Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘Agrihydraveertien’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; strong and sturdy stems; freely flowering habit with numerous sterile flowers per inflorescence; large inflorescences with white-colored flowers; and short production time as a cooling treatment is not required for flower development.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Veronica plant named ‘Charlotte’, characterized by its upright plant habit; relatively small variegated leaves; dense inflorescences with numerous white-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Bonaire Wind’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading, uniformly mounded and dense plant habit appropriate for container production; glossy dark green-colored leaves; uniform, freely and early flowering habit; large clear yellow-colored flowers with white-colored centers; and good postproduction and garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of interspecific Geranium plant named ‘Duecumbadero’, characterized by its compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; freely flowering habit; large red purple-colored semi-double flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of interspecific Geranium plant named ‘Duesalsadar’, characterized by its compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; freely flowering habit; large red-colored single flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of interspecific Geranium plant named ‘Duesalsapi’, characterized by its compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; freely flowering habit; large light red purple-colored semi-double flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of interspecific Geranium plant named ‘Duecumbadar’, characterized by its compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; freely flowering habit; large dark red-colored semi-double flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ivy Geranium plant named ‘Duebelvidar’, characterized by its compact, upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; freely flowering habit; large dark red-colored single flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Duepotpiblic’, characterized by its compact, mounding and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; light violet-colored flowers with dark violet blue-colored venation; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Duepotpipuce’, characterized by its compact, mounding and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; light violet-colored flowers with red purple-colored venation; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Kerivoryvein’, characterized by its mounding and semi-trailing growth habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; medium-sized white-colored flowers with dark purple-colored centers and venation; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘Duetiyel’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dense and bushy plant form; early and freely flowering habit; and daisy-type inflorescences with elongated oblong-shaped ray florets that are bright yellow in color.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘Tenderness’, characterized by its compact and mounding plant habit; short plant size; uniform plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; lance-type leaves with light to greyed green-colored venation, light red purple-colored interveinal areas and dark green-colored borders and margins; and good landscape performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘White Cap’, characterized by its upright plant habit; intermediate to tall plant size; uniform plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; fancy-type leaves with white-colored venation and white, greyed green and green speckled interveinal areas and dark green-colored margins; and good landscape performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘Sweet Carolina’, characterized by its upright plant habit; tall plant size; uniform plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; fancy-type leaves with greyed purple-colored venation, random red purple-colored spots and mottled light and dark green-colored interveinal areas; and good landscape performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘Bombshell’, characterized by its upright plant habit; intermediate to tall plant size; uniform plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; fancy-type leaves with dark red to greyed purple-colored venation and interveinal areas surrounded with dark green-colored borders; and good landscape performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘Suncallemon’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching and flowering plant habit; early and long flowering period; numerous single yellow-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea plant named ‘Red Baron’, characterized by its upright and columnar plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; freely flowering habit; long flowering period; large inflorescences with grey purple-colored ray florets, dark grey purple-colored disc florets and red-colored receptacle spines; ray florets arranged in a single whorl at the base of the receptacle and randomly towards the receptacle apex; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant named ‘HLR 190’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; uniform flowering habit; dark green-colored leaves; long flowering period; semi-double red purple to greyed purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A method of removing stators from tubular stator housings involving subjecting a tubular stator housing having an interior surface to which a worn stator is adhered by adhesive to cryogenic refrigeration until the stator shrinks and pulls away from the interior surface of the tubular stator housing.

Abstract: A ceiling-only dry sprinkler system configured to address a storage occupancy fire event with a sprinkler operational area sufficient in size to surround and drown a fire. The system and method preferably provide for the surround and drown effect by activating one or more initial sprinklers, delaying fluid flow to the initial activated sprinklers for a defined delay period to permit the thermal activation of a subsequent- one or more sprinklers so as. to form the preferred sprinkler Operational operational area. The sprinklers of the operational area are preferably: configured so as to provider provide sufficient fluid volume and cooling to address the fire event with a surround and drown configuration,. The defined delay period is of a defined period having a maximum and a minimum.

