Abstract: An iridescent material comprises a diffraction grating incorporating a plurality of sheets (1) of a first substantially transparent material in parallel alignment and spaced away apart by quantities of a second substantially transparent material (2), the second material having a refractive index significantly lower than the refractive index of the first material, the plates being tilted at an angle ? to an axis X and the grating having a period d(X) in the direction of axis X, the angle ? and period d being such that a second diffraction grating is provided along an axis Z, perpendicular to axis X, the second diffraction grating having a period d(Z) and consisting of ten periods or less and whereby, the diffraction conditions of the grating can be simultaneously fulfilled by electromagentic radiation of a range of wavelength thereby causing iridescence.

Abstract: A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion catheter including a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen, and an inflatable balloon spaced proximally from the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the balloon is echogenically enhanced.

Abstract: The methods for handling a communication request received for a former user of a communication system include sending updated address book information for the former user to an initiator's address book, redirecting the communication request to the forwarding address for the former user, redirecting the communication request to an assigned replacement of the former user, or any combination of the above. Additionally, the replacement's address book information may be sent to the initiator's address book for updating. In one embodiment, a replication of the former user's address book is retained to assist in determining how to handle the received communication request.

Abstract: Apparatus capable of enhancing an incident electric field to drive an electromagnetic tag (124) into operation, comprising a resonant dielectric cavity which extends out of a single plane defined between two conducting surfaces (102, 104, 106). The cavity may extend over two or more layers, and can adopt C or S shaped or spiral profiles.

Abstract: A voltage tap apparatus functions as both a voltage tap and a cell isolator for conductive case battery cells that are joined end-to-end in a series chain. The apparatus includes conductive leadframe elements partially encased in a plastic frame that engages the joined cells about their juncture, with portions of the lead-frame elements exposed to electrically contact the conductive cases of the cells. In a first embodiment, the plastic frame is in the form of a hinged clamp that closes about the juncture of the cells, and the lead-frame elements are routed to terminals formed on one end of the frame. In a second embodiment, the plastic frame and a connector are mounted on a printed circuit board and the leadframe elements in the plastic frame couple the battery cells to the connector.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation decoupler for decoupling radiation in the wavelength range ?min to ?max. The decoupler has a first conductor layer in contact with a dielectric layer which comprises at least one area of absence and the thickness of the decoupler is less than ?min/4n, where n is the refractive index of the dielectric. The dielectric layer may be sandwiched between two conductor layers, one of which has the structure described above. The invention is also directed to methods of using and various articles comprising such a decoupler.

Abstract: An electronic payment and authentication system that includes features to verify the authenticity of a payer, validate debit data, and facilitate debit (as opposed to credit) payment transactions. The electronic payment system allows a consumer to purchase items and services via a network while utilizing a debit transaction. The invention provides merchants with the ability to verify the identity of the consumer, determine if the consumer is a good debit transaction risk, and retrieve debit data associated with a particular consumer.

Abstract: A game apparatus having a roulette wheel with a plurality of wheel sections, a pointer for randomly selecting one of the wheel sections, and a playing surface adapted for placing wagers concerning the randomly selected wheel section. Each of the wheel sections has two separate number representations, such as the faces of a pair of dice, which are summed to represent a summation for the wheel section. The playing surface has a plurality of wager sections corresponding to the summations of the wheel sections on the roulette wheel. The roulette wheel can further include a second plurality of wheel sections having representations of the suits of a deck of playing cards thereon and the playing surface can further include one or more wager sections corresponding to the second plurality of wheel sections.

Abstract: In order to check the authenticity of a banknote or other such document it is printed with two patches of magnetisable ink, and each patch is magnetised to present a multipole sequence of alternating polarity. If the document is folded to bring the two patches together and then rubbed to and fro in the direction of the pole sequences, they will be subject to alternating forces of attraction and repulsion which can be sensed through the fingertips and gives the impression of a physically rippled texture notwithstanding that the patches actually have a smooth surface. The presence or absence of this effect can therefore be used to distinguish between a genuine document bearing such magnetised patches and a counterfeit which may be visually identical but lacks the correct magnetisation. In a variant only one of the patches is printed on the document itself and the other is on a separate “key” device which is rubbed over it to test for the presence of the correct magnetisation.

Abstract: Articles for applying color on a surface comprise a sheet of dry color component and an adhesive on one surface of the sheet of dry color component. The article further includes a releasable liner, and the sheet of dry color component is arranged between the releasable liner and the adhesive. Methods for providing a substantially permanent color effect on an architectural surface comprise delivering such an article to the architectural surface.

