Abstract: An optical guide switching assembly in which steering devices are used to assembly deflect radiation from a transmitting guide to a selected receiving guide. Each of the steering devices includes a collimator for light emerging from the transmitting guide and an actuator to cause relative movement between the collimator and the guide to cause the deflection, or to move the guide and collimator together. The actuator can be piezoelectric and of either a foil type, or a monolithic type, and mechanical leverage can be used to improve deflection. Capacitive sensing means provide positional information for feedback control, preferably in a diagonal switching arrangement.

Abstract: A simple two-piece interactive toy has one part made as a simulated gun that transmits an infrared signal. The other piece is a spring-loaded can. When the can receives the infrared signal from the gun, the internal spring mechanism is activated to shift an internal weight. This causes the can to impulsively jump.

Abstract: A volumetrically compact and efficient antenna, with a high radiation resistance and low losses, that can be designed for any frequency, and which has a gain within 1 dB of that of a full-sized vertical monopole radiator or, in its horizontally polarized form, within 2 dB of that of a horizontally polarized half-wave dipole. One embodiment is a rectangle, with short radiators and long interconnecting wires, which has been folded back on itself in a manner that results in a square configuration (when viewed from the top) and brings the two radiating wires into close proximity. Only a single port need be fed. Linear loading sections, such as stubs, serrations and helically wound interconnecting wires can be used to electrically lengthen the antenna, while keeping physical dimensions small. Capacitive loading sections are also used. Two unequal-sized rectangular loops may be joined onto each other, to provide an additional radiating element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable charging apparatus having a built-in charging battery, which can easily charge the charging battery of a cellular phone even in a place where home AC power or car power cannot be used and can be used for various kinds of portable equipment by means of using one charger. The present invention can charge a charging battery of a cellular phone using home AC power or car power. Furthermore, the charger of the present invention can easily charge the charging batteries of various digital mobile devices such as cellular phones using an internal charging battery included therein even in a place where home AC power or car power cannot be used.

Abstract: Lead-free Tin-Zinc alloy contains Manganese in the amount of about 0.001-0.9 wt. %. The alloy is suitable for use as a solder with commercially available fluxes. Various types of solders can be prepared from the alloy, like wire, cored wire, atomized powder, solder paste, thin sheet, ribbon foil, perform etc. The alloy has improved mechanical and electrical properties in comparison with conventional Tin-Lead alloys Sn9Zn and 63Sn37Pb.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether or not moisture appeared in a hidden place during a period T, the method comprising: (i) introducing to the hidden place a moisture sensitive element; the moisture sensitive element comprising: a) a dielectric substrate coated or impregnated with an intrinsically conducting polymer and b) probes connecting the substrate to a resistance meter; (ii) measuring and recording the electrical resistance of the substrate at two or more times during the period T; (iii) determining whether or not moisture appeared in the hidden place during the period T according to the changes in the electrical resistance of the moisture sensitive element that occurred during period T. The present invention further provides method and system for alerting against a possible appearance of corrosion in a hidden place, a moisture sensor for use in the method or system, and a method for producing a substrate comprised in such a moisture sensor.

Abstract: A mounting base component and an upper bracket component comprise the stair rod bracket. The mounting base component is secured to the tread in any suitable manner and it includes an aperture or an open, elongate channel. The upper bracket component conforms to the shape of the mounting base component, so that, when they are mounted together, they define a single, integral bracket. Extending out from the upper bracket component is a latch that latchably engages into the opening or channel of the mounting base. A stair rod can be easily removed or installed by sliding the upper bracket to disengage it and then by lifting it away from the mounting base. Assembly and disassembly of a stair rod bracket according to the present invention is not impeded or made difficult by the framework of the stairs.

Abstract: The phase of this process is done by the functionality of the perforated lower stem, which due to the fact that its internal conduit is able to connect the lower bellow in an alternated way, first to the tubing and after, to the casing. This is possible due to the fact that it is assisted by: a) a window that communicates the casing with the tubing when the lower bellow is open, and b) sealing packing installed in the lower stem to isolate the casing pressure, in order that the lower bellow can register only the tubing pressure when it is in closing position.