Abstract: A switch integrated type housing includes a housing body, a switch button sheet, a conductor and a cover sheet. The housing body is provided with a plurality of concave sections on an outer surface of the housing body. The switch button sheet is provided on the outer surface to cover the plurality of concave sections. The conductor has a dome shape downwardly projecting and is provided in each of the plurality of concave sections to contact the switch button sheet. The cover sheet is provided between the switch button sheet and the outer surface of the housing body in a portion of the outer surface of the housing body other than the plurality of concave sections and to cover a lower surface of the conductor in each of the plurality of concave sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting output current in switching power supplies forgoes the need for any resistor or other components in series with the load. A method according to the invention includes the steps of inferring the peak current through the inductor as a function of input voltage and inductor charge time, and deriving the current available to the load based upon the flyback voltage during discharge of the inductor. Although a disclosed example is based upon a buck/boost topology, other converter topologies are anticipated. In terms of apparatus, in a switching power supply of the type wherein a switching device is used to charge an inductor that discharges to a load, the invention provides devices arranged for detecting output current without the need for a resistor or other component in series with the load.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrical testing of a device under test (DUT) that employs a connection board with signal contacts for applying test signals and a space transformer that has low pitch contacts arranged on one or more circumferential shelves that define an enclosure in the space transformer. The apparatus has a substrate with fine pitch contacts positioned such that these are within the enclosure. A set of wire bonds is used for pitch reduction by interconnecting the fine pitch contacts with the low pitch contacts arranged on the shelves. The probes are connected to the fine pitch contacts and are used to apply the test signals to a DUT by contacting its pads. In some embodiments, the fine pitch contacts may be embodied by plugs or by blind metal vias.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a body's bio-readings and environmental information in which such bio-readings are generated is disclosed. Conventional bio-reading sensor technology may be used in combination with technology for receiving information from electronic tags associated with items in a body's environment. Such technology may include RFID smart tags associated with items in an environment. Such smart tags store information describing the item associated with the smart tag. An RFID smart tag reader may be provided for retrieving item description information stored in such smart tags. The combination of bio-reading data and environmental data provide a power tool in evaluating behavioral and environmental variables that affect a body's bio-readings.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method for electronic tracking of units originating from a common source which comprises a plurality of units physically joined with one another. A first transponder is physically associated with the common source, and the source is split to separate it into three or more of the units. A second transponder is physically associated with one of the three or more units, and the second transponder sends a code. The code of the second transponder is electrically associated with an identifier of the common source. In a particular aspect, the common source is an animal carcass. A batch comprises separate units of objects that are physically joined together. RFID tags are attached to each of the units and to the batch. The codes stored in the RFID tags are electrically associated with one another in the database.

Abstract: A Direct Current (DC) charge comparator that provides low input offset by feeding complimentary plus and minus charge inputs to a single amplification path via an alternate input path switch. Multiple sample and hold circuits at the output of the amplification path permit comparison of the result when each of the charge inputs travels down each of the paths, to determine a correction.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the method comprising utilizing a tree search method to establish communications without collision between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices, a search tree being defined for the tree search method, the tree having multiple levels representing subgroups of the multiple wireless identification devices, the number of devices in a subgroup in one level being half of the number of devices in the next higher level, the tree search method employing level skipping wherein at least one level of the tree is skipped.

Abstract: A method of controlling and delivering media content from a media server (MS) to a media renderer (MR) utilizing a wide area IMS network for control. The method involves: provisioning a serving node in the IMS network with control point (CP) logic that includes logic to negotiate media content delivery with a least one of an MS and an MR; provisioning a user endpoint (UE) device of the IMS network with control point proxy (CPP) logic that includes logic to negotiate media content delivery and VCR controls to control media presentation; in response to a media content delivery request, invoking the CPP logic and the CP logic to cooperatively negotiate media content delivery between an MS and an MR that uses local wireless or land line connections when possible in order to minimize wide area bandwidth usage.

Abstract: An FIR filter of a DS-CDMA UWB modem transmitter and a control method thereof are disclosed. The FIR filter includes an LUT control device for outputting a resultant value of “0” to all adders if data values corresponding to upper three chips H2, M2 and L2 and lower three chips H, M and L are “000000”, and discriminating which group between a first group and a second group the upper/lower data values belong to if the upper/lower data values are not“000000”. The LUT control device provides upper or lower LUT values to the adders using the upper or lower LUT values as they are, or converts the upper or lower LUT values into 2's complements and provides the converted values to the adders according to the discriminated first or second group.

Abstract: A hard coating film to be applied to the surface of a tool, which has a composition of (Cr1-a-bAlaSib) (BxCyN1-x-y) with atomic ratios specified below. 0<a?0.4 0.05?b?0.35 0.25?1?a?b?0.9 0?x?0.15 0?y?0.5 or a composition of (M1-a-bAlaSib) (BxCyN1-x-y) with atomic ratios specified below. 0.05?a?0.5 0.1<b?0.35 0?x?0.15 0?y?0.5 where M denotes Ti and Cr. The hard coating film for cutting tools has better wear resistance than conventional ones.

