Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to the treatment of needles for safe disposal. The device comprises a support member having at least one recess. Each said at least one recess is configured to receive a needle contained in a corresponding plastic needle cap. The device further comprises a heating element configured to heat the support member, such that the plastic material of the needle cap softens and flows to encapsulate the corresponding needle. Each said at least one recess has dimensions such that, after heating, the needle is fully encapsulated by the plastic material of the corresponding needle cap. A corresponding method is disclosed.

Abstract: An airflow system may comprise a fan radially mounted on a motor with a first plurality of fins surrounding the motor disposed to provide airflow in a first direction, and a second plurality of fins surrounding the motor disposed to provide airflow in a second direction. A housing may surround the plurality of fins.

Abstract: A virtual barrier system for determining a position of a mobile device relative to a virtual barrier comprises: a plurality of transmitters configured to broadcast a unique identifier; a management platform for storing positional data for each transmitter; a mobile application for installation on a mobile device. The management platform is configured to communicate with the mobile application. The plurality of transmitters are arranged in pairs, one of each corresponding with a first or second zone. The pairs are positioned to define the virtual barrier between said first and second zones. The management platform is configured to: (a) map the barrier; (b) receive transmitted data from the mobile application when the mobile application detects the unique identifier, and (c) send an alert to the mobile application for display. The first zone and second zone comprise different statuses, and the status of the second zone is dependent upon a specific user.

Abstract: A virtual perimeter system for determining a position of a mobile device relative to a virtual perimeter, comprises: a plurality of transmitters configured to broadcast a unique identifier; a management platform for storing positional data for each transmitter; and a mobile application for installation on a mobile device. The management platform is configured to communicate with the mobile application. The transmitters are positioned to define the virtual perimeter around a target entity. The management platform is configured to: (a) map the perimeter dependent upon the positional data; (b) receive transmitted data from the mobile application when it detects the unique identifier the transmitters and determine a proximate location of the mobile device; and (c) send an alert to the mobile application for display on said mobile device. The perimeter comprises a perimeter profile stored on the management platform comprising target entity information having a mobility status of the entity.

Abstract: An attachment clip assembly to provide a solution for easy removal and reattachment of accessories to a hosting member. The hosting member could include a belt, work bench wall, tool box, bucket organizer, construction trailer wall, pouch, device holder, backpack or any other embodiment that would benefit from the attachment of accessories. The attachment assembly is of easy construction and is comprised of two parts; a male receiver plate and a female attachment device that are designed to congruently connect. Any accessory that has an attachment device installed, is able to dock with a host member that has a receiver plate installed. Upon connection, a tang with a security barb is part of the attachment device, to prevent accidental detachment from the receiver plate member.

Abstract: An encoder generates quantized signal words based on a difference signal. The encoder includes an adaptive quantizer. A step size applied by the adaptive quantizer is generated in a feedback loop and based on a loading factor and quantized signal words generated by the adaptive quantizer. The encoder includes coding circuitry which generates code words based on quantized signal words generated by the adaptive quantizer. The coding circuitry generates an escape code in response to a quantized signal word not being associated with a corresponding coding code word.

Abstract: An encoder includes a low-pass filter to filter input audio signals. The low-pass filter has fixed filter coefficients. The encoder generates quantized signals based on a difference signal. The encoder includes an adaptive quantizer and a decoder to generate feedback signals. The decoder has an inverse quantizer and a predictor. The predictor has fixed control parameters which are based on a frequency response of the low-pass filter. The predictor may include a finite impulse response filter having fixed filter coefficients. The decoder may include an adaptive noise shaping filter coupled between the low-pass filter and the encoder. The adaptive noise shaping filter flattens signals within a frequency spectrum corresponding to a frequency spectrum of the low-pass filter.

Abstract: A decoder generates decoded signals based on quantized signals. The decoder includes an inverse quantizer and a predictor circuit. The quantized signals are generated in an encoder by low-pass filtering an input signal and encoding the filtered signal using adaptive differential pulse code modulation. The predictor circuit has filter coefficients based on a frequency response of the low-pass filter used to filter the input signal.

Abstract: An adaptive noise shaping filter flattens signal components below a threshold frequency range in a filtered signal to be encoded. An encoder generates quantized signals based on a difference signal and includes an adaptive quantizer and a decoder. The decoder generates feedback signals and has an inverse quantizer and a predictor. The predictor has determined control parameters based on the threshold frequency range.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant can replace a joint in a patient. The orthopaedic implant includes a first component having a first component surface and a second component having a second component surface. The first component surface and the second component surface mate at an interface. The first component surface includes a metal substrate, a nanotextured surface, a ceramic coating, and a transition zone. The nanotextured surface is disposed directly upon the metal substrate and has surface features in a size of 10?9 meters. The ceramic coating conforms to the nanotextured surface and includes a plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations. The transition zone is disposed between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating. The transition zone includes a concentration gradient transitioning from the metal substrate to the ceramic coating and there is no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating.

