A method and system are provided for managing application programs with non-responsive user interfaces, possibly due to a bottleneck in handling events/messages. The method and system make an apparently frozen application user interface responsive so as to permit alternative tasks be executed or close the hung application. This is enabled by implementing routines to (a) detect if an application is hung, (b) replace the user interface for the hung application with a ghost interface, implemented b...

A responsive polymeric system including a responsive polymeric component capable of undergoing a transition that results in a sharp increase in viscosity in response to a triggering effected at a predetermined body site. The system includes a solid non-ceramic reinforcing component which reinforces the polymeric component, and an aqueous-based solvent wherein the viscosity of the responsive polymeric component increases by at least about 2 times upon exposure to a predetermined trigger.

A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may b...

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a sound responsive light system. The system comprises an amplifier configured to receive an input signal from an audio source. The input signal corresponds to an audio signal. The system further comprises a plurality of filters configured to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier. A selected filter filters out signals outside of a selected frequency range. The system further comprises a group of light sources associated with the selected...

A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may b...

A power supply controller measuring impedance includes a sense circuit coupled to a sense terminal. A regulation circuit is coupled to the sense circuit and is also coupled to regulate the sense terminal to a first voltage level when a current flowing through the sense terminal is less than a first threshold current level. The regulation circuit is further coupled to regulate the sense terminal to a second voltage level when the current flowing through the sense terminal reaches the first thresh...

An apparatus, system and method including a latching device for displaceably retaining a panel relative to a frame. The latching device includes at least a bolt which is carried on the latching device and is operatively associated with the panel to prevent disengagement of the panel. The latching device includes at least one pressure responsive device operatively coupled to the bolt to retain the bolt in a desired position and release the bolt when a predetermined pressure differential occurs re...

A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may b...

The fluorescent response of a UV radiometer to a UV beam is normalized over an entrance aperture area by using a plurality, preferably two, converting plates. The fluorescent response of at least two and preferably a plurality of crystal converting plates is ascertained. Crystal converting plates having complementary responses are selected and placed adjacently in the entrance aperture area such that an incident UV beam will cause a net complementary fluorescent response from the combined first ...

A photosensor includes a plurality of photosensitive regions including a first photosensitive region connected to a first voltage reference, and at least one additional photosensitive region. A signal collector is connected to the first photosensitive region. At least one switching device is for switching the at least one additional photosensitive region between the first voltage reference and a second voltage reference that is less than the first voltage reference, and for reversibly connecting...