Abstract: An adaptor system includes a space vehicle separation plate operably coupled to a space vehicle, a launch vehicle adaptor plate operably coupled to a launch vehicle capable of carrying the space vehicle into space for release of the space vehicle from the launch vehicle, an actuator release mechanism assembly, a bend/shear restrain assembly that is non-coaxial with the actuator-release connector, and a biasing element. The actuator-release mechanism assembly may be configured to separably couple the space vehicle separation plate to the launch vehicle adaptor plate. The actuator-release mechanism assembly may pass through the launch vehicle adaptor plate to engage the space vehicle separation plate to hold the space vehicle separation plate substantially parallel to the launch vehicle adaptor plate prior to release of the space vehicle separation plate.

Abstract: An air filter has a mechanism for preventing blow-by around a perimeter of the filter. The air filter has two rigid frames surrounding a filter and at least one of the rigid frames comprises a brush seal track with a brush seal therein.

Abstract: A spacecraft architecture and accompanying standard allows for the creation of a spacecraft using an assortment of modules that comply with the standard. The standard preferably includes both mechanical and electrical compatibility criteria. To assure physical/mechanical compatibility, the structure of each module is constrained to be compatible with any other compatible module. To minimize the interference among modules, the extent of each module in select dimensions is also constrained. To assure functional compatibility, a common communication format is used to interface with each module, and each public-function module is configured to respond to requests for function capabilities that it can provide to other functions. Each module is preferably designed to provide structural support to the assemblage of modules, and an anchor module is provided or defined for supporting the entire assemblage and coupling the assemblage to other structures, such as a launch vehicle.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for identifying dynamic groups that correspond to a user of a system. A system partitions a set of dynamic groups into multiple test sets of dynamic groups. The system selects a test set and determines whether the user corresponds to the test set. In one implementation, the system combines the filters for the dynamic groups in each test set into a single test set filter. The test set filter is satisfied if the filter of any dynamic group in the test set is satisfied. This allows the system to perform a single comparison between the resulting test set filter and the user's profile to determine whether the user is a member of any dynamic group in the test set. If the user is not a member of any dynamic group in the test set, the system eliminates all of the test set's dynamic groups from consideration, based on the single comparison. Otherwise, the dynamic groups in the test set remain in a list of groups that may include the user. This process is repeated for each test set.

Abstract: A method for disseminating emergency notification content from an emergency originating source. The method comprising: delivering the emergency notification content from the emergency originating source to at least one transmitting party; selecting a subset of users from among a set of users for dissemination of the emergency notification content based on the subject matter of the emergency notification content; and delivering the emergency notification content from the at least one transmitting party to a device corresponding to each user from the selected subset of users.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for identifying dynamic groups that correspond to a user of a system. A system partitions a set of dynamic groups into multiple test sets of dynamic groups. The system selects a test set and determines whether the user corresponds to the test set. In one implementation, the system combines the filters for the dynamic groups in each test set into a single test set filter. The test set filter is satisfied if the filter of any dynamic group in the test set is satisfied. This allows the system to perform a single comparison between the resulting test set filter and the user's profile to determine whether the user is a member of any dynamic group in the test set. If the user is not a member of any dynamic group in the test set, the system eliminates all of the test set's dynamic groups from consideration, based on the single comparison. Otherwise, the dynamic groups in the test set remain in a list of groups that may include the user. This process is repeated for each test set.

Abstract: A system, and an associated network ring-tone communication method, enabling creation and use of a personalized, user-defined communication ring-tone. The invention method includes (a) selectively placing, in an electronic ring-tone depot, digital snippet content suitable for extraction and use as at least a part of a digital communication ring-tone, (b) enabling controlled and sanctioned user access to that depot for the purpose of permitting selective user-extraction therefrom of at least one depot-held content snippet, and (c) further enabling user-employment of such an extracted snippet as at least a part of (1) a user-specific communication identifier, and/or (2) an ultimate, user-identifying action-stimulator, in relation to a user-to-another network communication.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for identifying dynamic groups that correspond to a user of a system. A system partitions a set of dynamic groups into multiple test sets of dynamic groups. The system selects a test set and determines whether the user corresponds to the test set. In one implementation, the system combines the filters for the dynamic groups in each test set into a single test set filter. The test set filter is satisfied if the filter of any dynamic group in the test set is satisfied. This allows the system to perform a single comparison between the resulting test set filter and the user's profile to determine whether the user is a member of any dynamic group in the test set. If the user is not a member of any dynamic group in the test set, the system eliminates all of the test set's dynamic groups from consideration, based on the single comparison. Otherwise, the dynamic groups in the test set remain in a list of groups that may include the user. This process is repeated for each test set.

Abstract: The present invention provides cache flushing of selected data while leaving remaining cached data intact. Data can be flushed from caches distributed across various components of a network-based computer system. These caches can contain various types of data. In one embodiment, the caches exist in an Access System and contain user identity profile information. In another embodiment, the caches exist in an Access Management System and contain authentication, authorization, or auditing rules. A system in accordance with the invention detects a change to data residing on a server and transmits a synchronization record to a component of the system. The synchronization record identifies the changed data. The system flushes the changed data identified by the synchronization record from caches of the component.

