Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems adapted to aid in a handling of sample containers (e.g., sample containers) in a processing or testing system. The method includes a sequence of motions of gripper fingers and a seater to accomplish a pick and place operation of a sample container where the sample container includes a sticky surface. A sample container positioning system is disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An audio apparatus including a housing and a piezoelectric transducer mounted in the housing so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna. The transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear. The apparatus further including a coupler coupling the transducer to the housing with the coupler approximating to a simple support for the transducer.

Abstract: A method for a client computer to find a network address of a server computer by searching for the network address using at a backup search procedure if the address of the server computer cannot be identified using a primary search procedure. The primary and backup search procedures can be performed in parallel and multiple backup search procedures can be performed to identify the address of the server computer. Alternatively, the primary and backup search procedures can be performed in serial wherein the backup search procedure is performed only when the primary search procedure does not identify the address of the server computer.

Abstract: The improved system provides for selective replication of a subset of a larger central database. A replication structuring utility uses a first textual file to analyze the central database table schema to construct a second textual file representing an ordered list of table and record data element relationships. A client device utilizes this second textual file to determine the subset of the data that should be replicated on a client database. Root objects are defined to inform the second textual file creation and to assist in determining the optimum path through the relational table data. The client device may connect either wired or wirelessly to the central database server.

Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems adapted to aid in a handling of sample containers (e.g., sample containers) in a processing or testing system. The method includes a sequence of motions of gripper fingers and a seater to accomplish a pick and place operation of a sample container where the sample container includes a sticky surface. A sample container positioning system is disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).

Abstract: A salt transmitted by a second node is received at a first node. The received salt is used to decrypt encrypted data. Optionally, authorization to access a service provided by the second node is received by the first node. In some cases the service includes access to one or more files.

Abstract: An inertial force transducer having an operative frequency range comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range of the transducer and a coupler for mounting the resonant element to a site to which force is to be applied. The resonant element is a piezoelectric device comprising a layer of piezoelectric material and a substrate layer on the layer of piezoelectric material. The substrate layer has a region extending beyond the piezoelectric layer, with the coupler mounted to the extended region whereby the low frequency performance of the transducer is extended.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a modular inter-unit transmitter/receiver for a portable audio device such as an MP3 player, a handheld device for playback of audio signals, a telephone, etc. More particularly, the unit is configured for an audio player device to enable the player device for wireless transmission and reception of audio signals. In one aspect, a communication means connects the modular audio unit to the audio player device. The device further comprises a switch in which a user of the audio player device can select to play audio signals received from an inter-unit transmitter/receiver or from the audio player device. The switch further enables the user to select whether to play the audio signal on the audio player device or to play the audio signal while transmitting the signal to a compatible device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access of a mobile audio device to a cluster of compatible devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method to establish communications between a portable audio player and one or more audio players within a cluster. By way of example, users can use identifiers and matching to decide whether to accept or reject a requesting audio player to join the cluster. Further, the identifiers may be stored on the audio players for future reference. Also, directional exchange of information can allow a user to visually select members of the cluster. In a further example, a mobile audio device is configured to communicate within a cluster of audio devices. In addition, the broadcasting responsibility can be transferred among members of the group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system and apparatus for playing an audio signal synchronously on a first mobile audio player and at least a second mobile audio player. More particularly, the invention pertains to an audio player device enabled for wireless transmission and reception of an audio signal. In one aspect, a delay enables the audio signal to be played synchronously on the audio player with a second audio player. In another aspect synchronization signals are used to play the audio signal synchronously on the first audio player and the second audio player.

Abstract: A method for storing data in a database. The method uses configuration data defining an entity and a condition associated with the entity. The method comprises processing a plurality of data items, said processing including determining for each data item whether said condition is satisfied by one of said plurality of data items. If said condition is satisfied by one of said plurality of data items, creating an instance of said entity, said entity being associated with said one data item.

Abstract: An electromechanical force transducer comprises at least two adjacent resonant elements and a damping layer coupled between their adjacent faces. The damping layer is selected so that the output is increased in the region of internal cancellation in the transducer. The adjacent resonant elements are beam-like and have substantially the same length. The resonant elements may be supported on a stub of low rotational stiffness whereby the fundamental resonance of the transducer becomes less dependent on bending motion of the transducer and more rigid body-like. The transducer may also include a member for increasing the rotational impedance of the transducer.

Abstract: A salt transmitted by a second node is received at a first node. The received salt is used to decrypt encrypted data. Optionally, authorization to access a service provided by the second node is received by the first node. In some cases the service includes access to one or more files.

Abstract: A base (2) for a disposable pet food container (1) which is provided with a protruding region (12) on a lower surface (11) of the base (2) that is covered with an adhesive layer (13). The adhesive layer (13) allows the container to be adhered to a support surface. As the protruding region (12) preferentially contacts the support surface before the remainder of the lower surface, the bulk of the weight of the container (1) is caused, at least initially, to act through the protruding region (12). This encourages a sufficient contact to be made between the lower surface (11) of the base (2) and the support surface to adhere the container (1) to the support surface without requiring an application of force that is great enough to cause deformation of the container (1). This allows the amount of material that the container (1) is made from to be reduced, decreasing cost and therefore increasing the commercial viability of the container (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack (1) of disposable pet food containers with each container in the stack (1) above the bottom most container (19) in the stack (1) comprising a lower surface which is provided with an adhesive layer. Each container in the stack above the bottom most container (19) in the stack (1) are respectively adhered to a container below it in the stack through an adhesive layer provided on a lower surface of the container. The containers above the bottom most container (19) in the stack (1) are arranged such that when one of said containers is removed from the stack (1) the adhesive provided on the lower surface of the container is exposed and is in a ready state to adhere the container to a support surface upon placing the container on the support surface.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a modular inter-unit transmitter/receiver for a portable audio device such as an MP3 player, a handheld device for playback of audio signals, a telephone, etc. More particularly, the unit is configured for an audio player device to enable the player device for wireless transmission and reception of audio signals. In one aspect, a communication means connects the modular audio unit to the audio player device. The device further comprises a switch in which a user of the audio player device can select to play audio signals received from an inter-unit transmitter/receiver or from the audio player device. The switch further enables the user to select whether to play the audio signal on the audio player device or to play the audio signal while transmitting the signal to a compatible device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system and apparatus for playing an audio signal synchronously on a first mobile audio player and at least a second mobile audio player. More particularly, the invention pertains to an audio player device enabled for wireless transmission and reception of an audio signal. In one aspect, a delay enables the audio signal to be played synchronously on the audio player with a second audio player. In another aspect synchronization signals are used to play the audio signal synchronously on the first audio player and the second audio player.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for enabling communication and music transfer within a cluster of mobile audio playback devices. In one aspect, a method is disclosed for maintaining physical proximity between devices with a cluster of devices to enable audio signal transmission and communication between devices. In another aspect, a method is disclosed by which a member of a cluster can make a request for a music selection to be played within the cluster. In another aspect, an audio entertainment device is enabled for music transmission and reception within the cluster of devices coincident with communication and exchange of dynamic information.