in a complimentary concave recess in an upper surface of the head of the attachment device. The lower surface of the head of the attachment device and the lower end of the through bore in the housing have complementary part spherical surfaces for engagement with one another. A cap assembly is provided for clamping the rod in the housing.

Abstract: A surgical implant, typically a cervical plate assembly, comprises a plate having at least two apertures and two screw threaded fastening devices for securing the plate to bone. Each aperture in the plate has an annular groove intermediate opposite ends of the aperture and each fastening device comprises an outer screw and an inner plug. The screw has a head at one end, a tip at the other end, an externally threaded shank between the head and the tip and an internal bore extending axially through the head and at least part way into the shank for receiving the inner plug. The head comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable fingers separated by one another by axially extending slits. Each finger has an outwardly projecting rib extending circumferentially of the head intermediate opposite ends of the finger for snap fit engagement in the annular groove of a respective plate aperture.