Abstract: A method for measuring soil in a wash liquor or other soil-containing liquid medium, the method comprising: a) a soil sensing step wherein the soil-containing liquid medium is contacted with a plurality of fuzzy-correlated soil-sensing means, each responsive to a distinct physico-chemical soil characteristic and providing one or more soil parameter measurements corresponding thereto; b) a data processing step wherein the soil parameter measurements for each sensing means are entered as input data into a model algorithm defined on the basis of an algorithm dataset comprising experimental or consumer-generated soil parameter and soil concentration information and which functions to generate predicted soil data of enhanced confidence level; and c) a communication step wherein one or more signals dependent upon the predicted soil data is issued to an output device, data store, user interface, data processor, or an appliance director or module.

Abstract: 3-OST-5 proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. Recombinant host cells, recombinant nucleic acids and recombinant proteins are also disclosed, along with methods of producing each. Isolated and purified antibodies to 3-OST-5 homologs, and methods of producing the same, are also disclosed. 3OST-5 gene products have biological activity in specific heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase reactions. These reactions provide unique modified heparan sulfate. Thus, therapeutic methods involving this activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing circuit switched and packet switched resources are disclosed. A voice communication system configured for routing calls from multiple users to circuit switched or packet switched resources generally comprises a hub in communication with at least one circuit switched channel, at least one packet switched channel, and a plurality of user devices. The system further includes a controller operable to select the circuit switched channel or the packet switched channel for connection with one of the user devices when a call is placed to or from the user device and a routing device operable to route the call from the user device to the selected channel.

Abstract: A method for cleaning within a washing zone comprising: placing at least one article for treatment in the washing zone, providing of at least partially deionized water into the washing zone, and optionally providing cleaning composition into the washing zone wherein the combination of said optional cleaning composition and partial deionized water have a specific conductance of less than about 200 ?S/cm.

Abstract: A composition for cleaning with a washing system comprising from about 15% to about 75% of at least one surfactant; from about 0.01% to about 10% of at least one enzyme; less than about 1% builder, and less than about 1% chelant.

Abstract: A fiber optic transceiver (37) is adapted for use in transmitting and receiving optical signals in a fiber-optic network (30). The improved transceiver comprising: a multi-mode optical fiber (36) having a longitudinal axis (x-x) and having a proximal end (35). The fiber is adapted to convey optical signals in either direction therealong. A photodetector (32) is arranged in longitudinally-spaced relation to the fiber proximal end. The photodetector has a sensitive surface (34) operatively arranged to receive light energy exiting the fiber through the proximal end. A light source (31) is arranged between the fiber proximal end and the photodetector surface. The light source is arranged to selective emit light energy into the fiber through the proximal end.

Abstract: A washing system for use in cleaning or washing a substrate comprising: a washing zone capable of containing a substrate; and a water-softening zone.

Abstract: A washing system for use in cleaning or washing a soiled substrate or substrates, the system comprising: a. a washing zone for contacting and washing the soiled substrate with wash liquor; b. a feed supply for providing hot or cold feed water to the washing zone; c. a wash liquor cleanup and recycle zone in fluid communication with the washing zone d. an effluent storage and/or discharge zone; and optionally one or more of e. a product dispensing zone; f. means for sonically or ultrasonically treating the soiled substrate in the washing zone or in a washing pre-treatment zone; g. an electrolysis zone for electrolysing the feed water or wash liquor; h. a wash liquor disinfection zone; and i. a feed water softening zone; The wash liquor cleanup and recycle zone preferably comprises an ultrafiltration or microfiltration device having a cut-off in the range from about 1000 Daltons to about 1 ?m, preferably from about 0.05 ?m to about 0.

Abstract: A washing system for cleaning within a washing zone comprising at least one inlet capable of fluid communication with a feed water; at least one treatment zone in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, said at least one treatment zone comprising a water softening zone, an electrolysis zone, a dosing zone and combinations thereof; and at least one outlet in fluid communication the at least treatment zone capable of being in fluid communication with a washing zone.

Abstract: A data reader and method for data reading, such as a barcode scanner, wherein the scan pattern generating optics and other features are optimized for different modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, different patterns are projected from different apertures in the scanner housing, one scan pattern optimized for handheld operation and the other optimized for fixed operation. Other optimizable features include the presence or absence of an aiming beam, which may be generated from the same laser source as the scan pattern or from another source, and enabling or disabling decoding of the signal received signal during a portion of a facet wheel rotation. Decoding may be disabled while the scan line(s) for handheld use is generated unless a switch or trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive and predictive analysis of sensor readings to track documents in a document processing system. The system comprises: a plurality of sensors for sensing a document, wherein each sensor includes an associated filtering system for filtering sensor readings, and a performance tracking system for collecting performance data; and a control system that and adjusts filtering characteristics of the filtering system based on the collected performance data. In addition, a correlation system is provided for using data from at least one upstream sensor to interpret an ambiguous downstream sensor signal.

