Abstract: A gutter system employs a tube such as PVC pipe to fit over the edge of a roof so that part of the roof resides within the interior of the tube. One or more fasteners such as screws secure the position of the tube. In a preferred embodiment, a first drainage spout connected to the tube collects water and other debris which can be drained out of the spout by removing a cap which is preferably located at the bottom of the spout. A second drainage spout is connected to the first and acts as an overflow spout when the first drainage spout is full.

Abstract: An electronic mail object on a data processing system contains a request that the recipient perform an action. In addition, the electronic mail object contains an action or command for carrying out the request. Upon receipt of the electronic mail object, the recipient can carry out the request by selecting the action. The action is marked by starting and ending markers so that it can be isolated and extracted from the electronic mail object. Once extracted, the action is executed on the data processing system. In addition, the recipient can establish criteria for evaluating whether the selected command should be executed.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, optical character recognition of predominate and non-predominate color coded characters based on hypothesis testing utilizing both geometric optical character recognition and color coded optical character recognition techniques. In this hypothesis testing technique, geometric OCR is used to generate a null hypothesis that a target character has been recognized, and an alternative hypothesis that the target character has not been recognized. Color coded OCR is used to select either the null hypothesis or the alternative hypothesis. Alternatively, the roles of geometric OCR and color coded OCR may be reversed such that color coded OCR is used for hypothesis generation, and geometric OCR is used for hypothesis selection.

Abstract: Laser surgery is utilized to perform cosmetic surgery. A quartz fiber is used to direct the laser energy to the target area for the incision, division or resection of tissue. An endoscope may be utilized in conjunction with the quartz fiber to perform the cosmetic surgical techniques. One application utilizes laser energy to eliminate glabellar frown lines and/or forehead wrinkles. Another application employs laser energy to rectify brow descent. A further application uses laser energy to perform a neck lift. In yet another application, laser energy is utilized to reduce nasolabial folds. The use of laser energy in cosmetic surgical procedures greatly reduces the size of the incision required in the skin to perform cosmetic surgical procedures, and as a result greatly reduces the risks of potential complications.

Abstract: A set of portable services for debugging computer software programs is disclosed. The services provide an object-oriented programming framework which is portable to various hardware and operating system platforms. The framework consists primarily of a debugger server and a debugger client. Multiple debugger clients, which target multiple processes executing on heterogeneous systems, can be used concurrently from a single high-level debugger process. Clients can processes locally and remotely. The client interface is portable to any platform that supports C++. A string class defines storage for variable length character strings.

Abstract: A tandem tool point apparatus for simultaneously machining surfaces on opposite sides of a thin wall may be used on an annulus having flat machining surfaces or on a circular wall having curved machining surfaces. The tool has spaced apart first and second tool points mounted in first and second tool holders respectively and a coupling element for coupling the first and second tool holders together to maintain the first and second tool points in tandem during a machining operation on the opposite sides of the wall. The apparatus preferably includes a tandem adjusting element for simultaneously adjusting the space between the tool points. A spacer may be used between the holders extending longitudinally over a portion of a length of the holders and the adjusting element longitudinally disposed between the tool points.

Abstract: Automatic detection and processing of an empty multimedia data object is used to determine the data type of a multimedia data object. The system also detects whether the multimedia data object, or a component thereof, is empty based upon its data type. The system also appropriately processes a detected empty multimedia data object, or a component thereof. The appropriate processing may include no action, informing a user, program, or device of a detected empty multimedia data object, or a component thereof, inhibiting further processing of a detected empty multimedia data object, or a component thereof, or deleting a detected empty multimedia data object, or a component thereof.

Abstract: A dampening apparatus for dampening vibrations of a workpiece during machining, the dampening apparatus having a dampener, a support to support and place the dampener in abutting vibration absorbing contact with the workpiece, and a dampener fixture for holding the dampener fixed relative to the workpiece. A pressure adjusting apparatus to adjust contact pressure between the dampener and the workpiece is preferably included. The dampener may further include a number of dampening rods supported by the plate at first ends of the rods and which in turn support dampening elements at distal second ends of the rods. The dampening elements may be lugs made of a resilient material such as rubber and the lugs may have flat surfaces for being placed in abutting vibration absorbing contact with the workpiece. The invention also includes a method of machining a thin web of a workpiece having an annular inner hub connected to a concentric annular outer rim by the thin web using the dampener.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: An improved chiropractic adjusting instrument and method is provided for use in spinal manipulative therapy and for exciting a human spine at its natural frequency. The chiropractic adjusting instrument includes a thrust element for delivering an input force, a body contact member removably attached to the thrust element, a spring member for propelling the thrust element and the body contact member outwardly, and an adjustment knob arranged on the thrust element for adjusting the amount of potential energy imposed on the spring member and for controlling the magnitude of the resulting input force. In use, the input force is mechanically tuned to the natural frequency of a musculoskeletal structure (e.g., a human spine) by positioning a shaped mass on the thrust element, by varying the stiffness of the removable body contact member, and/or by varying the stiffness of the spring member. The input force is then delivered to the musculoskeletal structure at its natural frequency.

