Abstract: A new variety of Climbing rose suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of wine purple striped with bright white coloration.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis beginning in the spring attractive very double blossoms wherein the petal coloration is intense red-purple streaked with lighter red-purple. A very strong climbing growth habit is displayed. Commonly few thorns are present. Attractive very dense dark green foliage is formed having a glossy upper surface. Good disease tolerance has been observed. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive colorful ornamentation in parks, gardens, and residential settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica, broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, half-hardy, self-fertile, very productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the early to mid season and requires about 500 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid to late June, with first picking on Jun. 22, 2010. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and sub-acid and very sweet in flavor.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Sweet Ann.’ This new day-neutral strawberry variety is characterized by vigorous plants which produce high yields of large to very large, sweet fruit with an excellent flavor; well-shaped, long and conical fruit, having a glossy medium red exterior and medium red interior; and which plants maintain an open architecture.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of WEIGELA plant named ‘WF-2009’ whose variegated foliage is mid-green in color with cream-yellow margins which occupy from 25% to 30% of leaf surface area. ‘WF-2009’ exhibits an upright vase-shaped habit; bears white to pale pink flowers in the spring and achieves 6 feet in height and 6 feet in width at maturity. ‘WF-2009’ is hardy in USDA Zone 6A and has not been observed to burn in summer in Madison, Ohio. In combination these traits set ‘WF-2009’ apart from all other existing varieties of WEIGELA known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caryopteris named ‘LISSILV’ that is characterized by upright habit, pronounced silver foliage color, and a prolific display of soft violet-blue flowers. In combination these traits set ‘LISSILV’ apart from all other existing varieties of Caryopteris known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-HNGG’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, semi-upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and fully double flowers characterized by a large red-orange zone extending from the center of the flower approximately 75 percent of the way to the petal margin, with the balance of the petal a bright orange.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Erysimum plant named ‘Inneryrysimoon’ that is characterized by large yellow flowers that fade to cream-yellow, a long flowering season, profuse flowering and a compact habit.

Abstract: A new Verbena plant named ‘Apricena’ particularly distinguished by the light red (apricot) flower color; medium to dark green foliage, small sized creeping and trailing plant habit with good branching and is early to flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct Coreopsis plant named ‘Citrine’ characterized by daisy-type flowers that grow to 4 cm in diameter, flowers that are clear yellow, grass green foliage on short stems, flowers all summer, a dense, compact, mounding habit, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Coreopsis plant named ‘Cherry Pie’ characterized by small daisy-type flowers that grow to 3.5 cm in diameter, flowers that are deep red, grass green foliage on short stems, flowering for the whole summer, and a dense, mounding habit.

Abstract: A new Cuphea plant named ‘Cunapibi’ particularly distinguished by the very small, light purple and red-purple bi-colored flowers, medium green foliage, vigorous, compact but decumbent and well-branched and very floriferous plant habit.

Abstract: A surveillance system having at least one primary video camera for translating real images of a zone into electronic video signals at a first level of resolution. The system includes means for sampling movements of an individual or individuals located within the zone from the video signal output from at least one video camera. Video signals of sampled movements of the individual is electronically compared with known characteristics of movements which are indicative of individuals having a criminal intent. The level of criminal intent of the individual or individuals is then determined and an appropriate alarm signal is produced.

Abstract: A mounting structure of a semiconductor device includes an electroconductive film provided on a substrate. An insulating film is formed on the electroconductive film, and provided with an opening portion to expose a part of the electroconductive film, and its internal stress is set to serve as a compression stress. An anisotropic electroconductive binding material is disposed across the part of the electroconductive film exposed by the opening portion and the insulating film. A semiconductor device has a plurality of electrodes, and is disposed on the anisotropic electroconductive binding material. The electrodes are electrically connected with the electroconductive film through the anisotropic electroconductive binding material.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for producing a halftone of a source image. The halftone includes halftone pixels. The halftone pixels are suitable for containing halftone dots. The method selects glyphs corresponding to intensities of regions (e.g., pixels) in the source image. The glyphs contain one or more halftone dots. The method locates halftone dots within the halftone pixels such that for at least one pair of halftone dots contained within a pair of halftone pixels sharing a common boundary, the halftone dots in the pair of halftone pixels extend in opposite directions from the common boundary.

