Abstract: An apparatus includes a network node configured to communicate with other network nodes via a communication network. The network node includes a plurality of transceivers and a controller. The controller includes a packet management module that identifies a link profile solution set that includes a set of link profiles corresponding to communication links for multicasting the message packet. The link profile solution set maximizes coverage of network target nodes of the multicast message packet. The packet management module places a first message clone of the message packet in a transceiver queue for transmission to one or more of the network target nodes, updates the link profile solution set when the first message clone reaches the end of the transceiver queue, and initiates transmission of the first message clone or drop the first message clone according to the updated link profile solution set.

Abstract: A method of authorizing a negotiable instrument includes automatically receiving a request for the instrument, identity data identifying a requester, and a location of a requester. If the location is within location range for the identity data, a verification code is transmitted to the client. An input code is received from a personal mobile device at a location. If the input code matches the verification code and the device is near the requester, a reference code of the negotiable instrument is transmitted to the client and is stored. A method of performing a financial transaction indicated by the instrument includes automatically receiving the reference code, receiving identifying data of a bearer of the negotiable instrument; determining whether the received identifying data correspond to a request for the instrument; and, if so, producing a transaction record corresponding to the request and invalidating the reference code. Systems are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling system for removing heat from a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) slurry reactor. The cooling system including a downcomer disposed within the F-T reactor to deliver a coolant downward through the F-T reactor at a predetermined velocity. The downcomer and the pressure of the introduced coolant cooperate to increase the coolant velocity, thereby maintaining the coolant in the substantially liquid phase in the downcomer. The cooling system further includes a plenum connected to the downcomer, wherein the coolant remains in the substantially liquid phase. Additionally, the cooling system includes at least one riser extending upward from the plenum, wherein a portion of the coolant vaporizes to provide a boiling heat transfer surface on the at least one riser.

Abstract: A modified protocol independent multicast (M-PIM) routing protocol is an improvement to protocol independent multicast (PIM) routing protocol. M-PIM is optimized for use with at least one low bandwidth multi-hop network. The improvement comprises at least one modification to PIM that facilitates the transport of multicast traffic in a multi-layer routing system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a network node configured to communicate with other network nodes via a communication network. The network node includes a plurality of transceivers and a controller. The controller includes a packet management module that identifies a link profile solution set that includes a set of link profiles corresponding to communication links for multicasting the message packet. The link profile solution set maximizes coverage of network target nodes of the multicast message packet. The packet management module places a first message clone of the message packet in a transceiver queue for transmission to one or more of the network target nodes, updates the link profile solution set when the first message clone reaches the end of the transceiver queue, and initiates transmission of the first message clone or drop the first message clone according to the updated link profile solution set.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling system for removing heat from a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) slurry reactor. The cooling system including a downcomer disposed within the F-T reactor to deliver a coolant downward through the F-T reactor at a predetermined velocity. The downcomer and the pressure of the introduced coolant cooperate to increase the coolant velocity, thereby maintaining the coolant in the substantially liquid phase in the downcomer. The cooling system further includes a plenum connected to the downcomer, wherein the coolant remains in the substantially liquid phase. Additionally, the cooling system includes at least one riser extending upward from the plenum, wherein a portion of the coolant vaporizes to provide a boiling heat transfer surface on the at least one riser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling system for removing heat from a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) slurry reactor. The cooling system including at least one downcomer having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a diameter; the at least one downcomer disposed within the F-T reactor to deliver a coolant downward through the F-T reactor at a predetermined velocity, the at least one downcomer extending a length within the F-T reactor wherein the coolant is introduced into the upper portion of the at least one downcomer in a substantially liquid phase; the diameter of the at least one downcomer and the pressure of the introduced coolant cooperate to increase the coolant velocity thereby generating backpressure in the at least one downcomer to maintain the coolant in the substantially liquid phase along the length of the at least one downcomer.

Abstract: A display for use on medical dispensing equipment, and the resulting medical device and its method of display. In particular, provided are a number of specific embodiments of such a display on a medical device, including a film display for use on pill bottles and pill dispensers that utilize colored images as a dosage reminder for the user, a conformable bistable reflective display for use on drug delivery devices, and a conformable bistable reflective display for use on blood glucose meters.

Abstract: A remote display for use with a portable electronic communications device such as a cell phone is disclosed to provide information on a larger remote reflective cholesteric display. The portable communications device may connect with the remote display by wire or wirelessly. The remote display is separate from the portable communications device but can interact with it. Moreover, the remote display may serve multiple purposes, such as providing a user interface, displaying images, and collecting solar power whereby a photovoltaic material behind the display generates electrical energy from light incident on the cholesteric liquid crystal material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling system for removing heat from a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) slurry reactor. The cooling system including at least one downcomer having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a diameter; the at least one downcomer disposed within the F-T reactor to deliver a coolant downward through the F-T reactor at a predetermined velocity, the at least one downcomer extending a length within the F-T reactor wherein the coolant is introduced into the upper portion of the at least one downcomer in a substantially liquid phase; the diameter of the at least one downcomer and the pressure of the introduced coolant cooperate to increase the coolant velocity thereby generating backpressure in the at least one downcomer to maintain the coolant in the substantially liquid phase along the length of the at least one downcomer.

