Abstract: A parallel processing system and method for performing processing tasks in parallel on a plurality of processors breaks down a processing task into a plurality of self-contained task objects, each of which has one or more “data-waiting” slots for receiving a respective data input required for performing a computational step. The task objects are maintained in a “waiting” state while awaiting one or more inputs to fill its slots. When all slots are filled, the task object is placed in an “active” state and can be performed on a processor without waiting for any other input. The “active” tasks objects are placed in a queue and assigned to a next available processor. The status of the task object is changed to a “dead” state when the computation has been completed, and dead task objects are removed from memory at periodic intervals.

Abstract: A roll-ring conductive wheel is used to conduct electricity between the inner and outer races of rotating or moving parts. The conductive wheel is a thin-walled metal cylinder with a plurality of spokes connecting the outer cylindrical wall to a central hub. The preferred spokes are arcuate and the wheel is made flexible so that it can be compressed to an elliptical shape between the inner and outer conductive races for good electrical contact and to absorb slight deflections or gap variations between the races. The conductive wheel can have other shapes depending on the configuration of moving parts, such as a truncated cone shape for conical or wedge-shaped races.

Abstract: A nail clipper for pets has a clipper body formed with a pair of board spring arms with operating ends biased apart for mounting respective blade pieces thereon, and the blade pieces are each formed as a semi-circular or semi-elliptical ring half of a given thickness having a cutting edge formed on an inner facing rim thereof and diametrically opposing ends pivotally attached together with the semi-circular or semi-elliptical cutting edges positioned apart facing each other for insertion of a nail of a pet and closing together to cut the pet's nail. The blade pieces produce smooth nail edges cut in a semi-spherical or semi-elliptical shape in a single cutting action.

Abstract: A customizable alignment sighting device for a golf club is mounted to an upper surface of the head of the golf club with a sighting element providing the user a visual target indicator for desired alignment of the club head with the user's line of sight. The sighting element can be readily adjusted for the user's preferences. When not aligned, the sighting element provides an indication of the magnitude and direction of misalignment. In one embodiment, the device is shaped as a planar disc mounted on the upper surface of the club head by leveling posts spaced around its periphery. The sighting element is a concave lens or lenticulated grid or grill superimposed on a target image. In another embodiment, the device has a 3D device body mounted in a mounting cup or socket fastened to or formed in the head of the golf club.

Abstract: A long-wave infrared hyperspectral sensor device employs a combination of an interferometer with an uncooled microbolometer array camera to produce hyperspectral images without the use of bulky, power-hungry motorized components, making it suitable for UAV vehicles, small mobile platforms, or in extraterrestrial environments. The sensor device can provide signal-to-noise ratios near 200 for ambient temperature scenes with 33 wavenumber resolution at a frame rate of 50 Hz, with higher results indicated by ongoing component improvements.

Abstract: A computer processing and programming method calls for creating a plurality of software entities (“molecules”) which can be dynamically configured to process data autonomously. The molecules can send and receive signals indicating the state of a molecule, whether or not a processing task is fulfilled, the results of a processing task, and whether or not the operation of a molecule is to be terminated, interrupted, reconfigured, or continued by creation of one or more “next” molecules. The molecules are created from a common set of software micro-components, which may be programmed in any programming languages to run in any operating system environments. The molecules may reside with a single computing resource, however, they are ideally suited to be deployed with distributed computing resources of different types on a network or in a parallel processing environment. An overall data processing task is performed by creating molecules in a “logic web” which can dynamically adapt to fulfill the task.

Abstract: A device, for holding a garment waistband, has a flat, elongated elastic band stretchable across two belt loops, and a pair of fastener components formed by metal wire bent to form a back bar for the elastic-band-mounting end and a hook-loop fastener end for hooking onto a post member mounted to the elastic band. The back bar is formed in a thin channel shape defining a concave cross-sectional gap with a thickness such that it can be seated around the exposed length of the belt loop and clasp it by its thickness. The device provides the wearer with a slimmer profile and is more comfortable to wear than a waist-length belt. The back bar may be formed with bar halves separated by a cut-away gap to allow the elastic band to be sleeved on and off, to interchange elastic bands and/or other decorative fastener components.

Abstract: A probe apparatus for self-administered treatment of prostatitis has a pair of opposing handle bars symmetrical to each other having handle grip ends and connected to a center housing along a common axis, and a probe connected to a front side of the center housing and extending to a probe tip. The center housing has a vibrator motor which is mechanically coupled to the probe tip, and is actuated by a switch on one of the handle grip ends. The probe has a swivelable tip actuated by a pair of swivel actuators provided on the handle grip ends. The probe tip has an off-center bulbous or ovoid shape for effecting a sweeping movement over the prostate when a swivel actuator is actuated. The probe and the handle grip ends have approximately the same length and extend in the same direction for more precise manipulation by the patient. The handle bars are connected to the center housing by twist-lock disconnectors to be detachable for storage or packing.

