Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a computer processor coupled with a call center device positioned to receive an input communication containing PII data and originating from a telephone caller, wherein the computer processor implements code to suppress at least a portion of the received PII data without requiring a physical interrupt of the input communication so that the received PII data is not conveyed to a call center agent or to a computer of the call center agent.

Abstract: The invention comprises an elastomeric athletic or orthopedic brace, support for a joint complex and is a network of interlinking elastomeric bands that extend radially from a hub member to support a joint in tension but provide for controlled hinging about an axis defined through the hub member. In particular, the brace is provided for an ankle.

Abstract: A method of preparing a foamed thermoplastic polymer comprises contacting a chemical blowing agent (A) which is a semi-carbazide with a thermoplastic polymer or a precursor of a thermoplastic polymer. Blowing agent (A) is preferably p-toluenesulfonyl semi-carbazide and said polymer is preferably PVC. Formulations, including liquid formulations which include the blowing agent (A) and other ingredients, are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a product, for example a stretch blow moulded container having a metallic or pearlescent appearance, comprises selecting a mass, for example a container preform, comprising a thermoplastic polymer which incorporates a carrier polymer and stretching the thermoplastic polymer during production of said product, for example from said mass. Said carrier polymer is suitably polydimethylsiloxane and the mass may be made in a process which comprises contacting a thermoplastic polymer with a liquid formulation comprising carrier polymer and colourant.

Abstract: An invention to protect the surface of dining table food containers that are commonly used among patrons of eating establishments, dining halls and cafeterias from the collecting and retransmitting of non-sanitized hand-borne or air-borne germs and pathogens introduced through contact with commonly used dining table food containers. The invention involves the new use of specially formed paper as an external container for various dining table food containers. The specially formed paper is configured in a tubular shape to encase dining table food containers of various dimension and thereby protect the enclosed surface of a properly sanitized dining table food container from germ accumulation. The specially formed paper tube is further treated with commercially available chemical agents, applied to its outer surface, in order to inhibit the collection, accumulation and retransmission of non-sanitized hand-borne or air-borne germs introduced through repeated non-sanitized hand or atmospheric contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and visually monitoring the wear of a continuous conveyor chain without having to stop the conveyor chain. The method and apparatus provides first and second sensors fixedly spaced along the conveyor chain at a predetermined distance and first and second opposing visualization devices oppositely positioned at a point along the conveyor chain. The first and second sensors generate signals corresponding to the presence and absence of successive links provided in the conveyor chain. The generated signals are received and processed, and the necessary time intervals are calculated for providing an output indicative of chain wear of any portion of the chain. Several parameters of chain wear may be calculated, including chain stretch and instantaneous chain speed. The first and second visualization devices capture visual images of each of the links so as to visually inspect and identify any problems associated with the links.

Abstract: Capacitive identification systems and methods are described. The system may include a capacitive detector configured to identify objects having capacitive identifiers. A capacitive identifier may be a patterned dielectric ink that, when placed in an electromagnetic field generated by the capacitive detector, detectably alters the capacitance of neighboring sensors in the detector. The capacitive detector may be disposed within an opaque housing structure of a device and configured to detect the capacitive identifier through the opaque housing structure. The capacitive detector may include a capacitive sensing array and processing circuitry formed on a common printed circuit. The capacitive detector may be formed in an infusion pump system. The capacitive identifier may be disposed on a pump cassette for the infusion pump system.

Abstract: A transmission regulation method which may be performed by a station having at least one data frame for transmitting over a telecommunications network is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises, during at least one selection round from a set of selection rounds, obtaining a value representative either of an authorization to transmit or a prohibition to transmit the frame. Furthermore, when the value is representative of an authorization to transmit, transmitting an information signal over a first communications channel of the network, to inform the other stations that the station has obtained a value representative of an authorization to transmit; or when the value is representative of a prohibition to transmit, listening for an information signal, if any, transmitted over the first communications channel of the network. The method listens to or transmits over a second communications channel of the network that is different from the first communications channel.

Abstract: The invention comprises an elastomeric athletic or orthopedic brace, support for a joint complex and is an elastomeric sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion that surrounds and supports one or more joints and with fenestrations or cut-outs and optional supplemental supports or framework so as to provide an external anatomically configured network which augments the effects of the ligaments. The brace can be used prophylactically or therapeutically.

