Abstract: A composite laminate useable in the manufacture of articles having a member responsive to electrical stimuli, e.g. changes transmission, and/or is heated, as current passes through the member includes a pair of spaced bus bars adhesively secured to a major surface of a plastic sheet in a spaced relationship to one another. Each of the bus bars includes, among other things, an end portion having a protective sleeve and an air barrier to prevent air from moving between the inner surfaces of the protective sleeve and the underlying surface of the end portion of the bus bar. A method of making the composite laminate is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a adhesive article comprising at least one backing layer with a first and second surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered first surface of the backing layer in a pattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has an adhesive free area of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesive article has a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 2000 g/m2/24 hour. The invention also relates to a method of forming an adhesive article comprising (a) providing a release liner, (b) applying pressure sensitive adhesive in a pattern wherein the free adhesive area is less than 25%, and (c) applying a backing layer to the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may also be applied to the formation to increase a permeability of the formation. The permeability may increase uniformly throughout the treated portion of the formation. The permeability may increase to a relatively high permeability as compared to the initial permeability.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a rapid efficient method for analyzing polymorphic or biallelic markers, and arrays for carrying out these analyses. In general, the methods of the present invention employ arrays of oligonucleotide probes that are complementary to target nucleic acids which correspond to the marker sequences of an individual. The probes are typically arranged in detection blocks, each block being capable of discriminating the three genotypes for a given marker, e.g., the heterozygote or either of the two homozygotes. The method allows for rapid, automatable analysis of genetic linkage to even complex polygenic traits.

Abstract: An anisotropic polymer film comprising a polymeriZed chiral liquid crystal material with helically twisted structure and having areas with different helical twist sense is useful for decorative or security applications.

Abstract: A portable carrier for a data storage medium is disclosed. An accessor which includes an electromagnet and a fixturing assembly is disclosed. A data storage and retrieval system which includes at least one of Applicants' carriers and at least one of Applicants' accessors is disclosed. A method to releaseably attach Applicants' carrier to Applicants' accessor is disclosed. A method to retrieve, transport, and place Applicants' carrier within a data storage and retrieval system is disclosed.

Abstract: A shock indicator is described comprising (A) a base having a first side and a second side; (B) an indicator associated with the first side of the base, the indicator comprising a plurality of indicator subparts, the subparts comprising solid material arranged (i) in a first configuration when the shock indicator is in a first state prior to a shock event, and (ii) in a second configuration when the shock indicator is in a second state following a shock event; and (C) means associated with the second side of the base for attachment of the shock indicator to a surface. A method of manufacture is also provided.

Abstract: A below-grade collapsible bollard and cable vehicle barrier system disposed in a vehicle pathway. The system comprises one or more bollard devices that include a vault located in the vehicle pathway, a rod rotatably mounted inside the vault, a bollard having a first end coupled to the rod, whereby rotation of the rod rotates the bollard to extend the second end thereof above the vehicle pathway. An actuator is secured within the vault for rotating the rod and thus raising the bollard. A cable is disposed perpendicular to the vehicle pathway with each end thereof affixed to anchors on either side of the pathway. The middle of the cable is affixed to the second end of the bollard. When the bollard is raised the cable is stretched across the pathway forming a barrier to traffic.

Abstract: In a method and system for providing user selectable electronic message action choices and processing, an electronic message for a client is received. Then, it is determined if the electronic message matches at least one criteria of a filter, where at least one action is associated with the filter. If so, a graphic associated with the action is displayed when the electronic message is viewed at the client, and the action is executed if the graphic is selected. In one embodiment, computer code for displaying the graphic is inserted into the electronic message. In this manner, services can be provided at the client without requiring a plug-in to be registered at the client. Additional functionality, services, and/or flexibility can be easily provided.

Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.

