Abstract: A very compact interactive animated character is provided that provides highly life-like and intelligent seeming interaction with the user thereof. The animated character can take the form of a small animal-like creature having a variety of moving body parts including a smile/emotion assembly which are coordinated to exhibit life-like emotional states by precisely controlling and synchronizing their movements in response to external sensed conditions. The animated character also includes sound generating circuitry to generate speech sounds as well as sounds associated with various emotional states, which are coordinated with a lip sync assembly simulating speech mouth movement. The drive system utilizes first and second reversible motors which are able to power and precisely coordinate the lip sync assembly producing speech mouth movement, with the movable parts and the smile/emotion assembly to produce life-like interactions and emotional expressions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a use of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) polypeptides, functional variants thereof and/or nucleic acids encoding them, or of a cell which is expressing an ACT polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding it in combination with alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) polypeptides, functional variants thereof or nucleic acids encoding them, or of a cell which is expressing an AAT polypeptide, or a nucleic acid encoding it.

Abstract: The invention is a method of supporting tools and supplies atop a sloped roof. The method includes (a) obtaining a caddy with a base and a shelf pivotally connected to one another, (b) placing the base of the caddy into supportive contact with a sloped roof, (c) pivoting the shelf of the caddy relative to the base about a laterally extending axis until the shelf is substantially horizontal, (d) supporting the shelf at the substantially horizontal position with a support member, and (e) placing a plurality of individual tools or supplies upon the substantially horizontal shelf.

Abstract: A dipole antenna includes a plurality of generally parallel metal wiring lines, and a plurality of identical or similar unit circuits arranged in a row along the extending direction of the metal wring lines and connected with one another. Each unit circuit includes a connection portion for connecting the metal wiring lines together via at least one first inductor, and at least one first capacitor inserted into at least one of the metal wiring lines. The plurality of unit circuits are identical unit circuits. Alternatively, the plurality of unit circuits include unit circuits operable in the right-hand system and unit circuits operable in the left-hand system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein-coated micro-crystals and their method of preparation. The protein-coated micro-crystals may find particular application in preparing enzymes for use as biocatalysts; preparation of therapeutic proteins for use in pharmaceutical formulations; production of cleansing agents comprising enzymes; production of paints, varnishes, coatings, films and the like comprising proteins which impart protective and/or antifouling properties; production of films, polymers, inks, coatings, electrodes and/or optical materials comprising proteins for diagnostic kits and/or biosensor applications; use of proteins for studies of molecular recognition, molecular binding and inhibitor binding in non-aqueous media; and preparation of protein based food additives.

Abstract: A scalable messaging system for data transmission between the network devices, such as set top boxes, and a central system server, such as a server which maintains a database of event logs for the network. Individual routers at the data center broadcast an announcement packet indicating that they are available to accept messages from the network devices. The announcement message contains at least an identification of the router and the manner in which messages may be sent to it, e.g., one or more connection socket numbers and/or network addresses. The frequency at which availability messages are sent by the routers is preferably dependent upon the relatively loading of the individual router. Thus, the more heavily loaded a particular router becomes, the less often it will broadcast an availability message; the more lightly loaded it becomes, the more often such messages are broadcast.

Abstract: An image capture detection system including a short range radio transmitter (13) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (12) installed in or on an image capture device (10). The system further comprises a remote detection unit (14) also comprising a short range radio transmitter (18) and a short range radio receiver and decoder (16). In use, the remote detection unit (14) transmits intermittent query signals (22) which are received by the receiver (12) in the image capture device (10) when the remote detection unit (14) is within a predetermined distance or range thereof. In response to receipt of the query signals (22), the transmitter (13) in the image capture device (10) is arranged to transmit an indicator signal (24) which is received by the remote detection unit (14). The remote detection unit (14) is arranged to generate a warning signal in response to receipt of the indicator signal ((24).

Abstract: An air sampler is designed for a predetermined flow rate. The air flow is admitted to at least two impactors operating in parallel. Preferably the inlet nozzles and the outlet orifices of each impactor are sized to achieve predetermined cut-off sizes of particles; preferably the composite curve of all the impactors will mimic a predetermined particle sampling efficiency curve.

