Abstract: A column for use in post-frame construction having a two piece construction in which a first or foundation column portion of the column is set into the earth with a proximal end thereof protruding from the earth. The proximal end of the foundation column includes a column bracket for joining the foundation column to a wooden column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention. The foundation column of the present invention comprises a precast concrete column. The foundation column of the present invention advantageously resists degradation of its mechanical properties due to environmental influences while providing the necessary strength to support a post-frame building, including, e.g., the environmental loads received by the building. The wood column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention advantageously provides ease of workability to complete construction of a post-frame building.

Abstract: A dough product made by a process whereby a dough having an engagement surface and a leading feature is positioned onto the conveyor, transferred towards a process direction by a driving engagement and impacted to create a region of low pressure.

Abstract: The cooling system for the nozzle edges includes a chamber containing a cooling medium. First and second elongated plenums are disposed along opposite side edges of each platform. Inlet passages communicate cooling medium from the chamber into each plenum. Outlet passages from each plenum terminate in outlet holes in the side edges of the platform to cool the gap between adjacent nozzle segments. Passageways communicate with each plenum and terminate in film cooling holes to film cool platform surfaces. In each plenum, the inlet passages are not in direct line-of-sight flow communication with the outlet passages and passageways.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising at least one field effect electron source within a sealed structure, which encompasses an internal space that contains a reducing gas whose purpose is to prevent oxidation of the emissive material of the electron source, whereby the reducing gas is a gas with the formula NxHy where x=1 or 2 and y=3 or 4, and which is advantageously under a pressure of between 10?8 and 10?1 mbar. It also concerns manufacturing processes for such a device and apparatuses for implementing these processes.

Abstract: A vacuum-strength measurement device is utilized to determine vacuum producer system performance specifications and system parameters. A flow ability factor can be determined that represents the effect of system piping and usage area equipment on performance. With the flow ability factor, a vacuum strength requirement can be determined to effect a target vacuum performance. For system design, design parameters can be established based on a relationship between a desired flow ability factor and an amount of vacuum strength required to match target vacuum performance.

Abstract: A modular communications, command, and control system with plug-and-play connectivity, utilizing configurable independent base stations and portable handsets that preferably have similar components and functionality so as to be interoperable. The system utilizes an open system interconnection architecture preferably having fully integrated layers permitting inter-operability with adaptive applications and inter/intra-linking with external appliances and/or apparatuses. Optionally, the system may be utilized to perform extended information handling/processing, networking, personal assistance, industrial, commercial, medical, military, and/or security functions.

Abstract: New information and amusement is provided by a method for determining compatibility and resemblance between people, by using biometric face recognition to compare facial features. A computer server operates as either connected via the Internet or as a non-networked, standalone kiosk. Facial image data is received from a user and compared to other stored images to compare similarities. Processing is performed on the computer server by the face recognition module and application software. A determination is then made as to compatibility and/or the resemblance level between facial images. Compatibility and resemblance are each directly correlated to how closely the user's facial features match those of other stored images. The computer server input/output module then outputs the results to the user as an analysis containing match scores.

Abstract: A data query and reporting method and system are provided. The method and system allow non-technical computer users to build and execute complex database queries. The method and system accommodate the need for a simple, easy-to-understand interactive and iterative means for generating and validating database queries. The method and system reduce the complexity and costs associated with retrieving useful information for organizations of all sizes, especially smaller businesses. The method and system support a robust security model, enabling organizations to protect sensitive data while providing broad data access.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and following drill links in a report are disclosed. A relational abstraction of a data store is defined, the definition including a plurality of views, scalar or aggregate fields associated with the views, and relations between the views. A report is generated that includes at least one drill link associated with a sequence of one or more relations originating at a base view of the relational abstraction. Upon selecting a drill link contained in a first report, information about the drill link is extracted from the report, and the extracted information and the destination view associated with the drill link are used to create a second report.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a relational abstraction data store are disclosed. A relational abstraction of a data store is defined, the definition including a plurality of views, scalar or aggregate fields associated with the views, and relations between the views. The fields and relations associated with views are displayed and related to a base view through a sequence of relations. The fields displayed are constrained based upon the sequence of relations from the base view. Scalar fields are displayed where the sequence of relations does not contain a to-many relation. Aggregate fields are displayed where the sequence of relations contains at least one to-many relation. Distinct aggregate fields are displayed where the relation path sequence contains a to-many relation followed by a many-to-one relation. A field may be displayed with additional information indicating how, or whether, the fields may be used. The display of fields may be constrained in predetermined ways.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for use in direction and guidance systems includes an elongated insulating base upon which one or more light emitting diode strips, each supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes, are positioned. A terminal housing supporting operative power systems and control apparatus is coupled to one end of the lighting assembly while the remaining end may be coupled to an end cap or connected to a further lighting assembly to increase the array size. The light emitting diodes are covered by a light transmissive material that provides physical and weather protection for the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A self-adhesive protective film having a backing layer and an adhesive layer, characterized in that the backing layer is an undrawn film, the backing layer comprises at least one polypropylene block copolymer and the amount of polypropylene block copolymer makes up from 10 to 95% (w/w) of the protective film.

