Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes an elongate tubular member having a drive rod slidably disposed therein. A support member is operably coupled to a distal end of the drive rod. A pouch is attached to the support member and has a closed end and an open end. The pouch may be releasably coupled to the support member. An end effector is repositionable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. The support member may include an expandable member.

Abstract: The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.

Abstract: A pickling solution for the surface pre-treatment of plastic surfaces in preparation for metallization, the solution comprising a source of Mn(VII) ions; and an inorganic acid; wherein the pickling solution is substantially free of chromium (VI) ions, alkali ions, and alkaline-earth ions.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the management of vehicle repossession requests can include, in response to receiving a request for repossessing a vehicle from a title holder, generating a notification to a repossession agent. The notification can include a link permitting access to vehicle information. In response to receiving a request to access the vehicle information through the link, the vehicle information can be provided to the requester.

Abstract: A method for inputting and identifying a character string, in which several successively inputted user inputs for forming the character string are identified and a confidence analysis is carried out, in which each user input is compared to a number of characters and each of the compared characters is allocated a value of a confidence measure which evaluates the correlation of the user input to the characters. Character combinations are formed from the characters associated with the user inputs. Global confidence measures are determined for the character combinations from the confidence measures associated with the characters. Finally, a partial amount of the character combinations is emitted in accordance with the global confidence measures. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the method and a vehicle having the disclosed device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for coating a substrate with a coating, or a coating powder. The substrate is divided into a number of target fields which are scanned by a plurality of lasers after the target fields have been pre-heated by a separate laser. A closed loop, real time servo system is employed for monitoring the coating process. Based upon monitoring of the target field, as the coating, or coating powder, is applied, real time changes to the parameters of the lasers provide for a uniform coating of the substrate.

Abstract: A user interface and a method for adapting a view on a display unit of a user interface wherein the method includes calling up a configuration mode for allocating a range of functions to at least one tile displayed on the display unit, displaying first operating areas representing a respective range of functions, receiving a first user input for the first operating area and, in response thereto, displaying second operating areas thematically associated with the first operating area.

Abstract: A boiler tube protection block, comprising an essentially parallellogram shaped body (11), an annular cut-out at all four comers, with the cutting point of two adjacent sides as a centre. An assembly of a boiler protection block and a ferrule (21) with a radius essentially corresponding to the central annular hole of the block. A boiler, and a method for furnishing a boiler inner wall, comprising applying protection blocks against the wall, and arranging ferrules through at least the annular cut-outs.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a capacitive, matrix touchscreen for use in a motor vehicle, wherein touching the matrix touchscreen in the region of a matrix element produces a signal level associated with the matrix element, wherein the extent of a signal level which is produced by touching the matrix touchscreen in the region of the matrix element and which is associated with the matrix element is altered, and wherein the thus modified signal levels of two adjacent matrix elements are taken as a basis for determining whether the two matrix elements are being touched as part of collective areal touching of the matrix touchscreen.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing electronic documents. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are focussed on managing ingestion of documents into an information system, such as ingestion of documents generated by a device having scanning functionality. Embodiments include devices, software (defined by computer executable code), carrier media, and methodologies. In overview, a document is received from an ingestion source, such as a Multi Function Device (MFD) having a scanner. For example, the document is a scanned into an electronic form from a paper form. This electronic form is subjected to additional processing thereby to implement a predefined security protocol prior to the document (or a modified version thereof) being released into an information system.

Abstract: The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing electronic documents. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are focussed on managing ingestion of documents into an information system, such as ingestion of documents generated by a device having scanning functionality. Embodiments include devices, software (defined by computer executable code), carrier media, and methodologies. In overview, a document is received from an ingestion source, such as a Multi Function Device (MFD) having a scanner. For example, the document is a scanned into an electronic form from a paper form. This electronic form is subjected to additional processing thereby to implement a predefined security protocol prior to the document (or a modified version thereof) being released into an information system.

Abstract: A dock for receiving a portable electronic device. The dock includes a housing comprising an aperture in a recess for receiving and supporting the portable electronic device, and a communication assembly disposed in the housing and moveable relative to the housing. The communication assembly includes a dock optical transceiver disposed in the aperture for aligning with a device optical transceiver when the portable electronic device is disposed in the recess, and magnets coupled to the optical transceiver for aligning with complementary magnets of the portable electronic device to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the portable electronic device with the dock and to facilitate alignment of the dock optical transceiver with the device optical transceiver when the portable electronic device is engaged with the dock.

Abstract: A pickling solution for the surface pre-treatment of plastic surfaces in preparation for metallization, the solution comprising a source of Mn(VII) ions; and an inorganic acid; wherein the pickling solution is substantially free of chromium (VI) ions, alkali ions, and alkaline-earth ions.

Abstract: A floating command object is provided for offering a set of commonly or frequently used commands in close proximity to a selected text, data or other object in a document. When a given object is selected for editing, the floating object automatically displays near the object to allow easy selection of relevant commands such as formatting property commands. The object remains displayed to allow multiple command selections until it is closed by user action. If a mouse or touchpad pointer is moved away from the displayed object, the displayed object becomes increasingly translucent to visually deemphasize the relevance of the object to the new position of the pointer.

Abstract: A method of and system for automatic compilation of crowdsourced digital media productions is presented. A system for automated compilation of a digital media program includes interfaces that receive audio/video information, associated temporal information, associated digital device metadata, and media characteristic preference information. The system includes a repository for the digital media input and associated digital device metadata. The system further includes a module that analyzes digital device metadata associated with individual digital media inputs from at least two different recording devices and selects between overlapping portions of the media inputs based on comparing digital device metadata associated with the individual digital media inputs with the media characteristic preference information.

Abstract: A plastic overmold aluminum extrusion including at least one plastic overmold and aluminum extrusion. The aluminum extrusion is formed with sufficient cross sectional properties and features such as an internal web to help prevent undesirable collapses under injection or compression molding pressures. This improves part geometry and strength while minimizing weight. A plurality of protrusions and/or local deformations on an outer wall of the extrusion can be used to create strong mechanical interface to the plastic. Localized deformations can result from a combination of the applied plastic pressure under injection or compression molding pressures and the proximity of outer gaps of the internal web structure. A process of making the plastic overmold aluminum extrusion includes inserting at least one aluminum extrusion into a mold without mandrels and delivering plastic forming the plastic overmold.

Abstract: A communication connector is described that provides an increase in the number and type of communication circuits available on an electronic device without increasing the number and type of physical connectors. The communication connector electrically includes a set of inputs to couple to both a USB 2.0 connector and a HDMI connector. A set of outputs from the communication connector provides a third connector with a pin out specification compatible with a USB 3.0 connector or a PCIe connector.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methodologies for managing document access permissions. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for allowing group-based permission management in a file system. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a packet network by using call detail records (CDRs) are disclosed. The method first receives at least one call detail record (CDR) at a completion of a call from at least one voice gateway router that serviced said call and analyzes said at least one CDR. The method then monitors at least one performance parameter in accordance with said at least one CDR.