Abstract: A process, system and financial engine which determine a portfolio's sensitivity to market risk based on market conditions are described. In particular, with these process, system and financial engine, first data representative of time horizon information and second data representative of risk tolerance information are first received, and guidelines data based on the first and second data are established. Economic and market data underlying the quantitative indicators and factors determining the qualitative indicators are received. Market risk signals based on the indicator(s) is then established. The portfolio's sensitivity is determined based on the established guidelines data and the market risk signal. Using these process, system and financial engine, it is possible to determine the current market risk level, and then recommend changes to (or adjust) the user's portfolio market risk sensitivities based on the user's time horizon (i.e.

Abstract: A display for use on medical dispensing equipment, and the resulting medical device and its method of display. In particular, provided are a number of specific embodiments of such a display on a medical device, including a film display for use on pill bottles and pill dispensers that utilize colored images as a dosage reminder for the user, a conformable bistable reflective display for use on drug delivery devices, and a conformable bistable reflective display for use on blood glucose meters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mounting a tire onto a wheel rim are provided. The wheel rim has an inside bead seat and an outside bead seat for receipt of an inside bead and an outside bead of the tire respectively. The wheel rim may also have a seat for receipt of a support ring. Seating of the bead rings of the tire into the bead seats is provided. When a support ring is desired and the wheel rim has a seat for receipt of the support ring, seating of the support ring as well as the tire onto the wheel rim is also provided. In certain embodiments, substantially simultaneous mounting of the inside and outside beads of the tire is provided by rollers that press these beads towards one another and onto the respective bead seats of the wheel rim.

Abstract: The present invention enables a user of a portable electronic communications device such as a cell phone to view information on a larger remote reflective cholesteric display. The portable communications device may connect with the remote display by wire or wirelessly. The remote display is separate from the portable communications device but can interact with it. The remote display receives and/or receives and sends information relative to the portable communications device. This information can include e-mail text and graphics. The remote display, being a bistable cholesteric liquid crystal display, possesses low power requirements unmatched by other display technologies.

Abstract: The present invention enables a user of a portable electronic communications device such as a cell phone to view information on a larger remote reflective cholesteric display. The portable communications device may connect with the remote display by wire or wirelessly. The remote display is separate from the portable communications device but can interact with it. The remote display receives and/or receives and sends information relative to the portable communications device. This information can include e-mail text and graphics. The remote display, being a bistable cholesteric liquid crystal display, possesses low power requirements unmatched by other display technologies.

Abstract: A node (105-1) determines a power level for transmitting to a neighboring node (105-2) in a wireless network (100). The node (105-1) receives one or more messages indicating a location of the neighboring node and a type of directional antenna of the neighboring node (105-2) that transmitted the one or more messages. The node (105-1) determines the power level for transmitting to the neighboring node (105-2) based on the location of the neighboring node (105-2) and the type of the directional antenna.

Abstract: A pulsed discharge arc lamp can utilize an integrated optical adapter assembly to ease the coupling of an optical fiber to the lamp. An optical rod of the assembly allows for a precise positioning of the output, and acts as an integrating rod whereby the output is transformed to a relatively diffuse, uniform, and stabilized circular beam of light. The optical adapter assembly helps to reduce the presence of intensity peaks in the UV spectrum, making the output more uniform over the entire spectrum of the lamp.

Abstract: A process, system and financial engine which determine a portfolio's sensitivity to market risk based on market conditions are described. In particular, with these process, system and financial engine, first data representative of time horizon information and second data representative of risk tolerance information are first received, and guidelines data based on the first and second data are established. Economic and market data underlying the quantitative indicators and factors determining the qualitative indicators are received. Market risk signals based on the indicator(s) is then established. The portfolio's sensitivity is determined based on the established guidelines data and the market risk signal. Using these process, system and financial engine, it is possible to determine the current market risk level, and then recommend changes to (or adjust) the user's portfolio market risk sensitivities based on the user's time horizon (i.e.

Abstract: A system tests the protocols for a network containing a group of network devices. The system includes a simulation controller (110) that transmits network configuration information during the protocol testing and one or more nodes (135-1 to 135-N) that emulate a network device, receive the network configuration information from the simulation controller (110), and perform one or more operations in response thereto. The system also includes an analysis device (140) that monitors and analyzes the nodes (135-1 to 135-N) during the protocol testing.

Abstract: A high frequency infrared radiation source including a hermetically sealed chamber with a plasma generating gas therein, a pair of spaced electrodes in the chamber for creating a plasma therebetween, a window in the chamber, and a collimating lens made of infrared radiation transmissive material disposed between the pair of electrodes and the window.