Abstract: A video decoder compliant with the Advanced Television Systems Standard (ATSC) includes circuitry which decodes an ATSC encoded image and employs a downconversion process to produce a standard definition video signal. The video decoder includes a frequency-domain filter to reduce the resolution of the ATSC encoded signal. The video decoder downconversion system also includes a formatting section having vertical and horizontal filters, as well as resampling processing, to format the decoded and downconverted video image for a particular display and aspect ratio. The decoder senses the display format of the encoded video signal and changes the processing provided by the decoder to produce a standard definition output signal regardless of the display format of the encoded input signal. The system also includes a format converter which may be programmed to use a plurality of methods to convert the aspect ratio of the input signal for display on a display device having a different aspect ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved grinding wheel for grinding eye glass edges. The grinding wheel comprises a base member and an abrasive coating of diamond and metal. The base member 3 consists substantially of plastic material and an annular member 2 of metallic material is provided between the base member 3 and the coating 1. The metallic material of the annular member 2 has a strength withstanding the forces occuring in sintering the coating to the annular member.

Abstract: A lighting strip for use in direction and guidance systems includes an elongated insulating base upon which one or more light emitting diode strips each supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes are positioned. A terminal housing supporting operative power systems and control apparatus is coupled to one end of the lighting strip while the remaining end may be coupled to an end cap or connected to a further lighting strip to increase the array size. The light emitting diodes are encapsulated within a light transmissive material top cover to provide physical protection and seal for the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: An HDTV down conversion system including apparatus for forming a set of low resolution down-sampled pixel values corresponding to a current frame of a video signal from a set of low resolution pixel values corresponding to a residual image of a current frame of the video signal and from a set of down-sampled low resolution pixel values corresponding to reference frames of the video signal. The apparatus includes a memory for storing the set of down-sampled low resolution pixel values. An up-sampling processor receives from the memory and uses Lagrangian interpolation to convert the set of down-sampled low resolution pixel values corresponding to the reference frame of the video signal into a set of up-sampled low resolution pixel values corresponding to the reference frame of the video signal.

Abstract: A cooking oven comprises a cavity having a separating and insulating plate which can be inserted horizontally in the cavity in order to split it in two sub-cavities. Each sub-cavity has heating elements on its side walls. The oven sub-cavities can be singularly or separately and this increases flexibility in use.

Abstract: A video decoder compliant with the Advanced Television Systems Standard (ATSC) includes circuitry which, when the decoder is operated in a first mode, decodes a Main Profile, High Level (MP@HL) image to produce a high-definition video output signal and decodes a Main Profile, Main Level (MP@ML) signal to produce a standard definition video signal. In addition, when the decoder is operated in a second mode, circuitry is used which generates a standard definition image from the MP@HL signal. The video decoder includes a frequency-domain filter to reduce the resolution of the MP@HL signal when the decoder is operated in the second mode.

Abstract: A lighting strip for use in direction and guidance systems includes an elongated insulating base upon which one or more light emitting diode strips each supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes are positioned. A terminal housing supporting operative power systems and control apparatus is coupled to one end of the lighting strip while the remaining end may be coupled to an end cap or connected to a further lighting strip to increase the array size. The light emitting diodes are encapsulated within a light transmissive material top cover to provide physical protection and seal for the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A microtip electron source including at least one electron emission zone composed of a plurality of microtips connected electrically to a cathode conductor. At least one gate electrode is positioned opposite the electron emission zone and pierced with apertures located opposite the microtips, to extract the electrons from the microtips. An emitted electron focusing gate is positioned opposite the gate electrode, and includes an aperture unit including at least one slit located opposite at least two successive microtips. A flat display screen can include such a microtip electron source. Further, a manufacturing process of such an electron source is disclosed.