50results about How to "Minimize ability" patented technology

A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

A vehicle mounted imaging system and method, enabling selective imaging of objects in a low-visibility environment. The system includes a light source providing non-visible light pulses and a camera having an image intensifier enabled to gate selected received images. The light source may be a laser generator, which may be enabled to generate a pulse width related to the depth of a field to be imaged. The gated image intensifier may determine gating time spans according to the depth of a field to be imaged.

A vehicle mounted imaging system and method, enabling selective imaging of objects in a low-visibility environment. The system includes a light source providing non-visible light pulses and a camera having an image intensifier enabled to gate selected received images. The light source may be a laser generator, which may be enabled to generate a pulse width related to the depth of a field to be imaged. The gated image intensifier may determine gating time spans according to the depth of a field to be imaged.

An aerosol delivery device is disclosed. The aerosol delivery device includes an atomizer and a body. The body has an outlet and houses the atomizer. The aerosol delivery device also includes a structure configured to inhibit liquid droplets of an aerosol precursor from exiting the outlet. Embodiments of the structure include micro-patterned surfaces, absorbers, and macro structures to create droplet capturing chambers.

The distance between a discrete or passive electrical component and an electrical semiconductor device and substrate or carrier is minimized by shortening the lead length connections of the passive component. One or more passive electronic components are mounted within the body of a carrier or board by creating a cavity in the substrate or carrier that is directly below a semiconductor device. The passive component is electrically connected to the substrate and device using solder bump technology resulting in much shorter lead length connections to and from the passive component.

A method for reducing oscillation of a feedback signal in a hearing aid and hearing aid configured according to the present method is provided. The method includes the steps of determining the phase of the feedback signal over a feedback path of the hearing aid and shifting only the phase of the feedback signal a predetermined amount, without modification of other signal characteristics, to achieve a non-zero net phase of the feedback signal over the feedback path such that oscillation of the signal is prevented. In one embodiment of the present method, the step of determining the phase may be performed at the time of fitting of the hearing aid to a patient. In another embodiment of the present method, the method includes the step of periodically determining the phase of the feedback signal over the feedback path such that the phase shifting may be performed based on the periodically determined phase.

A card reader for an automated banking machine is provided. The card reader includes a processor and a card transport. The card transport moves at least one card a plurality of cycles between a first position and a second position within the card transport. The card transport continuously moves the card in a first direction for a first time period at a first speed, then continuously moves the card in the first direction for a second time period at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. Subsequent to the second time period, the card transport moves the card in the first direction for a third time period, during which the card stops and starts moving more than five times. Both the second and third time periods vary from cycle to cycle responsive to a variable parameter determined by the at least one processor.

A method for grounding a semiconductor substrate pedestal during a portion of a high voltage power bias oscillation cycle to reduce or eliminate the detrimental effects of feature charging during the operation of a plasma reactor.

Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and / or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).

A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing ball sports including softball. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for deterring the modification of ball bats. The bat comprises a barrel, a sweet spot, a transition area, a handle, and an end knob. Within the barrel are found supports used to reinforce the structural integrity of the bat to deter users from crushing the bat, causing the bat to fall outside the legal classification of bats allowed by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). The supports are made out of a lightweight durable composition. The supports are held in place by a retaining member. Multiple supports and retaining members may be used.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing ball sports including softball. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for deterring the modification of ball bats. The bat comprises a barrel, a sweet spot, a transition area, a handle, and an end knob. Within the barrel are found supports used to reinforce the structural integrity of the bat to deter users from crushing the bat, causing the bat to fall outside the legal classification of bats allowed by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). The supports are made out of a lightweight durable composition. The supports are held in place by a retaining member. Multiple supports and retaining members may be used.

A method for reducing oscillation of a feedback signal in a hearing aid and hearing aid configured according to the present method is provided. The method includes the steps of determining the phase of the feedback signal over a feedback path of the hearing aid and shifting only the phase of the feedback signal a predetermined amount, without modification of other signal characteristics, to achieve a non-zero net phase of the feedback signal over the feedback path such that oscillation of the signal is prevented. In one embodiment of the present method, the step of determining the phase may be performed at the time of fitting of the hearing aid to a patient. In another embodiment of the present method, the method includes the step of periodically determining the phase of the feedback signal over the feedback path such that the phase shifting may be performed based on the periodically determined phase.

