Abstract: An alignment device provides one or more references, such as laser lines and planes in horizontal and vertical orientations. One version of the alignment device includes an optics mounting assembly situated in a pivot socket on a frame to provide an output beam. Multiple spring systems and one or more alignment assemblies align and secure the optics mounting assembly in the socket. As a result, the output beam has a desired orientation with respect to true level. A first spring system directs the optics mounting assembly through the pivot socket. A second spring system holds the optics mounting assembly in communication with the alignment assemblies to reduce system backlash. One implementation of the pivot socket has a surface in the form of a sphere's interior surface. A set of support members on the optics mounting assembly rest on the pivot socket's spherical surface—causing the output reference beam to extend from the center of a sphere including the socket's spherical surface.

Abstract: An alignment device provides one or more references, such as laser lines and planes in horizontal and vertical orientations. One version of the alignment device includes an optics mounting assembly situated in a pivot socket on a frame to provide an output beam. Multiple spring systems and one or more alignment assemblies align and secure the optics mounting assembly in the socket. As a result, the output beam has a desired orientation with respect to true level. A first spring system directs the optics mounting assembly through the pivot socket. A second spring system holds the optics mounting assembly in communication with the alignment assemblies to reduce system backlash. One implementation of the pivot socket has a surface in the form of a sphere's interior surface. A set of support members on the optics mounting assembly rest on the pivot socket's spherical surface—causing the output reference beam to extend from the center of a sphere including the socket's spherical surface.

Abstract: A hash-optimized backup system and method takes data blocks and generates a probabilistically unique digital fingerprint of the content of each data block using a substantially collision-free algorithm. The process compares the generated fingerprint to a database of stored fingerprints and, if the generated fingerprint matches a stored fingerprint, the data block is determined to already have been backed up, and therefore does not need to be backed up again. Only if the generated fingerprint does not match a stored fingerprint is the data block backed up, at which point the generated fingerprint is added to the database of stored fingerprints. Because the algorithm is substantially collision-free, there is no need to compare actual data content if there is a hash-value match. The process can also be used to audit software license compliance, inventory software, and detect computer-file tampering such as viruses and malware.

Abstract: The compounds of formula (I) are substituted glycine derivatives useful in the treatment of epilepsy, faintness attacks, hypokinesia, cranial disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, depression, anxiety, panic, pain, arthritis, neuropathological disorders, sleep disorders, visceral pain disorders and gastrointestinal disorders. Processes for the preparation of the final products and intermediates useful in the process are included. Pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of the compounds are also included.

Abstract: An alignment device provides one or more references, such as laser lines and planes in horizontal and vertical orientations. One version of the alignment device includes an optics mounting assembly situated in a pivot socket on a frame to provide an output beam. A spring system and one or more alignment assemblies align and secure the optics mounting assembly in the socket. As a result, the output beam has a desired orientation with respect to true level. The spring system holds the optics mounting assembly in communication with the alignment assemblies to reduce system backlash. One implementation of the pivot socket has a surface in the form of a sphere's interior surface. A set of support members on the optics mounting assembly rest on the pivot socket's spherical surface—causing the output reference beam to extend from the center of a sphere including the socket's spherical surface.

Abstract: An alignment device provides one or more references, such as laser lines and planes in horizontal and vertical orientations. One version of the alignment device includes an optics mounting assembly situated in a pivot socket on a frame to provide an output beam. A spring system and one or more alignment assemblies align and secure the optics mounting assembly in the socket. As a result, the output beam has a desired orientation with respect to true level. The spring system holds the optics mounting assembly in communication with the alignment assemblies to reduce system backlash. One implementation of the pivot socket has a surface in the form of a sphere's interior surface. A set of support members on the optics mounting assembly rest on the pivot socket's spherical surface—causing the output reference beam to extend from the center of a sphere including the socket's spherical surface.

Abstract: A network management apparatus and method for determining the topology of a network 1 is described. The present invention uses data relating to discovered devices on the network 1, typically network management address table data, to build a network tree. Due to the presence of unsupported or unmanaged connecting network devices, some branches of the resulting tree may not be resolved. In order to address this, for each unresolved branch of the network tree, the present invention attempts to determine the type of each of the discovered network devices on the branch, and if the type of every discovered network device on the branch is determined to be an endstation type, the present invention determines that an undiscovered connecting device is present on the branch.

Abstract: A method for treating a fungal infection is disclosed. The method includes contacting a fungus with a substituted aurone derivative.

