Abstract: At least one satellite provides access to an internet via one or more spatial beams of the satellite, each beam covering a respective area of a geographic region and thereby providing said internet access to a plurality of respective users in the respective area. A plurality of bandwidth pools are allocated, from which bandwidth is used by the respective users in using the internet access. The sizes of two or more of these bandwidth pools are then dynamically adapted by temporarily re-allocating currently unused bandwidth from one or more of the pools to one or more others of the pools, automatically in response to current demand for the internet access from at least one of the two or more pools.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for creating a private social network (PSN). Channels in the PSN can be created based on connections in existing social networks and based on other interactions between the users. Channels can be dynamically managed based on various interactions and attributes. Channels of the PSN are defined by a data structure indicating the users and relationships therebetween. The data structure can be manipulated to change the attributes of the channels. A user interface can be provided to facilitate aggregation of existing channels.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media storing instructions for displaying content. An exemplary method comprises receiving source content, identifying a mask that segments the source content into at least a first segment and a second segment, the identifying including specifying one or more parameters associated with the mask, identifying one or more masking techniques, associating the source content with obscuration information and one or more usage rules, the obscuration information including information corresponding to the mask, information corresponding to the one or more parameters, and information corresponding to the one or more masking techniques, and transmitting the source content, the one or more usage rules, and the obscuration information to at least one recipient computing device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media storing instructions for displaying content. An exemplary method comprises receiving source content, constructing a mask that segments the source content into at least a first segment and a second segment, identifying a masking technique, generating a first transformed image by applying the masking technique to the first segment, the first transformed image being different from the source content, generating a second transformed image by applying the masking technique to the second segment, the second transformed image being different from the source content and the first transformed image, and displaying the first transformed image and the second transformed image as frames in a repeating series of frames to thereby approximate the source content.

Abstract: A communications system comprising: a public network service provider; and a satellite hub, wherein the public network service provider is connectable to a client system by a first link and connectable to a public network by a second link, and wherein the satellite hub is connectable to the client system via a satellite link, wherein the public network service provider and the satellite hub are connected by means of a dedicated point-to-point interconnect.

Abstract: A clamp can be used to further secure the connection between a flexible tube and a tubing connector and to eliminate or diminish fluid stasis near the connection interface. The clamp can include a hollow member having a passageway extending through the hollow member, an internal thread in the passageway, and a clamping surface in the passageway. The passageway is configured to receive the flexible tube. The internal thread is configured to engage the flexible tube and has a first diameter. The clamping surface has a second diameter less than the first diameter. A hub may be used as an adapter between the clamp and the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a storage unit that is adapted to be located in a refrigeration appliance. The storage unit includes a holding compartment for holding articles the temperature of which is to be controlled. The holding compartment is adapted to be placed in air flow communication with a source of cold air whereby the cold air may be delivered to the holding compartment. An air-flow passageway for recirculating air discharged from the holding compartment back to the holding compartment is provided along with a mixing area where the cold air and the recirculated air may be mixed in selected quantities. A user interface providing for the selection of a temperature-control procedure from a group of available temperature-control procedures for application to the interior of the holding compartment is included. The storage unit can include a controller for controlling the implementation of the temperature-control procedure selected by the user.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a plurality of column walls that collectively define an associated plurality of stack areas for storing product containers. The column wall includes various, vertically spaced and fore-to-aft extending stiffeners embossed into the column wall. The integral stiffeners eliminate the need for any additional discrete stiffener parts and fasteners. In addition, the integral stiffeners advantageously permit thinner material to be employed in forming the column walls, thereby improving the entire manufacturing process. Preferably, one of the stiffeners constitutes a decoupling member which isolates a bottom portion of the column wall from a top portion and substantially prevents bow forces from transferring into a dispensing region of the column wall. Furthermore, each of the column walls is integrally formed with an alignment member or louver structure in the form of a guide element or flange which provides for proper product positioning through a vending area.

Abstract: A storage compartment comprises an external enclosure having an opening and a holding compartment that is capable of being inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the external enclosure through the opening in the external enclosure. Stored articles are contained within the holding compartment. The external enclosure and the holding compartment have coacting surfaces, and a seal is interposed between those coacting surfaces for sealing off the interior of the holding compartment to the entry of gases when the holding compartment is inserted into the external enclosure and the coacting surfaces of the external enclosure and the holding compartment are brought together in a sealing relationship with the seal. Complementary surfaces at the holding compartment and at the exterior of the external enclosure are in engagement with one another and provide surfaces along which the holding compartment travels when it is inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the external enclosure.

Abstract: A catheter (or cannula) is small enough in diameter to be placed minimally invasively into the body of a patient but also can be expanded post-placement to provide a larger-diameter placed catheter that supports fluid flow at a rate higher than is possible through the pre-placement reduced-diameter catheter. The expandable catheter is constructed using one or more shape memory polymers and can include one or more stent-like sections and/or at least part of the cannula formed as folded lobes. Each of the stent-like sections is configured to enhance the flexibility of the section as compared to the other parts of the catheter and thus allow the section to accommodate tight bends and turns when inserted into the body of the patient. The folded lobes are axial folds that constitute at least one section of the cannula, and they unfold upon expansion of the catheter to create a large cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for classifying entities according to metrics of earnings quality are provided. At least one value corresponding to earnings quality of an entity is generated based on at least one metric of accruals, and the entity is classified according to the at least one value. For example, the entity may be classified according to the value as likely to have overstated its earnings and/or as likely to experience one or more business outcomes (e.g., a change in stock price, SEC enforcement action, and/or class-action lawsuit). As another example, multiple entities may be separated into various classes by ranking the entities according to their respective values. Such a ranking may provide useful heuristics regarding whether the entities have manipulated (e.g., overstated or understated) their earnings. Information about the classification may be made available for a fee and may allow parties to make better business and regulatory decisions.

Abstract: A communications system comprising: a public network service provider; and a satellite hub, wherein the public network service provider is connectable to a client system by a first link and connectable to a public network by a second link, and wherein the satellite hub is connectable to the client system via a satellite link, wherein the public network service provider and the satellite hub are connected by means of a dedicated point-to-point interconnect.

Abstract: A test executive sequence may be created by including a plurality of test executive steps in the test executive sequence and configuring at least a subset of the steps to call user-supplied code modules. One or more of the user-supplied code modules may take buffer parameters. The test executive sequence may be executed on a host computer under control of a test executive engine. When executing each step in the test executive sequence that calls a user-supplied code module that takes a buffer parameter, the test executive engine may be operable to perform several operations related to detecting a situation where the user-supplied code module writes outside the bounds of the buffer parameter and/or preventing the user-supplied code module from corrupting heap data if the user-supplied code module writes outside the bounds of the buffer parameter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for allocating resources in a disk drive having a user accessible area, a reserve area, and a boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area. A capacity of the disk drive accessible to the user is read, the boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area so as to increase the reserve area, and information is inputted to the increased reserve area.

Abstract: A method and system for making a dough sheet with consistent properties across its width and over time is disclosed. The moisture content of dough is measured using a near-infrared spectrometer. The dough is evenly distributed across the length of sheeting rollers by an externally reinforced fan plate. A control system uses the moisture content and level of dough on the sheeting rollers to control ingredient flow rates.

Abstract: A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.