Abstract: A wireless network permits wireless devices to determine their own location and receive location-based services. The network includes a communication server coupled to a plurality of access points and at least one mobile wireless device that wirelessly communicates through the access points. Each wireless device includes a location table through which the wireless device can determine its physical location. The location table includes the physical location of the various access points indexed by their network addresses. When the wireless device communicates with an access point, the access point provides the wireless device its address. The wireless device uses the address of the access point as an index into the location table to determine its own location based on the location of the access point. Once the wireless device has determined its own physical location, it requests location-based services from or through the communication server.

Abstract: A family management system provides a family manager with family-related and work-related information. This information may be provided to the family manager in the form of one or more screens depicting calendars, e-mail, and/or other tasks. In particular, family-related and work-related matters may be merged on a single screen so that the family manager can facilitate scheduling better between family-related and work-related matters.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing a parachute is presented, the apparatus including an expander member extending along a longitudinal axis and having at least a ramp portion that extends in the direction from a first end of the expander member to a second end of the expander member. The ramp portion has an outer surface expanding in perimeter shape from the first end to the second end of the expander member. A channel defined from inner surfaces of the ramp portion extends along the longitudinal axis from an opening at the second end of the expander member towards the first end. The first end of the expander member is configured to engage a substantially unexpanded loop of a stowage device and to expand the perimeter shape of the loop as the loop is moved along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: An average current mode switching converter is described for providing a regulated output current independent of load conditions, and a regulated output voltage as a function of the load connected to the converter. The converter comprises: an inductor; a modulator configured to provide a regulated current through the inductor; a feed back loop coupled between the inductor and the modulator for regulating the current through the inductor; and a precharger configured and arranged so as to provide and maintain a preset minimum current through the inductor independent of the load so as to improve the recovery time of the converter from a step in the desired regulated output current. Also disclosed is a method of providing a regulated output current independent of load conditions at the output of an average current mode switching converter, and a regulated output voltage as a function of the load connected to the output of converter.

Abstract: An operating environment configuration system comprises a first operating system of a computer device having at least one configuration setting associated therewith, and a second operating system of the computer device configured to automatically retrieve the at least one configuration setting and configure at least one component associated with the second operating system with the at least one configuration setting.

Abstract: An operating environment configuration system comprises a first operating system of a computer device having at least one configuration setting associated therewith, and a second operating system of the computer device configured to automatically retrieve the at least one configuration setting and configure at least one component associated with the second operating system with the at least one configuration setting.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a capacitive load is provided. The circuit includes a differential signal sensor and a differential amplifier. The differential amplifier is arranged to drive the capacitive load. Further, the differential amplifier is arranged to receive an output voltage at one input, and to receive a reference voltage at another input. The output voltage is provided at the output of the differential amplifier. Also, the differential amplifier is arranged to receive a bias current. The differential signal sensor is arranged to determine whether the difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage is within a voltage window. If the difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage is inside of the voltage window, the bias current is provided at its normal value. However, if the difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage is outside of the voltage window, the bias current is increased so that the bias current linearly increases with respect to time.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nicotinic compounds, in the form of aryl substituted olefinic compounds, as well as pro-drug, N-oxide, metabolite and pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof. Methods of modulating neurotransmitter release via administration of the compounds, pro-drugs, N-oxides and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds incorporating aryl substituted olefinic amine are provided. Representative compounds are (4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-pyrimidinyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-methoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(6-amino-5-methyl-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2R)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2R)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-bromo-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-ethoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine and (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit. The current limiting circuit includes a device coupled to an output node of the current limiting circuit. The device is responsive to magnitude of a signal at the output node. Moreover, the device has a first mode and a second mode, depending on the magnitude of the signal. The current limiting circuit also has a regulation component that regulates a voltage at the output node when the device is in the first mode. The current limiting circuit also has an element having a current that limits current at the output node when the device is in the second mode.

Abstract: A circuit having a voltage regulated by a reference current. The circuit includes a current feedback loop and a reference current source that is capable of producing a reference current. The current feedback loop includes an output device, a voltage to current converter, and a current feedback element. The voltage to current converter is coupled to the output device. A node of the voltage to current converter is the regulated voltage. The current feedback element is coupled to the voltage to current converter to provide a feedback current from the voltage to current converter to compare with the reference current to produce an error signal that is input to a control terminal of the output device. Thus, the current feedback loop regulates the voltage at the node of the voltage to current converter.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nicotinic compounds, in the form of aryl substituted olefinic compounds, as well as pro-drug, N-oxide, metabolite and pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof. Methods of modulating neurotransmitter release via administration of the compounds, pro-drugs, N-oxides and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds incorporating aryl substituted olefinic amine are provided. Representative compounds are (4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-pyrimidinyl)4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-methoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(6-amino-5-methyl-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2R)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2R)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-bromo-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-ethoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine and (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine.

