Abstract: The invented apparatus, system and method for examining a student's oral answer capability includes a presentation mechanism for presenting a program test including one or more questions and soliciting one or more answers as oral inputs; a voice recognition mechanism for receiving a voice stream from a student oral recitation and for converting the voice stream to text-based essay form and for recording the same as a first given answer; answer key data stored in memory, the answer key data representing an ideal answer; a correlation mechanism coupled with the first given answer and with the stored answer key data for comparing the given answer to the stored answer key; and a grading mechanism coupled with the correlation mechanism for assigning a point score representing the merit of the given answer relative to the stored answer key data, wherein the point score represents the level of correlation therebetween.

Abstract: A lightweight portable probe or transducer containing a transmissive or reflective electro-optical emitter and receptor in the infrared spectrum is fitted on a subject's finger or toe. Associated electronics energize and monitor the probe, detect cardio-rhythmic fluctuations therefrom, and process digital data over a prescribed window to produce a non-invasive, qualitative or quantitative measure of the subject's circulation. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a simple tri-color LED array is used to indicate the subject's circulation as being normal, reduced, or borderline.

Abstract: The invented method of cladding a metal component includes creating a frit mixture in a defined ratio; wetting the mixture by adding a wetting agent in a defined volume; agitating the wetted mixture; applying the agitated mixture to a metal component by one or more processes; de-wetting the metal component having the applied mixture by gradually heating the same to a temperature from approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit (° F.) up to a high of approximately 450° F.; and, fusing the de-wetted metal component at a temperature of no more than 125% of a defined withstand temperature for the clad metal component. Invented compositions can include one or more of liquid and/or colloidal sodium, potassium and/or lithium silicate, clay and/or clays, a compound of hollow micro-spheres (e.g.

Abstract: A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms containing phosphorus and magnesium, by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release phosphorus and magnesium which is then tapped off as the mixture is thickened, to produce phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and phosphorus and magnesium-reduced treated mixture. This treated mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed but combines very little with phosphorus or magnesium as these elements have been greatly reduced in concentration. Next the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered, to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid. In one preferred embodiment a useable struvite product is harvested from this combination. Additionally, the production of nuisance struvite in the anaerobic digester is greatly reduced, in comparison with prior art waste treatment methods.

Abstract: A system and method for converting spoken vocal input to a data-encoded text string, and annotating/mixing the text string with prepared presentation materials while concurrently displaying the materials to a live audience.

Abstract: Spatial manipulator apparatus for a mammalian subject includes a stabilizing base; a hemispheroidal truss frame mounted for rotation on the stabilizing base, the truss frame supporting and stabilizing an outer generally circular rim in relation to a non-concentric hub located at its rotational axis; and a second frame mounted orthogonally within the outer rim on a second rotational axis, the second frame being configured to support a mammalian subject during spatial manipulation thereof by rotation about one or more of the orthogonal rotational axes. Preferably, the truss frame and the second frame are driven for rotation about the orthogonal rotational axes to achieve a desired mammalian-subject spatial orientation within a chair-like structure pivotally adjustably mounted within the second frame.

Abstract: The invented compositions for metal cladding of components in demanding applications can include one or more of liquid and/or colloidal sodium, potassium and/or lithium silicate, clay and/or clays, a compound of hollow micro-spheres (e.g. naturally occurring and nearly ubiquitous perlite and/or a synthetic hollow micro-sphere equivalent) and/or alumina or one or more flexible or malleable or resiliently deformable, impact-resistant materials such as plastomers, elastomers and/or other plastic, rubber, plastic-like or rubber-like materials; a wetting agent consisting of one or more of water or water and ethanol for fast drying under proper safety and venting conditions; and one or more surfactants and/or dispersants.

Abstract: An equestrian riding garment includes a pair of pants of elastic material having inner leg expanses and a butt expanse of durable material affixed to corresponding regions thereof, the inner leg and butt expanses being made of real or faux leather that is perforated to increase air permeability and to promote friction with a saddle. Preferably, the butt expanse is bifurcated into left and right sub-pieces corresponding with the equestrian's left and right buttocks. Optionally, a knee region of the inner leg expanses is articulated, as by segmenting. Optionally, an abdominal and/or inner calf region of the pair of pants includes an inner support layer of extra fabric for more flattering fit.

