Abstract: A monitoring apparatus has a first illumination path (LS1, L1, RG1, C5, L3, C1, 27) for structured illumination, a second illumination path (LS2, L2, C2, C5, L3, C1, 27) for uniform illumination, and a third illumination path (LS3, RG2, C3, C2, C5, L3, C1, 27) for off-axis laser illumination. All illumination is focused onto the back focal plane of the objective, that from the third path being off-axis for out-of-plane Moiré analysis. The controller has a range of programmed modes of operation for one or combinations of in-plane Moiré, out-of-plane Moiré, and image correlation analysis.

Abstract: An NMDA antagonist (such as ketamine) is administered with a safener (such as clonidine) in patients suffering from neurologic disorders other than pain. The ketamine is adminsitered at a dosage that causes slurred speech, for a span of several days. This treatment enables a patient's nervous system to return to a healthy “set point”, also called an improved stable neural homeostasis, in a manner similar to a broken bone healing itself if protected from jostling and reinjury by a cast. In at least some patients, this treatment can ease problems such as addictions to illegal or pain-killing drugs, nicotine, or alcohol, compulsive or criminal behavioral problems, severe depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, phobias, etc. It may also provide some relief in some patients for problems such as chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivities, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes.

Abstract: A modulation spectroscopy system (1) directs a probe beam (11) onto a sample (10), the reflected probe beam being collected by a collector (7) and processed by a detector (8). A pump beam generated by a source (4, 5) directs a pump beam (13) onto the sample at the same spot as the probe beam. However, it also switches the pump beam via a path (14) onto an adjacent location not overlapping the probe spot. This is referred to as spatial modulation. A cylindrical lens (16) in the collection subsystem (7) collects reflected light including luminescence from both pump beam spots simultaneously, so that the luminescence becomes a d.c. signal which can be easily eliminated, including means from the modulator for varying pump beam intensities and positions. This provides means to reject the unwanted background luminescence signal as well as improvement to the signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A modulation spectroscopy system (1) has an acousto-optic modulator (5) providing a pump beam onto a sample. The modulator receives a light beam from a source (4) and diffracts it to provide an output which is the first order beam, the zeroth order or undeflected beam being terminated and the 2nd and higher orders being negligible and terminated also. The modulator is driven alternately by two drive frequencies at a modulation or toggle frequency. The first order output is at one angle for a first drive frequency and at another angle for the other drive frequency. The duty cycle of alternating between the different drive frequencies sets the output beam position duty cycle for incidence at two different spots on the sample. Also, either or both beams may be position and/or intensity varied by control of the modulator drive frequencies and their amplitudes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for lifting a rocket into the upper atmosphere and establishing forward flight at several hundred miles per hour, before the rocket engines are ignited and the rocket is released from the lifting system. The main subassemblies of this lifting system comprise: (1) an array of large helium-filled dirigibles, of a size that can provide hundreds or thousands of tons of lifting force; (2) a tank-holding assembly that will be tethered to the dirigibles, and that will contain pumps and high-pressure tanks, to recapture and store the helium for use in subsequent launches; and, (3) a winged platform, with wings that can be rotated vertically during liftoff, and horizontally to establish forward flight after a desired altitude has been reached, and having conventional aircraft engines on each wing. This system enables safer, less expensive, and more efficient launching of rockets and heavy payloads into space, using easily reusable subassemblies.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasound phased array transducer includes an acoustic backing, a first circuit, which may be a flexible circuit disposed over the acoustic backing or a ground plane, an acoustically absorptive interface layer disposed over the flexible circuit, and a piezoelectric layer disposed over the interface layer. A matching layer may be disposed over the piezoelectric layer, and a second circuit, which may be a ground plane or a flexible circuit, may be disposed over the matching layer. The piezoelectric layer and the matching layer are diced by forming kerfs extending through these layers and at least partially into the interface layer. Extending the kerfs into the interface layer reduces cross-talk between elements, electrically isolates the elements, and facilitates manufacturing by reducing the precision required in controlling the depth of the cut.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein a user can access a scheduling service provider to arrange for a MRI-based health care screening appointment without a medical referral. After a user profile is completed and accepted by the scheduling service, an appointment for the MRI-based health care screening appointment, such as a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the user's brain, can be scheduled at participating health care screening facilities in the user's geographical area, the scheduling increasing the percentage utilization of the participating MRI-based health care screening facility and the availability of the health care screening procedure to the general public.

Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. In one embodiment, channel allocation techniques for increasing one or more of throughput and coverage in a wireless communications environment.

Abstract: For encoding externally input AV signal to MPEG-TS that enables quickly conversion from MPEG-TS to MPEG-PS, data unit (Multiplexing Unit) is defined which includes a plurality of packet and has data size corresponding to data amount of one pack in MPEG-PS, and MPEG-TS is encoded for each defined data unit. Furthermore, time stamp information (ATS) added to a packet of MPEG-TS which is converted to MPEG-PS and time stamp information (SCR) added to a packet of the converted MPEG-PS are correlated with a predetermined formula.

