Abstract: A unique athletic shoe sole that is constructed of two more separate pieces designed to release when a predetermined longitudinally directed force is applied. A releasable athletic shoe sole includes a detachable lower sole; a mechanical release mechanism constructed to release when a predetermined force is applied; and a longitudinal guiding element. The longitudinal guiding element allows the lower sole to detach specifically in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of release prevents knee ligament injuries, particularly ACL injuries.

Abstract: A card game combining chance and skill. Cards having a rank of two through ten represent corresponding point values. Face cards each represent a point value of ten. Aces represent one and/or eleven at the player's choice. Players must commit wagers for a specific number of HIGH/LOW bets of equal value before the deal. Players are dealt a hand, face up, and the dealer is dealt a hand face down. The dealer turns his cards one at a time. Players must discard cards which match the rank of a cards turned over by the dealer. Using their committed wagers, players make a first HIGH, LOW or split bet after the deal and another bet after the turn of each dealer card. A separate payoff for each bet is determined based on whether the players final point sum was within the predetermined high or low range as predicted by the particular bet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically basting a roasting item in an oven. A pump apparatus disposed outside of the oven provides pressure to a system of tubes which collect pan drippings and gravy (juices) from the bottom of a pan and dispense the drippings over a food item being roasted. A reservoir is provided in outside of the oven for addition of fluids to the roasting pan via the system of tubes. The reservoir is transparent for visually checking the fluid level without opening the oven. The pump apparatus is controllable manually or by an automatic timer for controlling the rate and timing of basting.

Abstract: A method is provided whereby combinations of ecologically valid images and sounds are used for visualization of large amounts of information. Icons and sounds are selected and combined to accentuate natural recognition of pattern information and changes. A visual field of similar icons represents a corresponding field of data sets, where the appearance of each icon illustrates the respective values of the underlying data. Within each icon, elements change in shape, size, number, color, and motion to illustrate the respective changes of data within the corresponding data set. Stereophonic sound occurrence, spatial location, type, and volume signal the user about the general situation, as well as the type and importance of individual data changes, stimulating the user's attention during events of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for real time monitoring and control of energy consumption at a number of facilities to allow aggregate control over the power consumption. A central location receives information over a communications network, such as a wireless network, from nodes placed at facilities. The nodes communicate with devices within the facility that monitor power consumption, and control electrical devices within the facility. The electrical devices may be activated or deactivated remotely by the central location. This provides the ability to load balance a power consumption grid and thereby proactively conserve power consumption as well as avoid expensive spikes in power consumption. The present invention also includes a wireless network for communicating with the number of facilities, and which allows other information to be collected and processed.

Abstract: A bridged amplifier output stage capable of sharing a common conductor between independent loads. Multi-Channel pulse width modulated output signals are time division multiplexed to reduce the number of required conductors. The output stages are driven such that the non-common conductor time multiplexed off-channel(s) receives a copy of the shared common signal. The differential signal on the off-channel(s) is thereby cancelled even though the common conductor is carrying a signal for use by the on-channel.

Abstract: A unique method/system for simultaneously creating and transferring a contrasting pattern of intelligence on and from an ablation-transfer imaging medium to a receptor element in contiguous registration therewith is not dependent upon contrast imaging materials that must absorb the imaging radiation and is well adopted for such applications as, e.g., color proofing and printing, the security coding of various documents and the production of masks for the graphic arts and printed circuit industries; the ablation-transfer imaging medium, per se, comprises a support substrate and an imaging radiation-, preferably a laser radiation-ablative topcoat essentially coextensive therewith, such ablative topcoat having a non-imaging ablation sensitizer and an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention includes using computer simulation and virtual reality (VR) tests for determining categories of neuropsychological dysfunctions, including executive dysfunctions. A test subject interacts with a computer generated simulated environment according to a predetermined test script. The test script presents a simulated environment of sight and sound which can closely mirror a real activity, such as daily routines performed by everyone; or an environment such as a game played by the subject. The test script is designed to present situations where subjects with executive dysfunctions will interact and make decisions which indicate the dysfunctions. During the testing, other physiological measurements may be measured and recorded, including subject respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, skin changes etc. The results of the testing are interpreted by scoring the subject's reactions, and provide an indication of the subject's dysfunctioning.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing distortion in a pulse width modulated digital system by selectively implementing linearization. The linearization is implemented computationally efficient, using no division operations. A frequency detector is implemented which causes signals to bypass the linearization algorithm at frequencies where the new modes of distortion become significant as a result of the linearization when used in combination with an interpolation filter.

Abstract: Local color correction to color values which result from processing of images within a Color Management System (CMS) is implemented by adjusting existing fields and tags within a color profile. A source image is rendered on a source digital imaging device, and the same or a different image is manipulated by the CMS then rendered on a destination digital imaging device. The CMS uses predetermined color profiles associated with the source and destination devices. The technique is useful when the manipulated image rendered on the destination device has a number of color regions which the user determines are unacceptably different in appearance from the source rendered image. Depending upon the embodiment being practiced, either spectrophotometric or colorimetric measurements or onscreen identifications are made of the respective error regions within the two rendered images and the user is enabled to indicate preferred color matching results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing timely and efficient notification of vehicle parking space availability and locations of vehicle parking spaces to motorists or other network users. Local detector devices sense the presence or absence of a vehicle in a particular parking space and communicate space identification and status information to a computer network. The parking space status information is integrated with electronic street maps of the area where the relevant spaces are located. Integrated maps containing space status identifiers are communicated to any number of networks.