Abstract: The present invention is a lighting device for illuminating backyards, gardens, driveways, sidewalks, patios and other areas outside the house. A top post fits over a lower posts. An electrical cable has one end inserted into a conventional power outlet and its other end passes through the lower post and terminates in a female connector. A second electrical cable passes through the upper post, and has a male plug that is inserted into the female connector. At the other end of this cable are the various lamps, fitted on the top posts.

Abstract: There is provided a portable storage medium, based on USB standard, connected to a USB port of a host computer applying UFI protocol. The portable storage medium comprises a USB connector through which the storage medium is physically connected to the USB port of the host computer; at least one nonvolatile flash memory for storing data transmitted from the host computer; a program storage for storing a predetermined operation program based on USB and UFI; and a controller for controlling the entire operation of the storage medium based on the operation program stored in the program storage.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a liquid's flow rate which includes a housing, a set of electrical sensors and a processing apparatus. The housing includes a separation wall which divides the housing into measurement and discharge chambers and contains a slot which allows the liquid to freely flow from the measurement chamber into the discharge chamber. The sensor apparatus includes a reference sensor and a common sensor positioned proximate to the floor, and a set of measurement sensors positioned within the measurement chamber. The measurement sensors are spaced apart in a generally vertical stepped continuum stretching from the floor to a height substantially equal to the top of the separation wall. A processing apparatus processes the data according to a preprogrammed process. Processing includes measuring an electrical parameter of the liquid proximate to the floor of the apparatus and at various levels of the liquid and normalizing the results.

Abstract: A current sensor for measuring the load in a fiscal power meter has conductive paths connected between an inlet and an outlet for guiding the load currents through the sensor, and operates by sensing local magnetic fields generated around the conductive paths by the current flowing there through, thereby providing a current measure indicative of the magnitude of a given load. The sensor is distinguished by plural current coil elements arranged in a substantially common plane so as to be substantially insensitive to remotely generated magnetic fields but responsive to local magnetic fields for generating the current measure. The coil elements are disposed in zones having more than two effective centres and exhibiting mutually opposing responses to the remote field.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for driving a surface discharge PDP in which a driving voltage supply frame for displaying an image is constructed of N sub-fields, and each sub-field is composed of an erasing period, an addressing period and a sustaining period, the sustaining period alternately providing a predetermined sustaining pulse to first and second electrodes constructing the display panel.

Abstract: Requiring no special ability, this exercise devise can be used by anyone for simulating walking, while sitting down. Consisting of two pedals that move in opposition to one another as one foot presses down, while the other is pushed up, the device is placed under your feet while sitting in a chair. By turning clockwise a resistance dial located on a stem, resistance is adjustable by the user. A straight metal axle at the rear of the device serves as an axis about which two pedals rotate and furnishes support through the attached feet. Mechanism of resistance is provided by opposition against two arc shaped wedges offset by an angle resulting in one pedal rising as the other falls. Each end of a curved axle in the front provides support. The straight axle in the back is connected to the curved axle in the front by a central housing on top of which is positioned the resistance dial.

Abstract: A self-standing display device for displaying flowers or the like includes a base and one or more columns rising from the base. The display device also comprises a number of display units each in the form of a walled vase-like retainer. Connector members are provided to link the or each display unit removably to either the base or to another display unit as appropriate. A connector member engages corresponding bosses on either the base or the other display unit respectively so that a stack of such units can be built up as desired. The or each vase-like retainer, in use, retains its own associated flower and/or display with no inherent limitation on the vase-like retainer size or form.

Abstract: Apparatus for dislodging an accretion of a substance from the vicinity of a vessel, includes apparatus for generating gas-borne shock waves in the vicinity of a vessel, thereby to expose a substance accrued on a surface thereof to separation forces causing at least partial separation of the substance from the surface, so as to facilitate removal of the at least partially separated substance therefrom; and support apparatus for supporting the apparatus for generating shock waves in a selected association relative to the vessel.