Abstract: In a recording medium storing MPEG stream, flag information (encode_condition) indicating that the stream is recorded in a format enabling easily the first stream (MPEG transport stream) to be converted into the second stream (MPEG program stream) is provided. Such a flag information is included in Tip packet which is a control packet, in the medium. Thus it can easily determine whether the data is recorded in this format without analysis of data stored in the recording medium.

Abstract: A device and method for providing yaw control for a balancing transporter that has two laterally disposed ground-contacting wheels. The method has the steps of receiving a user input of a desired yaw value; comparing an instantaneous yaw value with the desired yaw value to generate a yaw error value; processing the yaw error value to obtain a yaw command signal; and applying the yaw command signal in conjunction with a pitch command signal based on a pitch error in such a manner as to maintain balance of the transporter in the course of executing yaw control. The yaw command signal may include component terms quadratic in the pitch error and/or a function of a common wheel rotational velocity. A control input mechanism is wirelessly coupled to the controller of the balancing transporter so as to maintain the sealed integrity of a user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forcing a user to view a first announcement, when a user prevents a second announcement, embedded in a stream of audiovisual information, to be shown on a display, where the first announcement and the second announcement are equivalent to each other. The announcement may be a commercial. This prevention can be achieved either by skipping the announcement or by zapping to a different channel. The invention further relates to an apparatus capable of detecting whether a user has viewed an announcement or whether he has skipped it. The apparatus is also capable of displaying a second announcement which is equivalent to the skipped announcement.

Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. This includes communications between wireless devices in a single sector, between wireless devices in different sectors and between wireless devices and a wired network or wireless backhaul network. The wireless communications architecture generally includes two or more wireless antenna arrangements that are each configured to provide communications with wireless devices located in a particular sector. Each wireless antenna arrangement is further configured to determine whether signals are being communicated on a communications channel before transmitting on the communications channel. This may be implemented, for example, using a carrier sense or energy detection mechanism.

Abstract: In a processing method performed by a digital television receiver (18), a transport stream (84) is received. Data packets of the transport stream (84) associated with a selected audio/video offering are selected and sorted (90) into an audio/video component (92) and at least one supplemental component (94, 96, 98). Component identifiers (102, 104, 106, 108) are assigned (100) to the audio/video component (92) and the at least one supplemental component (94, 96, 98). The component identifiers (102, 104, 106, 108) are displayed (124) to an associated user. One or more selections of components are received (126) to include in a performance of the offering. The selected components are performed (154, 156, 158).

Abstract: A method, system, and computer code for processing a cookie relating to a WebDVD system that includes a DVD device on which a DVD disc is running. The DVD device is linked by a communication link to a web site targeted by the DVD disc, wherein the cookie had been generated by the WebDVD system as specified by a cookie-generation command received from the web site. The WebDVD system adds to the cookie a DVD extension string that includes content associated with the DVD disc. The cookie may be screened such that if the same or other DVD disc is subsequently running on the DVD device that is linked to a web site targeted by the same or other DVD disc, then the cookie is sent to the web site if the DVD extension string includes the content associated with the same or other DVD disc.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer code for running a DVD disc having a link to web content of a web site, wherein the web content is directly related the content on the DVD disc. The system generates a decryption key to decrypt the web content received from the web site by: requesting the web content from the web site, receiving from the web site a disc address set pointing to a data block on the DVD disc, acquiring knowledge of the extent of the data block, reading the data block, and mapping the data block to a decryption key. The system receives the web content and uses the decryption key to decrypt the web content.

Abstract: A method of making available additional content (151) related to basic content in a secure way. The basic content is distributed on a record carrier (101), and is protected by a security mechanism employing at least one secret. For instance, the DVD Content Scrambling System (CSS) can be used with secrets like the ACC, the Title Key and the Disc Key. Additional content (151) is available on a server (140) and can be downloaded by a rendering device (112). The additional content (151) is protected by the same security mechanism as the basic content, employing at least one of the same secrets used to protect the basic content. This way, the rendering device (112) only has access to the additional content (151) after successful authentication with a DVD drive (111), since otherwise it cannot learn the secret required to access the additional content (151).

Abstract: A drafthood assembly for inclusion within a vent stack for a direct venting stove or fireplace, converting the direct venting stove or fireplace for use with a natural venting flue. The assembly includes an air intake section for feeding ambient room air into the combustion chamber and an exhaust gas section for feeding ambient room air into the products of combustion that are exhausted from the combustion chamber in order to cool the exhaust gas products so that a B-vent type flue can be used to carry the exhaust gas products out of the dwelling.

Abstract: Method to enable a local system time clock counter (STC) of a receiving recording device to lock to program clock reference (PCR) information comprised in a received real time sequence of information signal packets, such as MPEG2 Transport Stream packets. The method comprising determining the number of cycles between arrival of the first information signal packet and the arrival of the information signal packet comprising the first Program Clock Reference (PCR) information. This information is stored as an attribute of the stored sequence.