Abstract: A wireless communication medium includes an antenna, an analog signal processor, a digital signal processor, and a central processing unit & logic module. The antenna transmits and receives a signal to and from an external apparatus. The analog signal processor converts an analog signal to a digital signal, and converts a digital signal to an analog signal. The digital signal processor demodulates the digital signal, detects the start and end of data, and generates a first control signal for determining whether data is transmitted to the external apparatus and a second control signal for perceiving the end of data, blocking the reception of data, modulating data, and determining whether modulated data is transmitted to the external apparatus. The central processing unit & logic module processes data received from and transmitted to the external apparatus. Accordingly, an efficiency of processing a RF signal can be improved.

Abstract: A system for limiting access to a mobile communication terminal comprises user interface for providing an option to select an authentication method to lock the mobile communication terminal; and memory for storing a plurality of lock codes, including image lock codes, inputted into the mobile communication terminal for locking the mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: A banana shaped intevertebral fusion cage having a domed profile, an internal planar wall defining first and second graft chambers, asymmetrically disposed leading and trailing insertion, and an anterior wall recess.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for disambiguating speech input for multimodal systems by using a combination of speech and visual I/O interfaces. When the user's speech input is not recognized with sufficiently high confidence, a the user is presented with a set of possible matches using a visual display and/or speech output. The user then selects the intended input from the list of matches via one or more available input mechanisms (e.g., stylus, buttons, keyboard, mouse, or speech input). These techniques involve the combined use of speech and visual interfaces to correctly identify user's speech input. The techniques disclosed herein may be utilized in computer devices such as PDAs, cellphones, desktop and laptop computers, tablet PCs, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing electronic remittance notices (ERNs) is provided. The system includes a database component and a processor component for determining benchmark, for both denial rates and/or days sales outstanding, weighted average values for a particular provider and weighted average aggregate values based on a plurality of providers ERN claim adjudication information. The ERN information may originate from one or more third-party payers for claims for medical products or procedures. The weighting of these values may mimic or approximate a particular healthcare provider's mix of medical products and/or services to provide much more meaningful information. This benchmark values may be compared to various other ERN metrics of ERN claim adjudication information to compare to aggregate healthcare provider information. Equalizer values may also be calculated, analyzed and compared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoding apparatus and a decoding method for realizing the decoding of LDPC codes, in which, while the circuit scale is suppressed, the operating frequency can be suppressed within a sufficiently feasible range, and control of memory access can be performed easily, and to a program therefor. A check matrix of LDPC codes is formed by a combination of a (P×P) unit matrix, a matrix in which one to several 1s of the unit matrix are substituted with 0, a matrix in which they are cyclically shifted, a matrix, which is the sum of two or more of them, and a (P×P) 0-matrix. A check node calculator 313 simultaneously performs p check node calculations. A variable node calculator 319 simultaneously performs p variable node calculations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a decoding apparatus for LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) codes when receiving data encoded with LDPC codes on a channel having consecutive output values, and a method thereof. The decoding method for LDPC codes uses sequential decoding and includes the following steps: (a) the nodes are divided according to a parity-check matrix into check nodes for a parity-check message and variable nodes for a bit message; (b) the check nodes are divided into a predetermined number of subsets; (c) the LDPC codeword of each subset for all the check nodes is sequentially decoded; (d) an output message is generated for verifying validity of the decoding result; and (e) the steps (b), (c), and (d) are iteratively performed by a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: Bulletproof vests, body armor, and other tactical vests with quick release buckle mechanisms are described along with methods of their use. The multi-point buckle mechanisms release upon rotating a shaft, allowing the vest panels and straps to fall cleanly to the ground without knocking the wearer off balance. Waist belt clips allow a wearer to put the vest on over his or her head without engaging the emergency release, or the multi-point buckle mechanism can release only the waist straps upon rotating the shaft in the opposite direction. A flap protects the rotatable quick release mechanism from inadvertent activation.

Abstract: An elastomeric flexible article and method for manufacture has moisture absorbing characteristics. An example of such an article is a disposable protective glove that includes a first layer; and a second layer with an effective amount of super absorbent polymer dispersed therein, the second layer to be closer to a hand than the first layer, when the glove is worn on the hand. The second layer is configured to absorb excess moisture, when the glove is worn for a period of time, to facilitate wet donning and provide for breathability of the skin, and thereby to provide for a comfortable environment for the skin.

Abstract: A ladies' visual privacy garment presents a smooth appearance over the vaginal area. The garment comprises a panty having a crotch portion provided with a layer of thin, flexible semi-rigid material that presents a smooth outer surface and overlies the vaginal area of the wearer, and a second layer of absorbent material.

