Abstract: A method for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original image for display on a display surface, the method comprising: establishing a lens for the region-of-interest, the lens having a focal region with a magnification for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region across which the magnification varies to provide a continuous transition from the focal region to regions outside the lens; receiving a first signal for selecting the shoulder region; while receiving the first signal, receiving a second signal for selecting the focal region and for adjusting a position of the focal region relative to the shoulder region to define a degree and a direction of a folding of the focal region over the shoulder region for the lens; and, applying the lens to the original image to produce the presentation.

Abstract: A version control system for managing versioned files comprises a central server storing a repository of the versioned files. At least one proxy is connected to the central server. Each proxy includes a read-only cache for storing data from the repository. At least one client is connected to each of the proxies. Modifications to the versioned files may only be made by the central server.

Abstract: A reliable, cost effective system and method are disclosed for exchanging fluid-filtration filters associated with electrical discharge machines (EDMs) and other applications. The basic system comprises a housing to receive the filter, the housing having a top that opens and a bottom cap with an interior inlet fitting coupled to a supply line carrying fluid to be filtered. A pair of opposing swing arms, each having one end pivotally connected to a filter cabinet or other suitable base and another end pivotally connected to an opposing side of the housing, facilitate a first state, wherein the housing and filter are vertically oriented with the bottom opening of the filter sealed against the fitting for filtering operation, and a second state, wherein the housing is pivoted such that the top is oriented downwardly allowing the filter to disengage from the fitting and slide out of the housing.

Abstract: In an implementation, an appearance of lens is displayed on a display device for a selected region of an image to magnify the selected region of the image in comparison with a portion of the image outside of the appearance of the lens. A zoomed-in view of the image is displayed on the display device by increasing magnification of the portion of the image outside the appearance of the lens successively as an animation until the magnification of the portion of the image outside of the appearance of the lens corresponds with the magnification of the selected region of the image within the appearance of the lens, at which point the appearance of the lens is no longer displayed.

Abstract: A system allowing a user of a browser program on a computer connected to an open distributed hypermedia system to access and execute an embedded program object. The program object is embedded into a hypermedia document much like data objects. The user may select the program object from the screen. Once selected the program object executes on the user's (client) computer or may execute on a remote server or additional remote computers in a distributed processing arrangement. After launching the program object, the user is able to interact with the object as the invention provides for ongoing interprocess communication between the application object (program) and the browser program. One application of the embedded program object allows a user to view large and complex multi-dimensional objects from within the browser's window. The user can manipulate a control panel to change the viewpoint used to view the image.

Abstract: An improved battery construction for increasing the life of a storage battery by providing a lid addition integral with the battery case or jar which will condense escaping dielectric fluid and cause the condensed liquid to return to the main supply of dielectric fluid.

Abstract: A method for removing inert solids from low-yield wastewater treatment processes. The method includes combining wastewater with bacteria-laden sludge in a mainstream reactor to form a mixed liquor, separating the mixed liquor into a clear effluent and activated sludge, returning a first portion of activated sludge to the mainstream reactor, treating a second portion of activated sludge in a sidestream bioreactor prior to returning the second portion of activated sludge to the mainstream reactor, and employing a screening device within the wastewater treatment process to remove inert solids.

Abstract: A method for presenting applications on a display screen, comprising: displaying a first presentation on the display screen, the first presentation including two or more icons; receiving a signal indicative of an icon, the icon being one of the two or more icons, the icon having an application associated therewith; initiating the application, the application having information associated therewith; generating a second presentation, the second presentation having a first area for presenting the information at least partially surrounded by a second area for presenting reduced-size versions of the two or more icons other than the icon; and, displaying the second presentation on the display screen to replace display of the first presentation.

Abstract: A method for navigating a computer generated original image presented on a display screen, comprising: displaying a first region of the original image; distorting the original image to produce a presentation having a distorted region for the first region and displaying the presentation; receiving a signal from a user to select a second region of the original image through the presentation; and, displaying the second region.

Abstract: A method for presenting advertisement images on a display screen, comprising: subdividing a map image into a plurality of geographic regions; associating a first advertisement image with a first region and a second advertisement image with a second region, the first and second regions being ones of the plurality of geographic regions; receiving a signal indicative of a region-of-interest, the region-of-interest being another of the plurality of geographic regions; selecting an advertisement image for the region-of-interest from among the first and second advertisement images; generating a presentation of the region-of-interest, the presentation including a view of the advertisement image; and, displaying the presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: A modular system for enabling a distribution of fluids, including a plurality of individual fluid path blocks that can be joined to substrate plates and component interfacing blocks to form gas sticks and gas panels. Each gas path block will have a fluid passageway with an entrance port and exit port accessing a common surface. Active components are mounted to the interfacing blocks, with each gas path block extending and interconnecting across immediately adjacent components in a stick or immediately adjacent sticks. Alignment features are provided to ensure that entrance and exit ports are accurately positioned to facilitate sealing.

