Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recognizing and tracking a user's skeletal joints with a NUI system and further, for recognizing and tracking only some skeletal joints, such as for example a user's upper body. The system may include a limb identification engine which may use various methods to evaluate, identify and track positions of body parts of one or more users in a scene. In examples, further processing efficiency may be achieved by segmenting the field of view in smaller zones, and focusing on one zone at a time. Moreover, each zone may have its own set of predefined gestures which are recognized.

Abstract: A light emission assembly for weapon sights which provides a viewable illuminated aiming indicia of substantially fixed area and uniform brightness regardless of the ambient light conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the diagnosis or prognosis of a systemic inflammatory condition such as sepsis.

Abstract: An Avocado Cutting and Splitting Device. The device uses a single cutting blade to cut through both the seed and meat of incoming avocados. In order to increase uptime, the device had a feature that allows for the cutting blade to be sharpened while in operating condition (without the need for removing the blade from the machine). To increase the uniformity in the orientation of the cut in the avocados, there are a series of guides, elements and other apparatus that will place the incoming avocados in a consistent orientation relative to the cutting blade before they are cut. In order to improve throughput and reduce the need for human operator involvement, the device includes a set of custom-shaped ramps designed to guide and transport the cut avocado halves down to the moving exit conveyor so that the halves land face-down on the exit conveyor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recognizing and tracking a user's skeletal joints with a NUI system and further, for recognizing and tracking only some skeletal joints, such as for example a user's upper body. The system may include a limb identification engine which may use various methods to evaluate, identify and track positions of body parts of one or more users in a scene. In examples, further processing efficiency may be achieved by segmenting the field of view in smaller zones, and focusing on one zone at a time. Moreover, each zone may have its own set of predefined gestures which are recognized.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical beam steering. There is described an optical beam steering apparatus, comprising: a splitter arranged to split an optical beam into at least a first part having a first polarisation and a second part having a second polarisation, said first and second polarisations being substantially mutually orthogonal; a first liquid crystal device region arranged to receive said first part and to have director orientation substantially aligned to said first polarisation; and a second liquid crystal device region arranged to receive said second part and to have director orientation substantially aligned to said second polarisation.

Abstract: Synthesized body images are generated for a machine learning algorithm of a body joint tracking system. Frames from motion capture sequences are retargeted to several different body types, to leverage the motion capture sequences. To avoid providing redundant or similar frames to the machine learning algorithm, and to provide a compact yet highly variegated set of images, dissimilar frames can be identified using a similarity metric. The similarity metric is used to locate frames which are sufficiently distinct, according to a threshold distance. For realism, noise is added to the depth images based on noise sources which a real world depth camera would often experience. Other random variations can be introduced as well. For example, a degree of randomness can be added to retargeting. For each frame, the depth image and a corresponding classification image, with labeled body parts, are provided. 3-D scene elements can also be provided.

Abstract: An aiming sight has a base, at least one light emitting element on the base, and a clear cover over the light emitting element. The light emitting element is made of light gathering plastic combined with self-luminous microspheres. When ambient light is present, the light emitting element functions as a light gathering rod that emits light from the back end. When no light is present, the light emitting element is self-luminous.

Abstract: Adaptive voltage scalers (AVSs), systems, and related methods are disclosed. The AVSs are configured to adaptively adjust voltage levels powering a functional circuit(s) based on target operating frequencies and delay variation conditions to avoid or reduce voltage margin. In one embodiment, the AVS includes an AVS database. The AVS database can be configured to store voltage levels for various operating frequencies of a functional circuit(s) to avoid or reduce voltage margin. The AVS database allows rapid voltage level decisions. The voltage levels stored in the AVS database may be initial, minimum, learned, populated, explored, backed out, temperature-based, and/or age-based voltage levels according to disclosed embodiments to further avoid or reduce voltage margin. An AVS module may be a software-based module that consults the AVS database to make voltage level decisions. Providing the AVS module as a software-based module may allow flexibility in configuring the AVS module and/or the AVS database.

Abstract: An aiming sight has a base, two oppositely facing light emitting elements on the base, a pivot upon which the base rotates, a detent that holds the base at selected positions, and a spring, magnet or other structure that presses the sight towards the aimed device upon which the sight is mounted. The sight is selectively rotated so that one of the light emitting elements faces the user for aiming, without removing the sight or the light emitting elements from the aimed device.