Abstract: The present invention features a helmet 100 for cooling a head of a person. In some embodiments, the helmet comprises a top portion 110 covering the scalp region of the person's head, a neck portion 120 covering the neck region of the person's head, a tube 130 embedded in the helmet 100, wherein a circular portion 132 of the tube is disposed in the top portion to lay over the person's scalp region and a tail portion 134 of the tube runs down the neck region 120. Further, a first end of the tail portion 136 of the tube fluidly connects to the circular portion of the tube, and a second end of the tail portion 138 of the tube comprises a cap 140 that can open for drainage of a content in the tube. In some embodiments, a pressurized refrigerant container 150 fluidly connects to the tail portion 134 of the tube, wherein a pressurized refrigerant can be released into the tube when a first valve is opened.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell.

Abstract: A cooling garment comprises a phase change material and at least one of: at least one leg portion and at least one arm portion. The phase change material may have a transition temperature between solid and liquid phases of between about 60° F. to about 90° F. The at least one arm portion has the phase change material disposed therein, and the at least one leg portion has the phase change material disposed therein. The arm and leg portions may be attached to a torso portion and shorts portion, respectively, and may be removable therefrom. The cooling garment may include a sensor configured to indicate a cooling capacity of the phase change material. A portable container having a reactivation substance stored therein may be provided to reactivate the phase change material. In one embodiment, the portable container is part of a self-contained breathing apparatus. In another embodiment, the phase change material is submerged in the reactivation substance in the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet system (1) for installation in a vehicle, wherein the toilet system comprises the following components indicated: namely a base (2) which is to be fixed to the vehicle and has a top wall portion, also a toilet bowl (3) which is borne by the top wall portion of the base and has a top peripheral portion preferably bearing a toilet-seat ring (6), further a sewage-retention tank (15) which, in the use position, is arranged, at least in part, beneath the top wall portion, and additionally a guiding, retaining and coupling device which is configured such that the user—preferably from the outside of the vehicle—can pull the correspondingly formed sewage-retention tank out of its use position, in which it can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to the outflow of the toilet bowl (3), remove it from the vehicle and then replace it in said use position, wherein the toilet system (1) is configured such that, even after the base has been fixed to the vehicle, it is possible to make a se

Abstract: A water conservation device for use within a toilet is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a connector having a base adapted for connectivity and placement adjacent to a traditional pole assembly and proximate to an opening valve within a tank of the toilet. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a flexible pressure arm integrally formed with the connector base and adapted to couple to the opening valve within the tank of the toilet and adapted to provide a pressure to the opening valve to lessen overall water utilized in each flush of the toilet and thereby conserve water. The water conservation device is adapted for either a total or partial flush of the toilet as selected by a user.

Abstract: A collapsible portable toilet assembly includes a housing that has a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall hingedly coupled to and extending between a perimeter edge of the top and bottom walls so the perimeter wall is collapsible. The top wall has a toilet aperture extending therethrough to access an interior of the housing. The housing is positionable in a collapsed position and extended position. A seat is coupled to the top wall. The seat is positioned around the toilet aperture. A base removably receives the housing so the bottom wall of the housing abuts an upper surface of the base. A plurality of legs is hingedly coupled to and extends downwardly from the base. The legs are configured to abut a support surface supporting the base above the support surface. A screen is selectively positionable around the toilet assembly so the user is concealed.

Abstract: A portable toilet for marine craft securely located on the deck of a boat and including an inflatable privacy cover. The toilet includes a seat assembly and a box-shaped housing for a portable toilet. The boat seat assembly includes a boat seat, a boat seat back, and a support brace, made up of first and second support members hinged together. The first member connects the boat seat back to the second support member. The inner surface of the second support member defines a seat receiving portion for the boat seat. An inflatable cover is coupled to the boat seat housing and defines a pressurizable interior. A fan forcing air from an exterior of the inflatable toilet shelter to the pressurizable interior operatively inflates the inflatable cover. The inflatable toilet shelter can also have a swivel attached to the bottom for allowing the toilet to be vertically pivoted.

Abstract: A nozzle mounting assembly for an in-ground swimming pool cleaning system may comprise a plurality of mounting rings that are formed within the shell of a prefabricated swimming pool. The plurality of mounting rings may couple at a first end with a corresponding plurality of trim rings. The plurality of trim rings forms a flanged ring around each of the openings in the pool surface for cleaning nozzle mechanisms. The plurality of mounting rings may further couple with a corresponding plurality of nozzle retainer bodies, where the nozzle retainer bodies provide an interface for standard cleaning system fittings. Nozzle mounting assemblies may be adapted to a variety of pool types and surfaces, and may be sized for the floor surface, the steps or the walls of a swimming pool.

Abstract: An apparatus and kit for installing an object in a swimming pool are provided. Included are a receptacle, one or more gaskets, and a top deck anchor. The receptacle holds a substance such as concrete, to which the top deck anchor is attached. The gasket is attached to the top of the receptacle. A method of installing an object into a swimming pool is also provided.