Abstract: A system and method employing a piezoelectric sensor for quasi-static force measurement substantially free of drift and with improved low-frequency response. The output signal from the sensor is sampled and integrated using digital techniques that include a drift compensation algorithm. The algorithm continually monitors the sensor output and estimates bias errors that will cause the output to drift.

Abstract: A method for receiving incoming data in a processor and performing a checksum operation on the incoming data in the processor pursuant to a user-level instruction for the checksum operation. In one embodiment of the invention, a cyclic redundancy checksum may be computed in the processor itself responsive to the user-level instruction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a planar cavern are provided. The planar cavern is formed by first creating a continuous bore that extends through a subsurface resource deposit. The drill head used to create the bore can be steered in response to information about the concentration of the resource in the strata through which the drill head is passing, in order to keep the bore within resource deposit. The continuous bore can be formed by connecting first and second bores at a point within the subsurface resource deposit. After the continuous bore has been formed, a sawing assembly is placed within the continuous bore. The sawing assembly is then moved, in a continuous or in a reciprocating fashion, within the continuous bore. As the sawing assembly is moved, it is maintained under tension, to create a planar cavern. By thus exposing a large area of the resource deposit, a relatively large amount of the resource deposit can be dissolved in a solvent introduced to the planar cavern per unit time.

Abstract: A filesystem checker identifies a metadata block in a filesystem and determines a number of pointers pointing to the metadata block and a number of pointers embedded in the metadata block. The filesystem checker records the number of pointers pointing to the metadata block and the number of pointers embedded in the metadata block in a filesystem checker array. The filesystem checker verifies a consistency of the filesystem using data recorded in the filesystem checker array.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified strains of microorganisms that display enhanced tolerance to stress and/or inhibitors such as sodium acetate and vanillin. The enhanced tolerance can be achieved by increasing the expression of a protein of the Sm-like superfamily such as a bacterial Hfq protein and a fungal Sm or Lsm protein. Further, the present invention provides methods of producing alcohol from biomass materials by using the genetically modified microorganisms of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for separating hydrocarbon content from a hydrocarbon contaminated matrix. The method includes controlling water content of a feed material having the hydrocarbon contaminated matrix; continuously conveying the feed material into a treatment cavity; exposing the feed material in a treatment area of the treatment cavity to microwave radiation arranged to cause rapid heating of at least a portion of the water content to form steam, wherein the rapid steam formation results in thermal desorption of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon content from the matrix; and continuously removing the treated matrix from the treatment cavity.

Abstract: A method for shifting energy in space and time includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to an energy consumer. A method for providing energy security to an energy consumer includes charging an energy store from an energy source at a first location, transporting the energy store to a second location, and when a primary energy source at the second location is unavailable, discharging the energy store at the second location to deliver energy to the energy consumer. A vehicle for wirelessly transmitting electric power from a first location to a second location includes a battery, at least one power converter, a controller, and power coupling electrically coupled to the at least one power converter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion. In one embodiment, a mask is generated from an object model of the image. The mask is then used to from a 2-D mesh which is then converted to a 3-D volume mesh. The 3-D volume mesh is then used to produce 3-D image conversion.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) on an audio video display device (AVDD) can be operated in at least first and second input modes. When the first input mode is active the GUI has a first behavior and/or appearance whereas when the second input mode is active the GUI has a second behavior and/or appearance.

Abstract: A door comprising first and second door skins secured to each other to form a cavity therebetween filled with expended foam. Each of the door skins has an opening therethrough for receiving a glass insert and a flange portion. Distal ends of the flange portions of the first and second door skins engage each other in an overlapping relationship by the expansion pressure of the expanded foam. The door further comprises a glazing rim member having a leg portion snap-locked between the flange portions of the first and second door skins. The method for assembling the door comprises the steps of filling the cavity between the door skins with foam material, then inserting the glass insert through the openings in the door skins and mounting the glazing rim member to the first door skin by snap-locking between the flange portions of the first and second door skins.

Abstract: A nonpolar III-nitride film grown on a miscut angle of a substrate, in order to suppress the surface undulations, is provided. The surface morphology of the film is improved with a miscut angle towards an a-axis direction comprising a 0.15° or greater miscut angle towards the a-axis direction and a less than 30° miscut angle towards the a-axis direction.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a lens, a substrate which has a recess in a first surface thereof is provided. A sacrificial material is provided in the recess which has shape in accordance with a first desired lens surface. A lens material is applied to the substrate and to the sacrificial material and cured so that the lens material has a shape in accordance with the first desired lens surface, and then the sacrificial material is removed.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for supporting a patient has a wheeled base having frame members supporting a plurality of caster wheel assemblies and a braking system. A moveable brake lock assembly, a brake lock actuator, and a swivel lock receiver are operatively connected to one of the caster wheel assemblies to define a locking caster wheel assembly. The brake lock assembly comprises an actuating member, a swivel lock member, and a brake member that are interconnected as a unit for simultaneous movement. The brake lock actuator is operable to selectively move the brake lock assembly into an engaged position via engagement with the actuating member such that the swivel lock member engages the swivel lock receiver and the brake member contacts a wheel of the locking caster wheel assembly thereby preventing rotation and swiveling of the wheel.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an (Al,Ga,In)N laser diode, comprising depositing one or more III-N layers upon a growth substrate at a first temperature, depositing an indium containing laser core at a second temperature upon layers deposited at a first temperature, and performing all subsequent fabrication steps under conditions that inhibit degradation of the laser core, wherein the conditions are a substantially lower temperature than the second temperature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and user interfaces are provided for customized communication routing and regulation thereof. The routing of an incoming communication to a device, wireless or wireline, is based on a routing preference and a presence condition of a mobile device in a home or visited wireless environment served by a confined-coverage access point (AP). The routing preference can be configured for a device that operates in the home or visited wireless environment. The confined-coverage AP can be owned or leased by a subscriber associated with the incoming call or by a third party. Provisioning of routing of incoming call based on a third-party confined-coverage AP can be event-based. Add-on services can be provisioned and configured; screening of incoming call(s) based on screening rule(s) specific to an confined-coverage AP is provided. Customized communication routing to equipment that operates in a confined-coverage area served by a third-party confined-coverage AP can be cancelled.

Abstract: A variable arc sprinkler may be set to numerous positions along a continuum to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a nozzle body and a valve sleeve that helically engage each other to define an arcuate slot that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate span. The sprinkler may include a flow rate adjustment device that may be adjusted by actuation or rotation of an outer wall portion of the sprinkler. Rotation of the outer wall portion may cause a throttle control member to move axially to or away from an inlet, or may cause one or more restrictor elements to open or close, to control the flow rate of the sprinkler.

Abstract: A rotatable coupling for a vacuum cleaner is described. The rotatable coupling includes: an inner conduit having an outer surface; a compressible strip disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit; an outer conduit adapted to snugly fit over the strip and the first conduit. The rotatable coupling can include a non-reactive high-viscosity lubricant disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit adjacent the strip. The outer conduit of the coupling can be rotatable about the inner conduit and an interference fit is formed between the inner conduit and the outer conduit.

Abstract: A method for preparing a high purity (e.g. greater than 70 wt. %) mono-hydrolyzed acyl halide compound as a precipitate from solution comprising the steps of preparing a solution comprising: i) at least 80 v/v % of a hydrocarbon solvent, ii) water at a molar concentration greater than its solubility limit within the solvent but less that its solubility limit in solution, iii) a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound, and iv) a polyfunctional acyl halide compound at molar ratio to both water and the tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound of at least 1:1.