Abstract: A universal automated order processing system represents multiple (e.g., hundreds or thousands) participating merchants who offer their products through the system. Customers become qualified for using the system by supplying a set of information (e.g., name, credit card number, shipping address) that is stored in a customer database. When a customer wishes to order a product, the customer calls the system, customer identity is automatically confirmed, the customer enters a product order number and the complete order is routed to the appropriate merchant with the information necessary for the merchant to fulfill the order. Available credit verification and other aspects of credit card transactions may be handled by either the system operator or the merchant. The system operator may offer revolving credit. The system may also be used to provide potential customers of the merchants with free product information.

Abstract: The invention provides a disk drive suspension. The suspension has a load beam and a flexure having a frame and a tongue portion having a base and a tongue. The flexure mounts one or more microactuators in opposed or offset relation for shifting the base of the flexure tongue portion relative to the flexure frame and thus positionally adjusting the tongue and the slider fixed to the tongue with respect to the disk that is in operating proximity to the slider.

Abstract: Disk drive suspension load beam and flexible circuit components are juxtaposed and properly located relative to each other before welding by a series of areally distributed locator structures that intersect across the common plane between the components in aligning relation.

Abstract: A spacecraft architecture and accompanying standard allows for the creation of a spacecraft using an assortment of modules that comply with the standard. The standard preferably includes both mechanical and electrical compatibility criteria. To assure physical/mechanical compatibility, the structure of each module is constrained to be compatible with any other compatible module. To minimize the interference among modules, the extent of each module in select dimensions is also constrained. To assure functional compatibility, a common communication format is used to interface with each module, and each public-function module is configured to respond to requests for function capabilities that it can provide to other functions. Each module is preferably designed to provide structural support to the assemblage of modules, and an anchor module is provided or defined for supporting the entire assemblage and coupling the assemblage to other structures, such as a launch vehicle.

Abstract: A P2P (peer-to-peer) business and commerce-enhancing method including the steps of (a) identifying an active P2P network which is characterized with peers having a defined affinity interest in the exchange of at least category-A information, such as digital music song files, and (b) employing that at-least category-A information-exchange affinity interest as a carrier vehicle and growth engine for the promotion, within that network, of collateral income-generating transactions between a peer and a party who may be inside or outside the network. Of central importance to such commerce enhancement, or growth, as promoted by practice of the invention is that such growth is driven by network-internal, peer-group enthusiasm, linked with imaginative peer entrepreneurship in the engaging of peer-to-peer file-sharing behavior.

Abstract: Merchants directly access a network of thousands of large, high resolution electronic billboard displays and directly send their own advertisements electronically to the network to be displayed at locations and times they select. The advertisements include order numbers that may be used by consumers to order the advertised products and product information through a universal, automated order processing system that represents many merchants.

Abstract: A pair of opposed A-frames are positioned uprightly on a flat bed chassis. A downwardly descending side leg on each side of each A-frame rests on an axially mounted beam. The beam is attached to the underside of the flat bed chassis and extends outwardly from a side surface of the flat bed trailer and is angled upwardly to support a bottom edge of a building material slab or sheet.

Abstract: An architecture to enable search gateways as part of a federated search supports searching for data in one or more heterogeneous data sources. The one or more heterogeneous data sources are within a computer system. Initially, a request for data is received at a federated data source. From the federated data source, data is retrieved from one or more of one or more terminal data repositories or one or more search gateway data sources.

Abstract: A dental implant impression confirmation system utilizes one or more telescoping crossbrace members. Each crossbrace links one coping to an adjacent coping. The ends of the telescoping crossbraces include tubular eyelets or collars which each attach to a coping by snap-fit. The crossbraces further include articulated joints at each end to accommodate attachment between copings which are not parallel. The crossbrace members are preferably composed of a semi-rigid material such as plastic which permits resilience of the confirmation system to allow for the withdrawal of the copings from the implants while supplying sufficient rigidity to enhance the accuracy of the impression.

Abstract: An integrated air filtration unit includes a support structure for mounting a V-shaped filter bank to an air passage of an air handling system. The V-shaped filter bank may be moved from a working position in which the air is filtered to a service position in which a pair of filter pads in the filter bank can be accessed for service or replacement. The integrated air filter unit may include an ultraviolet irradiation system for destroying airborne micro-organisms trapped by the pair of filter pads.

Abstract: A low cost, simplified disk drive suspension not requiring an actuator arm for movement is provided comprising a load beam having at its proximate end attachment structure comprising a mounting hole fixed to an actuator spindle and at its distal end terminal structure adapted to support a slider overlying a disk and having a lift cam and limiters, and a conductor supported by the load beam, the conductor comprising a flexible conductive laminate metal layer flexure and limiter at the load beam terminal structure, undue movement of the flexure and flexure tongue being controlled by the limiters.