Abstract: A crank shaft power takeoff system, including an appliance intended for use in connection with lawns and/or gardens, the appliance including an engine that includes a crank shaft, the system further including an accessory used in conjunction with the appliance, and a transmission for utilizing the crank shaft of the appliance engine to operate the accessory.

Abstract: A scalable messaging system for data transmission between the network devices, such as set top boxes, and a central system server, such as a server which maintains a database of event logs for the network. Individual routers at the data center broadcast an announcement packet indicating that they are available to accept messages from the network devices. The announcement message contains at least an identification of the router and the manner in which messages may be sent to it, e.g., one or more connection socket numbers and/or network addresses. The frequency at which availability messages are sent by the routers is preferably dependent upon the relatively loading of the individual router. Thus, the more heavily loaded a particular router becomes, the less often it will broadcast an availability message; the more lightly loaded it becomes, the more often such messages are broadcast.

Abstract: A computing apparatus comprises a processor unit 10 and a foot control unit 13, in addition to a device for presenting information to a user such as a microdisplay. Movement of the foot, which drives operation of a selection element, provides user input to the processor unit. The foot control unit contains a position sensor 27 that detects position relative to a reference unit 26 in the processor unit 10. A stream of relative position data is used to indicate alternative options at the information presentation device. Selection may be carried out by various alternative methods in different embodiments —if the position sensor 27 is also an orientation sensor, this may be by rotation of the foot. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a wearable computing apparatus.

Abstract: A composite medical device having a titanium, and titanium based alloy, section welded to a ferrous metal section. The weld provides supplementary filler material to alter the proportions of various elements in the weld pool to ensure a strong and reliable weld. Certain fillers, such as nickel or iron, added to the weld pool enable high quality welds to be fabricated utilizing a wide variety of fusion welding techniques between the titanium, or titanium based alloy, section and the ferrous metal section. The sections may include nickel-titanium, also known as nitinol. The sections may be in the form of wires, bars, ribbons, and sheets. The composite medical device of the present invention may include guidewires, stents, right-angle needles, suture passers, retractors, graspers, baskets, and various retrieval devices.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube assembly 10 comprising a tube 12 having a plurality of fins 14 mounted thereto at spaced intervals along its length, each fin 14 having at least one aperture 16 through which the tube 12 is received, each fin 14 having an integral spacer 20 to define the spaced interval from an adjacent fin, the spacer 20 extending from the rim of the aperture 16 generally transversely to the fin 14 to provide an inner surface profiled to contact and cooperate with the external surface of the tube 12 to enhance heat transfer from the tube 12 to the fin 14, the spacer 20 being bonded to the tube 12 by a thermally-conductive medium.

Abstract: The present disclosed system is directed toward a communication and management system that dynamically targets network devices for content deployment, such as application programs, device drivers, configuration files, and registry subhives. Moreover, the present system targets users of network devices for promotions, such as advertisements offered by Internet e-commerce sites. Promotions are generally icons or graphic images with links to host web servers overlaying a video display, but also includes audio and video clips or data streams. Network devices and their users are targeted through user profiles.

Abstract: The present disclosed system is directed toward a communication and management system that dynamically targets network devices for content deployment, such as application programs, device drivers, configuration files, and registry subhives. Moreover, the present system targets users of network devices for promotions, such as advertisements offered by Internet e-commerce sites. Promotions are generally icons or graphic images with links to host web servers overlaying a video display, but also includes audio and video clips or data streams. Network devices and their users are targeted through user profiles. User profiles are created when network devices register with the system server and are continually updated with information provided by user activity and event logs that are periodically uploaded from each device.

Abstract: The present disclosed system is directed toward a communication and management system that dynamically targets network devices for content deployment, such as application programs, device drivers, configuration files, and registry subhives. Moreover, the present system targets users of network devices for promotions, such as advertisements offered by Internet e-commerce sites. Promotions are generally icons or graphic images with links to host web servers overlaying a video display, but also includes audio and video clips or data streams. Network devices and their users are targeted through user profiles. User profiles are created when network devices register with the system server and are continually updated with information provided by user activity and event logs that are periodically uploaded from each device.