Abstract: There is provided an injection device comprising a barrel adapted for receiving a syringe assembly, a trigger assembly, tension spring means and stopping means. The trigger assembly comprises retractable blocking means for blocking the syringe assembly at a first axial point within the barrel and a trigger for retracting said blocking means from blocking the syringe along said first axial point along the barrel. The tension spring means has a barrel end mountable on the barrel and a syringe end mountable on the syringe assembly, whereby said tension spring means imparts an axial force to the syringe assembly when the syringe assembly is in a cocked position. The stopping means are for retaining the syringe assembly in an injected position within the barrel upon release of the syringe assembly from the cocked position followed by axial travel of the syringe assembly within the barrel under the influence of the axial force.

Abstract: A sign structure having a display, movable member and computer means creates a unique vehicle for displaying content. In one version, the movable member is adjacent to the display and substantially shields a portion of the display as it traverses thereover. Coordinated content transmitted to the display gives the appearance that the movable member is influencing the displayed content. For example, as the member moves upward an image below the member stretches in size while an image above the member compresses in size until the upper image disappears and the lower image occupies the entire visible portion of the display. This continues as the member traverses up and down over the display. The member may appear to manipulate the images by stretching, compressing, pushing, pulling and/or erasing them.

Abstract: A web-based system that displays a plurality of web-based data files in a simulated animated format in a cost-effective and reliable manner is described. The web-based system includes a client system including a browser, a data storage device for storing the plurality of web-based data files, and a server system accessible by the client system and coupled to the database. The browser includes a viewer that sequentially displays the plurality of web-based data files to simulate an animation effect. The viewer creates an interactive animation of the web-based data files that is viewable without using additional browser plug-in software.

Abstract: A method of protecting the 3? end of a DNA molecule from nuclease damage is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of exposing the DNA molecule to a preparation of DdrA protein.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for determining the detection and location of persons and objects using ultrasonic acoustic sensors. The system allows detection of stationary and moving persons and other objects, through atmospheric conditions, to a distance of at least 300 feet. The invention further provides for enhanced signal processing through the use of arrays of transmitters and receivers, where one or more transmitter arrays may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to one or more receiver arrays, allowing high directionality and good rejection of reverberations, background noise, clutter and objects not of interest.

Abstract: A bridge associated with a broadcast aperture facilitates the transfer of rendering commands and data between a processor and multiple graphics devices. The bridge receives data written by the processor to the broadcast aperture and forwards it to multiple graphics devices, eliminating the need for the processor to perform duplicative(?) write operations. During system initialization, a broadcast aperture is allocated to the bridge in address space based on an aperture size value set using a system configuration utility and stored in system configuration memory. A graphics driver activates the broadcast aperture by sending unicast aperture parameters associated with the multiple graphics devices to the bridge via a bridge driver. Upon activating the broadcast aperture, multiple graphics devices can be operated in parallel to improve rendering performance. Parallel rendering techniques include split-frame, alternate frame, and combined split- and alternate frame rendering.

Abstract: A non-monolithic ring laser cavity comprising: (a) a gain medium (1); (b) a first polarization rotation element arranged to rotate the polarization of light propagating in the cavity with a predetermined handedness irrespective of the direction of propagation of the light; (c) a second polarization rotation element (7) arranged-to rotate the polarization of light propagating in the cavity with a handedness which is dependent upon the direction of propagation of the light; (d) a polarization selection element (5, 6) arranged to cause loss to light propagating in the cavity, the loss being determined by the polarization of light incident upon the polarization selection element; wherein the polarization selection element comprises at least one mirror spaced away from the gain medium (1) and arranged to reflect light at an angle displaced from the normal such that the reflectivity of the at least one mirror is sufficiently polarization dependent that the laser oscillates uni-directionally.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention accelerate at least one special purpose processor, such as a GPU, or a driver managing a special purpose processor, by using at least one co-processor. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention are fault-tolerant in that the at least one GPU or other special purpose processor is able to execute all computations, although perhaps at a lower level of performance, if the at least one co-processor is rendered inoperable. The co-processor may also be used selectively, based on performance considerations.

Abstract: A continuous in situ process of deposition, etching, and deposition is provided for forming a film on a substrate using a plasma process. The etch-back may be performed without separate plasma activation of the etchant gas. The sequence of deposition, etching, and deposition permits features with high aspect ratios to be filled, while the continuity of the process results in improved uniformity.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first atmospheric deposition station and a second atmospheric deposition station. The second atmospheric deposition station comprises an atmospheric pressure vapor deposition chamber. A substrate handling system is adapted to transfer substrates between the first and the second atmospheric deposition stations.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for determining the detection and location of persons and objects using ultrasonic acoustic sensors. The system allows detection of stationary and moving persons and other objects, through atmospheric conditions, to a distance of at least 300 feet. The invention further provides for enhanced signal processing through the use of arrays of transmitters and receivers, where one or more transmitter arrays may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to one or more receiver arrays, allowing high directionality and good rejection of reverberations, background noise, clutter and objects not of interest.

Abstract: A battery monitor is provided for use with a battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery monitor can provide real time battery condition measurements and can selectively control the charging of the battery through an alternator of the vehicle based upon the measured battery condition.

Abstract: A method of depositing a silica glass insulating film over a substrate. In one embodiment the method comprises exposing the substrate to a silicon-containing reactant introduced into a chamber in which the substrate is disposed such that one or more layers of the silicon-containing reactant are adsorbed onto the substrate; purging or evacuating the chamber of the silicon-containing reactant; converting the silicon-containing reactant into a silica glass insulating compound by exposing the substrate to oxygen radicals formed from a second reactant while biasing the substrate to promote a sputtering effect, wherein an average atomic mass of all atomic constituents in the second reactant is less than or equal to an average atomic mass of oxygen; and repeating the exposing, purging/evacuating and exposing sequence a plurality of times until a desired film thickness is reached.

Abstract: A system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The system includes an input that receives an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel. An engine shutdown delay delays shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal. Charge boost circuitry increases a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period.

Abstract: A universal vehicle electric power distribution module employs reconfigurable inputs and outputs enabling use of the same hardware across vehicle lines. The module is scalable for ease of expansion and is capable of handling both low current and high current load management on the same module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The, edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.

Abstract: A system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The system includes an input that receives an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel. An engine shutdown delay delays shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal. Charge boost circuitry increases a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period.

Abstract: In a network consisting of a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, a communication from one terminal to a second terminal is transmitted using a maximal flow algorithm, in which the communication is divided among all the possible paths from the first terminal to the second terminal. Accordingly, greater use is made of lightly loaded links and the demand on heavily loaded links is reduced as the traffic is more evenly distributed across the network, resulting in an overall improvement in network performance.