Abstract: An object handling system for and a method of handling objects from object carriers supporting objects, the handling system comprising: a support platform; at least one carrier holder disposed to the support platform and being configured to receive an object carrier supporting objects; at least one analysis station at which objects are analyzed; an object handler comprising a positioning mechanism operable to provide for positioning in a region above the support platform, and a tool assembly attached to the positioning mechanism and being movable thereby, wherein the tool assembly comprises a sensor tool which, in a carrier-sensing mode, is utilized in identifying any object carrier as supported by the at least one carrier holder, and a holding tool which, in an object-transfer mode, is utilized to hold an object at least in transferring the same between the at least one carrier holder and the at least one analysis station; and a control unit for controlling operation of the handling system.

Abstract: Frequency offset estimation apparatus for estimating the offset from a predetermined centre frequency of an input signal carrying a plurality of frequency shifted symbols, the apparatus comprising: a demodulator for demodulating the input signal to estimate the symbols; a first filter for forming a first estimate of the offset by determining the average of a first predetermined number of the last maxima and minima of the instantaneous frequency difference between the input signal and a signal at the centre frequency; a second filter for forming a second estimate of the offset by determining the average of the values of the instantaneous frequency difference between the input signal at the centre frequency associated with the estimation by the demodulator of those of the symbols having the greatest positive and negative frequency shifts; and selector for selecting the first estimate or the second estimate as an output estimate of the frequency error.

Abstract: A hollow plastic container with a separately formed handle engaging the sidewall of the container and supported thereby. The handle includes an elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall and arm portions extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall, wherein the sidewall receives the arm portions and holds the handle in place.

Abstract: A pole-mountable electronic chassis for mounting on an equipment support pole, including at least one enclosure for electronic circuitry and at least one passage completely through the enclosure sized, shaped, and arranged for receiving the pole. A passage web surrounds the passage and may optionally provide thermal conductivity or circuit support functions. A coupling is provided for fixing the enclosure in place. The coupling may be a low-profile coupling. The enclosure may be sized and shaped to also fit in industry-standard electronics racks.

Abstract: A wound protector retractor comprises an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening and a connecting sleeve extending between the O-ring and outer mounting means. The outer means are provided by rings between which the sleeve is led. The rings are rotated relative to each other and the inner ring to form a centralised lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the sleeve. A wound is both retracted and protected.

Abstract: There is provided a method for predicting the tendency of inhaled particles to deposit within a first patient's throat when said particles are inhaled through an airway defined by said throat. The method comprises determining at least one internal physical parameter of said airway defined by the first throat by means of acoustic imaging of the airway defined by the first throat, and matching said at least one internal physical parameter of the airway of the first throat with a dataset comprising pre-determined data relating to the corresponding internal physical parameter for the throat of at least one other patient, wherein said dataset also comprises pre-determined data relating to the tendency of said inhaled particles to deposit within said plural at least one other patient's throat, and said matching thereby enables prediction of the tendency for the inhaled particles to deposit within the first patient's throat.

Abstract: A hollow plastic container with a separately formed handle engaging the sidewall of the container and supported thereby. The handle includes an elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall and arm portions extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall, wherein the sidewall receives the arm portions and holds the handle in place.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with good stability against tipping provided by five alternating hollow legs (22) and five curved ribs (34) that alternate, and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. The legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) of truncated wedge shapes with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a user history, for presentation thereof within a browser display. An executable software construct operates at a client machine to trap object references, which are then transmitted to a server. The server analyzes the object references and organizes them into a display structure. The display structure is then displayed within the browser, including hyperlinks to allow the user to select a prior system state to which he seeks to return. Preferably, the software construct also manages objects associated with the object reference, for example cookies associated with URLs, in order to assure full definition of the desired state. The display structure may also be provided to browsers distinct from the originating browser.

