Abstract: An MRI system is presented utilizing a magnetic assembly of a kind which, when accommodated within a primary static reasonably homogeneous magnetic field created by the MRI system affects the static magnetic field to cause creation of a region of substantial non-homogeneity of the static magnetic field in the vicinity of the magnetic assembly. By this, a local static field gradient is created. The magnetic assembly comprises a passive magnetic element, which deforms a pattern of the static magnetic field, while not being a magnetic field source by to itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of compressing the forwarding decision for a frame within a network device. A forwarding decision is compressed yielding a forwarding pointer that occupies far less memory space than the corresponding output port vector. The compressed forwarding pointers are stored in a forwarding table that is accessed using a hash function. A forwarding CAM is used to resolve conflicts in the hash table. The output port vectors are stored in an output port vector table that comprises a relatively small number of possible combinations of the port vector. A forwarding decision is made for each received frame by a forwarding processor in the device. The forwarding decision is represented by a compressed forwarding pointer that is stored in a table and associated with the received frame. At some later point in time, the frame is output to one or more destination ports in accordance with a corresponding output port vector.

Abstract: An attention manager presents information to a person in the vicinity of a display device in a manner that engages at least the peripheral attention of the person. The information is embodied by one or more sets of content data (e.g., video or audio data). Each set of content data is formulated by a content provider and made available for use by content display systems. Upon appropriate activation, each content display system displays images corresponding to the sets of content data in accordance with predetermined scheduling information. The attention manager makes use of “unused capacity” of the display device and the person's attention, providing information to the person that the person might not otherwise expend adequate energy to obtain.

Abstract: Broadband multimedia system including a communication bus, a router, connected to the communication bus and further between a plurality of media sources and a plurality of network transmitters, a session manager, connected to communication bus, where the session manager provides routing instructions to the router, for directing data received from the media sources to the network transmitters for transmitting over a broadband network.

Abstract: A device and method for performing NMR measurements and imaging in a surrounding medium are presented. The method utilizes the detection of magnetic resonance signals from within at least one region of a primary, substantially non-homogeneous, external magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of providing high quality multimedia communications between end users uses an ATM-ADSL access system, which provides 6 megabits per second downstream and 640 kilobits per second upstream multimedia signal in conjunction with a multicasting feature. An end user can receive multiple video/audio streams downstream while the end user's video/audio is transmitted upstream to the multicast network and is multicast to the end points.

Abstract: A system for supporting a vehicle frame, preferably of a forklift, on a base surface includes a pair of linkages attached to the frame. Each linkage includes a base link having a first end attached to the frame and a second end. A contact link is rotatably attached to the base link second end and has a contact surface engageable with the base surface. A drive link has a first end connected with the frame and a second end connected with the contact link. The drive link is configured to move the contact link in a first direction, such that the contact surface moves into engagement with the base surface, and alternatively in a second direction such that the contact surface moves generally away from the base surface. The drive link has a first portion connected with the frame and including the drive link first end and a second portion connected with the contact link and including the drive link second end.

Abstract: A system for intercepting targets having predictable flight trajectory, the system comprising a platform carrying an interceptor missile which includes a seeker unit, propulsion system steering system and destruction capability system, all communicating with a processor device. The processor device is further coupled to a data link for communicating with the platform.

Abstract: An agglomerate and a process for its manufacture by providing a dry particulated fibrous organic material, mixing it with a powdered mineral to obtain a first mixture, adding a binding agent to the first mixture to obtain a second mixture, agglomerating the second mixture in an agglomeration dish and drying the agglomerate to a desired dried state.

Abstract: In a multicast capable IP network implemented over an ATM network, each client terminal on a multimedia conference, for each media type it transmits, is assigned a multicast IP address and a port number (together known as a socket) on which to transmit packets, wherein each assigned multicast IP address is unique and different than the multicast IP address assigned to any other client for any media type. Each client terminal then selects, for each media type, which clients on the conference it wants to receive packets from. Only packets that are in fact requested by a client are routed over the multicast IP network to the requesting client. A single special purpose Multicast Address Resolution System (MARS) server is associated with the conference when the conference is established.

