Abstract: An optical motion tracking device (10) includes a photo detector array (18) comprised of highly sensitive photo sensors coupled to a computational circuit (19) inside a casing (11). The photo detector array (18) detects optical features of a surface (25) using ambient light reflected from or propagated through the surface (25) and transmitted into the casing through an aperture (15). Protrusions (14) on the bottom (10) lifts the device (10) from the surface (25) and allow the ambient light to illuminate the surface (25). A nontransparent sidewall (17) encloses a light path from the aperture (15) to the photo detector array (18) to reduce light interference. A reflective band (32) near the aperture (15) to increases the illumination of the surface (25). The computational circuit (19) calculates the correlation between the images from the photo detector array (18) to track the motion of the device (10).

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the production of biodiesel. In particular, provided is an esterification process in which an alcohol reacts with free fatty acids in a lipid material comprising free fatty acids and glycerides in the presence of an immobilized zirconium(IV) metal salt to form fatty acid alkyl esters. Also provided is combination process in which an esterification reaction converts the free fatty acids in a lipid material to fatty acid alkyl esters and a transesterification reaction converts the glycerides in the material to fatty acid alkyl esters.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficient storage of data for use by an application, including a set top box. The set top box including a physical memory, a bulk storage device, and a memory management unit (MMU) coupled between the application and the physical memory and the bulk storage device. The physical memory and the bulk storage device are configured to store the data. The MMU is configured to translate a virtual address provided by the application to a physical address used by one of the physical memory and the bulk storage device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficient storage of data for use by an application, including a set top box. The set top box including a physical memory, a bulk storage device, and a memory management unit (MMU) coupled between the application and the physical memory and the bulk storage device. The physical memory and the bulk storage device are configured to store the data. The MMU is configured to translate a virtual address provided by the application to a physical address used by one of the physical memory and the bulk storage device.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising single layer bipolar plates, water damming layers(WDL) and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with gas diffusion layers(GDL) locally treated with water transferring materials, and integrating functions of gas humidification, membrane hydration, water removal and cell cooling is disclosed. This fuel cell is constructed with proton exchange membrane (PEM) and catalyst layers on both sides of PEM, with GDL, on top of catalyst layers, locally impregnated with water transferring materials, and single layer bipolar plates installed on both sides of GDL as cathode and anode.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for dynamically processing an image. In an exemplary embodiment, the image comprises a plurality of pixels. First, a value of a target pixel of the pixels is subtracted from values of surrounding pixels of the target pixel to obtain a plurality of difference values. A plurality of absolute values of the difference values is then calculated. The absolute values are then summed to obtain an accumulation value. The accumulation value is then compared with N reference values to select a target interval corresponding to the accumulation value. A filter coefficient set corresponding to the target interval is then determined. Finally, the target pixel is filtered according to the filter coefficient set.

Abstract: Nano-reagents with catalytic activity are provided herein. The nanocatalyst comprises at least one amino acid attached to a nanoparticle, wherein the reactive side chain of the amino acid catalyzes a chemical or biological reaction. Methods of using these nano-reagents to catalyze reactions in solution or in multiple phases are also provided, as are methods of making these nanocatalysts.

Abstract: Eyeglasses can be folded to form a case with a lens and temple bars. The lens and the temple bars form two individual objects of connection. A hinging apparatus connects the lens and the temple bars. One end of the hinging apparatus forms a rotating connection while the other end of the hinging apparatus forms a pivotal connection. The rotating connection and the pivotal connection are perpendicular to each other. Two hollow sections are formed on the temple bars so that turning and locking the hinging apparatus can be store the lenses in a chamber formed by the two hollow sections.

Abstract: Coated magnetic nanoparticles and their compositions used for labeling, detecting, sorting, and isolating biological, organic and inorganic molecules, and for medical therapies, and as a platform for organic, biological and physical transformations. An oxidation approach for fabricating iron oxide nanoparticles, methods for the synthesis of magnetic compositions comprising a magnetic core associated with a functional molecule or molecular complexes, and methods for the synthesis of water-soluble magnetic particles/compositions.

