Abstract: The present invention provides a photographic collection book which provides for an integrated assembly of pictorial representations such as cartoon characters and the like in combination with a photographic site to which a personalized photograph may be applied and a brief text or caption can be made to relate to the pictorial representation. A book embodying the present invention comprises front and back covers together with a plurality of pages between the covers configured to receive photographs fixed in place on the pages. Each of the pages can be made so as to convey a self-contained message or theme. A page has a site portion adapted to receive a photograph and a pictorial portion which is spaced horizontally from the site portion. The pictorial portion of the page has a cartoon character or characters or other pictorial representation which lies along side the site portion. A third component of the page is a caption portion spaced vertically from the site portion.

Abstract: A marksmanship and weapons training mannequin is disclosed which employs a lifesize mannequin torso in place of the traditional paper targets. The mannequin torso provides more realistic training and provides anatomically correct aiming references. The mannequin is made from an outer skin filled with a flexible interior foam. The outer skin is formed from a flexible material which returns to its original shape even after a projectile passes through it. This resilience allows the mannequin to absorb thousands of rounds and still remain useful as a training tool. Further, the three dimensional nature of the mannequin allows training in realistic circumstances and from angles not possible with paper or hard plastic targets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for searching a knowledge base to determine whether a search object matches any of a plurality of knowledge base entries. Initially, at least one search object bit is selected and examined to determine whether the knowledge base includes a partially matched entry that represents the same bit pattern in its corresponding bits, and when it does not, the search is terminated indicating no match. When the knowledge base does include a partially matched entry, the group of partially matched entries is identified. Thereafter, at least one previously unselected search object bit is selected and examined to determine whether the group of partially matched entries includes a further matched entry that represents the same bit pattern in its bits that correspond to the previously unselected search object bit and when it does not, the search is terminated indicating no match.

Abstract: A cap operated retractable medical device has an outer body with a hingedly connected outer cap which moves between an open and a closed position. The device is used as a blood sampler with a conventional collection tube normally used in such devices. A movable member is entirely enclosed within the outer body. A sliding interference or friction fit holds a retraction body within the mouth of the movable member and also holds the front end of the movable member within the outer body positioned with the retraction body adjacent a stop. A double ended needle is installed in the retraction body. Camming protrusions on the cap engage the back of the movable member to move it forward as the cap is closed thereby triggering retraction of the retraction body and its double ended needle entirely within the outer body. Once the cap is closed with the double ended needle safely inside, the device can be safely handled. The device is compact. It can be as short as the needles it will safely contain.

Abstract: A skirt suitable for cheerleading is described which is formed by a body and a waistband. The body forms the main section of the skirt and attached along its top edge to the waistband which fits snugly to the wearer's waist, yet still allows for extreme athletic movements. The waistband is formed by an elastic band attached at its ends to two fabric ends which are connected to each other by a closure mechanism such as a button. The elastic band is protected and concealed by a cover material which forms a passageway through which the elastic band passes. The fabric ends and the cover material are attached to the top edge of the body of the skirt to act as the waistband. The elastic band is not permanently attached to the body or the cover material to allow it to stretch freely in response to movements by the wearer. The body of the skirt includes another closure mechanism such as a zipper which works in conjunction with the button on the fabric ends to allow the skirt to be easily put on and taken off.

Abstract: A training system is formed by supporting a mannikin torso on a rigidly fixed base. The mannikin torso provides anatomically defined aiming references and may be attached to a frame which is supported by the base. The base allows the frame to be positioned either in a vertical or angled forward position to provide differing types of training. A harness is provided which is adapted to support the mannikin torso when it is detached from the frame and base. The harness has arm straps to allow a coach or trainer to move the mannikin torso to simulate more realistic sparring.

Abstract: Temperature of a body is determined by measuring the infrared radiation emitted by the body while simultaneously viewing the body. The body is viewed through a viewing cone with visible wavelength light conducted to the body from a remote source by optical fibers. Infrared radiation emitted by the body is collected by infrared-transmitting fibers which conduct the infrared energy to a remote sensor.

Abstract: A self-loading mobile crusher system for reducing the size of debris disposed in a pile includes a vehicle having first and second sides adapted for movement on the surface of the debris pile. The vehicle includes first and second surface engaging devices disposed on each side of the vehicle. A debris crushing assembly is connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. A debris transferring assembly is connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle for transferring debris from the pile to the crushing assembly. Disposed between the vehicle sides, adjacent the transferring assembly and connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle is a control structure for controlling passage of debris from the debris pile forward of the surface engaging devices to a position under the surface engaging devices.

Abstract: In the present invention, utilizing a data processing system at one location such as the home office, and another data processing system at a remote location such as a convenience store, an authorized convenience store employee may print financial instruments. According to the present invention, pre-printed forms are not needed in order to print financial instruments. When a financial instrument is to be printed, a valid password must first be entered. Thereafter, the employee may insert blank paper into the printer included within the remote data processing system and print a complete financial instrument. All necessary parameters may be printed by the remote data processing system, including financial institution identification number, account number, financial instrument number, date, amount, and payee. A transaction log may be automatically maintained by the remote data processing system. A log entry may be created each time a financial instrument is created.