Abstract: An autoclave type sterilization device which includes an autoclave sterilization chamber with an electrical heating arrangement mounted thereon. This electrical heating arrangement employs one or more positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors as heating elements. These heating elements are in direct thermal and electrical contact on opposing sides, which are coated with a conductive metal such as aluminum, with electrodes to supply electrical current. These electrodes are, in turn, in direct thermal contact on their outward-facing sides with respect to the heating elements with plates which are formed of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating ceramic material such as AL.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the plates are in direct thermal contact on their outward-facing sides with respect to the heating elements with heat radiation units which include heat transfer portions which are fabricated to engage and are in direct thermal contact with a portion of the wall of the autoclave chamber.

Abstract: A fuel line petcock valve including a handle which may be oriented in one of several positions so as to orient the inlet and outlet of the petcock valve to conform to different motorcycle fuel systems and to provide a full shut, full open and intermediate position for permitting reserve fuel to be transferred to the valve.

Abstract: A device for removing unwanted hair, including a hair-plucking assembly and a vibrating assembly adjacent the hair-plucking assembly, wherein the device removes hair by uprooting it while vibrating the skin to minimize discomfort.

Abstract: A computer input system and method is described which includes a spatial reference member having a body with a first surface and an opposing second surface. The spatial reference member separates a first spatial region including the first surface from a second spatial region including the second surface. A physical object is movable within the first spatial region. Optical indicia tracks the physical object through the body. The optical indicia is observable from the second spatial region. An optical detector positioned in the second spatial region tracks the optical indicia and develops signals which may serve as inputs to a computer. The object may emit a signal which is tracked by the optical detector.

Abstract: A switch monitoring system including at least one bus having a plurality of switching ports, wherein a multiplicity of data portions travel over the bus, each of the data portions having at least one destination. The system also includes a plurality of workstations connected to the plurality of switching ports, and a data collection device operative to collect at least one of the data portions from the at least one bus which data portion is being transmitted along the at least one bus to at least one destination including at least one destination other than the data collection device.

Abstract: An attention manager presents information to a person in the vicinity of a display device in a manner that engages at least the peripheral attention of the person. The information is embodied by one or more sets of content data (e.g., video or audio data). Each set of content data is formulated by a content provider and made available for use by content display systems. Upon appropriate activation, each content display system displays images corresponding to the sets of content data in accordance with predetermined scheduling information. The attention manager makes use of "unused capacity" of the display device and the person's attention, providing information to the person that the person might not otherwise expend adequate energy to obtain.

Abstract: An agglomerate and a process for its manufacture by providing a dry particulated fibrous organic material, mixing it with a powdered mineral to obtain a first mixture, adding a binding agent to the first mixture to obtain a second mixture, agglomerating the second mixture in an agglomeration dish and drying the agglomerate to a desired dried state.

Abstract: In a multicast capable IP network, each client terminal on a multimedia conference, for each media type it transmits, is assigned a multicast IP address and a port number (together known as a socket) on which to transmit packets, wherein each assigned multicast IP address is unique and different than the multicast IP address assigned to any other client for any media type. Each client terminal then selects, for each media type, which clients on the conference it wants to receive packets from. Only packets that are in fact requested by a client are routed over the multicast IP network to the requesting client. When a conference originator establishes the conference, a number of multicast IP addresses are allocated for later assignment to the clients during the conference. As each client joins the conference, it is assigned a multicast IP address from the allocated group for each media type it will transmit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an air conditioning system including at least first and second compressors, at least first and second heat exchangers associated respectively with the at least first and second compressors, at least third and fourth heat exchangers in refrigerant fluid communication respectively with the at least first and second heat exchangers, the at least third and fourth heat exchangers also being in heat exchange communication with a stream of air to be conditioned, an air flow pathway arranged to receive the stream of air downstream of the third and fourth heat exchangers and to direct it to a plurality of enclosures via a plurality of air outlets, and a control system operative to selectably operate the at least first and second compressors, such that none, all or some of the at least first and second compressors operate at a given time.