Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting concealed items on or in an object by utilizing a low Z material panel. The object to be scanned is located between an x-ray detector and the low Z material panel. The method includes producing a pencil beam of x-rays from an x-ray source directed toward the object, scanning the beam of x-rays over the object, and detecting x-rays scattered from the beam of x-rays as a result of interacting with the object and the low Z material panel. The apparatus includes an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays directed toward the object, a scanner to scan the beam of x-rays over the object, and the detector to detect x-rays scattered from the beam of x-rays as a result of interacting with the object and the low Z material panel.

Abstract: A lottery-type ticket having a winner indication that enables a player to quickly determine whether the ticket is a winning ticket. The ticket may be a scratch-off ticket or a break-open ticket. The winner indication may be hidden under a scratch-off zone or behind a pull-tab window that is independent and separated from the playing area. Alternatively, the winner indication may be proximate to one or more game indicia that are each hidden under a scratch-off zone or behind a pull-tab window. Speed of play is increased by enabling the player to determine whether the ticket is a winning ticket by either scratching off a single scratch-off zone or opening a single pull-tab window.

Abstract: A nightlight with an interchangeable design disk mounted on the front thereof. A casing has an illumination area in a front side thereof, and a light bulb illuminates the illumination area from within. The nightlight also includes an electric motor mounted in the casing that has a shaft that extends through the front side of the casing proximate to the illumination area. The design disk mounts on the shaft and rotates with the shaft when the motor is energized. The design disk has a diameter that causes the disk to cover the illumination area in the front side of the casing when the disk is mounted on the shaft. The design disk has a design thereon that is visible when viewed from the front side of the nightlight when the light bulb shines through the disk from the illumination area in the front side of the casing.

Abstract: A spun yarn of cotton (35 wt %-80 wt %) and a bicomponent staple fiber (20wt%-65wt%) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) based on total weight of the spun yarn. The spun yarn has a total boil-off shrinkage of about 22%. The bicomponent staple fiber component has a tow crimp development value of about 35%-70%; a tow crimp index value of about 14%-45%; a length of about 1.3-5.5 cm; and a linear density of about 0.7-3.0 decitex per fiber. The difference between the crimp index and the crimp development values is about 24%-35% absolute.

Abstract: A system for monitoring air pressure in a telecommunications network comprises a plurality of monitoring units, at least one device server, a computer network, and a terminal. Each monitoring unit is connected to a device server. A user at the terminal receives air pressure data from the monitoring units over the computer network.

Abstract: A multi-sectioned container comprising a bottom section and at least one upper section that stacks thereon. The bottom section includes a bottom surface and a side-wall that includes, at a top portion thereof, a connector for connecting the bottom section to an upper section stacked thereon. The connector may be screw threads or a snapping mechanism. The upper section is essentially a tube that is configured in a bottom portion thereof to connect to the bottom section. The upper-section is also configured at a top portion thereof to connect, selectively, to another stacked upper section or a lid.

Abstract: A system for monitoring air pressure in a telecommunications network comprises a plurality of monitoring units, at least one device server, a computer network, and a terminal. Each monitoring unit is connected to a device server. A user at the terminal receives air pressure data from the monitoring units over the computer network.

Abstract: A Subscriber Information Service Center (SISC) in a wireless telecommunications network provides location and status information about identified mobile subscribers to a requesting subscriber. The requesting subscriber may access the SISC by e-mail. The SISC retrieves the location information from the mobile subscriber's HLR, and returns the requested information by e-mail or by posting the information on a Web site associated with the SISC. A SIP proxy in the SISC enables a second-generation mobile subscriber to request information for other mobile subscribers. The SISC may also retrieve status information from the MSC serving the mobile subscriber relating to any ongoing call by the mobile subscriber.