Abstract: Methodologies and systems to compare images with different levels of contrast are provided. Contrast is normalized between the images with different contrast levels and brightness is set. When normalizing contrast a derivative of gray level is determined for a first digital image having a first contrast level, and a derivative of gray level is determined for a second digital image having a second contrast level that is greater than the first contrast level. A ratio of the derivative of gray level for the first digital image to the derivative of gray level for the second digital image is determined, and the derivative of gray level for the first digital image is equalized with the derivative of gray level for the second digital image. Brightness of at least one image may be set automatically, such as by calculating an average pixel value excluding background and text, or manually.

Abstract: A peripheral interface device that is adaptable into a computer system and which provides a communication interface for a plurality of external devices. The peripheral interface device comprises: a plurality of transfer control logic (TCL) modules, wherein each TCL module provides a dedicated interface for an associated one of the external devices, and wherein multiple TCL modules can communicate in parallel with their associated external devices; and a dual port memory (DPM) device that is in communication with an input/output bus of the computer system, wherein the DPM device can selectively communicate with each of the plurality of TCL modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for extending a dynamic range of an X-ray imaging system. The method includes the steps of detecting a plurality of X-ray beams, amplifying each of the plurality of detected X-ray beams using a first gain value, amplifying each of the plurality of detected X-ray beams using a second gain value, and forming an X-ray image from the detected X-ray beams amplified by the first gain value and from the detected X-ray beams amplified by the second gain value.

Abstract: A wireless, multi-purpose functional electrical stimulation (FES) system 10 includes a plurality of implantable stimulator units 12. Each unit 12 is implanted, in use, at a particular site in a patient's body 14 for stimulating and/or monitoring that site. Each stimulator unit 12 includes a power source and a programmable microcontroller for controlling stimulation at its associated site. Each stimulator unit 12 further has a plurality of implantable transducer elements 22 connected to and in communication with the microcontroller. At least certain of the transducer elements 22operate as stimulating electrodes. A controller 16 is arranged, in use, externally of the patient's body 14 for supplying programming and control signals transcutaneously to each of the stimulator units 12 independently to effect stimulation of the site associated with the stimulator unit 12 being addressed at that time by the controller 16.

Abstract: A multi-purpose FES system includes a multi-function, implantable stimulator for stimulating different sites in a patient's body. The stimulator includes a control unit and a receiving device. The stimulator further has a plurality of bundles of electric leads connected to the control unit, each lead terminating in at least one electrode to provide a plurality of discrete groups of electrodes associated with each site. Each group of electrodes is operable to stimulate its associated site in the patient's body, under the action of stimulation signals from the control unit, the control unit receiving signals from the receiving device. A transmitter is arranged externally of the patient's body for supplying signals transcutaneously to the receiving device of the stimulator. A controller is in communication with the transmitter via a communications interface unit.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, functional electrical stimulation (FES) system 10 includes an implantable stimulator unit 12 for stimulating a plurality of different sites in a patient's body 14. A transmitter 20 is arranged externally of the patient's body 14 for supplying signals transcutaneously to the stimulator unit 12. A controller 16 is in communication with the transmitter 20. At least one implantable switching node 26 has an input terminal 30 in electrical communication with the stimulator unit 12 and a plurality of output terminals to each of which one of a further switching node 26 and a stimulating element 24 is connected. The switching node 26 including addressing circuitry 44 for switching at least one output terminal into electrical connection with the input terminal 30 of the switching node 26 in response to a control signal received from the controller 16 via the stimulator unit 12.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, implantable stimulator for use in an FES system includes a housing, implantable into a patient's body. The housing contains a receiving device and a control unit, the control unit receiving signals from the receiving device which, in turn, receives signals transcutaneously from a controller arranged externally of the patient's body. A plurality of leads extend from the housing, the leads being arranged in separate bundles of discrete leads, each bundle being associated with a particular site of the patient's body.

Abstract: A method for measuring soil in a wash liquor or other soil-containing liquid medium, the method comprising:

Abstract: An improved mousepad (100) includes a telephone integrated therewith. A keypad (108) for the telephone is disposed beneath a mylar layer (130). The keypad (108) includes a plurality of capacitive switches (108a, 108b) disposed just beneath the mylar layer. In a mousepad mode, a mouse may be moved around the surface of the mylar in the standard fashion. In a telephone mode, the user may activate the keypad (108) by pressing the buttons which are viewable beneath the mylar.