The present disclosure provides a locking device for restricting access to a hatch of a pressure vessel, and, more specifically, a locking device that is responsive to the internal pressure in the pressure vessel so as to minimize the ability of one to open the hatch while the vessel is still pressurized. In some embodiments, the locking device comprises first and second portions of the locking device configurable between an open and a closed configuration and a pressure-responsive locking member in fluid communication with an outlet port of the pressure vessel and arranged to automatically retain the first and second portions in the closed configuration when the pressure inside of the pressure vessel is above a predetermined threshold, wherein in the closed configuration the first and second portions restrict manipulation of the hatch and / or a locking mechanism of the hatch.

A bird feeder includes a seed reservoir formed as two or more telescopic components, which are reducible in size when not in use and which may be telescopically expanded by the owner thereof when in use to define a full-length seed reservoir. The bottom end of the reservoir is received in a base having a conically-shaped seed spreader situated therein, and the upper section of the reservoir is mounted to the underside of a hemispherically-shaped, anti-squirrel dome.

An anti-subsidence, anti-translocation, fusion compression cervical plate system with interface visualization, drill guide and temporary pin is provided. In one embodiment the invention provides a vertebral plate for minimizing the ability of an inter-body cage, filled with bone (or BMP-soaked sponges, etc.), to telescope into the vertebral body and to minimize failure due to cages that telescope into adjacent vertebral bodies on a delayed basis after surgery, as well as creation of reverse lordosis due to such telescoping. Another embodiment provides method to reduce the gap between the inter-body cage and the vertebral body end plate intra-operatively using compression from the plate caused by an offset between the screw bores on the plate and the drill holes, as established with an asymmetric drill guide.

A card reader for an automated banking machine is provided. The card reader includes a processor and a card transport. The card transport moves at least one card a plurality of cycles between a first position and a second position within the card transport. The card transport continuously moves the card in a first direction for a first time period at a first speed, then continuously moves the card in the first direction for a second time period at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. Subsequent to the second time period, the card transport moves the card in the first direction for a third time period, during which the card stops and starts moving more than five times. Both the second and third time periods vary from cycle to cycle responsive to a variable parameter determined by the at least one processor.

Antimicrobial compositions for oral delivery, and administration to the colon, distal ileum, or other portion of the gastrointestinal tract other than the stomach, of bacteriophage, phage proteins, antimicrobial peptides, or antimicrobial aptamers, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the active agent is capable of lysing the bacterial cell wall. In another embodiment, the active agent is capable of interacting with a receptor or enzyme in the bacteria. In some embodiments, the active agents selectively act on one or more harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, and either do not act, or act to a lesser extent, on helpful bacteria, such as bifidobacteria. When the agents are not delivered directly to the colon, they active agents ultimately enter the colon and affect the bacteria that are present in the colon. The compositions can include beads of pectin in the form of a cationic salt enclosing the active agent, or other types of drug delivery systems designed for targeted delivery to the desired portion of the gastrointestinal tract.

A beverage container is provided with an integral cooling element to maintain a beverage at a cooled temperature after exposure to a warmer environment. The cooling element incorporates use of solid / liquid phase change material. When the beverage is chilled, the phase change material is maintained in a solid state below its melting temperature. When the beverage container is exposed to a warmer environment, such as during consumption, the phase change material undergoes a phase change thereby absorbing heat from the surrounding beverage. The cooling element can either be attached to the inside of the container or free-floating, but in either case, is in direct contact with the beverage.

An ionization air purification system for the passenger cabin of vehicles, which modifies the degree of ionization by modifying the energy levels applied to an air ionization device having a tubular dielectric member or a planar dielectric member or ionization source proportional to the change in air flow dynamics and air quality. In one embodiment, an ionization air purification system for the passenger cabin of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an ionization device for purifying the air prior to entering into the passenger cabin of the vehicle while minimizing the production of ozone as a by-product; and means for modifying the degree of ionization by modifying the energy levels applied to the ionization tube or ionization source proportional to the change in air flow dynamics or air quality.

