Abstract: Variable volume chamber devices are disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between two complementary rotors. The volume of the chambers may vary as a function of the variation of relative rotational speeds of the two rotors.

Abstract: Variable volume chamber devices are disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between two complementary rotors. The volume of the chambers may vary as a function of the variation of relative rotational speeds of the two rotors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice user interface with personality. In one embodiment, a method includes executing a voice user interface, and controlling the voice user interface to provide the voice user interface with a personality. The method includes selecting a prompt based on various context situations, such as a previously selected prompt and the user's experience with using the voice user interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment the method includes detecting a network indicator associated with a network, the network provided by a network provider. In one embodiment, after the detecting of the network indicator, the method includes obtaining from the network provider an actual attribute associated with the network. The method may also include determining, based on stored network information, whether the actual attribute matches an expected attribute for the network. If the actual attribute matches the expected attribute, the method may classify the network into one of a plurality of network classes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice user interface with personality. In one embodiment, a method includes executing a voice user interface, and controlling the voice user interface to provide the voice user interface with a personality. The method includes selecting a prompt based on various context situations, such as a previously selected prompt and the user's experience with using the voice user interface.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to verify configuration of a client access device requesting access to a network by establishing a communications link between a network access system and the client access device to authenticate and authorize the client access device and a user associated with the client access device. The network access system further receives client device configuration data from the client access device over the communications link during an authentication and authorization exchange and processes the client device configuration data to determine if the client access device will be granted access to the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voice user interface with personality. In one embodiment, a method includes executing a voice user interface, and controlling the voice user interface to provide the voice user interface with a personality. The method is includes selecting a prompt based on various context situations, such as a previously selected prompt and the user's experience with using the voice user interface.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for managing a network connection application. The method includes assigning a plurality of selection criteria to each connection point wherein each selection criteria bearing an associated selection weight. The connection points are then arranged in a prioritized order in a priority list used by the connection application to connect to any one of the connection points. The prioritized order is based on the selection criteria and associated selection weights. The prioritized list is then made available for use by the connection application. Each selection criteria may have an associated weight bias that influences the priority of the connection point. In certain embodiments, criteria and weight bias on the connection application may be updated or modified.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, communicating data via a network access point is provided. The method includes receiving an authentication request from a client device at the access point wherein the access request includes identification credentials. The authentication request is then communicated to an authentication server and data associated with the authentication request is retrieved. A reply message is communicated to the access point that includes the data and that rejects the authentication request. The access point may service a wireless hotspot and, thus, a client device in the hotspot may identify the particular hotspot with which it is communicating.

Abstract: A method of racing a plurality of competitors includes controlling a plurality of race competitors. A plurality of sequential stages for the race are provided. An initial position is associated for each competitor for each stage, and an end position is associated for each competitor for each stage. The respective end positions for the competitors in each stage constitute the respective initial positions for each competitor for the subsequent stage. Each competitor is moved from its initial position to its end position in each stage.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that completes four cycles, intake, compression, expansion and exhaust in one revolution of the crankshaft is disclosed. The combustion chamber is formed with four parallel vanes joined at their ends by shared bearings and pivot pins within two fixed parallel walls. The vanes lozenge across alternate corners of the chamber to change the volume defined by the four moveable vanes and the two fixed parallel walls. The chamber volume changes from a minimum to a maximum to a minimum and back to the original maximum to achieve four cycle operation with one crank shaft revolution. The crankpin may have two side by side connecting rods rotating each of the adjacent driven vanes. The driven vanes may be connected about a common shared pivot pin that extends into the fixed side walls and the other two interconnected follower vanes may be driven in rotation and translation about their shared and common pivot pins.

Abstract: A circuit board guidance device is arranged to have a circuit board such as a PCI I/O board 205 inserted therein for connection into an electrical socket or connector 203 located on a system motherboard 201. The guidance device includes a guidance mechanism which translates an insertion force applied in one direction into a connecting force effective to move the circuit board in a second direction. The guidance device is effective to aid in locating the circuit board 205 above connector 203 on the system motherboard 201, and also to aid in forcing the desired electrical connection between corresponding connectors on the circuit board 205 and a system motherboard 201. The guidance device is also effective in aiding in the extraction of the circuit board from its connection to the motherboard connector 203. An I/O bracket 261 is implemented to provide EMI grounding to the system bulkhead.

Abstract: A thumbscrew apparatus for fastening a first device to a second device. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a screw attached to the second device and a first cylinder screwed onto the screw for fastening the first device to the second device. The first cylinder has an outboard end with a one-way slot feature that allows a screwdriver to be used to loosen the first cylinder while inhibiting the use of the screwdriver to tighten the cylinder. In a second embodiment, the shaft of the screw has a first portion smaller in diameter than a second portion. The first portion also has a thread pitch smaller than that of the second portion. A second cylinder contained within the first cylinder is screwed onto the second portion of the shaft while the first cylinder is screwed onto the first portion. A pin is used to lock the first cylinder to the second cylinder such that both cylinders are turned at the same revolution.

Abstract: A pre-gelled electrode for use on a patient's skin comprises a non-conductive gel-container, a conductive gel within the gel-container, a metal contact having a conductive connection with the gel, a cap which engages with the gel container to hermetically close the gel-container and means for controlling the flow of gel onto the skin after removal of the cap and has an improved shelf-life. The metal contact includes a gelatinous substance to prevent corrosion.