Abstract: An aqueous metal treatment composition designed to improve adhesion and corrosion resistance of the metal surface includes an organofunctional silane in combination with a fluorozirconic or fluorotitanic acid, methanesulfonic acid and nitric acid. The methanesulfonic acid acts to reduce sludge formation. Preferably, the composition also includes a fluorosilicic acid which likewise reduces sludge and improves corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method and information processing system for providing messaging through an electronic messaging system. At least one user is determined to have performed at least one of the following two acts, creating an electronic message and sending an electronic message. At least one message is selected from a data store in response to the user having performed at least one of the two acts. The message is embedded within the electronic message. An accounting record is updated that includes information for compensating the user based on sent electronic messages including the message, which has been embedded.

Abstract: A method and system for using tokens in a transaction handling system comprising receiving at least one token transmitted from a sending device, the at least one token having a user-defined value and a plurality of data fields, locking the at least one transmitted token from a receiving device and redeeming from the receiving device the user-defined value of the locked at least one transmitted token.

Abstract: A method and system for generating tokens in a transaction handling system comprising creating at least one token on at least one server in the transaction handling system, the at least one token having a user-defined value and a plurality of data fields, each of the data fields representing data stored on the at least one server, acquiring the at least one token from the at least one server over a first communication network, and transmitting from a sending device the acquired at least one token to at least one receiving device over a second communication network.

Abstract: A method and systems for generating and using transaction tokens including a plurality of interfaces for communication over a network, the plurality of interfaces communicatively coupled to a plurality of information sending devices and a plurality of information receiving devices, at least one database including a token data table and a user profile table, the token data table storing at least one token, the at least one token having a user-defined value and a plurality of data fields, and a business software component communicatively coupled to the plurality of interfaces and the at least one database that is operative to receive at least one request from the plurality of interfaces, generate at least one token in response to the at least one request received from the plurality for interfaces, lock the at least one token generated in response to the received at least one request, and redeem the user-defined value of the locked at least one token.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis method for creating a three-dimensional reconstruction of a target element volume acquires radiation absorbance images of the target element volume through a limited plurality of positions. The target element volume is divided into a plurality of volume segments and a reconstruction algorithm is applied to each segment to generate a three-dimensional reconstruction of each volume segment. The three-dimensional reconstruction of each volume segment is then merged to create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the target volume. A tomosynthesis system and a computer program product for carrying out tomosynthesis are also provided.

Abstract: A method for routing a call associated with a private dialing plan includes receiving a call directed to a destination endpoint associated with a private dialing plan (PDP), receiving an internal egress path identifier associated with the destination endpoint, and routing the call to an egress path identified by the egress path identifier.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for automatic configuration of data routings for use with electronic data such as phone calls, faxes, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, when more than one carrier might potentially terminate the transmission, the carriers are ordered based on some screening criterion (e.g., transmission price). Data transmissions are then assigned to the carriers based on the sorting order, with the second place and lower carriers (e.g., the higher priced carriers) not being selected unless the first carrier cannot complete the transaction. The switch instructions necessary to implement this scheme may be generated automatically.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of quantifying the levels of at least one analyte in a sample or extract comprising adding a known quantity of at least one internal standard to the sample or extract. The present invention also relates to internal standards used in mass spectrometry, as well as compositions thereof. Internal standards for mass spectrometry according to the invention can be used, for example, to assist aligning mass spectra obtained from two different samples, each of which comprises the internal standard. In one aspect of the invention, the internal standard is a dendrimer. A labile internal standard may be used in conjunction with the dendrimer.

Abstract: An avocado de-skinning apparatus having two vertically disposed rotating drums which rotate inward. The drums each have axial grooves which are perpendicular to the axis of the drums and intersecting cross grooves which are perpendicular to the axial grooves and parallel to the axis of the drums. The rotating drums pinch off the skin of an avocado and force it through a drum gap between the rotating drums. The avocado pulp drops off for further processing. A skin scraper at the rear of the rotating drums removes skin adhering to the drums and a pulp scraper [doctor blade] to the front, with ends which corresponds to the shape of the axial grooves, biases onto the axial grooves and scrapes off any pulp adhering to the drums for further processing.