Abstract: A linescan camera is used in conjunction with a mechanical scanning mechanism to acquire high-resolution images of an area under video surveillance. The video signal from the linescan camera is converted into a digital data stream, compressed, and stored in a digital memory. Under control of an operator, full-field images are selectively recalled from the digital memory and converted to a lower resolution for display on a monitor. The operator selects a region-of-interest from the full-field display through the use of a computer pointing device, such as a mouse. The selected area is then displayed on the monitor in its full acquired resolution, thereby allowing the operator to view high-resolution images of a large area under surveillance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the pressurization performance of a cable network, such as a telecommnunications cable network, including monitoring a plurality of pressurization sensors, monitoring a plurality of pressurization alarms, receiving data related to the plurality of pressurization sensors and the plurality of pressurization alarms, and generating an index. The index taking into account the number of pressurization sensors monitored during a predetermined period of time, the number of pressurization sensors which are inoperable during the predetermined period of time, and the number of pressurization alarms which are tripped during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system for monitoring air pressure in a telecommunications network comprises a plurality of monitoring units, at least one device server, a computer network, and a terminal. Each monitoring unit is connected to a device server. A user at the terminal receives air pressure data from the monitoring units over the computer network.

Abstract: The invention provides a spun yarn comprising polyester bicomponent staple fiber and acrylic staple fiber. The invention further provides a method for making spun yarns and fabrics. The spun yarn of the invention comprises at least 30 weight percent acrylic staple fiber and from 17 to 45 weight percent polyester bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate), based on the total weight of the yarn.

Abstract: A system for monitoring air pressure in a telecommunications network comprises a plurality of monitoring units, at least one device server, a computer network, and a terminal. Each monitoring unit is connected to a device server. A user at the terminal receives air pressure data from the monitoring units over the computer network.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for use in a system with an x-ray source to produce a pencil beam of x-rays to scan an object and a first detector providing a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays scattered from the object to produce a scattered image having a second detector disposed opposite the first detector to provide a value representative of the intensity of the x-rays passing directly from the x-ray source to the second detector; a processor coupled to the system to receive information specifying a position of the pencil beam of x-rays, the processor also coupled to second detector to produce a shadow image formed of pixels indicating the intensity value measured by the second detector for a plurality of positions of the pencil beam of x-rays; and combining the scattered and shadow image to produce a composite image.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent polyester staple fiber and a spun yarn comprising cotton and a bicomponent polyester staple. The fiber of the invention exhibits unexpectedly good crimp and cardability properties, and the yarn has unusually high stretch characteristics and excellent uniformity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely starting a cable pressure monitoring unit operable for monitoring the air pressure within a pressurized cable route, such as a telecommunications cable route, including a remote computer operable for generating and transmitting a command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, an automated transfer system operable for receiving the command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, and a computer network operable for communicating the command signal from the remote computer to the automated transfer system.

Abstract: The invention provides a spun yarn comprising cotton and a bicomponent polyester staple. The fiber of the invention exhibits unusually high stretch characteristics and has excellent cardability and uniformity.

Abstract: The invention provides a spun yarn comprising cotton and a bicomponent polyester staple. The fiber of the invention exhibits unusually high stretch characteristics and has excellent cardability and uniformity.

Abstract: A communication device (10) with a dual-sided liquid crystal display (12) located with a housing (14) having two viewports (18,22). The display (12) includes a liquid crystal panel (50) with an associated driver circuit (52). The panel (50) has a first side (60) for viewing a top portion (62) of the display (12) from the first viewport (18) and a second side (64) for viewing a bottom portion (66) of the display (12) from the second viewport (22). A top reflective layer (68) is disposed on the top portion (62) of the panel (50) on the second side (64) of the panel (50). A bottom reflective layer (70) is disposed on the bottom portion (66) of the panel (50) on the first side (60) of the panel (50). A processor (82) is coupled to the driver circuit (52), wherein the processor (82) directs the display (12) through the driver circuit (52) to provide user interface information for operating the communication device (10).