Abstract: A method of modifying a database using a fingerprint form. User account information is entered into a computer database record and is marked as incomplete. A fingerprint form is then generated which pre-encodes the user account information on the form. The form is sent to the user, who places his or her fingerprints on the form before returning it. The user's fingerprints are then electronically scanned and encoded from the form and associated with the user account information stored in the computer database record. If the user's fingerprints are unreadable or illegible after electronically analyzing the form, a replacement form is automatically generated and sent to the user. If the user's fingerprints are legible, the prints are compared to all previously stored fingerprints in the computer database to determine if there is a match. If there is a match, the user record is marked as frozen and all associated users are notified. Otherwise, the user record is marked as complete.

Abstract: A holder for carrying an open umbrella on the back of a person. The umbrella holder includes a harness for securing the holder to the person and an umbrella supporting member. The supporting member is connected to the harness so as to position the umbrella proximate a center of the back of the person when the harness is appropriately secured. An attachment member permits attachment of the open umbrella to the supporting member. The attachment member optionally permits pivotal movement of the umbrella for optimum protection.

Abstract: A utility line support structure for use as a tangent crossarm or deadend including a hollow fiber reinforced beam with a bushing inserted into a transverse hole in the beam. Bushing includes a hollow inner member for receiving a bolt and a pair of integral washers arranged on opposite ends of inner member and against an outer surface of the beam. The hollow inner member and the integral washers cooperate to support axial loads applied by the bolt. End caps extend over opposite ends of the beam to seal the beam so as to prevent moisture from entering the beam. Also, a method for adapting a non-standard-sized utility line support beam to be compatible with standard-sized tooling.

Abstract: A system for interpreting the requests and performance of an instrumental soloist, stated in the parlance of the musician and within the context of a specific published edition of music the soloist is using, to control the performance of a digitized musical accompaniment. Sound events and their associated attributes are extracted from the soloist performance and are numerically encoded. The pitch, duration and event type of the encoded sound events are then compared to a desired sequence of the performance score to determine if a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score. If a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score, the system instructs a music synthesizer module to provide an audible accompaniment for the soloist. The system provides a method for editing a tempo map associated with the performance score to indicate the tempo of the accompaniment at a location within the performance score.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member with an encasing covering the tubular member that creates a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of the tubular member. The tubular member is self-supporting and includes a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined configuration to increase the flexibility of the tubular member.

Abstract: An auxiliary heating device for supplementing the performance of a standard hot water type home heating system with the heat produced by combusting a low cost, readily available fuel is disclosed. The device comprises a cylindrical fire chamber substantially closed at both ends and an elongated annular water chamber closed at both ends surrounding at least a portion of the fire chamber in a noncoaxial relationship thereto. Means are provided for plumbing the water chamber into the main heating system, whereby cool water enters the water chamber and heated water is pumped by the main system's pump to radiators disposed around the home. A combustion air passageway is provided for passing air to the combustion chamber. Means for varying the size of the passageway in response to the temperature of water in the water chamber are also provided so as to control the combustion rate of the fuel. Means for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber are further provided.