Abstract: Sensor and communications systems are disclosed for communicating measurements from subsea equipment, such as at an offshore well, to the surface. A sensor for a physical parameter, such as pressure or temperature at a blowout preventer, capping stack, or conduit in communication with the same, is electrically connected to a subsea acoustic transponder. An acoustic communications device, for example an acoustic transducer and transceiver electronics deployed on a remotely-operated vehicle, interrogates the acoustic transponder with an acoustic signal, in response to which the acoustic transponder transmits an acoustic signal encoded with the measurement. The acquired measurement data are then communicated to a redundant network at the surface. The sensor and acoustic transponder systems can be installed after an event at the subsea equipment, such as blowout of the well.

Abstract: An adaptor for a slit lamp holds a portable camera, such as a cell phone, in place relative to a slit lamp. The adaptor is adjustable to accommodate virtually any size of portable camera through the use of screws, washers, spacers, and other adjustment mechanisms. The adaptor can be formed in two parts: an ocular engaging portion and a camera support. The two portions can be coupled together to position the camera relative to the slit lamp to photograph a patient's eye.

Abstract: Sensor and communications systems for communicating measurements from subsea equipment, such as at an offshore well, to the surface. A sensor for a physical parameter, such as pressure or temperature at a blowout preventer, capping stack, or conduit in communication with the same, is electrically connected to a subsea acoustic transponder. An acoustic monitoring transponder deployed near the well periodically interrogates the acoustic transponder with an acoustic signal, in response to which the acoustic transponder transmits an acoustic signal encoded with the measurement. The measurement data are stored at the acoustic monitoring transponder. An acoustic communications device later interrogates the acoustic monitoring transponder to receive the stored measurement data for communication to a redundant network at the surface.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Radio apparatuses each has a plurality of channels and, when data is to be transmitted, selects a specific channel having relatively low signal interference from the plurality of channels. Each radio apparatus spreads transmission data with a prescribed spread code arbitrarily selected from a plurality of spread codes, and modulates the spread spectrum signal with the frequency of the specific channel to transmit. As a result, delay in an autonomously established wireless network can be reduced.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant and related methods of use are provided for treatment of spaces between two vertebrae. The implant can comprise a first member and a second member that are configured for engagement in a stacked configuration. The first member and second member can be inserted separately so that the intervertebral space can be reached through limited access pathways. The first member and second member can be coupled in situ in the intervertebral space to form an implant of desired height. In this manner, an intervertebral implant having final dimensions that would not fit through a limited access pathway can be implanted through the access pathway by inserting the implant in separate member pieces.

Abstract: In wireless communication using links with neighbor wireless devices, a wireless device calculates ratios of throughput to maximum throughput for the links and calculates the costs of the links using the calculated ratios. Then the wireless device finds, for each destination, a route in which the sum of such calculated link costs is the minimum, and sends a packet to the destination using the route. As a consequence, routing can be done according to an isotonic, easy-to-implement routing protocol.

Abstract: Control of output of programme content from an apparatus including a receiver for receiving programme content and an output includes storing one or more dependencies and determining whether a programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it. The dependencies may be indicative of whether the content of a given programme is dependent upon the content of one or more other programmes. If the programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it, the output of the programme content by the apparatus may impaired based on the dependencies. A corresponding apparatus and computer programme are also provided.

Abstract: Radio devices (31 to 43) receive a prescribed number of Hello packets from each of n radio devices existing within one hop from each radio device, detects six pairs of maximum and minimum values MAX[1] and MIN[1] to MAX[6] and MIN[6] based on the plurality of reception signal strengths of the plurality of received Hello packets, detects two adjacent maximum values having the largest difference among six pairs of maximum and minimum values D_MAX[1] and D_MIN[1] to D_MAX[6] and D_MIN[6] when the six maximum values MAX[1] to MAX[6] are in descending order, and determines the average of two minimum values corresponding to the detected two maximum values as a threshold. The radio devices (31 to 43) each produce a routing table including routes having reception signal strengths equal to or more than the threshold.

Abstract: A tonometer tip disinfection apparatus for disinfecting and rinsing a tonometer tip includes a first basin configured to hold a disinfecting solution, a second basin configured to hold a rinsing solution, a holding platform configured to receive at least one tonometer tip, a tonometer tip support arm configured to support a tonometer tip having a tip end in an orientation allowing the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and second basins, and a transportation assembly configured to automatically move the tonometer tip support arm between the first and second basins and the holding platform.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing contacting information between applications is provided. The system preferably uses an ENUM-type protocol and a middleware tool kit to associate telephone numbers to other identifying information, such as e-mail addresses or URLs for web sites. The system enables the associated contacting information to be shared across multiple applications that may be implemented on a computer or a mobile telephony device. Information is shared only after verification that a requester is authorized to receive the requested contacting information.

