Abstract:
An electronic multipurpose card includes a biometric reader element for card activation and at least one interface connection for an external processor. A programmable memory is connected to the element and at least one port receives an additional memory module. A programmable magnetic stripe memory element stores data and a program selects among alternative data sets and alternative instruction sets input by either of the card issuer or the card user. A selection device is activated by the user to operate the application program and effect selection of any of the alternative data sets and the alternative instruction sets. The card has applications where the data and instructions stored on the card should only be available to a user for whom the card was issued. These applications include proprietary health care data and online gambling. A time out feature is included to prevent unauthorized use of the card after authorization.
Abstract:
A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing, a sweep plate attached to the filter housing, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a plurality of ring-shaped brushes mounted to the sweep plate, wherein at least one of the plurality of ring-shaped brushes surrounds each of the plurality of filter elements. Alternatively, a filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing having a upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing proximate the upper portion, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a cylindrical brush mounted in the center portion of the filter housing, wherein the cylindrical brush has a plurality of bristles pointing radially outward, said bristles contacting an outer portion of the plurality of filter elements.
Abstract:
A bait assembly for fishing, e.g. leisure fishing, is described. The bait assembly comprises a hook coupled to a rearward end of a line. A bait body is slideably or detachably mounted with respect to the line so that in normal use a flexible section of the line extends into the bait body. The bait body may comprise an artificial lure, or may comprises a skewer onto which dead bait may be mounted. A retaining mechanism is arranged between the bait body and the line to bias the bait body in a forward position on the line relative to the hook. Thus when a pulling force is applied between the bait body and the line which overcomes the biasing action of the retaining mechanism, the bait body is operable to move backwards with respect to the line (e.g. by sliding or breaking free), thereby causing a relative forward translational movement of the hook with respect to the bait body. Accordingly, when a fish bites onto the bait body in use, the resulting increased pulling force on the bait body relative to the line causes the hook to move/slide forward in the fish's mouth relative to the bait body. This leads to an increased likelihood of the fish being hooked and so thus providing for an increased hook-up-ratio.
Abstract:
A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a interpolated base frame image; receiving a first previously decoded difference picture; receiving a second previously decoded difference picture; generating a combined motion compensated difference surface; and generating a temporally interpolated enhanced picture based upon the interpolated base frame image and the combined motion compensated difference surface. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also disclosed. The circuit comprising a base decoder generating a base image of a standard definition picture; a temporal predictive interpolator coupled to the base decoder and generating an interpolated block; and a summing circuit coupled to the temporal predictive interpolated. The summing circuit preferably adds the interpolated block and a difference block.
Abstract:
A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving an encoded video signal having a plurality of headers; maintaining a plurality of codebooks based upon the differences between a standard definition picture and a high definition picture; and providing a pointer to a particular codebook of the plurality of codebooks when decoding a frame of the video signal.
Abstract:
A probabilistic process to determine the owner of an electronic file, such as a Personal Store (.pst). A weighted analysis of multiple factors is performed including the operating system file owner, a user running the process, a “top Y most frequently occurring addresses” when analyzing “X number of sent then received messages,” and a number of occurrences of each “top Y most frequently occurring address.” Other factors, such as the ability to resolve against a directory service may be used. Each of the “top Y most frequently occurring addresses” is analyzed to calculate its weight according to a predetermined relationship and the address is compared to the operating system file owner and a logged-on user value. If there is a match, that value is returned as the probable owner of the file.
Abstract:
A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating an interpolated base frame image; receiving a first previously decoded difference picture; receiving a second previously decoded difference picture; generating a combined motion compensated difference surface; and generating a temporally interpolated enhanced picture based upon the interpolated base frame image and the combined motion compensated difference surface. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also disclosed. The circuit comprises a base decoder generating a base image of a standard definition picture; a temporal predictive interpolator coupled to the base decoder and generating an interpolated block; and a summing circuit coupled to the temporal predictive interpolator. The summing circuit preferably adds the interpolated block and a difference block.
Abstract:
A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing, a sweep plate attached to the filter housing, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a plurality of ring-shaped brushes mounted to the sweep plate, wherein at least one of the plurality of ring-shaped brushes surrounds each of the plurality of filter elements. Alternatively, a filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing having a upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing proximate the upper portion, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a cylindrical brush mounted in the center portion of the filter housing, wherein the cylindrical brush has a plurality of bristles pointing radially outward, said bristles contacting an outer portion of the plurality of filter elements.
Abstract:
Cards having functionality of multiple card types. A user simply selects the appropriate card type and date specific to that card type is made accessible to card readers or other data reading means. Certain cards include biometric readers that provide enhanced security against unauthorized use. Only the appropriate owner of the card is able to activate and use a card by way of a biometric scan of his/her own skin.
Abstract:
A system and method is presented that leverages independent innovation in entertainment content and graphics hardware. In this system and method, the current image generation run-time application is replaced with a new framework defining the connectivity, features, and behavior necessary to implement a graphics system. All this takes place in the context of a software platform utilizing a late-integration mechanism that dynamically integrates the various real-time components in a run-time application. Ultimately displacing hardware as the central focus of development efforts, this software platform functionally is the graphics application, at least as viewed by the simulation host computer, database developers, and those responsible for visual system procurement and maintenance. An innovative software architecture, the Graphical Application Platform (GAP) is presented. The GAP builds on image generator, workstation, and scene graph success by extending the concepts of platform and framework into the real-time graphics domain—bridging the gap between image generation concerns and contemporary hardware and software realities by decoupling content, hardware and applications. This new approach also provides technology to address emerging concerns related to the selection and acquisition processes in the context of new low-cost, high-performance graphics hardware.