Abstract: A trotline leader system for fishing including a trotline, with a plurality of clips, hangers, drop lines, and fishing hooks, each clip including a head portion, a neck and a base and each hanger includes a head, a shank and an eyelet. The head portion is connected to the neck which extends from the base which is adapted to receive the hanger head. The hanger head is connected to the shank which connects and seperates the eyelet from the head. The head portion includes a tab, a channel, a slot and an apeture, the tab extending from the head and forming the channel with the base, the channel leading to the slot which guides the trotline into the apeture. Each drop line is connected to and extends from the hanger eyelet to each fishing hook. In addition, the trotline may optionally include plastic beads or spherical weights to separate and secure each clip to the trotline.

Abstract: A security locking system for trailers that features an interior locking bar that is controlled from the outside. The locking bar is traversed in a linear motion parallel to the door by means of a toggle mechanism. The bar is guided into the locking mechanism by two guides mounted to the inside of the trailer door. The toggle mechanism is turned using a common trailer latch that also locks by use of a key. Alternatively the latch could be modified to lock or unlock by means of a remote. Once the latch is turned all the way (90 degrees), it will raise the locking bar into the upper secure bracket. The lower part of the locking bar will be lowered into the lock housing which is hidden just under the trailer floor; it will then be in position in the locking mechanism for the key pin to be inserted and then locked. The locking mechanism can also be modified to be controlled by means of a remote.

Abstract: An active power-on reset (POR) current comparator circuit creates a POR signal for resetting logic devices and masking reference startup signals during the initial power supply ramp of an integrated circuit. The comparator circuit provides a logic level signal (i.e., the POR signal) that will actuate when a bias current is above a predetermined level as compared to another current. The predetermined level for the bias current is set by a ratio established between two resistance levels within the active POR current comparator circuit.

Abstract: A wireless network adapter for establishing wireless communication links between electronic devices. In one embodiment, the wireless network adapter comprises wireless communication circuitry encased in a shell in the form of a detachable molding element of an electronic device. The wireless network adapter further comprises a bus connector adapted to couple the wireless communication circuitry to an expansion bus when the shell is attached to an outer surface of an electronic device. The wireless network adapter is a fully integrated solution further comprising an RF antenna for communication with a wireless network and a radio modem comprising a radio, a receiver, and modulation circuitry. The RF antenna in the wireless network adapter may take one of several forms. The antenna may be a dedicated unit housed within the shell of the wireless network adapter. Alternatively, the antenna may form a part of the outer shell of the adapter or it may form a part of a company logo located on the shell the adapter.

Abstract: A “pause and resume” function and a “channel change” function for recording and playing interframe compressed audiovideo data, particularly MPEG data. The invention includes a digital track format and a method for recording one or more sessions from one or more streams of interframe compressed audiovideo data which has been synchronized to a reference clock. The invention adds special “splice point” indicators to recorded video material. The splice point indicators are added either periodically (e.g., by recording a special reference clock) or when a discontinuity occurs in recording audiovideo data streams. Splice point indicators are used to determine the existence of a point of discontinuity in the recorded audiovideo data. The system and method enable pausing and later resuming recording of an audiovideo data stream such that the audiovideo data can be played back with proper resynchronization at each point of discontinuity (the “pause and resume” function).

Abstract: A wireless network adapter for establishing wireless communication links between electronic devices. In one embodiment, the wireless network adapter comprises wireless communication circuitry encased in a shell in the form of a detachable molding element of an electronic device. The wireless network adapter further comprises a bus connector adapted to couple the wireless communication circuitry to an expansion bus when the shell is attached to an outer surface of an electronic device. The wireless network adapter is a fully integrated solution further comprising an RF antenna for communication with a wireless network and a radio modem comprising a radio, a receiver, and modulation circuitry. The RF antenna in the wireless network adapter may take one of several forms. The antenna may be a dedicated unit housed within the shell of the wireless network adapter. Alternatively, the antenna may form a part of the outer shell of the adapter or it may form a part of a company logo located on the shell the adapter.

Abstract: A wireless network adapter for establishing wireless communication links between electronic devices. In one embodiment, the wireless network adapter comprises wireless communication circuitry encased in a shell in the form of a detachable molding element of an electronic device. The wireless network adapter further comprises a bus connector adapted to couple the wireless communication circuitry to an expansion bus when the shell is attached to an outer surface of an electronic device. The wireless network adapter is a fully integrated solution further comprising an RF antenna for communication with a wireless network and a radio modem comprising a radio, a receiver, and modulation circuitry. The RF antenna in the wireless network adapter may take one of several forms. The antenna may be a dedicated unit housed within the shell of the wireless network adapter. Alternatively, the antenna may form a part of the outer shell of the adapter or it may form a part of a company logo located on the shell the adapter.