Abstract: A system for electronic photography includes a number of photo-capture stations. Each station includes a digital camera and a customer identification device for selectively actuating the digital camera to capture a digital image and recording customer identification with the digital image. The system includes a central controller for collecting and storing the digital images captured by the photo-capture stations and a high bandwidth communications network connecting the photo-capture stations to the central controller. The system also includes an output station connected to the central controller by the high bandwidth communications network.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed that improves the efficiency of transmitting data over multiple shared-communications channels without some of the costs and disadvantages associated with techniques in the prior art. In particular, and in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a data frame is simultaneously transmitted across a plurality of channels, but the acknowledgment frame to the data frame is not. Instead, a plurality of redundant acknowledgment frames are generated and each one is transmitted independently and within each of the channels used to transmit the data frame.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a small feature in a multidimensional digital array of intensity values in a data processor computes an edge metric along each ray of a plurality of multidimensional rays originating at a local intensity extreme (local maximum or minimum). A multidimensional point corresponding to a maximum edge metric on each said ray is identified as a ray edge point. Every point on each ray from the local extreme to the ray edge point is labeled as part of the small object. Further points on the feature are grown by labeling an unlabeled point if the unlabeled point is adjacent to a labeled point, and the unlabeled point has a more extreme intensity than the labeled point, and the unlabeled point is closer than the labeled point to the local extreme. The resulting segmentation is quick, and identifies boundaries of small features analogous to boundaries identified by human analysts, and does not require statistical parameterizations or thresholds manually determined by a user.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method of doing a broadcast service of a short message in a communication system. According to the present invention, a transmission request message of a broadcast message including the name and telephone number of an information provider is received from the information provider through a message center. The transmission request message of the broadcast message processed in the message center is transmitted from the message center to a base station and therefrom to all terminals. The terminals receive the broadcast message including the information provider's name and telephone number and displays them on the display devices of the terminals. When the terminal user wants to communicate with the information provider, the terminal performs the process for communication between the information provider and the user by using the received information provider's telephone number.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that systematically monitors and records performance parameters for a computer system. During operation, the system periodically measures values for a set of performance parameters associated with the computer system while the computer system continues operating. The system then records the values on a data storage device, wherein the recording process keeps track of temporal relationships between events in different performance parameters. The system subsequently allows the recorded values for the set of performance parameters to be analyzed.

Abstract: This invention defines a welding helmet that encloses a welders head on five sides and with an optional skirt covers their neck. The helmet contains a fan, filter and cooling module to provide clean cool air that reduces welding fume levels in the breathing zone below suggested maximums. By providing cool air to the welders head and neck area their whole body will feel cooler. It suggests the use of an external power source to provide the energy required to have a fan of sufficient capacity to draw air thorough a quality filter so potentially hazardous constituents of welding fumes are captured. This externally supplied power allows the required cooling capacity thermal electric cooling modules to be used to significantly lower the ambient air temperature. This helmet allows the welding operator to have sufficient cooling to improve their overall work environment for one of the most objectionable welding issues, excess heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective mask adapted to be worn by a person engaging in the game of paintball. The mask has a main body to cover the front, sides, mouth and ears of a user's face. It also has a removable flexible transparent lens that locks into a rigid support frame formed in the mask. The mask also has a strap to securely support the mask on a wearer's head, and a removable face engaging element provided to accommodate a face of the wearer. This face engagement element evenly engages around the wearer's face in a cushioned manner because its face engagement portion is made of foam that engages the user's face along the entire perimeter of the face engagement element. The face engagement element is securely locked onto the mask by locking clips that fit into openings on both sides of the face engagement element.

Abstract: A swimming garment is formed with a tunnel having an aperture. An inflation assembly includes an inflatable bladder within the tunnel, a tube having an intermediate extent extending through the aperture and having a lower end coupled to the bladder and having an upper end positionable in the mouth of a wearer for inflation. The majority of the intermediate extent is positionable in the tunnel while not inflating and outside of the tunnel with the upper end in the mouth of the wearer while inflating. A wearer controlled clamp on the tube adjacent to the upper end is opened for inflation and deflation purposes and closed for precluding inflation and deflation.

Abstract: Multilayer elastomeric articles and methods of making the same are disclosed in which the outside or outer distal surface of the article is a different color or otherwise visually distinct in appearance from the inside or wearer contacting surface of the article so that the user of the article can readily identify the article as a multilayer elastomeric article. In one aspect, elastomer emulsions, solvent solutions, or plastisols used to form each layer may be modified with the addition of base color and/or colorant components in order to form a colored or patterned layer. In another aspect, one or both of the surfaces of the elastomeric articles (or layers of the articles) may be coated with such a colorant component to sufficiently visually distinguish the layers from each other.

