Abstract: A roadway barrier system includes a plurality of compact profile highway barriers preferably which are of a height which does not obstruct the viewing lines of a vehicle drivers on the road and permits them to see, for example, cross-traffic situations, work sites, and pedestrians. The barriers have tapered side walls which help maintain a crash on the roadway. Hooks are used to connect barriers end to end, and the hooks are positioned within a channel groove at the end of each barrier. When connected, the hooks of adjacent barriers are largely within the channel grooves of the two adjacent barriers which enables superior lateral deflection prevention. In addition, when connected a V shape section between the ends of adjacent rigid concrete sections of the plurality of rigid concrete sections extends upward from a base of the adjacent rigid concrete sections at an angle of five degrees or less.

Abstract: A banking device in accordance with the present disclosure includes processing circuitry that is configured to receive user authentication information from a mobile device of a user interacting with the mobile device. The user authentication information may include a token indicating that the user of the mobile device is authenticated. The processing circuitry is further configured to contact, in response to reception of the user authentication information a banking server to initiate a banking transaction; and initiate the banking transaction.

Abstract: A banking device in accordance with the present disclosure includes processing circuitry that is configured to receive user authentication information from a mobile device of a user interacting with the mobile device. The user authentication information may include a token indicating that the user of the mobile device is authenticated. The processing circuitry is further configured to contact, in response to reception of the user authentication information a banking server to initiate a banking transaction; and initiate the banking transaction.

Abstract: A method for speeding the re-use of Physical Register Names (PRNs), and hence the processor registers, in a processor. The method involves returning a PRN to a freelist for reuse when it is obsolete even when it is not complete, and blocking writes to the Processor Register File (PRF) by obsolete realms.

Abstract: A method for speeding the re-use of Physical Register Names (PRNs), and hence the processor registers, in a processor. The method involves returning a PRN to a freelist for reuse when it is obsolete even when it is not complete, and blocking writes to the Processor Register File (PRF) by obsolete realms.

Abstract: A method of encrypting data using a sequence of two or more data compression algorithms wherein the output of one algorithm is the input of the next algorithm if any and one or more algorithms each produce output embodying one or more codec dictionaries and one algorithm produces output not embodying a codec dictionary which algorithm uses an external pre-existing codec dictionary as its source of references.

Abstract: A snap fastener system for securely attaching a piece of communication equipment, such as a two-way radio speaker microphone, to an article of clothing is provided. The system includes at least one strap attached to the article of clothing at each end of the strap. One half of a snap fastener is attached to the strap, and the corresponding half is attached to the speaker microphone. The speaker microphone can be quickly and easily attached to the article of clothing simply be snapping the two halves of the fastener together. Similarly, the microphone can be easily detached from the clothing by unsnapping the fastener. Additionally, a clip on the back of the microphone can be used to clip the microphone to the strap. Thus, there are two separate ways of attaching the microphone to the clothing to ensure that the microphone can be safely secured to the clothing at all times.

Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a wireless access point device using beacon messages and probe responses. An access point may generate and broadcast beacon messages which include an information element containing information specific to the device as well as to the current context of the device. For example, the information element may include a device vendor ID, product ID, and a device-unique ID. That is, the information element provides information related to the device itself independently from the configuration of the wireless network which the beacon message (or probe response) is associated with.

Abstract: An automated teleconferencing control system and method reduces conference call setup time by simultaneously out dialing to multiple conferees through a plurality of parallel telecommunications resources. The teleconferencing control system includes the feature of automatically gathering statistics of each connection attempt, as well as many other call aspects, using these statistics to automatically improve the efficiency of subsequent conference call initiations. Gathered statistics are also used to automatically configure the system to cause all of the conferees to be connected to a conference call at substantially the same time. The selection of which telecommunications resources are used for contacting each target conferee is made based on criteria that include the telephone number or Internet address of the target conferee's telephone.

Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a wireless access point device using beacon messages and probe responses. An access point may generate and broadcast beacon messages which include an information element containing information specific to the device as well as to the current context of the device. For example, the information element may include a device vendor ID, product ID, and a device-unique ID. That is, the information element provides information related to the device itself independently from the configuration of the wireless network which the beacon message (or probe response) is associated with.

