Abstract: An apparatus for generating gamma transmission and gamma emission images simultaneously includes a camera and a line transmission source of gamma radiation disposed on opposite sides of an imaging area in which a patient lies. The line detector moves along a path that substantially traverses the field of view of the gamma camera. As the gamma camera moves an acceptance region and a mask region are electronically defined and moved across the camera's field of view. Photons striking the camera are categorized according to their energy and the region of impingement. The categorization defined an emission image, a transmission image and a crosstalk image. The transmission and crosstalk images are combined to form a corrected transmission image that then is used along with the emission image to produce and image of the patient.

Abstract: A pressurized system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure. The system also precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverage, preferably using an in-line zero&Dgr;T chiller. In addition, specialized valve configurations and operation techniques, as well as container positioning techniques, are implemented in order to achieve a desired presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container.

Abstract: A computer-implemented building automation operating system for supporting applications that interact with building automation devices in different locations. A computer-human interface is provided for viewing data related to the applications. A master name data structure stores global identifiers and location specific names for each of the applications that interact with the building automation devices. The global identifiers uniquely identify the applications. A building automation master name processor is connected to the master name data structure and to the computer-human interface for providing to the computer-human interface a location specific name based upon its associated global identifier. These features significantly enhance the global distribution and use of new building automation software applications.

Abstract: An automated open container holder automatically raises and lowers an open container in a carbonated beverage dispensing system. The holder is preferably a cantilevered horizontal platform which is driven vertically relative to an outlet port of a dispensing nozzle via an electronically controlled actuator during the dispensing cycle. The dispensing nozzle is designed to bottom fill the open container, and it is desirable that the outlet port of the nozzle be located proximate to a bottom of the open container at least until the outlet port is submerged. The container holder as well as the open container are selectively positioned in accordance with a preselected pouring profile such that for a given dispensing temperature, pressure and flow profile, the container holder selectively positions the open container. This allows the vendor or supplier to program a preferred or several preferred presentations for the beverage depending on the timing of preselected turbulence during the pour.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverage and ice into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container in order to dispense the carbonated beverage. Preferably, the carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle until immediately prior to opening the valve in order to maintain appropriate carbonation of the beverage. It is preferred that ice be added after the nozzle is located proximate the bottom of the open container. The ice dispenser includes a funnel located concentrically around the nozzle in order to supply ice around the nozzle into the open container. In order to avoid excessive foaming, it is important that the temperature of the carbonated beverage be chilled to approximately the surface temperature of the ice being added into the open container.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. Specialized valve configurations and operation techniques are implemented in order to achieve enhanced flow characteristics of the carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage existing the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory provides particularly favorable results.

Abstract: A humidity detector has a sensor with an electrical characteristic that varies as a function of humidity and a transmitter circuit which produces an output signal in response to the capacitance of the sensor. The humidity detector is calibrated by alternately connecting devices in place of the sensor which simulate performance of the sensor at two reference humidity levels. While each device is present, the transmitter circuit is adjusted so that the output signal indicates the respective reference humidity level. Next, the sensor is connected to the transmitter circuit and exposed to a known humidity level. Then the transmitter circuit is adjusted so that the output signal indicates the known humidity level.

Abstract: The present method defines a plurality of individual temperature sensor cells on a single printed circuit board with a separate temperature detector mounted in each cell. The temperature response of each detector is characterized substantially simultaneously and the values for series and parallel trimmer resistors for each cell are determined from the temperature response of the detector for the cell. Then an automated machine attaches properly valued resistors in parallel and in series with each detector on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Fault detection is implemented on a finite state machine controller for an air handling system. The method employs data, regarding the system performance in the current state and upon a transition occurring, to determine whether a fault condition exists. The fault detection may be based on saturation of the system control or on a comparison of actual performance to a mathematical model of the air handling system. As a consequence, the control does not have to be in steady-state operation to perform fault detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sequencing control strategy for environmental system controllers that takes better advantage of the capabilities of the system elements to enhance performance and reduce operating costs. A state machine controller is implemented by employing digital technology which enables greater accuracy in monitoring system performance and performing diagnostics. This control modality also provides greater tolerance of faults by permitting automatic reconfiguration of the control strategy so as to be independent of malfunctioning components.

Abstract: Ends of several electrical wires are joined by a connector which is twisted onto the wire to a predefined torque level by using a unique tool socket. The connector has a body with closed end and an open end for receiving the electrical wires. At least a portion of the hollow body has an equilateral polygonal cross section shape formed by side surfaces which meet at corner sections. The tool socket includes a coupling through which torque is applied and has an aperture for receiving the connector. The aperture has a cross-sectional shape such that the tool socket engages only the connector corner sections and a space exists between the connector side surfaces and the socket. That engagement concentrates torque applied by the tool socket to the connector which causes the corner sections to round upon application of more than the predefined torque level, thus preventing excessive torque from being applied to the connector and the wires.

