Abstract: A web converting process and apparatus employing a dry converting station and substrate-handling equipment for conveying the substrate through the dry converting station. The substrate is enveloped in the dry converting station by a close enclosure supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count in the close enclosure.

Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: A portable fuel storage tank leak detection system for detecting fuel leaks from a fuel storage tank at a leak rate of 0.1 gallons per hour. The leak detection system provides for a probability of detection of at least 95% and a probability of false alarm of no more than 5%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.

Abstract: A dispenser has an upper loading chamber (38), a dispensing chamber (40) located beneath the loading chamber, first and second openable covers (24, 34) for the loading chamber (38) and a dispensing chamber (40) and a gate means (32) mounted in the housing between the two chambers and forming a lower wall of the loading chamber (38). The gate means (32) is movable to allow selective communication of a loading chamber (38) and the dispensing chamber (40) to allow the contents of the loading chamber to fall into the dispensing chamber (40). Opening of the gate means (32) to an extent sufficient to allow the contents to fall into the dispensing chamber generates a signal from a limit switch (59) indicative that the loading chamber (38) is empty.

Abstract: A high-pressure, moving-piston pulse engine (modified HIPPE) 10 is used to produce one or a series of pulses of acoustic energy in a marine environment for acoustic communication, detection, classification or jamming. The HIPPE engine 10 is modified by removing its nozzle and replacing it with a pipe 58 which is fastened to the exit of the combustion chamber 56. A gas disperser 60 is affixed to the engine 10 or pipe 58 so that a portion of the disperser 60 extends inside of the pipe 58 the inner surface of which is spaced from the outer surface of the disperser 60 so that an annular void is formed between the pipe 58 and the disperser, through which void the combustion gases can be vented. The axial course of the gases is changed by disperser 60 to a controlled course with velocity vectors transverse to the pipe axis. The engine 10 is placed in a body of water 14 at depth or near the surface and operated either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A system is configured to selectively block peripheral accesses to system memory. The system includes a secure execution mode (SEM)-capable processor configured to operate in a trusted execution mode. The system also includes a system memory including a plurality of addressable locations. The system further includes a memory controller that may determine a source of an access request to one or more of the plurality of locations of the system memory. The memory controller may further allow the access request to proceed in response to determining that the source of the access request is the SEM-capable processor.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method of distributing software, includes: browsing, by a hardware device, into a peripheral device that is connected to the hardware device via a medium that can be used to communicate with the hardware device by using a conventional protocol (e.g., HTTP over an Ethernet network); being redirected from the peripheral device to a backend system; providing peripheral device configuration information and hardware device install information to the backend system; and based upon the peripheral device configuration information and hardware device install information, distributing, from the backend system to the hardware device, hardware device installation and configuration software.

Abstract: A system and method of sensing temperature at an optical fiber tip, including the steps of positioning a slug of fluorescent material adjacent the optical fiber tip, providing an optical stimulus having a wavelength within a first predetermined range through at least one fiber optically linked to the optical fiber tip, wherein a desired optical fluorescent response having a wavelength within a second predetermined range from the fluorescent slug is generated, detecting a signal representative of the optical stimulus, detecting a signal representative of the optical fluorescent response, digitally processing the optical stimulus signal and the optical fluorescent response signal to determine a phase difference therebetween, and calculating a temperature for the optical fiber tip as a function of the phase difference.

Abstract: Decontamination apparatus and methods involve catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to drive additional hydrogen peroxide to a contaminated location.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus including a rotating carousel to feed material from an inlet to a discharge outlet. In the illustrated embodiments, the carousel includes a cone shaped portion to facilitate material flow to dispense a metered quantity of material. The apparatus described has particular application for dispensing a glutinous particulate or material. In an illustrated embodiment, a scale is used to control metered quantities which as described includes cantilevered beams supporting a floating tray for measuring a dispensed quantity.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting and tilting an oversized cargo to reduce the effective width of the cargo. The structure comprises a frame having a base and a stanchion connected to the base. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled to the stanchion to pivot about a pivot axis. The arm includes a first and second end disposed opposite one another. The arm has a center of gravity disposed between the first end and the pivot axis and that biases the arm to pivot in a first pivotal direction. First and second brackets are positioned near the first and second ends of the arm for receiving the cargo. The cargo has a center of gravity disposed between the pivot axis and the second end that causes the arm to pivot in a second pivotal direction opposite the first pivotal direction.