Abstract: A glove, particularly useful for automobile mechanic work and other types of working environments or sports which brings the dorsal side of the hand in contact with hard objects or the like which may result in injuries to the knuckles of the fingers, thumb and dorsal side of the hand is provided with padding positioned to circumscribe the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the fingers and the thumb. The pad covers the distal ends of the metacarpals and the proximal ends of the proximal phalanxes of the fingers with padding being absent at the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the fingers.

Abstract: Transformable womens' trousers which, comprised of an upper part with means to fasten a belt around a user's waist, and having a zipper on its lower hem region with which to join other parts corresponding to the trouser legs, with side zippers that allow its extension in order to be joined in different combinations or in such a manner as to form a skirt, or even produce a handbag by joining specific parts, characterized in that the upper part has a peripheral zipper that corresponds to its lower hem region, to which a second bridge part is joined to comprise the upper part of the trouser legs, said zipper being disposed above the crotch of said bridge part or piece so as to comprise, through the separation thereof, a mini-skirt.

Abstract: A suspenders assembly including a pair of suspenders having a pair of front strap portions configured to be coupled to a front portion of a pair of trousers and a pair of rear strap portions configured to be coupled to a rear portion of the pair of trousers. The assembly further includes an attachment tab, wherein both of the rear strap portions or both of the front strap portions are both directly and permanently coupled to the attachment tab. The attachment tab includes a portion of hook-and-loop fastening material located thereon.

Abstract: An integrated ensemble for personal protection and comfort. The integrated ensemble may generally include one or more multifunctional layers. Each layer may include functionality directed to provision of specific types of protection and/or personal comfort. A liner may be generally capable of providing immersion protection, cooling, and cold weather protection. A shell may be designed for wear in cooperation with the liner. The shell may be capable of providing protection against flame, acceleration, and other environmental factors, as well as providing cooling and gear carriage. The disclosed integrated ensembles are generally low-bulk to facilitate movement.

Abstract: A toilet unclogging device rests on top of a toilet bowl rim and a user actuating a diaphragm or expandable central portion generates a temporary vacuum that repositions or reshapes an obstruction located below a water line to unclog the toilet without submerging any items beneath the water line of the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A flapper flush valve assembly includes a pair of laterally movable mounting arms which may be adjusted to vary a width therebetween to accommodate overflow tubes of different sizes. The flapper valve assembly is coupled to pivot members connected to an overflow tube. Mounting ears on the pivot members may include projections to provide spacing between the rotating mounting arms and adjacent sidewall of a toilet tank, thereby preventing jams.

Abstract: A dual flush button assembly includes a unitary button with a full flush surface and a partial flush surface. Pressing the partial flush surface moves the button linearly to active a partial flush. Pressing the full flush surface rotates the button to activate a full flush. An extension member beneath the button is coupled to a link of a dual flush valve. The extension member is moved farther when the full flush surface is engaged. The button is configured to pivot with respect to a housing when the full flush portion is engaged.

Abstract: A toilet fill valve, toilet, and associated methods are provided with an adjustable bowl fill flow. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a water inlet and a first water outlet configured to supply water to a toilet tank. A bowl fill outlet port extends from a portion of a body of the toilet fill valve, the bowl fill outlet port being operatively coupled to the water inlet. The toilet fill valve includes a bowl fill valve having a bowl fill valve inlet port and a bowl fill valve outlet port, wherein the bowl fill valve inlet port is compatible with the bowl fill outlet port and the bowl fill valve inlet port being coupled to the bowl fill outlet port, the bowl fill valve radially extending from a portion of a body of the toilet fill valve. The bowl fill valve is configured to supply an adjustable flow of water out the bowl fill outlet port for filling a toilet bowl during a flush cycle of a toilet.

Abstract: A free-standing urinal (1) having: a housing (2); a trough (3) for urine; a urine collection tank (4) located within the housing (2); a drain (7) and waste trap (8) arrangement extending between the trough (3) and the tank (4); a valved outlet (28) from the tank (4); a hand wash sink (9); a drain (10) extending between the sink (9) and the trough (3); a fresh water dispenser for dispensing water into the sink (9); a paper towel dispenser (60); a paper towel waste container (70); and lifting fixtures (35, 36, 37) for moving the urinal (1) by forklift, hand or crane; The drain (7) and waste trap (8) arrangement has an “S bend” (30) containing an oily sealant (31). The urinal (1) is portable, it is freestanding and need not be mounted to a wall or other fixture, and it need not be connected to a mains water supply and sewerage system.