Abstract: A composition for treating wood, concrete, and related materials to effect sealing the article against water, preventing microbial attack, protecting against UV degradation, and optionally imparting a color for aesthetic purposes and an article treated with the composition. The composition includes a solvent having an elevated flash point, no VOC's or substantially no VOC's, facilitating its use inside with little or no additional ventilation. The compositions contain no antioxidants, or low and controlled levels of antioxidants to allow the applied composition to properly oxidize and cure upon exposure to air. The compositions can be applied by all conventional methods known for applying sealants and stains.

Abstract: Arrangements for use in crankcase ventilation are described and shown. Included are serviceable crankcase ventilation filter cartridges which include a media pack axial drain arrangement, for preferred, efficient, operation. A crankcase ventilation filter arrangements including a housing and such a serviceable cartridge is shown. Also shown and described are methods of assembly, operation and use.

Abstract: A voltage tap apparatus functions as both a voltage tap and a cell isolator for conductive case battery cells that are joined end-to-end in a series chain. The apparatus includes conductive leadframe elements partially encased in a plastic frame that engages the joined cells about their juncture, with portions of the lead-frame elements exposed to electrically contact the conductive cases of the cells. In a first embodiment, the plastic frame is in the form of a hinged clamp that closes about the juncture of the cells, and the lead-frame elements are routed to terminals formed on one end of the frame. In a second embodiment, the plastic frame and a connector are mounted on a printed circuit board and the leadframe elements in the plastic frame couple the battery cells to the connector.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of objects included within a print job. A first object of the plurality of objects and a second object of the plurality of objects are processed to define a first overlapping region between the first and second objects. The first object is modified to remove the first overlapping region, thus generating a modified first object.

Abstract: A shared system resource such as a file server includes an integrated, cooperative cluster of domains that include hierarchically related domains and peer related domains, each performing functions supporting the services provided by the system resource. Hierarchically related domains include a higher level domain and a lower level domain respectively performing higher and lower level operations of functions supporting the system resource services and peer related domains include parallel domains performing operations in mutual support of functions supporting the system resource services. A domain may include fault handling mechanisms operating independently of and cooperatively with fault handling mechanisms of other domains, and domain may be comprised of domains.

Abstract: Articles for applying color on a surface comprise a sheet of dry color component and an adhesive on one surface of the sheet of dry color component. In one embodiment, the article is free of a releasable liner and a carrier sheet. In another embodiment, the sheet of dry color component and adhesive have a combined thickness of about 3 mils or less. Methods for providing a substantially permanent color effect on an architectural surface comprise applying dry color component to the architectural surface.

Abstract: A system and method for circuit protector monitoring and management includes at least one circuit protector defining an interruptible current path therethrough upon an occurrence of specified operating condition in a circuit; a status element associated with the circuit protector and adapted to monitor an operating state of the current path; and an electronic management system in communication with the status element, wherein the management system is adapted to automatically alert and summon responsible personnel when the circuit protector has operated to open the circuit path, and identify the location of the operated circuit protector.

Abstract: A method of processing an exchange includes providing a solver/analyzer for determining a solution that includes at least one of a winning allocation and feasible allocations. At least one bid is received at the solver/analyzer, with each bid including at least one item and an associated price. Exchange description data (EDD) is associated with the at least one bid. The EDD is also received at the solver/analyzer. The processing of the at least one bid is modified in accordance with the at least one feature included in the EDD.

Abstract: A process for scheduling reservation requests among a plurality of nodes on a network, includes examining a level of network communication activity of a first node to determine whether the first node is active; allocating a reservation request to the first node, but only if the first node is determined to be active; and repeating the process of examining and allocating for one or more subsequent nodes on the network. In one embodiment, the process can utilize thresholds to determine whether a network device is active and the thresholds can be based on, for example, recent network activity for the node being evaluated.

Abstract: Snacks are provided that contains fruit or vegetable materials. Snacks can be formulated to provide one half of a serving and up to and including at least one serving, and fractions therebetween, of fruit or vegetable in a single 28 gram serving of snack. The snacks can comprise 12% or less fat. A fruit snack can comprise from about 12% to about 66% of fruit source solids; from about 34% to about 88% of starch; from about 0.1% to about 5.0% of water; and from about 0% to about 54% of optional ingredients.