Abstract: A method of proportioning and delivering drive torque to the four wheels of a vehicle includes the steps of sensing the wheel speeds, yaw rate and body side slip of the vehicle, calculating the torque split for delivery to the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle, calculating the percentage of torque to be provided to the four wheels of the vehicle scaling such torque delivery based upon driveline architecture of the vehicle and delivering drive torque to the four wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for communicating a Physical Layer (PHY) mean square error (MSE) to an upper layer device driver includes: receiving a frame by the PHY; computing a MSE for the frame by the PHY; sending the MSE and the frame to a Media Access Control (MAC); inserting the MSE into a frame status frame (FSF) associated with the frame by the MAC; and sending the frame and the FSF to the upper layer driver software. With access to the PHY MSE, the upper layer driver software can compute the average mean square error (AMSE) and determine if a change in the payload encoding (PE), or data transmission rate, should be negotiated. In this manner, the data transmission rate can be optimized while maintaining a low error rate.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a user history, for presentation thereof within a browser display. An executable software construct operates at a client machine to trap object references, which are then transmitted to a server. The server analyzes the object references and organizes them into a display structure. The display structure is then displayed within the browser, including hyperlinks to allow the user to select a prior system state to which he seeks to return. Preferably, the software construct also manages objects associated with the object reference, for example cookies associated with URLs, in order to assure full definition of the desired state. The display structure may also be provided to browsers distinct from the originating browser.

Abstract: A wound protector retractor comprises an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening and a connecting sleeve extending between the O-ring and outer mounting means. The outer means are provided by rings between which the sleeve is led. The rings are rotated relative to each other and the inner ring to form a centralised lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the sleeve. A wound is both retracted and protected.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a pipeline sphere, and more specifically a seamless pipeline sphere wherein said sphere presents a flexible, seamless outer layer surrounding an inflatable inner bladder portion which itself defines a hollow chamber. The outer layer and the inner bladder portion contain apertures which are aligned to form a channel connecting the hollow chamber to the outside environment. A weighted material may be added to the pipeline sphere, if desired.

Abstract: An upper section having a platform for supporting a camera, a lower section having an anchor for mounting into the ground, and an adjustment mechanism for vertically and rotationally adjusting the upper section to selectively aim the camera. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes an upper shaft of the upper section and a lower shaft of the lower section being telescopically arranged. For compact storage, the lower section can be inverted and the lower shaft inserted into the upper shaft through an opening in the platform.

Abstract: A valve comprises a housing (1) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), and a pressure sensing port (8). A piston (6) slides in a part (3) of the housing (1) in response to a difference between a first fluid pressure at the pressure sensing port on the one side of the piston, and a second fluid pressure at the inlet and/or outlet on the other side of the piston (6). A valve member (7) carried by the piston is operable thereby to close the inlet (4) when said second fluid pressure is less than a value sufficiently greater than said first fluid pressure. The valve member (7) is movable with respect to the piston (6) to facilitate closing of the inlet (4), in response to a fluid flow from the housing (1) to the inlet (4), when the piston is not acting to close the inlet.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite laminate comprises the steps of feeding ground reclaimed material, for example carpet backing, to a dispersing station (16), dispersing the reclaimed material on a moving web (10), bringing an intermediate web (20) into engagement with the layer of reclaimed material, melting the reclaimed material to fuse the reclaimed material to the intermediate web, passing the laminate through compression rollers (28, 30) to control the thickness of the laminate, and cooling the laminate. The moving web (10) may comprise carpeting material in which case the melted reclaimed material is fused to the carpeting material (10) and intermediate web (20).

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a user history, for presentation thereof within a browser display. An executable software construct operates at a client machine to trap object references, which are then transmitted to a server. The server analyzes the object references and organizes them into a display structure. The display structure is then displayed within the browser, including hyperlinks to allow the user to select a prior system state to which he seeks to return. Preferably, the software construct also manages objects associated with the object reference, for example cookies associated with URLs, in order to assure full definition of the desired state. The display structure may also be provided to browsers distinct from the originating browser.