Abstract: A system for generating reports of coordinate measuring machine includes: a coordinate measuring machine (10), a system control box (11), a computer (12), a typewriter (13), and a database (14). The computer includes: a system interface module (121) providing an operating system of the coordinate measuring machine; a data processing module (122) for processing measured data; and a report generating module (123) for generating reports of coordinate measuring machine. A method of generating reports of coordinate measuring machine is also provided.

Abstract: Eyeglasses can be folded to form a case with a lens and temple bars. The lens and the temple bars form two individual objects of connection. A hinging apparatus connects the lens and the temple bars. One end of the hinging apparatus forms a rotating connection while the other end of the hinging apparatus forms a pivotal connection. The rotating connection and the pivotal connection are perpendicular to each other. Two hollow sections are formed on the temple bars so that turning and locking the hinging apparatus can be store the lenses in a chamber formed by the two hollow sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video camera plugged into kiln to monitor and an image processing system using the camera. The video camera is composed of a camera body, a video recorder, a monitor, and a digial thermometer; the image processing system is composed of the camera body mentioned above, a computer and a color monitor. Especially, the present invention is used to monitor material surface during the smelting in a blast furnace; process the image by a computer, describing quantificationally the airflow and temperature distribution of the material surface; monitor the operation state of charging chute or bell, the material stream, and the abnormality in the furnace such as pipeline and material collapse. The advantages of the present invention: Micro camera used to obtain IR image in the furnace, pint-sized, low cost, easy installation, simple maintenance, long service life, and the maintenance performed without stopping production.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the retrieval of information from a system of distributed computers or information resources is disclosed. In particular, the system and method of the present invention improves upon metasearch techniques by including information resource profiles that provide directives to the metasearch engine for facilitating information recovery. These information resource profiles additionally allow for metasearches to recover information from non-indexed information resources such as when browsing the web. Contextual searching is further provided via a grouping of the information resource profiles. The present invention is further directed to tools for the creation and management of the information resource profiles.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficient storage of data for use by an application, including a set top box. The set top box including a physical memory, a bulk storage device, and a memory management unit (MMU) coupled between the application and the physical memory and the bulk storage device. The physical memory and the bulk storage device are configured to store the data. The MMU is configured to translate a virtual address provided by the application to a physical address used by one of the physical memory and the bulk storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon fuel employs at least two substantially separate reaction chambers in fluid connection within an annular cylindrical reactor tube. The annular design of the reactor tube permits increased mass flow rate for greater efficiency and lower cost processing of hydrocarbon fuel for electrochemical fuel cells and other industrial applications.

Abstract: A system and method for relative ranking and contextual summarization of search hits from multiple distributed, heterogeneous information resources based upon the original content of each hit is disclosed. In particular, the system and method of the present invention improve upon metasearch engine techniques by downloading the original documents (text or multimedia) identified by standard search engines as relevant and using the original content of each “hit” to re-rank them relative to each other according to the original query pattern for the search, providing a uniform ranking methodology for the user. The present invention is also directed to an improved summarization process where the downloaded documents are re-summarized relative to each other according to the original query pattern for the search, providing a uniform summarization methodology for the user.

Abstract: A power-driven dental flossing device has an elongate housing of three casings with an extending housing arm forked at its front, which contains dental floss reels, a dividing gear system, dental floss operating and winding switches, and a powered motor with batteries and/or a transformer. Dental floss across two tines of the forked arm is wound on the two reels, one of which supplies fresh dental floss, the other takes up used floss. The dental floss can be automatically reciprocated between the tines and teeth by pulling an operating switch backward, and also can be manipulated manually by pushing the same operating switch forward. The floss can also be automatically wound in one direction at time to provide a fresh length of the floss, or to rewind it back at any time.