Abstract: A feature provided by a navigation system or other device whereby additional information about roadside signs can be provided to a driver of a vehicle while travelling along a road. The additional information may be provided automatically or in response to a request from the driver. The additional information may include a translation of the sign text into a selected language, supplementary information about the subject matter of the sign, commercial information about the subject matter of the sign, or other kinds of information. In one embodiment, the additional information is contained in a database that includes data identifying locations of roadside signs and additional information about the roadside signs. Programming in the navigation system or other device determines the location of the vehicle, uses the database to identify one or more roadside signs close to the location of the vehicle, and provides the driver with the additional information about the one or more roadside signs via a user interface.

Abstract: An improved propeller shaft includes first and second ends affixable to a Mono-Block High Speed Fixed Joint and a Plunging Type VL Constant Velocity Joint, respectively. The first and second ends are separated by a connecting tube. The Plunging Joint functions to allow the engine and the power take-off unit to move without causing the connecting tube to move and to further allow the engine to move backwards in the first moments of impact.

Abstract: An improved propeller shaft assembly includes a first constant velocity joint, a second constant velocity joint, and a propeller shaft having a first end including a corresponding first flange adapted to receive and be operatively coupled with the first constant velocity joint, and a second end including a corresponding second flange adapted to receive and be operatively coupled with the second constant velocity joint, wherein the second flange is not adapted to receive the first constant velocity joint thereby preventing improper installation of the propeller shaft in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A crash optimized propeller shaft includes a swaged tube to connect ends having disparate diameters. The variable diameter tube creates a stress concentration zone which allows the shaft to collapse or buckle in a controlled and predictable manner in response to predetermined loads.

Abstract: A crash optimized bracket for removably affixing a propeller shaft to a motor vehicle. The bracket includes an elongated member having a plurality of weakened slots to allow the bracket and the propeller shaft to tear from the vehicle upon impact in a controlled and predictable manner in response to predetermined loads.

Abstract: A flexible propeller shaft coupling affixes a propeller shaft to a drive line module or component. The coupling includes a flexible annular member having a plurality of recesses disposed about a common axis for receiving respective retention members and a plurality of bosses disposed about the common axis adapted to mate with a driveline module flange. A retaining member connects the coupling to the propeller shaft and the drive line module flange. The retaining member prevents the propeller shaft from decoupling from the vehicle in the event of a joint or fastener failure.

Abstract: A Switch Fabric system comprising at least one Switch Fabric subsystem (100, 200) further including a set of Switch cores elements (111, 112, 121, 122) that are mounted in a port expansion permitting attachment of at least a first and second sets of Protocol Adapters (1, 2) under a routing control process. A Primary Switch controller (PSC) has a complete knowledge of the topology of the switch, e.g., the number of subsystems, the nature of the port expansion etc., while each Secondary Switch Controller only has a limited knowledge of that topology. One particular Switch Core (111, 211) which has a full-duplex communication capability in each Subsystem is assigned the key function to interface communication between the PSC and the other SSC in a same Switch Fabric Subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention essentially comprises a phosphorescent paving block having a paving base, and a phosphorescent material in contact with the paving base. Additionally the paving block can also have a light-transmitting cover and a light-transmitting base on either side of the phosphorescent material to form a laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for positioning an implant at a target location in the body. The methods include testing an implant while within an injection device at a target location to determine whether the implant is functioning effectively. The methods also include testing from or delivery of materials to the target location during implantation, and loading the injection device for use. The device may be configured to permit the longitudinal and/or axial position of the implant to be maintained relative to an injection device during implantation. The device may also be configured to permit testing of the implant. The invention also may include implants configured for use in the injection devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for positioning an implant at a target location in the body. The methods include testing an implant while within an injection device at a target location to determine whether the implant is functioning effectively. The methods also include testing from or delivery of materials to the target location during implantation, and loading the injection device for use. The device may be configured to permit the longitudinal and/or axial position of the implant to be maintained relative to an injection device during implantation. The device may also be configured to permit testing of the implant. The invention also may include implants configured for use in the injection devices.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephony and high speed data access over a broadband access network, comprising a network interface unit (NIU) coupled to a backup local exchange carrier (LEC) line, the broadband access network coupled to the NIU, an intermediate point-of-presence (IPOP) coupled to the broadband access network, and at least one external access network coupled to the IPOP. The system also provides for a fail-safe mode in which the NIU supports the LEC line for lifeline services.