Abstract: For suture tying in a medical procedure including the use of an anchor that includes a suture locking device that includes a sliding pin guided by axial side slots formed in the locking device that forces the suture where the two ends thereof are inserted into the interior of the suture locking mechanism to drive the captured suture and pin to fit into a recess on the top of the suture locking mechanism such that the top of the pin binds the suture against the upper inner surface of the recess. The recess can be serrated to enhance the locking capability and the pin is polygonal shaped to provide side surfaces that run parallel to the wall of the recess to assure that the side portion of the pin does not fracture the suture and cause it to weaken. The locking of the suture is automatic upon the deployment of the anchor which actuates the pin into the locking position, thus eliminating the necessity of manually knotting the suture and improving the cinching of the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the data rates for communications to and from a base station and a plurality of remote users. The usage of the communications resource whether the forward link resource (from base station to remote users) or reverse link resource (from remote users to base station) is measured. The measured usage value is compared against at least one predetermined threshold value and the data rates of communications or a subset of communications on said communications resource is modified in accordance with said comparisons.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for creating a wireless communication bridge. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a first group of information handling systems that can establish a wireless connection with a network, selecting a first information handling system from the first group of information handling systems, establishing a first connection with the first information handling system, establishing a second connection between the first information handling system and the network, and communicating with the network via the first and second connections. In one embodiment, the first group of information handling systems is ranked according to a group of communication-related parameters, and the first information handling system is selected based on the group of communication-related parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a back out routine for a failed programmable hardware update is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) storing a new software image for the programmable device associated with the hardware update, b) storing a previous software image for the programmable device, c) programming the programmable device to operate according to the new software image, d) determining if there is a failure associated with the programming step, and e) if a failure is identified, programming the programmable device to operate according to the previous software image, otherwise the hardware update to the programmable device was successful. In one aspect, the back out routine is provided for a program load failure. In another aspect, the back out routine is provided for a programmable device failure.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for preventing a first circuit breaker having a first actuating mechanism and a second circuit breaker having a second actuating mechanism from simultaneously being in a closed condition. The interlock mechanism includes a frame, a sliding bar slideably mounted within the frame, and one or more retaining protrusions extending outwardly from one or more inner edges of the frame. The sliding bar is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the first actuating mechanism and in the second position the sliding bar blocks a path of movement of the second actuating mechanism. The one or more retaining protrusions frictionally engage the sliding bar when the sliding bar is in the first position and holds it in place, preferably with a frictional force sufficient to resist the force of gravity and/or vibrations.

Abstract: The ferrous metal chemical conversion coating is comprised of mixed oxides and organometallic compounds of aluminum and iron. A ferrous metal substrate is immersed for a period of time in a bath composition, at a temperature, at a pH, and at a concentration for each constituent of the bath composition, that will form a coating with the desired characteristics. The bath composition comprises water, aluminum salt, oxalic acid, and an oxidizer. The conversion coating is amorphous in nature and can be formed as thin as 1 micron with a coating weight in the range of about 40–250 milligrams per square foot. When sealed with an appropriate rust preventive material, the coating enhances corrosion resistance of the ferrous metal substrate. It is an effective absorbent base for paint finishes. When top coated with a lubricant, the conversion coating aids (a) assembly of parts, (b) break-in of sliding surfaces, and (c) anti-galling.

Abstract: A document processing device having an evaluation region disposed along a transport path between an input and output receptacle capable of processing both currency bills and identification cards. An evaluation unit enables entry of source identification information before or after processing currency bills. Memory is adapted to store source identification information for multiple batches of currency. Multiple batches are placed in the processing, device for multiple batch processing. The evaluation region includes detectors for detecting predetermined characteristics of currency bills and distinguishing identification cards from currency. During processing, the identification card, or other separator card, is sent to a predetermined output receptacle designated as a reject receptacle. Currency that is rejected is sent to the reject receptacle. Rejected currency is separated into batches by the identification cards sent to the reject receptacle during processing.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a patient including an exit port assembly, a reservoir including a side wall extending towards an outlet connected to the exit port assembly, a threaded lead screw received at least partly in the reservoir and longitudinally extending towards the outlet, and a plunger secured to the lead screw and having an outer periphery linearly slideable along the side wall of the reservoir. A tube is coaxially received on the lead screw and includes a longitudinal slot, a pin extending through the lead screw and the slot of the tube, and a gear is secured to the tube for rotation therewith.