Abstract: A method for detecting pending transmissions in a wireless data network using a medium access control protocol includes defining bandwidth reservation parameters for inclusion in each packet transmitted on the network; providing information about existing reservation of time slots to stations on the network; providing a reservation preamble in each packet transmitted over the network; announcing a reserved time slot by identifying the duration and period of recurrence of a reservation; and allowing stations in the network to transmit packets in time slots identified as being unreserved.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing clocks in the stations of ad hoc and infrastructure networks includes providing a time stamp field in a header; reading the header by all stations in a network; extracting the time stamp information from the header by each station in the network as time information; sending extracted time information to a station clock; and adjusting the station clock as a function of the extracted time information. A system for synchronizing clocks in the stations of ad hoc and infrastructure networks includes a DLL having a comparator for receiving the time stamp information and a low-pass filter having a long time-constant for adjusting the station clock in a gradual manner; a time stamp field in a header; and time information extracted from the time stamp information of the header by each station in the network.

Abstract: In a wireless network incorporating a medium access control (MAC) protocol, a MAC reservation-sensing mechanism for facilitating network use by a plurality of stations, including listening to network traffic by a first station desiring to transmit on the network; determining the existence of reservation time slots on the network; identifying free time slots; broadcasting a reservation request for an identified free time slot to a second station on the network; coordinating, between the first station and the second station, to confirm that the identified free time slot is available; and iff there is no conflict on the network for the identified free time slot and the identified free time slot is confirmed to be free, transmitting data from the first station to the second station.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating a medical report summary includes the following steps. A medical report which includes one or more parameters is generated. A weight is calculated for the parameters in the medical report. The parameters are ordered based upon the calculated weight. A medical report summary is created that lists the parameters that have been ordered based upon the calculated weight.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automated assessment of regional myocardial function using wall motion analysis methods that analyze various features/parameters of patient information (image data and non-image data) obtained from medical records of a patient. For example, a method for providing automatic diagnostic support for cardiac imaging generally comprises obtaining image data of a heart of a patient, obtaining features from the image data of the heart, which are related to motion of the myocardium of the heart, and automatically assessing regional myocardial function of one or more regions of a myocardial wall using the obtained features.

Abstract: A WLAN (108) includes a first access point (104) for providing wireless service within a first coverage area, a second access point (106) for providing wireless service within a second coverage area and programmed to transmit probe responses, and a wireless communications unit (102) located within the first coverage area and operating on the wireless service of the first access point (104). The communications unit (102) is programmed to monitor, or passively probe, for the probe responses, or is instructed by the first access point (104) on when to monitor for the probe responses, transmitted by the second access point (106). By executing such passive probing, the communications unit (102) may make handover decisions for switching between the wireless service of the first access point (104) to the wireless service of the second access point (106) based on access point data included in the probe responses.

Abstract: A pressure vessel or pressurizable canister has a hollow, thin-walled, cylindrical metal shell or tube. Two end caps are hermetically sealed to the respective distal ends of the metal shell by the process of magnetic pulse welding that requires no external heat. The two end caps are made of a metallic alloy such as aluminum. The end caps are each cylindrically shaped and have at least one circumferential recess to accommodate the metal of the shell tube as it deforms about the end caps and forms an intermolecular bond. The canister can hold a pressure of at least 1,800 psi.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for ameliorating the clinical signs of an avian pneumovirus (APV) infection in a bird are disclosed. The compositions include immunologically effective amounts of an avirulent APV isolated from Canada geese. Methods for preparing avirulent Canada goose APV compositions and vaccines are also described.

Abstract: An implantable drug pump and an access template for locating the implanted pump refill septum, also known as a refill port, or cathether access port are disclosed. The access template comprises a denial surface, an access port, and template labeling. The denial surface has a periphery with a location diameter and an alignment feature. The denial surface is configured to prevent penetration through a dermal layer into the implantable drug pump. The access port carried on the denial surface is configured to permit penetration through the dermal layer. The template labeling uses a label color that is substantially the same color as needle labeling color for a needle sheath covering a needle that is intended to access an implantable drug pump. The access template can be configured into a wide variety of apparatus and method embodiments.

Abstract: A device for displaying and exchanging a plurality of documents of various shapes and sizes and for organizing the same. The device of the present invention comprises at least two layers of pliable sheet material. If multiple sheets are used, the sheets may be nested together. The sheets may then be inserted into a binder mechanism where the binder mechanism compressibly engages the layers to create a pressure region adjacent thereto. The frictional force between the sheet material and the inserted document retains a document inserted into the pressure region formed between two adjacent layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for employing histological and physiological biometric markers that are substantially unique to an individual in order to activate a device, participate in a transaction, or identify himself or herself, wherein at least one biometric marker is obtained by one or more electrical contacts on the surface of the skin. A biometric identification of an individual is obtained by a heartbeat waveform, which is acquired by one or more direct electrical contacts. A mechanism for biometric authentication is used that includes one or more electrodes, an electrical signal receiver, a memory module, and a processing module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating uniform splices for stranded cables. A joint for a stranded cable can be formed by inserting the ends of two cables into an electrically conductive splice band which, in turn, is inserted into a coil or inductor. The splice is fabricated by a process known as magnetic pulse forming, or magnetic pulse welding wherein a very large electrical current of short duration is directed through the coil or inductor from a charged capacitor bank. The resulting magnetic field in the coil or inductor induces a magnetic field on the splice band, compressing the splice band uniformly around the circumference of the two cable ends being spliced. In the case of magnetic pulse welding, the splice not only uniformly compresses the stranded cables, but a weld is also created between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the adjacent stranded cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating uniform splices for stranded cables. A joint for a stranded cable can be formed by inserting the ends of two cables into an electrically conductive splice band which, in turn, is inserted into a coil or inductor. The splice is fabricated by a process known as magnetic pulse forming, or magnetic pulse welding wherein a very large electrical current of short duration is directed through the coil or inductor from a charged capacitor bank. The resulting magnetic field in the coil or inductor induces a magnetic field on the splice band, compressing the splice band uniformly around the circumference of the two cable ends being spliced. In the case of magnetic pulse welding, the splice not only uniformly compresses the stranded cables, but a weld is also created between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the adjacent stranded cables.

