Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for network enhanced controls of software updates received via a computer-readable medium are described. A first computer may load data representative of an image of a software stack from a removable computer-readable storage medium. A task sequence of instructions for installing the data representative of the image of the software stack at the first computer may be requested from the first computer to a second computer. The first computer may receive the task sequence, and may access the task sequence to retrieve the instructions for installing the data representative of the image at the first computer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for network enhanced controls of software updates received via a computer-readable medium are described. A request for identification information of an image version may be sent from a first computer to a second computer. The first computer may receive identification information of the image version. The first computer may determine whether data representing the image version is stored on a removable computer-readable storage medium. Responsive to determining that data representing the image version is stored on the removable computer-readable storage medium, the first computer may load the data representing the image version from the removable computer-readable storage medium.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for distribution of software updates are described. A first software component and a task sequence may be received at a computer. The task sequence may include instructions for installing the first software component at the computer. The computer may store the first software component and the task sequence in a computer-readable medium. The computer then may execute the task sequence to install, in the computer-readable medium, a software stack from an image of the software stack also stored in the compute-readable medium, and the first software component into the installed software stack. The task sequence may include instructions for de-installing a software component from the installed software stack.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described for receiving, by a computer, data representing a plurality of manifests, each manifest identifying a different subset of a plurality of software components; generating, by the computer, and based on the manifests, a task sequence that indicates an order in which the plurality of software components are to be installed; and recording, by the computer, data representing the task sequence to a computer-readable medium

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for handling multiple invocation points in a software build task sequence are described. A computer may receive a task sequence. The task sequence may include instructions for combining a first image and a second image to form a third image, installing a first software stack on the computer from a fourth image, and installing a software component to a second software stack already installed on the computer. The computer may receive an indication of a start point to begin executing the task sequence, and may execute the task sequence beginning at the start point.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for distribution of software updates are described. A first software component and a task sequence may be received at a computer. The task sequence may include instructions for installing the first software component at the computer. The computer may store the first software component and the task sequence in a logically protected region of the computer. The computer then may execute the task sequence to install the first software component in a current software stack of the computer. The task sequence may include instructions for de-installing a software component from the software stack on the computer.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer. An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer bonded to a linking agent layer. An apparatus may include a substantially smooth surface. An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer which may be electrostatically etched to form a precise etched portion. An apparatus may have a precise etched portion including a pattern, for example a coil print pattern having a bend. An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer bonded to a shape memory layer. An apparatus may include a relatively even distribution of heat and/or current, and/or a predetermined heat and/or current path. A method may include forming a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer. A method may include electrostatically etching a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated methods for minimally invasive surgery. A device is fabricated of bio-compatible semiconductor elements, and can be assembled, delivered, navigated and implanted by automated methods, using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-layer loading of food items such as frankfurters in a receptacle includes the steps of displacing groupings of frankfurters along a staging area, allowing the frankfurters to drop downwardly by gravity to an accumulation and storage area until at least two layers of frankfurters are accumulated and allowing the double layer of frankfurters to drop downwardly into a packing receptacle in a packing area.

Abstract: This invention concerns an electrical energy supply and distribution system. The system is able to handle both large centralised electricity generation plants, as well secondary energy sources which are becoming increasingly important. These sources may or may not be connected to deliver electrical energy to a 50 Hz AC power distribution grid. The system comprises a supply side where multiple electrical energy generators are connected via connections ports, involving conditioning circuitry, into a single DC electrical energy source. This energy source may be supplied to a common inverter system to convert it to AC for transmission on over a power grid. A rectifier may take the AC power from the grid and delivers it to loads. Whether an AC grid in involved or not, on the delivery side energy is delivered to multiple loads via connection ports involving conditioning circuitry. Any of the generators or loads may be taken offline or connected back into the system at will.

Abstract: Methods of forming composite materials include coating particles of titanium dioxide with a substance including boron (e.g., boron carbide) and a substance including carbon, and reacting the titanium dioxide with the substance including boron and the substance including carbon to form titanium diboride. The methods may be used to form ceramic composite bodies and materials, such as, for example, a ceramic composite body or material including silicon carbide and titanium diboride. Such bodies and materials may be used as armor bodies and armor materials. Such methods may include forming a green body and sintering the green body to a desirable final density. Green bodies formed in accordance with such methods may include particles comprising titanium dioxide and a coating at least partially covering exterior surfaces thereof, the coating comprising a substance including boron (e.g., boron carbide) and a substance including carbon.

