Abstract: A stapler including a moveable strike plate and accessibility features is described. A slidable strike plate is moveable from a first staple forming position to a second staple forming position to form different staple shapes. The slidable strike plate is moved relative to the anvil of the stapler with a single hand to change positions. A rotatable strike plate is turned with a single hand to move between staple forming positions by rotating an outer dial of the rotatable strike plate relative to the anvil of the stapler. The stapler includes an indicator window that shows if the stapler is empty or running low on staples and a quick release staple loading magazine that is operable using a single hand.

Abstract: An audio cancellation system includes a voice enabled computing system that is connected to an audio output device using a wired or wireless communication network. The voice enabled computing device can provide media content to a user and receive a voice command from the user. The connection between the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device introduces a time delay between the media content being generated at the voice enabled computing device and the media content being reproduced at the audio output device. The system operates to determine a calibration value adapted for the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device. The system uses the calibration value to filter the user's voice command from a recording of ambient sound including the media content, without requiring significant use of memory and computing resources.

Abstract: An audio cancellation system includes a voice enabled computing system that is connected to an audio output device using a wired or wireless communication network. The voice enabled computing device can provide media content to a user and receive a voice command from the user. The connection between the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device introduces a time delay between the media content being generated at the voice enabled computing device and the media content being reproduced at the audio output device. The system operates to determine a calibration value adapted for the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device. The system uses the calibration value to filter the user's voice command from a recording of ambient sound including the media content, without requiring significant use of memory and computing resources.

Abstract: An audio cancellation system includes a voice enabled computing system that is connected to an audio output device using a wired or wireless communication network. The voice enabled computing device can provide media content to a user and receive a voice command from the user. The connection between the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device introduces a time delay between the media content being generated at the voice enabled computing device and the media content being reproduced at the audio output device. The system operates to determine a calibration value adapted for the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device. The system uses the calibration value to filter the user's voice command from a recording of ambient sound including the media content, without requiring significant use of memory and computing resources.

Abstract: A system and method for pushing live media to a client device in an adaptive streaming environment. In one aspect, a media server configured to transmit live media includes a storage unit for storing media segments of a live media programming stream, wherein the media segments are encoded at multiple bitrates identified in respective media presentation data structures associated therewith. A websocket interface is provided that is operative to facilitate a websocket session with the client device. One or more processors of the system are operative to execute service logic for pushing the media segments to the client device substantially in real time during the websocket session.

Abstract: A system and method for pushing live media to a client device in an adaptive streaming environment. In one aspect, a media server configured to transmit live media includes a storage unit for storing media segments of a live media programming stream, wherein the media segments are encoded at multiple bitrates identified in respective media presentation data structures associated therewith. A websocket interface is provided that is operative to facilitate a websocket session with the client device. One or more processors of the system are operative to execute service logic for pushing the media segments to the client device substantially in real time during the websocket session.

Abstract: Techniques for providing cost effective and tamper evident prepaid card packaging are described. By forming a tear strip in a panel of the prepaid card packaging and aligning an activation bar code or other indicia on the card with the tear strip when mounting the card within the packaging, the security of the activation indicia can be maintained until after purchase. After purchase, access can be achieved by tearing away the tear strip and the card can be activated in a secure manner. Because the activation indicia is maintained secure until after purchase, if desired a single number, for example, a card account number can be used to identify both the card account and to activate the card.

Abstract: A method for producing a shelf stable, high viscosity maple syrup product is provided, which comprises adding a sucrose-cleaving enzyme to maple syrup and incubating the resulting solution. Also provided is a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency similar to that of clear honey, which may be used as a spread, or sweetener or a topping. Also provided is a shelf stable maple butter product, with the consistency of churned honey, which may be used as a spread, sweetener, topping, or snack. Both the spreadable maple syrup product with the consistency of clear honey and the spreadable maple butter with the consistency of churned honey are also suitable for use in pure maple-based products or other foods.

Abstract: Methods for producing (1) a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency of clear honey and (2) a shelf stable, thick, pourable maple syrup product with a viscosity of common table syrup are provided, which comprises adding a sucrose-cleaving enzyme to maple syrup and incubating the resulting solution. Also provided are (1) a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency of clear honey, which may be used as a spread, or sweetener or a topping and (2) a shelf stable, thick, pourable maple syrup product with a viscosity of common table syrup. These product are also suitable for use in pure maple-based products and other food products.

Abstract: A method for inducing vascular remodeling and related methods for treating patients having diseased vasculature. The method of inducing remodeling of the vascular system includes altering the blood flow dynamics in portions of the vascular system via mechanical mechanisms. Remodeling of certain coronary vasculature may be induced by creating a passage in a heart wall between a heart chamber and a blood vessel so as to permit blood flow communication, for example, direct blood flow communication, between the chamber and the vessel. A method of inducing vascular remodeling may include providing a blood flow passage between a heart chamber and the coronary vessel, or other flow dynamics altering structure, such that enlargement of at least a portion of the coronary vessel occurs.

Abstract: Methods for producing (1) a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency of clear honey and (2) a shelf stable, thick, pourable maple syrup product with a viscosity of common table syrup are provided, which comprises adding a sucrose-cleaving enzyme to maple syrup and incubating the resulting solution. Also provided are (1) a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency of clear honey, which may be used as a spread, or sweetener or a topping and (2) a shelf stable, thick, pourable maple syrup product with a viscosity of common table syrup. These product are also suitable for use in pure maple-based products and other food products.

Abstract: A method for producing a shelf stable, high viscosity maple syrup product is provided, which comprises adding a sucrose-cleaving enzyme to maple syrup and incubating the resulting solution. Also provided is a shelf stable, spreadable maple syrup product with a consistency similar to that of clear honey, which may be used as a spread, or sweetener or a topping. Also provided is a shelf stable maple butter product, with the consistency of churned honey, which may be used as a spread, sweetener, topping, or snack. Both the spreadable maple syrup product with the consistency of clear honey and the spreadable maple butter with the consistency of churned honey are also suitable for use in pure maple-based products or other foods.

Abstract: Apparatus for laser processing a foil material workpiece held to a workpiece holder by a vacuum while being processed by a laser. The foil material workpiece spans a recess in the workpiece holder and is held flat and taut across the recess. With the open space beneath the foil material workpiece defined by the recess, the laser beam can pass completely through the foil material workpiece to form a through hole or through cut in the foil material workpiece without impinging on the workpiece holder.

Abstract: The method and apparatus described and illustrated herein generally relate to a bypass method to provide blood flow directly from a heart chamber, such as the left ventricle, and coronary vasculature, such as a coronary artery, and a conduit especially suited for placement in the myocardium to provide such flow. The conduit is particularly useful when a blockage partially or completely obstructs the coronary artery, in which case the conduit is positioned distal to the blockage. Aspects of the present invention relate to conduits in the form of stents that have particular configurations exhibiting properties suited to placement in the myocardium.