The present invention allows primary communication sessions that are established between two communication clients to be monitored, wherein such monitoring occurs without the knowledge of the communication clients. An intercept tunnel is created between an intercept server and an access concentration point, which supports at least one of the communication clients over an access network. The access concentration point and the intercept server will cooperate to allow the communication session to be established, wherein a portion of the communication session will be established over the intercept tunnel. A first communication session is established with the first communication client through the access concentration point, a portion of it provided via the intercept tunnel. A second communication session is established with the second communication client. The intercept server will essentially receive and forward traffic to and from the first and second communication clients over respective first and second communication sessions.

A filter system for receiving an aqueous-based fluid contaminated with particles and emulsified contaminant oil, removing the particles, and separating the emulsified contaminant oil from the aqueous-based fluid includes a filter media for receiving the aqueous-based fluid and emulsified contaminant oil, having an inner filter element formed from a 95 percent single pass efficiency 48 micron (5 micron nominal) filtering material of needle punch polypropylene felt, an outer filter element formed from a 95 percent single pass efficiency 19 micron absolute filtering material of a polypropylene microfiber material and a porous spunbond polypropylene sandwiching the outer filter media. The filter element removes particles, de-emulsifies the emulsified contaminant oil from the aqueous-based fluid into the contaminant oil and the aqueous-based fluid, separates the de-emulsified contaminant oil from the aqueous-based fluid, coalesces the separated contaminant oil and passes both the coalesced de-emulsified contaminant oil with entrained particles and the aqueous-based fluid. A first tank supports the filter element and is further configured to hold a quantity of the separated coalesced contaminant oil and the aqueous-based fluid. The first tank has a first outlet passing the aqueous-based fluid from the first tank to near the bottom of the second tank and a second outlet passing the separated coalesced contaminant oil to the top of the second tank. The second tank has an oil separation assembly for separating the aqueous-based fluid from the contaminant oil and passing the aqueous-based fluid therefrom. The second container also has a drain valve assembly for removing only the accumulated coalesced de-emulsified contaminant oil. A method for separating the emulsified contaminant oil from the aqueous-based fluid and recovering the aqueous-based fluid is also disclosed.

A method, system, and apparatus directed to an innovative approach for the treatment of stormwater utilizing hydrodynamic separator assembly designed to maximize flow movement for more efficient sediment removal and maximize clearance space within assembly to facilitate cleaning and increase storage capacity of trash, debris, and sediment.

A method for allocating to a device a license to use digital content, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first block of ciphertext from the device; decrypting the first block of ciphertext to obtain a second block of ciphertext; determining whether the second block of ciphertext meets a criterion; and allocating the license to the device if the second block of ciphertext meets the criterion.

A method, system, and apparatus directed to an innovative approach for the treatment of stormwater utilizing hydrodynamic separator assembly designed to maximize flow movement for more efficient sediment removal and maximize clearance space within assembly to facilitate cleaning and increase storage capacity of trash, debris, and sediment.

A bird feeder includes a seed reservoir formed as two or more telescopic components, which are reducible in size when not in use and which may be telescopically expanded by the owner thereof when in use to define a full-length seed reservoir. The bottom end of the reservoir is received in a base having a conically-shaped seed spreader situated therein, and the upper section of the reservoir is mounted to the underside of a hemispherically-shaped, anti-squirrel dome.

A beverage container is provided with an integral cooling element to maintain a beverage at a cooled temperature after exposure to a warmer environment. The cooling element incorporates use of solid / liquid phase change material. When the beverage is chilled, the phase change material is maintained in a solid state below its melting temperature. When the beverage container is exposed to a warmer environment, such as during consumption, the phase change material undergoes a phase change thereby absorbing heat from the surrounding beverage. The cooling element can either be attached to the inside of the container or free-floating, but in either case, is in direct contact with the beverage.

A sprocket is provided, the sprocket having a body with a central opening for engaging a shaft and rotating about an axis. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth disposed around the periphery of the body. The teeth are angularly spaced about the axis such that each tooth is spaced from the adjacent teeth by a first opening. Each tooth has a belt-contacting surface which is convex in shape such that the outer-most periphery of the sprocket is generally circular. The belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth guide the belt around the periphery of the sprocket in order to minimize the ability of the belt to buckle.