Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device that is configured to be surroundably mount a brake pedal inhibiting access thereto and as such disabling features of the vehicle such as but not limited to starting of the vehicle. The invention includes a housing having a plurality of walls forming an interior volume being of suitable size to accommodate a vehicle brake pedal therein. The housing includes a front wall that is hingedly mounted operable to move between an open and closed position. A top wall is slidably secured to the housing so as to facilitate placement of the housing around the vehicle brake pedal. A wedge member is placed within the interior volume of the housing and is configured to engage the brake pedal applying an upwards bias thereagainst so as to inhibit movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A lateral stability member is secured to the housing to inhibit lateral movement thereof.

Abstract: A method of motor control device emulation includes receiving, via a network-enabled motor control device, a communication request corresponding to an emulated motor control device. The method further includes modifying the communication request to match an expected communication request. Additionally, the method includes providing a modified communication request to an associated hardware module within the network-enabled motor control device. Further, the expected communication request is based on the network-enabled motor control device.

Abstract: A frame door locking assembly suited for reinforcing doors with additional security measures is presented. The frame door locking assembly comprises a mounting frame, at least one track assembly, at least one latch assembly, at least one actuator, and a processing unit. The at least one track assembly traverses along the mounting frame. The at least one latch assembly is distributed about the mounting frame. The at least one latch assembly is hingedly connected to the at least one track assembly. The at least one actuator is connected adjacent to the mounting frame. The at least one actuator is operatively engaged to the at least one track assembly, where the at least one actuator is configured to move the at least one track assembly in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The processing unit is electronically connected to the at least one actuator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of diagnostic and prognostic assays for a condition or event of a vascular system such as the cerebrovascular system. An assay is taught herein for monitoring progression of a condition or event of a vascular system such as the cerebrovascular system as well as determining the state or stage of the condition or event. The assay of the present disclosure is also useful in the stratification of a subject based on the stage or development of the condition or event.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicle assemblies having leading and trailing vehicles that are removably coupled together by a connection apparatus. The leading vehicle is an independently operable ride-on vehicle having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices. The assembly further includes a detection system adapted to detect whether or not the connection apparatus is in its coupled configuration and to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to coupling of the leading and trailing vehicles together, and it may be made regardless of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.

Abstract: A process for recycling plastic material by reducing a sample of plastic material to form plastic particles having a desired particle size; providing a susceptor agent to the plastic particles which imparts a dielectric property to the plastic particles; providing a bonding agent to the plastic particles; and treating the plastic particles with microwave energy to form a useable plastic material.

Abstract: A circuit is described which enables the determination of the proper functioning of a second circuit, in particular the operation of a headphone jack or audio speakers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing an individual's susceptibility to treatment of an inflammatory disease with a dietary supplement. The invention describes the recognition that the sensitivity of an individual to the inflammation suppressing effects of fish oil on TNF-? production is linked both to genetic variation encoded by, or associated with, TNF-?, LT-? and/or IL-6 single nucleotide polymorphisms and to the inherent level of production of TNF-? by cells.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a battery charged during daylight hours by a conventional solar collector. A panel or reflector is attached to the arm of a conventional post and arm supporting in a depending manner a real estate sign. The reflector may include a partial cylindrical section at each opposed end for supporting an elongated lamp and for reflecting the light from the lamp onto the real estate sign disposed between the opposed ends of the reflector. A photocell interconnects the lamps with the battery to energize the lights and illuminate the real estate sign during periods of darkness.

Abstract: A method of separating die on a substrate to reduce backside chipping. Two or more microelectronic components are created on a first side of a substrate, wherein a space exists between adjacent components. A trench is created in the other side of the substrate, wherein the location of the trench coincides with a location of the space between components on the first side of the substrate, and wherein the trench has a depth less than the thickness of the substrate. The substrate material starting at the surface of the first side in the space between the components is removed until reaching at least the trench, to separate the substrate into two or more pieces.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicle assemblies that include a leading vehicle, a trailing vehicle, and a connection apparatus, such as a hitch assembly, that selectively interconnects the leading and trailing vehicles. At least the leading vehicle includes a drive assembly adapted to propel the vehicle along a ground surface. In some embodiments, at least the leading vehicle is a battery-powered ride-on vehicle. The hitch assembly is adapted to interconnect the leading and trailing vehicles and to provide a limited range of pivoting of the vehicles relative to each other. In some embodiments, the hitch assembly includes a pinch-relief mechanism that is adapted to provide at least a predetermined clearance between the vehicles. In some embodiments, the hitch assembly is adapted to provide limited pivotal ranges in at least two planes. In some embodiments, the hitch assembly is adapted to selectively uncouple and recouple the vehicles from and to each other.

Abstract: A wireless patient monitor is adapted to communicate with any one of plural medical telemetry networks, each having one or more central stations, where each network is configured to communicate via wireless communications using one of multiple different communications settings. The monitor includes one or more sensor inputs for receiving vital signs data from a patient, a wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled to receive the vital signs data via the one or more sensor inputs and to communicate with a network via the transceiver. The monitor also includes a display device and is controllable by the controller to automatically display a notification to a user of the monitor upon establishing communications with the at least one central station. There is also a method of monitoring a patient and a wireless medical telemetry system.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicle assemblies having leading and trailing vehicles that are removably coupled together by a connection apparatus. The leading vehicle is an independently operable ride-on vehicle having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices. The assembly further includes a detection system adapted to detect whether or not the connection apparatus is in its coupled configuration and to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to coupling of the leading and trailing vehicles together, and it may be made regardless of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. The ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for verifying a credit card transaction has a server with a list stored therein, for each card holder, of transaction numbers and unique codes associated therewith. The card holder is supplied with a data carrier having a selection of those transaction numbers and unique codes. On making a purchase, the card holder supplies the transaction number and associated unique code to the vendor, who has that information checked against the server. Purchase authorisation is refused if the unique codes, for that transaction number, do not match.

Abstract: A ski for a vehicle for slidably engaging a surface to be traversed. The ski includes a longitudinally extending runner having a forward portion, a rearward portion and a middle portion therebetween, the forward and rearward portions having a wider lateral width than the middle portion. The forward, rear and middle portions form an hourglass shape, generally. One or more skis may be adapted to a vehicle that includes a frame, a rear drive means for propelling the vehicle along a surface to be traversed and the one or more skis may be attached to a front portion of the frame for slidably engaging the surface to be traversed.

Abstract: An automated activity-based management system and method (10) for making thereof are provided. A business organization has costs associated with its employees, facilities, equipment, and overhead to produce products or provide services. Such a business organization typically generates traditional general ledger accounting information (152) and human resources information (150). This traditional accounting information (150, 152, 154) is used along with information directed to activities, equipment usage and facilities utilization to generate costs associated with activities performed by the organization. A computer workstation (40) with a graphical user interface (42) is used to accept entries of activity information (74). The activity information and traditional accounting information are fed to a relational database (12). The information is processed and costs associated with the employee, facilities, equipment, and overhead components (20, 22, 24, 26) of activities are computed.