Abstract: One aspect of an intravascular ventricular assist device is an implantable blood pump where the pump includes a housing defining a bore having an axis, one or more rotors disposed within the bore, each rotor including a plurality of magnetic poles, and one or more stators surrounding the bore for providing a magnetic field within the bore to induce rotation of each of the one or more rotors. Another aspect of the invention includes methods of providing cardiac assistance to a mammalian subject as, for example, a human. Further aspects of the invention include rotor bodies having helical channels formed longitudinally along the length of the body of the rotor where each helical channel is formed between peripheral support surface areas facing radially outwardly and extending generally in circumferential directions around the rotational axis of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling moisture content of a gaseous flow. A pair of desiccant contact structures each provided with a process adapted to pass through a process gaseous stream to altering the moisture content of the gaseous stream. Each desiccant contact structure also has a regeneration side adapted to pass through a regeneration gaseous stream for altering the moisture content of a desiccant in the contact structure. The process side of a first desiccant contact structure is fluidly connected to the regeneration side of a second desiccant contact structure via a first closed recirculation loop. In an alternative embodiment a second closed recirculation loop may also be provided on the regeneration side of the first desiccant contact structure. Gaseous flow is then provided to the process side of the second desiccant contact structure to thereby control its moisture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engine, system and method for providing more automated and efficient process and methodology for providing for the collection and archiving of personal information.

Abstract: A solid desiccant cooling system and method of operating a solid desiccant cooling cycle is provided comprising a desiccant support structure for cyclic movement of solid desiccant between a first location where a solid desiccant contacts a source of air to be dehumidified and a second location with a solid desiccant is regenerated. A heat exchange arrangement is provided preferably at the first location. The heat exchange arrangement provides a heat exchange or thermal engagement of a heat exchange fluid e.g. water, with the desiccant containing tubes. The proposed method and apparatus cools the desiccant while dehumidification of air is conducted. Preferably, the heat exchange fluid is provided to the desiccant support structure at a position at or adjacent its longitudinal axis, to flow radially therefrom.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting suspicious files may include (1) detecting a file within incoming file traffic directed to a file recipient, (2) identifying a type of the file within the incoming file traffic directed to the file recipient, (3) determining a frequency with which the type of the file appears within the incoming file traffic directed to the file recipient, and (4) performing a security action on the file in response to the frequency of the type of the file within the incoming file traffic falling below a predetermined threshold. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for preserving code safety of application code that is received in a portable, instruction-set-neutral format. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a portable code file that is implemented in an instruction-set-neutral and source code independent format; translating the portable code file into native object code for execution on a particular instruction set architecture; generating a native executable for the particular instruction set architecture using the native object code; and validation the native executable using a trusted validator prior to execution of the native executable.

Abstract: An airflow system may comprise a fan radially mounted on a motor with a first plurality of fins surrounding the motor disposed to provide airflow in a first direction, and a second plurality of fins surrounding the motor disposed to provide airflow in a second direction. A housing may surround the plurality of fins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control and distribution of information and media content, and, more particularly, to an engine, system and method of providing interactive content delivery management.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for presenting content in a multi-dimensional format is disclosed. A communication apparatus is configured to communicate data to a network, and a storage is operatively coupled to the communication apparatus. The storage is configured to store data to be presented to a user via the network. A processor may be configured to process the data to generate a presentation form for the data, wherein the presentation form includes a polyhedron having a plurality of faces, wherein each face of the polyhedron includes a portion of the data on each face. The presentation form is then communicated for presentation to the user. A portable device is also disclosed for controlling and interacting with the presentation form.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for presenting content in a multi-dimensional format is disclosed. A communication apparatus is configured to communicate data to a network, and a storage is operatively coupled to the communication apparatus. The storage is configured to store data to be presented to a user via the network. A processor may be configured to process the data to generate a presentation form for the data, wherein the presentation form includes a polyhedron having a plurality of faces, wherein each face of the polyhedron includes a portion of the data on each face. The presentation form may further include a secondary form that is nested within an area inside the polyhedron. The presentation form is then communicated for presentation to the user. A portable device is also disclosed for controlling and interacting with the presentation form.