Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic signal switching module with connectors on a first side for connecting with a variety of devices and sources and with jacks for receiving patch cords on a second side. The switching modules include two position switches in the circuitry connecting the jacks with the connectors which allow the module to be configured as a straight-through patching module, a fully normal module with paired jacks or a half normal module with paired jacks. One alternative of the invention utilizes card edge connectors on the first side. Another aspect of the invention involves a chassis for holding a plurality of switching modules adjacent to and electronically connected with a plurality of connecting modules. The switching modules may also include designation lenses adjacent to the jacks for holding indicia.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for diagnosing and recovering from I/O subsystem errors. A data processing system includes a computer which includes a power subsystem and at least one I/O subsystem. A determination is made that an error occurred in the I/O subsystem. Registers in integrated circuits included within the I/O subsystem are accessed utilizing the power subsystem in order to diagnose the error while the I/O subsystem is in an error state.

Abstract: An interactive multi player DVD gaming system comprising a DVD containing game data and a game manager program for playing an interactive DVD board game on a display, and a DVD media player configured for accessing and displaying the game data on the DVD in response to receiving user selected inputs. At least one user operated control is provided for generating the user selected inputs sent to the DVD media player. The DVD media player has multiple general parameter register memories (GPRM's), the game program manager configured to direct the GPRM's for supporting multiplayer game play with display of a virtual game board.

Abstract: A vehicle door for fitting to a vehicle body includes a vehicle door frame, and a pivot arm coupled to the door frame. The door frame includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a pair of opposite sides extending between the upper and lower portions. The pivot arm is coupled to the door frame adjacent one of the opposite sides, and includes a pair of opposite ends. One of the ends of the pivot arm includes a first hinge for pivotally coupling the pivot arm to the vehicle body about a first pivot axis. The other end includes a second hinge pivotally coupling the door frame to the pivot arm about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: A hard copy recording device for transferring images to media, the hard copy recording device including an engine, a controller, a first non-volatile memory, and a second non-volatile memory. The engine transfers images to the media in response to control signals. The controller provides the control signals to the engine based upon image data and a first non-volatile memory stores recording device system data accessible by processes executing at the controller. The second non-volatile memory stores a copy of selected portions of the recording device system data, the second non-volatile memory being detachably coupled to the hard copy recording device and capable of being coupled to a second hard copy recording device for downloading the selected portions of the recording device system data to the second hard copy recording device.

Abstract: A printer capable of transferring images to different types of media is disclosed. Media sheets of different sizes and types may be dispensed through a single input path to a print station including a printhead and a platen. The printhead is adapted for transferring images to media using either a direct thermal or dye diffusion process. A capstan roller, platen roller, picker assemblies and kicker assemblies are driven by a single motor, allowing for substantial cost and space savings. Other features are directed to improving the quality of images using the direct thermal and dye diffusion processes.

Abstract: An artificial joint for a patient includes a joint plateau having a recess including a first dimension and a joint overlay having a projection corresponding to the recess and a second dimension, the second dimension being larger than the first dimension at a body temperature of the patient. The projection is insertable into the recess by virtue of a temperature difference of at least one of the projection and the recess with respect to the body temperature. A contact area is formed between the projection and the recess at the body temperature. At least one of the second dimension and the contact area is determined such that fixation forces exerted on the projection at the body temperature create a state of stress in at least one of the joint overlay and the joint plateau, the state of stress improving at least one of a load-bearing capacity and a durability of the artificial joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic signal switching module with connectors on a first side for connecting with a variety of devices and sources and with jacks for receiving patch cords on a second side. The switching modules include two position switches in the circuitry connecting the jacks with the connectors which allow the module to be configured as a straight-through patching module, a fully normal module with paired jacks or a half normal module with paired jacks. One alternative of the invention utilizes card edge connectors on the first side. Another aspect of the invention involves a chassis for holding a plurality of switching modules adjacent to and electronically connected with a plurality of connecting modules. The switching modules may also include designation lenses adjacent to the jacks for holding indicia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic signal switching module with connectors on a first side for connecting with a variety of devices and sources and with jacks for receiving patch cords on a second side. The switching modules include two position switches in the circuitry connecting the jacks with the connectors which allow the module to be configured as a straight-through patching module, a fully normal module with paired jacks or a half normal module with paired jacks. One alternative of the invention utilizes card edge connectors on the first side. Another aspect of the invention involves a chassis for holding a plurality of switching modules adjacent to and electronically connected with a plurality of connecting modules. The switching modules may also include designation lenses adjacent to the jacks for holding indicia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vaporizing a sterilant fluid using microwave energy. A sterilant fluid is atomized to produce a spray, mist or fog of sterilant fluid. The atomized sterilant fluid is then exposed to microwave energy produced by a microwave generator. Molecules of at least one chemical component of the sterilant fluid rotate in response to exposure to the microwave energy, thereby vaporizing the sterilant fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic signal switching module with connectors on a first side for connecting with a variety of devices and sources and with jacks for receiving patch cords on a second side. The switching modules include two position switches in the circuitry connecting the jacks with the connectors which allow the module to be configured as a straight-through patching module, a fully normal module with paired jacks or a half normal module with paired jacks. One alternative of the invention utilizes card edge connectors on the first side. Another aspect of the invention involves a chassis for holding a plurality of switching modules adjacent to and electronically connected with a plurality of connecting modules. The switching modules may also include designation lenses adjacent to the jacks for holding indicia.