Abstract: A device for soothing, stimulating, distracting and captivating a child has a body with a rigid body wall defining an interior cavity and including a first circular wall and cylindrical perimeter wall. The first circular wall has an outer surface with a light color and a plurality of indentations formed in the surface configured for casting shadows on the light color of the surface and creating contrast between the shadows and the light color. The indentations are sized and shaped to form a human face including first and second indentations forming eyes and a third indentation forming a mouth to stimulate the child. A pair of broadly rounded protrusions extend from opposite sides of the body forming handles and being generally configured to define human ears. A vibration mechanism is disposed in the interior cavity of the body for vibrating the body. A light source is disposed on the body wall for emitting light. A sound generator is disposed in the interior cavity of the body for emitting sound.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular frame, e.g., a bicycle frame, from two substantially symmetrical frame-halves utilizes a plurality of interconnected half-tubular elements. Each half-tubular element has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and longitudinal edges that extend between the exterior and interior surfaces in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the half-tubular element. The surfaces of the longitudinal edges of the half-tubular elements are shaped such that corresponding edges of corresponding half-tubular elements in the left and right half-frames may easily be interengaged, and adjusted along the respective longitudinal axes of the half-tubular elements that are being joined. Preferably, the longitudinal free edges are stepped in the radial direction such that each level is substantially planar and smooth along the respective longitudinal axis of the half-tubular element.

Abstract: A pressure vessel, or pressurizable canister is described herein. The canister has a hollow, thin-walled, cylindrical, metal shell. The preferred metal is aluminum, because light weight is a consideration for the vessel. Two end caps are mechanically sealed to the respective distal ends of the metal shell tube by the process of electromagnetic pulse forming. The two end caps are made of a high strength, ductile thermoplastic. The preferred plastic is DELRIN.RTM., which is fabricated from an acetal resin. The plastic end caps are injection molded, and can include reinforcing threads. The end caps are each cylindrically shaped, and have at least one circumferential recess to accommodate the metal of the shell tube as it deforms about the end caps. The tube shrinks into the recess of the end caps, and forms a mechanical seal therewith.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating the joint between a golf club head and the golf club shaft, and the article fabricated therefrom, is described herein. The golf club head in which the shaft is inserted has a bore hole having a recessed contoured aperture. The hollow, metal, or electrically conductive golf club shaft is placed into the bore hole of the club head, and an electric coil is placed inside the shaft. The electric coil is electrically pulsed, causing the shaft to expand outwardly to fit the contour of the aperture. The electro-formed, mechanically-bonded shaft is now permanently and integrally anchored to the golf club head. The club head aperture is additionally fitted with a plurality of vertically-disposed grooves along the vertical shaft axis. These vertical grooves capture the shaft as it expands outwardly to the internal surface during electromagnetic forming. The electromagnetically-formed shaft expands into these grooves and is prevented from rotationally or angularly slipping about the club head.

Abstract: A new method is disclosed of fabricating the joint between a golf club post and a drive shaft, as is the article fabricated therefrom. The golf club post to which the shaft attaches includes a circumferential recessed contour. The hollow, metal, electrically conductive golf club shaft is placed over the post, and an electric coil is placed around the shaft and post juncture. The electric coil is electrically pulsed, causing the shaft to shrink fit to the contour of the post. The electro-formed, mechanically bonded shaft is now permanently and integrally anchored to the golf club post. In a second embodiment, a non-conductive shaft of carbon fiber, for example, is electromagnetically bonded to the post, using a metallic ring, which is electromagnetically formed around the non-metallic shaft and post. In a third embodiment, the club head post is additionally fitted with at least one vertically disposed groove along the vertical axis of the post.

Abstract: There is described a handheld and actuated tool for making small diameter holes in the earth, comprising an elongated earth penetrating tubular member for cutting a core of earth, and a handle portion connected to the tubular member for transmitting earth penetrating and torsional forces thereto and for pulling the tubular member from the earth to remove the core of earth therein.

Abstract: A titanium-nitride coated carbide cutting tool is formed with complex angularly intersecting surfaces which form cutting edges having a generally trapezoidal configuration. The tool creates fine thread-like grooves in a circumferential wall of a tube which may be employed as a heat pipe. The generally trapezoidal resulting groove increases groove surface area that in turn increases working fluid wicking action.