Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating wastewater holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: A servo-operated rotary vane valve is intended for external assembly through an opening in an engine inlet manifold passage with an integral rib formed therein. Baffling surfaces on the edge of the vane minimize pressure pulse communication over the rib when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator moves a barrier between open and closed positions. The operator receives a first request to move the barrier. The actual force required to move the barrier is measured. An obstruction to barrier movement is determined by comparing the measured actual force to a first predetermined force threshold. Responsive to the detection of an obstruction, the direction of travel of the barrier is reversed. The operation of the barrier movement operator is modified, by permitting the use of a higher force threshold in future measurements. A second request to move the barrier is received. The actual force required to move the barrier is measured a second time. An obstruction to barrier movement is detected by comparing the measured actual force with the new, higher force threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods and compositions for treating viral infections. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel compositions comprising an anti-convulsant, such as phenytoin, in combination with multivitamins as an anti-viral composition and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Multiple zones (21, 22, 23) are established with respect to the travel of a movable barrier over a course of permitted movement (typically between a fully open and a fully closed position). By detecting and knowing the juxtaposition of the movable barrier with a given one of these zones, a particular direction of movement for that movable barrier can be automatically selected notwithstanding possible ignorance regarding the exact position of the movable barrier due to, for example, one or more triggering conditions (such as momentary disconnection of the movable barrier with respect to its motive mechanism). Such zones are particularly efficacious when employed in conjunction with passpoint-based position determination movable barrier operator systems.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator which uses an A.C. motor to move a barrier is disclosed herein. The operator senses a characteristic of barrier movement, such as motor rotation speed, to detect when the barrier contacts an obstruction. The motor and/or the circuitry for applying electrical power to the motor have been enhanced to improve the detectibility of contact with an obstruction.

Abstract: A composition is provided for raising endorphin levels and increasing insulin sensitivity in a mammal.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator with a backup source of DC power is disclosed. The power supply of the barrier movement operator sends current limited DC to the backup which uses the DC to charge a battery. The battery is in circuit at all times with the barrier movement operator power supply by means of a power diode and, when an AC mains power failure occurs, DC power is sent from the battery to power the barrier movement operator.

Abstract: A wireless transmit-only apparatus (20) has a controller (21) that responds to a user interface 25 by correlating specific user input with a corresponding characterizing transmission parameter(s) as is stored in a memory (35) and by selecting a corresponding resonant device (31 and 32). The latter devices serve to drive the PLL control input of a phase locked loop (23) to thereby influence the transmission carrier frequency of a wireless transmitter (22). In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the resonant devices comprises a mechanically resonant device such as a surface acoustic wave device, a crystal resonator, or a ceramic resonator.

Abstract: A wireless transmit-only apparatus (20) can be comprised of a controller (21) that selectively controls which of a plurality of resonant devices (24 and 25) are utilized to influence the transmission carrier frequency of a transmitter (26). In a preferred embodiment at least one of the resonant devices comprises a mechanically resonant device (24) such as a surface acoustic wave device, a crystal resonator, or a ceramic resonator. In a preferred embodiment, a user interface (22) includes a plurality of independently assertable inputs. The controller responds to assertion of one of this inputs by selecting a particular set of characterizing transmission parameters (as are stored, for example, in a memory (23) and using those characterizing transmission parameters to transmit a message using a transmission carrier frequency as corresponds to use of a co-selected resonant device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating waster water holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: A servo-operated rotary vane valve is intended for external assembly through an opening in an engine inlet manifold passage with an integral rib formed therein. Baffling surfaces on the edge of the vane minimize pressure pulse communication over the rib when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the speed of an A.C. induction motor are disclosed and shown in operation for controlling the movement of a barrier. Included are voltage configuration circuits which selectively gate portions of the half-cycles of AC mains voltage to the induction motor. When the motor is started increasing amounts of mains AC voltage is applied to the motor and decreasing portions of the mains AC are applied to the motor during a stopping routine. The motor can also be energized with less than full mains AC to permit differences in barrier movement speed dependent on operating parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating wastewater holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application program interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application programming interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A method for controlling an optical, path-to-sight link, the optical link including a source of light having a beam of light, a controllable beam steering device and an actuator to permit steering the light beam, the beam steering device being controllable by predetermined control signals. The method includes the following steps. The beam steering device is controlled so as to scan the beam of light in a first predetermined pattern. First direction is received data from a remote receiver including a light detector, the direction data corresponding to a direction of the beam at which the scanned beam of light is detected by the light detector. Responsive to the first direction data, a first beam direction is determined for data communication from the link to the receiver. The beam steering device is controlled to maintain a communications beam direction corresponding to the first beam direction. The beam of light is modulated with electronic signals.

Abstract: A walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. A walled garden proxy server (WGPS) controls access to the walled garden. When a user of a client wishes to access a service in the walled garden, the client sends a request to the WGPS including a plot number identifying the service and a ticket granting the client access to the service. The WGPS denies access to clients lacking a ticket or presenting invalid tickets. In response, the client contacts a gateway server (GS) having a database of users and associated access rights. The user presents authentication information to the GS. If the user positively authenticates, the GS generates a ticket containing a Box ID from the client, an expiration date, and set of bits representing the access rights of the user. The GS encrypts the ticket and gives it to the client.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (12) for use in a brake system (10) having a first housing (100) with a first bore (102) separated from a second bore (104). The first bore (102) retains a power piston (118) and the second bore (104) retains a control valve arrangement (170). A push rod (30) of an input arrangement (49) is connected to the power piston (118) and linked to the control valve arrangement (170) by a lever arrangement (50). A second housing (200) encloses the control valve arrangement (170), lever arrangement (50) and a projection (117) that extends from the power piston (118) to define a cavity or relief chamber (202) having a permanent low pressure. The input arrangement (49) supplies the control valve arrangement (170) with an input force in response to a braking force applied to the push rod (30) to regulate the communication of pressurized supply fluid from the second bore (104).

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (12) for use in a brake system (10) having a first housing (100) with a first bore (102) separated from a second bore (104). The first bore (102) retains a power piston (118) and the second bore (104) retains a control valve arrangement (170). A push rod (30) of an input arrangement (49) is connected to the power piston (118) and linked to the control valve arrangement (170) by a lever arrangement (50). A second housing (200) encloses the control valve arrangement (170), lever arrangement (50) and a projection (117) that extends from the power piston (118) to define a cavity or relief chamber (202). The input arrangement (49) supplies the control valve arrangement (170) with an input force in response to a braking force applied to the push rod (30) to regulate the communication of pressurized supply fluid from the second bore (104). The regulated supply fluid acts on and moves the power piston (118) to pressurize operational fluid in the first bore (102).