Abstract: An actuator is operated to move a mechanical device between two extreme positions of travel. While that motion is occurring, the system quantifies the amount of movement that occurs between those positions. The quantification may involve counting the number of steps of a stepper motor. The number of steps may be used directly as a quantification. Alternatively, the number of steps can be multiplied by the time period of each step to derive the time of the movement between the extreme positions. In addition to being used to setup the actuator upon installation, this automatic ranging method can be performed periodically to compensate for effects of wear on the mechanical device.

Abstract: A driver information system for a motor vehicle includes a network which executes one of a number of application programs depending on which function of the system the driver has selected at any given point in time. In response to the driver's selection, the appropriate application program is retrieved from storage for execution. Information regarding the specific hardware interface software objects that are required during that execution are read from the retrieved application program and loaded for execution. Thus only the software that is necessary to implement the selected function is loaded for execution which reduces the complexity of the hardware of the driver information system. A method for verifying the compatibility of each software program and object also is described.

Abstract: A device on a motor vehicle is controlled by selecting a function for the device to perform. The selection is conveyed to a control circuit which wirelessly transmits a message using the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications protocol, wherein the message identifies the device and function. A controller receives the message and recovers the identification of the device and the function and then responds by activating the device to perform that function.

Abstract: A vehicle has a memory which stores operational data regarding the vehicle's performance. When the vehicle malfunctions the operational data can be transmitted from a control circuit in the vehicle by a radio frequency signal using the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications protocol. That radio frequency signal is received at a telephone and the operational recovered. The telephone transfers the operational data via a telephone network to diagnostic computer system which analyzes the operational data to diagnose the cause of the malfunction. The results of the diagnose can be transmitted back to the vehicle.

Abstract: A nuclear medical imaging system generates transmission and emission images simultaneously. The system includes a gamma camera and a linear transmission source disposed on opposite sides of an imaging region in which a patient lies. A plurality of views are taken at different rotational angles around a patient. At each angle, the view acquisition period is divided into two segments based on whether the transmission source is on or off. Emission image data is acquired either in both period segments or only while the transmission source is off. The transmission image data is acquired when the transmission source is on, and crosstalk image data is acquired when the transmission source is off.

Abstract: A programmable controller governs the operation of a piece of equipment by executing machine language instructions compiled from a ladder diagram type control program. The control program as stored in the controller includes not only compiled machine language instructions, but also a tokenized version of the source code from which certain machine language instructions were compiled. The source code is provided only for those portions of the machine language program which cannot be easily decompiled to produce the corresponding source code. This program storage facilitates subsequent editing of the stored program via a terminal connected to the programmable controller. During the editing process, the original ladder diagram can be reconstructed from a combination of the machine language instructions and the tokenized version of the source code. In doing so, the machine language instructions, which have a one-to-one correspondence with the source code instructions, are decompiled using conventional techniques.

Abstract: A television camera includes a front bracket to which the pickup lens is secured. A pickup tube and yoke assembly including a yoke holder are slidably attached to the bracket in a mating circular cylindrical cavity. The tube is back focussed along the lens optical axis by a camming mechanism coupled between the bracket and the yoke holder. The yoke holder has a flange attached to the camming mechanism, the flange having a plurality of alignment slots for angularly positioning the pickup tube relative to the pickup lens.

Abstract: A continuous process for dyeing a tufted carpet includes the step of dyeing the entire carpet, in one dye color, with a first, relatively low viscosity dye. The carpet is then vibrated to cause the tufts to stand up. The entire tufted surface of the carpet is then coated with a relatively viscous second dye. Drops of a third dye, which is less viscous than the second dye and substantially more viscous than the first dye are then applied over the more viscous second dye coated tufts. A fourth dye which is substantially less viscous than the second and third dyes is then applied over the entire tufted surface of the carpet.

Abstract: A continuous process for dyeing a pre-wetted carpet includes the step of printing, in one dye color, a desired pattern on the tufts, compressing those of the tufts receiving the dye in the process. The tufted printed surface of the carpet is then covered with a viscous water-soluble first gum and drops of a second dye, which is less viscous than the first gum, over the viscous gum-wetted tufts. Drops of a water-soluble second gum which is less viscous than the first gum, are then applied to the tufted surface and then a third dye which is substantially less viscous than the second dye is applied over the entire tufted surface of the carpet.