Abstract: Materials and methods are disclosed for providing a durable tape having improved durability and improved resistance to environmental stresses including corrosive gases and photo-degradation. The durable tape contains non-volatile sacrificial metals and radical scavengers as an integral part of its construction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products, for using a web browser to view stored data over the World Wide Web, where the data is stored in a format normally incompatible with such viewing. A client computer processes a view descriptor and a general view class to generate a specific view class, or template, and a query. The specific view class is used as a template to display data the client receives from a data server after submitting the generated query to the data server. The result of using a specific view class as a template for the data is that the data is output in Hypertext Markup Language, so as to be easily displayable on a web browser. View classes and view descriptors may be developed using existing Web development tools such as Extensible Style Language and Extensible Markup Language.

Abstract: A system records use of a structure deployed in operative association with heart tissue in a patient. An image controller generates an image of the structure while in use in the patient. An input receives data including information identifying the patient. An output processes the image in association with the data as a patient-specific, data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the conversion of a hydrocarbon-bearing feedstock to a valuable product gas such as methane (CH4). The feedstock can advantageously be a low-cost or negative net cost feedstock such as municipal waste or low-grade coal. The method advantageously includes the step of forming large volumes of hydrogen gas and contacting the hydrogen gas with the feedstock to produce methane. The methane can be combusted to produce electricity, such as in a combined cycle generator.

Abstract: A network interface is described in which a single computer bus is split over a long distance into two or more inter-communicating buses. On one bus, processing and applications are provided and on the other remote bus, peripheral and local controllers are provided. The buses communicate through a series of: bridge, FPGA, FPGA and bridge. Between the FPGAs, a communication path provides long distance communication.

Abstract: There is disclosed a radio frequency (RF) modem shelf for use in a fixed wireless access network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of bidirectional time division duplex (TDD) communication with wireless access devices disposed at a plurality of subscriber premises. The radio frequency (RF) modem shelf comprises: a) a first RF modem for communicating with a plurality of the wireless access devices using TDD frames, each TDD frame having an uplink for receiving data and a downlink for transmitting data; and b) a modulation controller associated with the RF modem shelf for determining an optimum modulation configuration for each of the plurality of wireless access devices communicating with the first RF modem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. The mail is serially fed from a stack of mail into a system transport. The system transport conveys the mail to an imaging station, which scans the mail to obtain image data corresponding to at least a portion of each piece. From the imaging station, the mail is conveyed to a buffer, which selectively maintains the mail while the address printed on the mail is determined. After the address for a piece of mail is determined, the piece is conveyed out of the buffer to a printer, which prints a POSTNET barcode onto the piece. The POSTNET barcode corresponds to the address that was determined for the piece. Optionally, the apparatus may include a labeler for applying a blank label onto the mail, and the POSTNET barcode can then be printed onto the label after it is applied to the mail. After the POSTNET barcode is printed on a piece, it is conveyed past a verifier, which scans the printed POSTNET barcode to ensure that the barcode was printed properly.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to carpet and method of making it. In one aspect, the carpet includes (a) a primary backing which has a face and a back surface, (b) a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing, (c) an adhesive backing, (d) an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing, and (e) at least one homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer. The method includes extrusion coating at least one homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer onto the back surface of a primary backing to provide an adhesive backing. The method can include additional steps or procedures, either separately or in various combinations.

Abstract: There is disclosed a TDD frame transmission synchronization apparatus for use in a fixed wireless access network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of bidirectional time division duplex (TDD) communication with wireless access devices disposed at a plurality of subscriber premises. The TDD frame transmission synchronization apparatus comprises a frame allocation controller for receiving from a first radio frequency (RF) modem shelf associated with a first base station access requests generated by a first group of wireless access devices communicating with the first base station and determining from traffic requirements associated with the access requests a time duration of a longest downlink portion of TDD frames used by a first one of a plurality of RF modems in the RF modem shelf to communicate with a first wireless access device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. The mail is serially fed from a stack of mail into a system transport. The system transport conveys the mail to an imaging station, which scans the mail to obtain image data corresponding to at least a portion of each piece. From the imaging station, the mail is conveyed to a buffer, which selectively maintains the mail while the address printed on the mail is determined. After the address for a piece of mail is determined, the piece is conveyed out of the buffer to a printer, which prints a POSTNET barcode onto the piece. The POSTNET barcode corresponds to the address that was determined for the piece. Optionally, the apparatus may include a labeler for applying a blank label onto the mail, and the POSTNET barcode can then be printed onto the label after it is applied to the mail. After the POSTNET barcode is printed on a piece, it is conveyed past a verifier, which scans the printed POSTNET barcode to ensure that the barcode was printed properly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical frequency modulation discrimination. An optical beam is split into a first optical beam and a second optical beam A first photodetector is provided, the first photodetector providing a first current responsive to the first optical beam input thereon, the first photodetector having a first photodetector spectral response and being biased such that the first current is in a first direction. A second photodetector is also provided, the second photodetector providing a second current responsive to the second optical beam input thereon, the second photodetector having a second photodetector spectral response and being biased such that the second current is in the first direction. An input of a transimpedance amplifier is coupled to an output of the first photodetector and to an input of the second photodetector to provide an output of the transimpedance amplifier proportional to the difference between the first current and the second current.