Abstract: An APS camera having various mechanical features that simplify film pre-loading, especially in single use APS cameras, is disclosed. The disclosed camera employs the film advance mechanism to open and close the APS film cassette's light lock door, and also employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism from operating the light lock door when film is present in a film path of the camera. Camera size is kept to a minimum by a feature that defines a battery compartment within a film spool of the camera.

Abstract: A lighting fixture utilizing a housing surrounding a fluorescent light source. The housing has an aperture defining an edge portion for determining the cutoff angle of light emanating from the source. A first upper reflector is formed on the inner surface of the housing directing light from the source at angles ranging between the cutoff angle and angles less than the cutoff angle. The second reflector, located adjacent first reflector in the housing between the housing aperture and the first reflector, directs light from the source ranging between a selected angle, which is less than the cutoff angle, and at angles less than the selected angle. The result is a lighting fixture which possesses an optical delay in the activation in the second reflector as one approaches the optical axis from a peripheral position.

Abstract: A method for treating a fungal infection is disclosed.

Abstract: An APS camera having various mechanical features that simplify film pre-loading, especially in single use APS cameras, is disclosed. The disclosed camera employs the film advance mechanism to open and close the APS film cassette's light lock door, and also employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism from operating the light lock door when film is present in a film path of the camera. Camera size is kept to a minimum by a feature that defines a battery compartment within a film spool of the camera.

Abstract: A method of pre-loading a camera with film and a battery, and specifically a single use camera, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, the camera is pre-loaded by withdrawing film from a film cassette into a film spool compartment. The battery is then inserted inside the film spool compartment such that the film surrounds the battery.

Abstract: A lighting device employing a source of light which emanates to a first reflector which is positioned outwardly from such source. A second reflector at least partially surrounds the light source and is formed in spaced relationship with the first reflector to create a first gap between the first and second reflectors. The second reflector includes an opening which permits light from the source to pass to the first reflector and outwardly from the lighting device through the first gap. A light interacting element is formed outwardly from the source and is spaced from the second reflector to form a second gap. The second reflector is, thus, positioned between the first reflector and the light interacting element. Light interacting element further receives light from the source and either reflects or diffuses light outwardly from the lighting device.

Abstract: A lighting fixture utilizing a housing surrounding a fluorescent light source. The housing has an aperture defining an edge portion for determining the cutoff angle of light emanating from the source. A first upper reflector is formed on the inner surface of the housing, directing light from the source at angles ranging between the cutoff angle and angles less than the cutoff angle. The second reflector, located adjacent first reflector in the housing between the housing aperture and the first reflector, directs light from the source ranging between a selected angle, which is less than the cutoff angle, and at angles less than the selected angle. The result is a lighting fixture which possesses an optical delay in the activation in the second reflector as one approaches the optical axis from a peripheral position.

Abstract: A method of pre-loading a camera with film, and specifically a single use camera, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, the camera is pre-loaded in non-darkroom conditions with the back cover assembled to the camera without exposing any substantial portion of the film to any substantial amounts of light. According to the disclosed embodiment, the camera has a film advance mechanism that employs a manual advance wheel, and the manual advance wheel is rotated in opposing directions to pre-load film from a film cassette in the camera to a film spool compartment and to wind film back into the film cassette from the film spool compartment as exposures are taken. In the disclosed embodiment, the camera is an APS camera, and rotation of the manual advance wheel also opens and closes the APS film cassette's light lock door. In a final assembly step and if the camera employs a battery, the battery is inserted inside the film spool compartment.

Abstract: A single use camera has a film cassette and film spool compartment for receiving unexposed film withdrawn from the cassette. A battery is disposed inside the film spool compartment and is insertable and removable via a port on the bottom of the camera aligned with the film spool compartment. Packaging is disposed about an exterior surface of the camera and is arranged so as to permit an end user to take exposures without removing the packaging but such that removal of at least one of the back cover or battery requires at least partial removal or at least partial destruction of at least part of the packaging.

Abstract: A method of loading film into a camera that employs a film cassette with a light lock door and has a back cover securely affixed to a main body includes loading the film cassette into a film cassette compartment via a film loading port with the light lock door closed, operating an advancing means to engage a light lock door driver affixed to the camera, rotating the advancing means to open the light lock door with the light lock door driver, preventing further rotation of the advancing means from operating the light lock door driver; continuing to rotate the advancing means to drive film out of the cassette across the film path and into a film receiving slot contained in a film spool and winding film from the cassette onto the spool. Additionally, a camera includes a mechanism for opening and closing a light lock door of a film safe cassette and the mechanism for opening and closing the light lock door.