Abstract: A system for creating multiple subchannels in a single two-way radio channel and a power control system for a mobile radio transmitter are described. Each subchannel in the system is capable of carrying voice or data. Each subchannel is split into an upper and a lower band with the upper band placed in a particular frequency range above the center of the channel and the lower band is placed in a corresponding frequency range below the center of the channel. Either one or two pilot tones placed at or adjacent to the center of the channel are used to provide a reference for all of the subchannels to allow for correction of distortions when the signal is received. The system includes base station with a transmitter and receiver and a plurality of mobile units each with a transmitter and a receiver. The base station transmits a signal which is the sum of all the subchannels. The mobile unit receives the signal, separates and processes the particular subchannel for that mobile unit.

Abstract: The present invention addresses a winged IV set having a retractable needle which provides additional safety to health care workers from accidental needle sticks. The winged IV set would consist of a device body with two sets of wings, one for handling and one for retraction, a needle, a needle holder with a nipple extension which may be connected with the catheter or IV tube, and a spring. The needle holder has opposed U-shaped arms which terminate in lugs that are received in opposed openings in the device body. The pair of retraction wings have a corresponding pair of tabs such that when the wings are folded, the tabs push the lugs out of the openings, allowing the spring to drive the needle and the needle holder back into the device body where another set of openings in the body receive the lugs on the needle holder to retain the needle inside the body. After retraction the device body may be handled safely.

Abstract: An automated deep fat frying apparatus comprises a plurality of cooking vats in a housing having a filter pan pump assembly. The apparatus has an oil distribution system and a control system having a computer programmed to operate and control oil transfer functions. Motor operated drain and return valves with position sensors are installed on each vat in the oil distribution system and operated by the control system to provide an automatic filter function and an oil transfer function whereby oil is drained from a first vat and transferred to a second vat according to selection inputs from the operator. The system includes operator selectable automated fill and dispose functions. In addition to valve position sensors, the system includes oil level sensors in the vats and filter pan, a pan position sensor and may include level sensors in a supply or dispose tank tied in to the control system which prevent mishaps during oil transfer operations.

Abstract: A compact printhead assembly is designed for employment in a soldering operation without the need for fluxes and without conducting the operation in a confined chamber. A self-contained printhead assembly has an internal reservoir and internal heating elements for raising the temperature above the melting temperature of solder or other liquid to be dispensed in microdroplets from a working surface at one end of the printhead housing. A jetting device containing an electro-mechanical transducer is pulsed to produced droplets at an exit orifice located at the working surface. Inert gas is preheated by the housing and delivered to the working surface to establish an oxygen-free atmosphere around the exit orifice and between the working surface and a substrate located a working distance away, whereby microdrops can be formed and deposited without harmful oxidation.

Abstract: A pleated skirt suitable for cheerleading is disclosed which provides for active movement of the wearer, and desirable movement and visual effects of the skirt during wearing. Preferably, the skirt is constructed of a skirt body and at least two panels which are each attached only partially along their length to adjoining panels. The sections of the panels which are nonattached result in overlapping pleated flaps. Different colors can be used for each side of the overlapping pleated flaps and the alternate color is partially visible when the skirt is worn for increased visual variety.

Abstract: A commercial paper document is provided with all necessary information to be a legal negotiable instrument sufficient to complete a financial transaction via facsimile. The commercial paper document contains user input fields (including a payee name, a date and an amount) completed by a drawer or payer party. The commercial paper document further contains computer-readable code fields for information including a bank identification number and an account number which may be in a bar code format. Security of the transaction is ensured by placing an encrypted code field (such as a signature field) on the document. When the commercial paper document is sent to both the payee and the drawee and the payee presents the document for remittance, the drawee may verify the authenticity of the document using the encrypted code field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a central combustion chamber engine consisting of an assembly formed by pistons that move from ends opposed to a combustion chamber, in which said chamber has intake and exhaust control means for the combustion gases (valves), ignition means or spark plug to induce the combustion of said gases and movement transmission means from the pistons activated by the expansion of the combustion gases in compression ratios similar to the ones of conventional internal combustion engines, towards the main engine shaft, which is located longitudinally along the same motor assembly, and rotates using sliding means, and achieving thus better operation performance, because it uses optimal pathways of the finite-time thermodynamic cycle, balance of the running engine and total symmetry with respect to the ignition point which will favor a more complete fuel combustion.

Abstract: In one form of the invention, a resonant cavity filter (50) is disclosed, comprising an input port (210) for receiving an input signal, a dielectric resonator (204) in a cavity, the dielectric resonator operable to receive an input signal from the input port and further operable to produce an output signal at a resonant frequency of the cavity, an output port (212) operable to receive the output signal and a tuning plate (308) disposed in the cavity, the tuning plate coupled to a control means operable to cause movement of the tuning plate, thereby changing dimensions of the cavity, the control means operable to determine a frequency of the input signal, retrieve an expected tuning plate position from a memory (514) based on the frequency, and move the tuning plate to the expected position. Other systems, devices and methods are disclosed.