Abstract: A wall module for a modular wall structure integrates a wall panel portion with a post portion having top or upper and bottom or lower extensions and at least one groove for receiving a distal end of a wall panel portion of an adjacent module. The bottom/lower extension is set within an exposed portion of a reinforcing cage of a caisson or pier extending below grade and encapsulated with a material such as concrete to integrate the caisson or pier with the bottom/lower post extension. Integration of the caisson or pier with the module provides numerous economies of transportation, construction and repair and improved safety. The top/upper post extension is of a length to accommodate the full height of the wall panel portion of an adjacent module to improve strength and stability of the modular wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the manufacture of weighted ribbons are disclosed, and which weighted ribbons are for use in association with curtains and in other applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, method and apparatus for for real-time blogging. In a preferred aspect of the invention, a real-time bi-directional blogging system can include a blog and a bi-directional syndication interface to the blog. Importantly, an instant messaging system can be coupled to the syndication interface of the blog. The instant messaging system of the present invention can include a chat server and at least one chat client. Notably, a bot can be coupled to the chat server. The bot can be programmed to communicate blog postings received in the chat server to the chat client or clients. The bot can be further programmed to communicate responses to the blog postings received from the chat client or clients to the blog through the syndication interface.

Abstract: A wall module for a modular wall structure integrates a wall panel portion with a post portion having top or upper and bottom or lower extensions and at least one groove for receiving for receiving a distal end portion of a wall panel portion of an adjacent module. The bottom/lower extension is set within an exposed portion of a reinforcing cage of a caisson or pier extending below grade and the reinforcing cage and bottom/lower extension are encapsulated with a material such as concrete to integrate the caisson or pier with the bottom/lower post extension. Integration of the caisson or pier with the module provides numerous economies of transportation and construction of the modular wall as well as increased safety and limitation of costs of repair. The top/upper post extension is of a length to accommodate the full height of the wall panel portion of an adjacent module to improve strength and stability of the modular mall.

Abstract: A drying device for moving webs of material has at least two serial drying groups each having a plurality of heatable drying cylinders. The drying cylinders of at least one first drying group are steam-heated in a first heat circuit. The drying cylinders of at least one second drying group have supply piping for a combustible energy source and discharge piping for waste heat originating from the combustion. A first heat exchanger is provided that couples the first heat circuit for the steam-heated drying cylinders to the discharge piping for the waste heat from the drying cylinders of the second drying group.

Abstract: A highway crash barrier structure with an improved interlocking system includes a plurality of rigid sections disposed end-to-end in interlocking relationship with one another. The ends of each rigid upright section are provided with a reshaped JJ Hooks® connection. Each hook member has an extending vertical lip which is bent into a “J” shaped cross-section to engage a similar lip on the hook member of the adjacent section such that lateral movement of the respective sections is prevented. However, the respective sections of the system can be easily placed or removed by vertically displacing them. In addition, the interlocking plates at each end of the upright sections are vertically lengthened while the number of bars welded to the plate is increased to reduce the rotational moment of the sections and increase shear transfer between adjacent sections.

Abstract: A highway crash barrier structure with an improved interlocking system includes a plurality of rigid sections disposed end-to-end in interlocking relationship with one another. The ends of each rigid upright section are provided with a reshaped JJ Hooks® connection. Each hook member has an extending vertical lip which is bent into a “J” shaped cross-section to engage a similar lip on the hook member of the adjacent section such that lateral movement of the respective sections is prevented. However, the respective sections of the system can be easily placed or removed by vertically displacing them. In addition, the interlocking plates at each end of the upright sections are vertically lengthened while the number of bars welded to the plate is increased to reduce the rotational moment of the sections and increase shear transfer between adjacent sections.

Abstract: This invention consists of a plastic rod designed to turn a toggle light switch on and off. Dual mounting positions allows anyone to reach different heights when turning on a light switch that may not normally be accessible, such as a child who can not reach the light switch from the top of a bunk bed. With the longer end of the rod facing upward, a person on the top bunk can now turn the light on and off by sliding the rod up or down. Mounted in the opposite direction with the longer end of the rod facing downward, a small child or someone confined to a wheelchair can easily and safely turn the light switch on and off by sliding the rod up or down. The actuating arm has two different lengths, the upper being 8 in. from center, the lower being 15½ in. from center.

Abstract: A Branch Target Address Cache (BTAC) stores a plurality of entries, each BTAC entry associated with a block of two or more instructions that includes at least one branch instruction having been evaluated taken. The BTAC entry includes an indicator of which instruction within the associated block is a taken branch instruction. The BTAC entry also includes the Branch Target Address (BTA) of the taken branch. The block size may, but does not necessarily, correspond to the number of instructions per instruction cache line.