Abstract: A single tube catalyst loading device is provided which consists of a transport belt system, electric motor, and catalyst loading hopper. Using this equipment, it is possible to control the drop rate of catalyst pellets without incurring mechanical damage or breakage of the catalyst. By raising or lowering the hopper section above the transport belt, it is possible to increase or decrease the drop rate of catalyst. Drop rate is the critical parameter in controlling catalyst density within the tubes of an ethylene oxide reactor.

Abstract: An improved chiropractic adjusting instrument is provided for use in spinal manipulative therapy and for exciting a human spine at its natural frequency. The chiropractic adjusting instrument includes a thrust element for delivering an input force, a body contact member removably attached to the thrust element, a spring means for propelling the thrust element and the body contact member outwardly, and an adjustment knob arranged on the thrust element for adjusting the amount of potential energy imposed on the spring means and for controlling the magnitude of the resulting input force. In use, the input force is mechanically tuned to a desired frequency (e.g., the natural frequency of a human spine) by positioning a shaped mass on the thrust element. By mechanically tuning the chiropractic adjusting instrument in this way, the dynamic output response of the spine is maximized while the requisite impact force is minimized.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention permit users to associate conditions of interest, such as keywords or originator identities. In response to the sending of a message, the data processing system determines which user conditions are met by the message input into the system and may associate the identities of such users with the message. In one embodiment, the system returns to the sender of the message the identities of users whose conditions are met by the message. In another embodiment, the system routes the message to users whose conditions are met by the message and, optionally, returns a confirmation of the delivery of the message to the sender. In either embodiment, a user can designate himself as "invisible", so that the system will not report the invisible user's identity to the sender.

Abstract: Laser surgery is utilized to perform cosmetic surgery. A quartz fiber is used to direct the laser energy to the target area for the incision, division or resection of tissue. An endoscope may be utilized in conjunction with the quartz fiber to perform the cosmetic surgical techniques. One application utilizes laser energy to eliminate glabellar frown lines and/or forehead wrinkles. Another application employs laser energy to rectify brow descent. A further application uses laser energy to perform a neck lift. In yet another application, laser energy is utilized to reduce nasolabial folds. The use of laser energy in cosmetic surgical procedures greatly reduces the size of the incision required in the skin to perform cosmetic surgical procedures, and as a result greatly reduces the risks of potential complications.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, providing a group query. An Interrogator Process provides an interface to a requesting user and formulates appropriate queries. Queries may be of the form of a single user query, a multiple user query, a group query, or a physical area query. A group is a collection of users who share a common characteristic. This common characteristic may be the same department, the same surname, the same job title, using the same device, executing the same process or application, etc.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, providing automatic detection of the physical presence of a user of a data processing system. The present invention comprises an Event Detection Process, a Presence Detection Process, and an Interrogator Process. The Event Detection Process detects presence indicating events. The Presence Detection Process evaluates the presence indicating events to determine the physical presence of a user or someone else other than a user. The Interrogator Process provides an interface to a requesting user and formulates appropriate queries to be sent to one or more Presence Detection Processes.

Abstract: Laser surgery is utilized to perform cosmetic surgery. A quartz fiber is used to direct the laser energy to the target area for the incision, division or resection of tissue. An endoscope may be utilized in conjunction with the quartz fiber to perform the cosmetic surgical techniques. One application utilizes laser energy to eliminate glabellar frown lines and/or forehead wrinkles. Another application employs laser energy to rectify brow descent. A further application uses laser energy to perform a neck lift. In yet another application, laser energy is utilized to reduce nasolabial folds. The use of laser energy in cosmetic surgical procedures greatly reduces the size of the incision required in the skin to perform cosmetic surgical procedures, and as a result greatly reduces the risks of potential complications.