Abstract: The ring seal and retainer assembly includes an annularly shaped ring seal defining a radial inner surface, a radial outer surface, first and second axial end surfaces and a central bore for fluid or gas passage. A retainer is provided for affixing and positioning a ring seal in a sealing assembly. The retainer includes a circular sidewall sized and positioned to engage and cover the ring seal's radial outer surface. The retainer includes an arcuate flange which extends at one of the retainer's axial extremities to form a concave interior and a convex exterior. Preferably, the arcuate flange extends outwardly to increase the retainer's radius and the arcuate flange is sized to compressibly engage the interior sidewall of the component block's counterbore.

Abstract: A method for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an image of a scene. The method includes the steps of capturing the image of the scene with a first camera and displaying the image of the scene on a display screen; selecting the region-of-interest within the image of the scene with a cursor and a pointing device; controlling a second camera to capture an image of a region of the scene corresponding to the region-of-interest; inserting the image of the region into the region-of-interest in the image of the scene to generate the presentation; and, displaying the presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: A case has a center support and an open top. A central wall forms first and second major chambers with an aperture there between. The case has a pair of butterfly doors forming minor chambers. Hinges couple the butterfly doors to the central support adjacent to the top. A sealing assembly is an injection molded, one piece seal formed of first and second sealing rings joined together along an intermediate extent. An annular recess is formed in the case at the open top around each major chamber. The recesses receive and support the sealing rings. Recipient regions are provided in the butterfly doors around the minor chambers for contacting the sealing rings when the butterfly doors are in the closed orientation. A handle assembly has a handle and depending components. The depending components include a projection with keyways. A recipient sleeve supports the projection. The handle assembly has keys in the aperture of the center support.

Abstract: An interconnection assembly for the transport of a fluid between an external fluidic means and a mounting block of a modular fluid distribution system, comprising: a cylindrical cavity formed through a face of the mounting block; a cylindrical flow element, a fluid passage formed therethrough, at least one retaining groove being formed on the outer surface; a retaining means; wherein the cylindrical flow element is inserted into the cylindrical cavity, the annular sealing means being compressed, the annular sealing means forming a hermetic seal between the fluid passage and the fluid port, the retaining means engaging retaining groove, the retaining means being braced against the mounting block; and wherein said fluid is transported between said external fluidic component and said mounting block via said cylindrical flow element.

Abstract: A system is provided for touching up a chipped and scratched painted surface by applying a solvent solution to the surface, applying a selected touch-up paint, and removing a portion of the applied touch-up paint from the painted surface. The removing step includes applying a wax and solvent mixture (e.g., about 40% wax and about 60% naphtha) and then removing a residue of wax and paint by substantially immediately wiping the painted surface with a cloth. The solvent solution may include naphtha. The touch-up paint may have a tone substantially the same as the tone of the painted surface and is slightly darker than the painted surface.

Abstract: A reliable, cost effective system and method are disclosed for exchanging fluid-filtration filters associated with electrical discharge machines (EDMs) and other applications. The system is compatible with filters of the type receiving fluid to be filtered from the inside out. The basic system comprises a housing to receive the filter, the housing having a top that opens and a bottom cap with an interior inlet fitting coupled to a supply line carrying fluid to be filtered. A pair of opposing swing arms, each having one end pivotally connected to a filter cabinet or other suitable base and another end pivotally connected to an opposing side of the housing, facilitate a first state, wherein the housing and filter are vertically oriented with the bottom opening of the filter sealed against the fitting for filtering operation, and a second state, wherein the housing is pivoted such that the top is oriented downwardly allowing the filter to disengage from the fitting and slide out of the housing.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to the use of a novel competitive exclusion bacterial composition to prevent or reduce Salmonella or Campylobacter colonization in poultry.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for validating RFID tag data prior to encoding the data onto an RFID tag, utilizing at least one computing device separate from an RFID encoder. An embodiment of the present invention describes a method of receiving RFID tag data at a computing device, validating that data in compliance with an RFID format, such as the EPC Global standard, and sending the validated data to an RFID encoder. An alternative embodiment provides a method for receiving RFID tag data at a computing device configured for verifying the data, and if the data is not valid, returning an informative error message to a user indicating the component of the data that was invalid and how the error can be corrected. A further embodiment provides a method for allowing a user to correct the RFID tag data and re-validate the data.