Abstract: A radio apparatus forming a radio network system calculates a calculated distance, based on a tentative self-position and tentative positions of a plurality of radio apparatuses existing in the vicinity. The radio apparatus successively and autonomously corrects the tentative self-position so that the calculated distance comes closer to the measured distance, relying more heavily on the calculated distance than the measured distance between itself and each of the plurality of radio apparatuses, and determines the position of itself. Other radio apparatuses also successively correct the tentative self-positions by the same method as the radio apparatus, and determine the positions of themselves.

Abstract: A radio device is located far from other radio devices in a radio network system. The radio device determines a threshold WIth for detecting a strength equal to or more than the minimum strength of radio waves transmitted/received in a stable radio wave environment based on a plurality of reception signal strengths of Hello packets received from radio devices adjacent to the radio device. Then, if the number of radio devices adjacent to the radio device when the threshold WIth is introduced is less than a standard value (such as five), the radio device stores the adjacent radio devices in the neighbor list without introducing the threshold WIth, and then, maintains in the routing table the routing information of routes passing through the adjacent radio devices based on the neighbor list.

Abstract: An electronic system includes an electronic device and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the device. The heat exchanger includes a flow duct for receiving a fluid, at least a portion of the flow duct being arranged in thermal communication with the device. The system further includes a pump associated with the flow duct and a Venturi tube for reducing the pressure of the fluid in the portion of the flow duct to a value less than the pressure external to the duct, to minimize any leakage of the fluid onto the device in the event the portion of the flow duct develops a leak.

Abstract: Embodiments are configured to provide one or more candidates based in part on an input. In an embodiment, a system includes a prediction engine which can be configured to provide one or more ranked candidates using one or more configurable data sources and/or candidate providers. Each data source can be configured to include a candidate provider to predict and return predicted candidates. The prediction engine can use a predicted candidate to rank and return a ranked candidate to a user interface, process, or other application. In one embodiment, a computing device can include and use a prediction engine which can use a customized ranking component to rank and return ranked candidates based in part on a query type. The customized ranking component can use predicted candidates provided by one or more data sources and/or candidate providers when making a ranking determination.

Abstract: Context-based word prediction is provided. A software application utilizes words contained in an application document to provide context-based word prediction in the same or a related document. The software application creates an application defined data source and populates the data source with words occurring in a document. When the same or a related document is being edited via an input method, for example, typing, speech recognition, electronic handwriting, etc., a prediction engine presents candidate words from the application defined data source that match current text input, and the user may choose from the presented candidate words for automatic population into the document being edited. Information from the application defined data source may be transferred between computing devices, for example, between a mobile computing device and a desktop (non-mobile) computing device.

Abstract: The route maintenance unit outputs a period setting request to the period setting unit when the communication unit normally receives a Hello packet for the first time. The period setting unit sets a link connection confirmation period in response to the period setting request and outputs the set period to the route maintenance unit. The route maintenance unit maintains a radio link between the radio device in which the route maintenance unit is provided and an adjacent device upon receiving a data packet other than a Hello packet from the adjacent radio device even if a Hello packet is not received in the link connection confirmation period. Consequently, route disconnection or switching occurs less often.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted proximate to or on a base of a slit lamp illumination unit operates to automatically lock or secure the illumination unit in a stationary position after each eye examination and further operates to unlock it just before each examination. The apparatus may take the form of a threaded rod that replaces the conventional thumbscrew. The threaded rod is rotated by a motor, which receives instructions from a controller, both located within a housing. A touch sensor on the housing communicates with the controller to activate the locking or unlocking of the threaded rod and may also provide a signal to a transceiver for powering the illumination unit ON or OFF.

Abstract: A computer-executed method for managing a group of entities includes receiving an indication from a first user indicating a desire to add members to the group based on proximity to a target, such as a point of interest (POI) or a location of a person. The method also includes sending an invitation to a prospective group member based on a location of the prospective group member during a time window associated with the target. In response to the invitation, an indication is received from the prospective group member as to whether the prospective group member desires to join the group.