Abstract: An improved continuous transverse stub (CTS) antenna has coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed elements spaced apart aligned in parallel and mounted perpendicular to a planar substrate base made of a low dielectric material. A continuous transverse stub extends perpendicularly through a clearance gap in the CPW feed elements on the ground plane of the substrate base. The antenna is fed with a simple coplanar waveguide transmission line formed by the parallel CPW elements. The antenna employs the coplanar waveguide with CTS technology, preferably in a planar microstrip configuration, to produce a broadside radiation pattern with a maximum in the +z direction, perpendicular to the plane of the antenna. The CPW-CTS antenna offers the advantages of a broadside radiation pattern, low input impedance, high radiation efficiency, low fabrication cost, use of simple coaxial or microstrip transmission line feed, and simple integration with microstrip circuitry in a transceiver front-end.

Abstract: An autonomous subsurface drilling device has spaced-apart forward and rearward “feet” sections coupled to an axial thruster mechanism between them to operate using an inchworm method of mobility. In one embodiment, forward and rearward drill sections are carried on forward and rearward “feet” sections for drilling into material in the borehole in both forward and rearward directions, to allow the device to maneuver in any direction underground. In another embodiment, a front drill section has a drill head for cutting into the borehole and conveying cuttings through a center spine tube to an on-board depository for the cuttings. The feet sections of the device employ a foot scroll drive unit to provide radial thrust and synchronous motion to the feet for gripping the borehole wall. The axial thrust mechanism has a tandem set of thrusters in which the second thruster is used to provide the thrust needed for drilling, but not walking.

Abstract: A nail clipper for pets has a first semi-spherical or semi-elliptical part which is hollowed-out with a circular or elliptical hole with a blade formed on a rim of the hole, and a second semi-spherical or elliptical part having a shape matching the outside of the first part and a blade formed on a rim thereof. By placing the pet's nail in the hollowed-out hole of the first semi-spherical or elliptical part and rotating the second part along the outside of the first part, the blades of the first and second parts come together to cut the pet's nail, producing smooth nail edges cut in a semi-circular shape in a single cutting action.

Abstract: An emergency communication system connected to a plurality of user communication terminals through public lines comprises a receiver and transmitter section for receiving information from a plurality of user communication terminals and for transmitting information to a plurality of user communication terminals, an ID memory section for storing ID of each user, an ID confirmation section for confirming user ID by reference to ID data stored in the ID memory section when information is received from the each user communication terminal and permitting receipt of the information from the user in case that the received ID is compatible with the stored ID, an information accumulation section for accumulating information received from user in case that the ID confirmation section permits receipt, and an information addressee registration section for registering at least one addressees to which the information accumulated in said information accumulation section is communicated through public lines.

Abstract: A hover aircraft employs an air impeller engine having an air channel duct and a rotor with outer ends of its blades fixed to an annular impeller disk that is driven by magnetic induction elements arrayed in the air channel duct. The air-impeller engine is arranged vertically in the aircraft frame to provide vertical thrust for vertical takeoff and landing. Preferably, the air-impeller engine employs dual, coaxial, contra-rotating rotors for increased thrust and gyroscopic stability. An air vane assembly directs a portion of the air thrust output at a desired angle to provide a horizontal thrust component for flight maneuvering or translation movement. The aircraft can employ a single engine in an annular fuselage, two engines on a longitudinal fuselage chassis, three engines in a triangular arrangement for forward flight stability, or other multiple engine arrangements in a symmetric, balanced configuration.

Abstract: A coaxial connector has improved grounding capacity for high frequency waves and improved resistance against the peeling off of grounding terminals from ground pads and ground pads that mount the coaxial connectors and that have improved resistance against the peeling off of the ground pads from the circuit board. In the coaxial connector, corners 21a of ground terminals 21 that ground on ground pads 30 installed on circuit board 3 are characterized in that they are obtusely beveled or rounded, and the ground pad 30 that mounts the coaxial connector 1 is characterized in that it has a substantially square or U shape.

Abstract: A nail clipper for pets has a scissors structure provided with cutting surfaces formed by curved blade pieces. The curved blade pieces are created by dividing a spherical or elliptical body into quarter pieces having a hollow interior and formed with curved cutting edges. The blade pieces are hinged to opposite ends of a holding piece and moved by pivoting parts coupled to the ends of operating parts of the scissors structure. By operating the scissors structure, the curved blade pieces open and come together to cut the pet's nail, producing smooth nail edges cut in a curved shape with a single cutting action.