Abstract: An adaptable and configurable automated, trackless, and self-propelled robot system for agitating the poultry within the corrosive environment of a poultry house. Use of our system will help to maximize poultry growth-to-feed-consumed ratios, as well as save time, effort, and expense for poultry farmers agitating their birds by walking them or having them walked.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided which includes a proximity head proximate to a surface of the substrate when in operation. The apparatus also includes an opening on a surface of the proximity head to a cavity defined in the proximity head where the cavity delivers an active agent to the surface of the substrate through the opening. The apparatus further includes a plurality of conduits on the surface of the proximity head that generates a fluid meniscus on the surface of the substrate surrounding the opening.

Abstract: In one example, an FDB motor having a shield member is provided. In one example, the method includes disposing a first member and a second member for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. An annular shield member is attached to the first member, the shield member disposed adjacent a fluid reservoir for containing a bearing fluid. The reservoir is filled through an aperture (e.g., a fill hole) in the shield member. Thereafter, the aperture is at least partially sealed. The aperture may be hermetically sealed via one or more laser pulses. In other examples, a two piece shield is provided for shielding a reservoir without a fill hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, and immunoadhesions and antibodies to mammalian GFR?3, a novel ?-subunit receptor of the GDNF (i.e. GFR) receptor family. It further relates to an assay for measuring activation of an ?-subunit receptor by detecting tyrosine kinase receptor activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) or other activities related to ligand-induced ?-subunit receptor homo-dimerization or homo-oligomerization.

Abstract: A medical lead is provided for use in a pulse stimulation system of the type which includes a pulse generator for producing electrical stimulation therapy. The lead comprises an elongate insulating body and at least one electrical conductor within the insulating body. The conductor has a proximal end configured to be electrically coupled to the pulse generator and has a DC resistance in the range of 375-2000 ohms. At least one distal electrode is coupled to the conductor.

Abstract: A child carrier attachable to a shopping cart having a basket mounted to a frame supported by a plurality of caster wheels for contacting a ground surface. The child carrier comprises a support member having at least one stabilizing wheel connected thereto for contacting the ground surface. The support member has a bottom member, with a seat disposed on the support member; and an attachment fixture is connected to the support member for connecting the support member to the cart.

Abstract: A head mounted virtual image display unit is provided which is compact in size and weight, and incorporates a high performance optical system offering a clear see-through capability. A sliding light shield may be incorporated for those instances when see-through capability is not desired. A focus adjustment may be incorporated to permit the focusing of the image, for example, at a distance of approximately 18 inches to infinity. An adjustable headband may be incorporated that adapts to fit the users head. A flexible boom structure may be incorporated to facilitate fine positional adjustment of the optical assembly. A slider and ball joint mechanism may also be incorporated to facilitate positional adjustment of the optical assembly. A built-in microphone may be incorporated to enable speech input by the user.

Abstract: Current methods of focusing fingerprint sensors are typically slow and have difficulties in quickly and accurately focusing upon a fingerprint image. The present invention relates to a method of focusing a fingerprint image. The method obtains a partial fingerprint image, adjusts a control parameter value to obtain a focused partial fingerprint image, sets the adjusted focused control parameter value as a focused control parameter value and then obtains a focused full fingerprint image. The present invention also relates to a fingerprint sensing device which is capable of partially scanning a fingerprint image. The fingerprint sensing device comprises a sensing array having a plurality of sensing elements, the sensing array for detecting the ridges and troughs of a fingerprint located on a contact surface of the sensing array.

Abstract: This invention provides novel capacitors comprising nanofiber enhanced surface area substrates and structures comprising such capacitors, as well as methods and uses for such capacitors.

Abstract: To provide for more natural color matching and color correction, the ratio of the luminance of a pixel before correction to the luminance of the pixel after correction is computed. This ratio is used to scale the saturation of the corrected pixel, without changing its hue. For example, if the pixel is represented by a luminance component and two chrominance components, both of the chrominance components of the corrected pixel are scaled by the ratio. As a result, if the input luminance is lower than the luminance of the corrected pixel, then the saturation of the corrected pixel is reduced. If the input luminance is higher than the luminance of the corrected pixel, then the saturation of the corrected pixel is increased. The input luminance and scaled saturation of the corrected pixel are used to provide the components of an output pixel. As a result, the output pixel has the desired hue with a natural luminance and saturation.