Abstract:
A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (ψ), instantaneous tilt angle (τ) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (ψ), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (ψ) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (τ) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to polymorphic Plasminogen genes and polypeptides. In particular, the present invention provides assays for the detection of Plasminogen polymorphisms and mutations associated with disease states and provides screening assays for the identification and use of compounds that alter Plasminogen activity and/or biological pathways involving Plasminogen.
Abstract:
A radio controlled propulsion device for use with multiple buoyant objects. The device contains a radio receiver circuit, a motor drive circuit, and motors for steering and propulsion. The device also contains a battery pack to provide power to the circuits and motors. The circuits are responsive to signals from a transmitter controlled by the operator of the propulsion device. With the propulsion device inserted into a cavity formed in the body of the buoyant object, the output signals from the drive circuit are provided, to control the motion of the buoyant object.
Abstract:
A signal is generated at a source 100a and a first portion of the signal 102a is processed locally by a processor 104a. This first portion of the signal 102a that is locally processed, is comprised of data, which would be prone to noise masking or loss, in its transition from the source 100a to a non-local analog-to-digital converter in the absence of a processing step. The remaining portion of the signal 106a is converted at a non-local analog-to-digital converter 108a, to produce a first digital signal 110a. The processed signal 112a is converted non-locally at a non-local converter 114a to produce a second digital signal 116a, finally the first digital signal 100a is combined with the second digital signal 116a to produce a digital output signal 118a.
Abstract:
The electronic signaling system comprises a base unit including an audio media player for reproducing a recorded audio signal from an inserted recorded medium, and an audio output stage for producing an audio output responsive to the occurrence of a trigger signal. A remote triggering device, such as a doorbell, includes a signal generator for communicating energy from the triggering device to the base unit. A receiving device in the base unit is provided for intercepting the energy communicated from the triggering device for reproducing the recorded audio signal. The medium may be a replaceable medium, permitting the user to select, from a variety of sound recordings, which recording is to be played back when a visitor or a guest pushes the doorbell. The replaceable medium may be recordable by a user. The audio player is preferably a player capable of reproducing sound patterns from integrated circuits containing encoded or non-encoded sound program information. A simplified electronic signaling system may be placed in a child's room. When a pushbutton outside the child's room is pressed, a preselected sound/audio/song/message/program is played by the base unit in the child's room. The base unit may have a slot for receiving thematic cards having artwork thereon and carrying an IC containing sounds or sound patterns consistent with the theme depicted on the thematic card.
Abstract:
For the purpose of supporting drapery tracks, Venetian blinds, or the like, there is provided an elongated channel having opposed side walls interconnected by a transverse wall which when the channel is in an operative position forms a top wall from which the opposed side walls extend downwardly. The channel has in its operative position an open bottom. A number of ribs extend inwardly from the inner surfaces of each of the side walls, these ribs serving to support items such as a drapery track, when the latter is situated within the channel, blind locks on which part of a Venetian blind with horizontal slats may be supported, or blind locks for determining the location of part of a Venetian blind which has vertical slats situated beneath the channel. Thus, the same channel may be used in connection with supporting different types of articles.
Abstract:
A system and method for installing and removing a flow restrictor assembly in a shower, while prevents tampering with the flow restriction system thus installed. Tampering is prevented by concealing the flow restrictor assembly behind a shower wall, attached directly to a water supply line. The system further prevents tampering by concealing the tool-hole necessary for its removal behind a flow restrictor disk, so that there are no visible means of removing the flow restrictor assembly. The flow restrictor assembly threads onto a showerhead arm and the flow restrictor assembly with the attached showerhead arm threads directly into the water line. When the showerhead arm is unthreaded, the flow restrictor assembly remains connected to the water line by an external screw thread. The flow restrictor must be removed to reveal the tool-hole which may only then be engaged by a tool for removal.
Abstract:
A method for telephony includes receiving at a facility of a telephone service provider a first subscriber request to place a first call to a specified telephone number. A provider request is sent to a remote server (26), which maintains a database (28) of records associating telephone numbers with respective packet network addresses, for a record (72) indicating a packet network address to which calls to the specified telephone number should be placed. Upon receiving the record from the remote server, the record is stored in a local cache (42) at the facility of the telephone service provider. After storing the record, upon receiving at the facility of the telephone service provider a second subscriber request to place a second call to the specified telephone number, the record is read from the local cache and is used in placing the second call to the packet network address.
Abstract:
A system and method for transferring funds among registered and unregistered users of a value exchange system comprises a server system for receiving value exchange instructions from a sender, where the value exchange instructions include a recipient who may not be registered with the system. The value exchange instructions initiate a computer-generated sequence for authenticating the identity of the recipient, permitting the recipient to designate a payment method, and transferring funds to properly authenticated recipients.