Abstract: A recoverable data storage apparatus includes a hand-portable housing configured with an input/output (I/O) port presented outwardly therefrom, a data storage means retained within the housing and operatively coupled with the input/output port, and a client agent embodied as device-executable code residing on the data storage device and configured. When executed on a network-linked host computing device, the client agent is configured to establish communication with a remote server and receive data indicating a possession status of the data storage apparatus. A device tracking system includes a data network means, a hardware portion, and a software portion. The hardware portion includes at least, (1) a server device operatively coupled with the network means, and (2) a data storage device with an externally presented input/output port configured to operatively couple with a host device.

Abstract: A retail customer service annunciator/pager includes a base to recline on a retail tabletop; a tapered body extending upwardly from the base; a combination switch/light adjacent the apex of the tapered body, the switch/light alternately switching a visible light on and off when the switch is manually actuated. The tapered body provides within its outer periphery one or more open compartments to store condiments. The switch/light includes a translucent or transparent lens/cover that is engraved with a company identity indicium. The tabletop annunciator/pager includes a pager including a visible light that is selectively switchable on and off; and a wireless transmitter for communicating from the tabletop annunciator/pager to a remote receiver an on-off status of the visible light. A plural channel wireless receiver responsive to plural wireless transmitters includes a processor to determine the lengths of time the lights are in an on state and a display to annunciate or record the determined lengths of time.

Abstract: A convenient and preferably wearable system and method for implementing the controlled and sustained delivery of a medical liquid through the tympanic membrane and into the middle ear including port structure that produces a minimal opening in the membrane, a wearable and fixated fluid-conduit structure coupleable to the port structure, a reservoir adapted to contain delivery fluid, and an operationally controllable pump system applied to the fluid conduit structure, and/or an iontophoretic electrode system applied within the fluid conduit structure and to the subject's body, and operable to effect the delivery of reservoir-held fluid or medically active ions through the fluid conduit and port structures to the middle ear.

Abstract: The invented modular, capacity-adjustable racquet tote bag device includes two or more individual container segments each configured to contain at least a head portion of a racquet and associated gear, each segment being substantially coextensive and congruent in dimension and shape on at least one face with another; cooperative fastening means extending at least part-way circumferentially around confronting ones of the faces, the fastening means configured to securely join the two or more individual container segments together; and tote means, e.g. a handle or a shoulder strap, associated with at least one of the segments for transporting the racquet tote bag device. Preferably, the cooperative fastening means includes one or more confronting loop and pile textile members configured to detachably affix to one another when pressed together.

Abstract: A live-presentation utterance-capture system includes a microphone accessible to a speaker at a live presentation; a voice-recognition mechanism configured linguistically to interpret a vocal utterance received at the microphone from the speaker; a database mechanism configured to store the linguistic interpretation of the vocal utterance in a visual form; and, optionally, a presentation mechanism configured to present to an audience at the live presentation a visual representation of the vocal utterance in the visual form.

Abstract: Manual boom lift apparatus and method involve a base having three support legs, a fulcrum configured to fixedly mount the legs, a boom member detachably mounted on the fulcrum, the boom member including on either end a counterbalance arm configured for detachably mounting one or more counterweights and a lift arm configured for hoisting a load, the lift apparatus enabling lift and placement of the load by pivotal manipulation of the boom member. Assembly of the detachable boom lift apparatus components is performed on the work site (in situ) and involves removably pinning aligned hole pairs to join the components and filling one or more containers with ballast to act as counterweights to the hoisted load. The apparatus is lightweight and durable, is easy to transport through small openings and can be used in rooftop installations of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) equipment.

Abstract: Barcode scanning and digitizing technology incorporated in the tip of a white cane for the blind, which houses barcode reader, sonar, color sensory and audio production mechanisms. Apparatus detects and announces via audio or vibratory output, obstacles, drop-offs, colors or suitable informational barcode sites placed with a plurality of locations or environments for assisting blind or visually impaired users to navigate. In one embodiment, the apparatus combines the white cane with a barcode scanner and decoder with laser depth finding capacity in the cane tip, an sonar technology within the cane housing; and a separate hand-held unit having color and standard UPC barcode scanners, both the cane and the hand-held unit being connected to the audio output device by a hard-wire or wireless connection.

Abstract: A fastener for joining two pieces of rebar together in a rebar grid used to reinforce subsequently poured concrete is described. The fasteners include two clamp pieces that in certain embodiments completely wrap around a piece of rebar and are tightly secured thereto. Further, each clamp piece can swivel or rotate up to 360 degrees relative to the other clamp piece such that two rebar pieces intersecting at any angle can be coupled together.