Abstract: A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for pulling a crown plug from a subsea horizontal Christmas tree, the method comprising: (a) providing a subsea lubricator having a longitudinal through bore and a jack attached to the subsea lubricator, the jack having a landing area, and the landing area having an opening which is fluidly connected to the lubricator's through bore; (b) providing a jacking string which includes a landing sub and a crown plug connector, the sub having a landing surface; (c) without the jacking string in step “b”, lowering the subsea lubricator of step “a”, to the horizontal Christmas tree and attaching the lubricator to the Christmas tree; (d) lowering the jacking string to the lubricator, and, while the landing surface of the landing sub is spaced above and not supported by the landing area of the jack, connecting the plug connector to the crown plug while the landing sub is above and not touching the landing area of the jack; (e) jacking up the jack such that the landing area of the jack c

Abstract: A method is provided for regulating transmission implemented by a station, having at least one packet to be transmitted via a communication network, and participating in at least one tournament composed of a succession of selection rounds. The method includes: obtaining by the station, for each selection round of a first tournament, a binary value assigned to the station, representative either of an authorization to transmit, or of a prohibition to transmit, transmitting, on completion of the first tournament, at least one packet by the station when the station determines, as a function of at least one of the binary values assigned to the station for the selection rounds of the first tournament, that the station is authorized to transmit. The at least one packet transmitted by the station includes data representative of the succession of binary values assigned to the station for the selection rounds.

Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle having at least one vane disposed between an inner and an outer band. Embodiments of the method can comprise separating the inner band from the outer band and securing a replacement part to the inner band. In one embodiment, the methods accommodate replacement parts that include vanes with a base feature that comprises a non-airfoil shape and that integrates cooling features useful for operation of the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for regulating transmissions according to a tournament method, implemented by a station having at least one data packet to be transmitted via a wireless communication network having a predetermined bandwidth. The method includes a step during which the station determines whether or not to participate in a tournament, the likelihood of a station participating in a tournament depending on the predetermined bandwidth. Specifically, the likelihood of a station participating in a tournament is selected to be higher as the predetermined bandwidth gets higher.

Abstract: A protective case for a mobile electronic device includes a shell defining a cavity for receiving a portion of the mobile electronic device within the cavity. The shell includes a membrane disposed adjacent a location corresponding to a screen of the mobile electronic device such that at least some of the screen of the mobile electronic device is viewable through the membrane. The shell also includes a gate disposed adjacent a location corresponding to a port of the mobile electronic device. The gate includes elastomeric flaps and is operable to at least two states including: a) a port covering state in which ends of the elastomeric flaps converge at at least one seam to close the gate protecting the port from environment outside of the protective case, and b) a port accessing state in which the elastomeric flaps separate and fold in to open the gate providing a passageway for a connector to be connected to the port of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for pulling a crown plug from a subsea horizontal christmas tree, the method comprising: (a) providing a subsea lubricator having a longitudinal through bore and a jack attached to the subsea lubricator, the jack having a landing area, and the landing area having an opening which is fluidly connected to the lubricator's through bore; (b) providing a jacking string which includes a landing sub and a crown plug connector, the sub having a landing surface; (c) without the jacking string in step “b”, lowering the subsea lubricator of step “a”, to the horizontal christmas tree and attaching the lubricator to the christmas tree; (d) lowering the jacking string to the lubricator, and, while the landing surface of the landing sub is spaced above and not supported by the landing area of the jack, connecting the plug connector to the crown plug while the landing sub is above and not touching the landing area of the jack; (e) jacking up the jack such that the landing area of the jack c

Abstract: A system for containing used surgical instruments, which includes an instrument container. The instrument container has outer and inner surfaces and a plurality of containment units disposed along the inner surface. The plurality of containment units each covers an area of the inner surface and each has restraints for holding at least one surgical instrument. The system also includes a decontaminant device having a foam sheet soaked with a disinfectant compound. The foam sheet has a surface area at least as large as the area of at least one of the plurality of containment units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission control method implemented by a station having at least one data frame to be transmitted via a wireless telecommunication network. In one aspect, the method comprises, at each selection round from a maximum number of selection rounds: a step of obtaining a value representative of either an authorization to transmit the frame, or of a prohibition to transmit the frame; and, when the value is representative of an authorization for transmission, transmitting an information signal in the network so as to indicate, to the other stations, that the station has obtained a value representative of an authorization for transmission. The transmission of the information signal is at least partially carried out during the transmission of a data frame in the network.