Abstract: A remote control assembly having a conduit and a core element slidably disposed in the conduit. An adjustment device is selectively connected to one of the conduit and the core element for adjusting an effective length thereof. The adjustment device includes an adjustment housing and a slider. A locking element, having locking teeth, engages with slider teeth of the slider. The locking element defines a cavity for allowing insertion of a tool to facilitate movement of the locking element from a locked position to an unlocked position. Also, a cover is slidably supported on the housing and the cover includes a detent to further facilitate movement of the locking element.

Abstract: A method of analyzing characteristics of a subterranean formation includes transmitting a signal at least partially into a material of the subterranean formation such that the signal is transformed in a manner indicative of a characteristic of the material, receiving the transformed signal from the material, converting the transformed signal into image data indicative of the characteristic of the material, applying a first set of machine executable rules to the image data to produce segmented image data, wherein portions of the image that are sufficiently related according to the applied rules are grouped into segments, and analyzing, according to a second set of machine executable rules, the segmented image data to produce a geological profile of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated methods for minimally invasive surgery. A device is fabricated of bio-compatible semiconductor elements, and can be assembled, delivered, navigated and implanted by automated methods, using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology.

Abstract: A method of analyzing characteristics of a subterranean formation includes transmitting a signal at least partially into a material of the subterranean formation such that the signal is transformed in a manner indicative of a characteristic of the material, receiving the transformed signal from the material, converting the transformed signal into image data indicative of the characteristic of the material, applying a first set of machine executable rules to the image data to produce segmented image data, wherein portions of the image that are sufficiently related according to the applied rules are grouped into segments, and analyzing, according to a second set of machine executable rules, the segmented image data to produce a geological profile of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A compilation method includes converting memory access instructions that read or write less than a minimum data access unit (MDAU) to memory access instructions that read or write a multiple of the minimum data access unit, converting the memory access instructions into a format including a base address plus an offset, grouping subsets of the converted memory access instructions into partitions, and vectorizing the converted memory access instructions in the subsets that match instruction patterns.

Abstract: A method of using a telecommunications network cashless transaction service is provided, in which a user accesses the service using a network access instrument, such as a mobile phone which produces a signal. The signal is forwarded to an interface device of the network, which extracts service and user identity data therefrom, and passes the data to a processing unit for the service of the network. The service processing unit processes the data, instructs the interface device to forward the access instrument signal to an input output device of the network, and instructs the input output device to request transaction details from the user. The details are sent to the input output device, which passes them to the service processing unit which processes the details and decides whether or not the transaction can proceed, causes output of a signal conveying acceptance or rejection of the transaction to the user, and, if the transaction can proceed, arranges for the transaction to be carried out.

Abstract: There is provided a method for identifying the color intensities of red lines on a white test strip, comprising the steps of (A) attaching said white test strip to a card that is larger and darker than said white test strip, (B) scanning said card with said attached white test strip, (C) creating a digital image of said card, wherein each pixel in said digital image has a Red value, a Green value, and a Blue value, (D) using said digital image to calculate a color intensity for each red line on said white test strip.

Abstract: A self-expanding cage for use in conjunction with an embolic filtering device includes a circumferential member adapted to expand from an unexpanded position to a expanded position within the patient's body vessel. A proximal strut and distal strut are attached to the circumferential member to form the cage. A plurality of proximal and distal struts may be attached the circumferential member. Additionally, a second circumferential member can be attached to the first circumferential member. Each circumferential member can be connected by a single or a plurality of connecting struts. One embodiment of the cage utilizes a single wire to form to the cage. A delivery system attached to the single wire cage moves the cage and its associated filter element between the expanded and unexpanded positions through relative movement of the distal delivery system.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling including a first hub, a shaft fixedly connected to the first hub, the shaft being non-round in cross-section, and a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, the non-round recess being sized to closely receive the shaft such that the second hub is capable of sliding along the shaft and is prevented from rotating about the shaft, wherein rotation of the first hub results in corresponding rotation of the second hub.