Abstract: A business entity creates a real estate investment trust. The trust issues shares of preferred stock, each of which is associated with either a forward purchase contract obligating the holder to purchase common stock of business entity at a predetermined future time, or a warrant to purchase common stock. The preferred stock of the trust may be exchangeable for capital stock of the business entity upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. In this way the entity is able to insert capital with significant equity characteristics into its capital structure, and in the case of a financial institution, can provide favorable regulatory treatment of the capital that is raised.

Abstract: An accessible electronic system is provided for storing old and new electronic identifiers and for searching and matching the new and old electronic identifiers of an entity. The electronic system creates a bridge from the old to the new electronic identifiers. During a registration process a registrant may provide the system with a preferred electronic identifier in addition to a series of functional and/or non-functional electronic identifiers. During a searching process, if the searcher provides the system with any of the electronic identifiers provided to the system by the registrant, the system will return the preferred electronic identifier of the registrant.

Abstract: An implantation device having a reservoir for holding a solid or semisolid implant and a carrier fluid, wherein the reservoir includes a cannula. The cannula has a tip end and a delivery opening therein both shaped and dimensioned to suit the application. For example, an implant (such as a retinal cell graft) and suitable carrier fluid (such as an aqueous hyaluronic acid solution) can be expressed from the opening into the subretinal space of a recipient eye, provided the cannula is of sufficient length that the tip end can reach the subretinal space while the remainder of the fluid reservoir is external of the eye. Expression of the carrier fluid from the reservoir via the delivery opening expels the implant through the delivery opening. An electromechanically driven plunger apparatus with operator controls is provided in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A canine waste collection device comprising a handle and a frame member, connected to one end of the handle, wherein the frame member comprises a slotted member for insertably receiving and securing a portion of the disposable paper element, and wherein the frame member is configured for foldably receiving the disposable paper element to form a pouch for receiving waste.

Abstract: The e method of the invention consists of carrying out:

Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the heart surface. The elongated body is adapted for insertion between a pericardium and an epicardial surface. At least a portion of the body may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape adapted to retain the body orientation between the pericardium and the epicardial surface.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods and devices for the long term, in vitroculture of hematopoietic progenitor cells in the absence of exogenously added hematopoietic growth factors, improved methods for the introduction of foreign genetic material into cells of hematopoietic origin, and to apparatus for performing these methods. The hematopoietic progenitor cells are cultured on a three-dimensional porous biomaterial. The three-dimensional porous biomaterial enhances hematopoietic progenitor cell survival and leads to an expansion of progenitor cell numbers and/or functionality, while maintaining progenitor cell pluripotency in the absence of exogenous growth factors. In addition, the three-dimensional porous biomaterial supports high level transduction on cells cultured upon such environment.

Abstract: A method of producing microbore holes in a multi-layer substrate (5), preferably a printed circuit board substrate, that is displaced below writing optics (4) by an XY stage (6), using the optics to generate a spot from a light source (1), preferably a laser. The method reduces the treatment time and preferably compensates for distortions in the substrate material. To this end, the position of the spot within a working field is changed simultaneously with the treatment positions by electronically controlled, movable mirrors. The position of the substrate is determined by an interferometer (9, 11), and the signals corresponding to the substrate position are processed by a suitable computer system (16) to obtain an actual position of the table system. The computer system (16) is preferably provided with all bore hole coordinates and additional information such as bore hole diameter, especially in tabular form.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting address data for a geographic database are disclosed. Data are collected using a plurality of end users' navigation systems. The data indicate a location at which a trip by a vehicle in which a navigation system is located ended and a desired destination entered into the navigation system by an end user prior thereto. These data are received in a data collection facility that statistically analyzes the data and uses the data to update a geographic database.