Abstract: A boat cover assembly utilizes a windshield bottom trim element which mounts a boat windshield to also mount a boat cover or canopy. The windshield bottom trim element comprises an upper portion defining a windshield receiving channel, a bottom portion having a generally convex outer lower surface, a substantially hollow interior, and a side access opening, and a middle portion comprising a fastener-receiving side opening. A number of different types of fasteners may be received within the fastener-receiving side opening, each connected, or connectable, to a fabric (such as canvas) which can cover the windshield, and also serve as a boat top. The fastener may have a substantially flat first face, a second face having a stem, and first and second flexible projections extending outwardly from the stem, and fabric substantially permanently attached to the elongated body by stitching. The flexible projections may be received by undercut recesses at the access to the fastener-receiving side opening.

Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. These capacitors make up about one third the total size of the defibrillators. Unfortunately, manufacturers of these capacitors have paid little or no attention to reducing the size of these capacitors through improved capacitor packaging. Accordingly, the inventors devised a unique capacitor lid, or header, assembly that allows size reduction. Specifically, one embodiment of the header assembly includes two recesses, each with a depth that allows the head of a rivet (or other fastener) to be substantially flush, or coplanar, with the underside of the header. Another embodiment includes a single recess to receive two rivet heads.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of electrochromic elements, for example, used in automobiles, to control the glare of the IEC elements used as a rearview mirror (20) as well as the OEC elements (24, 26) used as sideview mirrors (24, 26). The IEC element and each of the OEC elements is provided with an individual drive circuit (21, 22). The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be customized to account for various factors such as the type of curvature as well as the size and shape. Since individual drive circuitry is provided for the IEC elements and each of the OEC elements, the reflectance of each of the electrochromic elements (20, 24, 26) can be relatively accurately controlled by way of glare signal from inside the automobile.

Abstract: A method is provided for modeling types of customer service representatives that use a customer service representative interface. The models are used to provide data for designing the customer service representative interface. The method includes identifying behavior types of customer service representatives that use the customer service representative interface and modeling the identified behavior types of the customer service representatives to design a desired customer service representative interface.

Abstract: The interferometric alignment device is a small, compact device that can be attached to any two optical instruments that need to be aligned precisely in both pitch and yaw angles. The device utilizes light reflecting from mirrors that are permanently mounted inside the instruments, one mirror in each of the instruments. The reflected light beams exit their respective instruments via a window built into the frame of the instrument and re-enters the attached alignment device wherein they combine to form an interference pattern. The operator of the alignment device observes the fringes of this pattern and adjusts the azimuth and elevation of one instrument relative to the other instrument until the fringes are at an acceptable minimum number or are eliminated altogether.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical transaction system is disclosed which is capable of permitting a plurality of healthcare providers to communicate with a plurality of payors and financial institutions. The healthcare providers, payors, and financial institutions do not have to communicate in the same data message formats nor in the same communication protocols. Such a system facilitates not only the processing of medical claims submitted by the healthcare providers to the payors, but also permits the transfer of medical data records between healthcare providers. The system supports the processing of medical claims without requiring a centralized database or imposing a uniform claim format on the healthcare providers and payors. The preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a financial transactor that uses remittance information from the payors to generate the electronics funds transfer messages to credit and debit accounts.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: A portable aircraft cushion that may be selectively used by passengers seated in standard aircraft seats to provide greater back, head and neck support so that the passengers may sleep easier. In the preferred embodiment, the cushion comprises a lower body support section made of a plurality of transversely aligned, interconnected air chambers which are filled with air using a supplied pump or the aircraft's air ventilation system. When inflated, the top air chambers in the body support section are positioned approximately level with the top edge of the seat when fully reclined. Located above the body support section is an inflatable head and neck section that extends above the top edge of the seat when inflated to support the user's head and neck. In the preferred embodiment, the head and neck section comprises two lateral support chambers separated by non-inflating webbing material.