Abstract: The hand held tool for cutting the sheath of a cable or insulated conductor is comprised of a durable plastic body, aluminum components which make up the blade adjustment mechanism and stainless steel hardware. The spring loaded blade adjustment mechanism allows the user to cut into the cable sheath or conductor insulation at various depths. The roller bearing guide in conjunction with the stepped thumb grip allows the user to easily insert the cable as well as perform the process of cutting the cable sheath or insulated conductor. Standard utility knife blades are used as the integral component for cutting the cable sheath or conductor insulation. A compartment for storing extra utility knife blades is located in the body of the tool.

Abstract: A method of determining common three-dimensional structural features of protein surfaces is provided, as is use of representations of these common structures in molecular database searching and in designing focussed molecular libraries. The method is particularly concerned with the analysis and representation of protein surfaces such as b-turns, loops and contact surfaces. In one form, the method identifies common locations and orientations of amino acid side-chains, simplified as C?-C? vectors. In another form, the method identifies common regions of surface charge represented by grid points in three-dimensional space. Further provided are common three dimensional structural features of proteins that can be used to search molecular databases for the purposes of identifying molecules that match these common three dimensional structural features.

Abstract: A printer capable of transferring images to different types of media is disclosed. Media sheets of different sizes and types may be dispensed through a single input path to a print station including a printhead and a platen. The printhead is adapted for transferring images to media using either a direct thermal or dye diffusion process. A capstan roller, platen roller, picker assemblies and kicker assemblies are driven by a single motor, allowing for substantial cost and space savings. Other features are directed to improving the quality of images using the direct thermal and dye diffusion processes.

Abstract: An artificial joint (1) suitable for use as an endoprosthesis for a human knee joint, having a first joint compartment (2) formed by a first condyle (3) and a first socket (4) and a second joint compartment (5) formed by a second condyle (6) and a second socket (7). The contact surfaces (C) of the respective joint compartments (2, 5) are offset in the main functional plane. To further improve the characteristics of the artificial joint (1), the contact surfaces (C) of the two joint compartments (2, 5) are sloped as a function of the flexion angle such that the surface normals (8, 9) of the contact surfaces (C) have a common point of intersection at every flexion angle. This arrangement of the contact surfaces (C) achieves self-stabilization of the joint (1) both when a rotary motion or torsion and when lateral forces are introduced.

Abstract: A guard for the draw bar of a vehicle trailer hitch, said guard having a main body with an aperture shaped to enable the main body to be assembled with the draw bar by sliding the draw bar therethrough so that the main body extends transversely of the draw bar on each side thereof, and a guard portion extending in a loop-like manner from adjacent to one end of the main body for a distance forwardly of the body and then to adjacent an opposite end of the main body whereby, when the main body is mounted on the draw bar, a rearwardly projecting end portion of the draw bar is located within the loop formed by the guard portion.

Abstract: A printer capable of transferring images to different types of media is disclosed. Media sheets of different sizes and types may be dispensed through a single input path to a print station including a printhead and a platen. The printhead is adapted for transferring images to media using either a direct thermal or dye diffusion process. A capstan roller, platen roller, picker assemblies and kicker assemblies are driven by a single motor, allowing for substantial cost and space savings. Other features are directed to improving the quality of images using the direct thermal and dye diffusion processes.

Abstract: An office product which has at least one exposed surface that is subject to infectious microorganisms, and an antimicrobial agent associated with the exposed surface to render ineffective or destroy infectious microorganisms. The antimicrobial agent may be present on the exposed surfaces of the office product as a coating, or as an integral part of a material used to form the exposed surface(s) of the office product. The antimicrobial agent is ineffective until activated using. Preferably, the antimicrobial agent is an amine which can be activated by a halogen. The present invention also relates to a process of making an infectious microorganism resistant office product which comprises providing the office product with an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of at least one secondary subunit sequence that varies from a primary subunit sequence by the addition, deletion and/or substitution of at least one subunit for inferring information about the primary subunit sequence. The invention is also directed to the use of such variant sequences for wholly or partially executing a task on an primary subunit sequence, which in one embodiment is refractory to the execution of that task and more particularly to the use of such sequence(s) for wholly or partially deducing the sequence of a primary subunit sequence. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the variant sequences are generated by mutagenesis techniques. The subject invention further relates to a method, which is optionally implemented by a processing system, for designing secondary subunit sequences.

Abstract: An artificial joint (1) suitable for use as an endoprosthesis for a human knee joint, having a first joint compartment (2) formed by a first condyle (3) and a first socket (4) and a second joint compartment (5) formed by a second condyle (6) and a second socket (7). The contact surfaces (C) of the respective joint compartments (2, 5) are offset in the main functional plane. To further improve the characteristics of the artificial joint (1), the contact surfaces (C) of the two joint compartments (2, 5) are sloped as a function of the flexion angle such that the surface normals (8, 9) of the contact surfaces (C) have a common point of intersection at every flexion angle. This arrangement of the contact surfaces (C) achieves self-stabilization of the joint (1) both when a rotary motion or torsion and when lateral forces are introduced.