Abstract: A nozzle structure of a bidet with swirling water current is provided, in which a user controls water spraying angle of water current sprayed from an outlet of a cleaning nozzle, and the water current with swirling force is sprayed in a circular pattern without causing an eccentricity, thereby increasing cleaning power and reducing water consumption.

Abstract: A toilet that does not require water for use, which may be used in the home or which may be portable for use at locations outside the home, having a disposable, biodegradable bag for catching and storing human waste for disposal, and a method for disposing of said biodegradable bag.

Abstract: A movable floor system for a swimming pool, including a structural platform comprising a horizontal frame designed to support a finished covering, the platform being designed to be installed in a cavity acting as the swimming pool. The system includes a lifting mechanism, a plurality of parallel crossmembers fixed within a layer formed by the frame of the platform; and a plurality of carrier pulleys located along outer lateral edges of the frame, the carrier pulleys designed to accommodate a platform-driving cable. The lifting mechanism further includes: a driver; a shaft; first and second drive pulleys situated at the ends of the shaft designed to take at least one platform-driving cable; an attachment to secure at least one cable in the cavity; and means for actuating the drive shaft.

Abstract: A water circulating system, such as a spa system, is disclosed having a flow control feature. In one embodiment, the spa system includes a tub, a pump assembly and a controller. The pump assembly includes a BLDC motor and circulates water from the tub's outlet port to its inlet port. The controller sets the speed of the BLDC motor to any speed within the speed range of the BLDC motor in response to a user input to adjust the flow rate of the water to the inlet port of the tub. The spa system may also produce at least one jetting mode in response to a user input. The jetting mode may be a pulse mode, a sinusoidal mode, a ramp mode, or a saw-tooth mode. In another spa system, a first pump operates at a first speed to heat the circulating water when a heater is activated, and at a second speed when the heater is not activated. In other embodiments, the spa system includes a jetting pump assembly that includes a BLDC motor and a circulating pump assembly that operates at two speeds.

Abstract: A shower device is proposed that features a fixed-installation housing. This housing can, for example, stand up from the floor and may extend beyond normal human body size. The housing is fitted with a shower arm that can be moved out of an inactive position. In the inactive position, the surface of the shower arm lies flush with the surface of the housing. The jet discharge area of a shower head arranged in the shower arm faces inwards, so that it is only possible to see a flat surface on the exterior of the housing. Through pressure on this surface, a catch mechanism is released and this causes the shower arm to move out of the housing. This is accomplished via a drive mechanism, which may feature a spring, for example. Extension is performed at a relatively slow speed, which can be achieved using a damper device. The shower arm moves to a position in which the now-visible jet discharge disc of the shower head can be used as an overhead shower.

Abstract: A portable solar shower includes two detachable water reservoirs. One of the reservoirs may be coupled to a water source and includes a diverter valve regulating the flow and temperature of water spayed by a shower head, and the other reservoir has a port for coupling to the shower head. When the solar shower is not in use, the reservoirs may be separated from one another to form a compact package adapted for storage or transportation.

Abstract: A faucet arrangement includes a sensing device for sensing a presence of a user of a spout. The sensing device includes an infrared emitter installed such that a direction of emission of the emitter is oriented an angle of approximately between 5 and 15 degrees relative to a vertical direction. A receiver receives a diffused infrared energy from the emitter. A control device is in communication with the receiver and controls a flow of liquid through the spout dependent upon an angle at which the diffused infrared energy is received by the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of a disposable liner that is disposed in a cavity of a basin are disclosed. In one embodiment, a disposable liner that is disposed in a cavity of a basin includes sidewalls that are designed to adapt to the contours of the cavity of the basin and a bottom wall that is attached to the sidewalls and includes a drainage hole that is aligned with the drainage hole of the basin. The disposable liner further includes a cover that seals the drainage holes, preventing water from draining out of the disposable liner through the drainage hole. The cover includes an elongated tab that extends to a top edge of at least one of the side walls. The elongated tab is designed to facilitate peeling the cover off the disposable liner.