Abstract: An first apparatus for searching a collection of words based upon an input word, the first apparatus including means for generating a first set of words containing members that are lexically related to the input word, the first set of words including words that are other than regular inflectional nouns; and a search engine for searching the collection of words to detect the occurrence of any of the words from a group of search words, the group of search words comprising the input word and the first set of words.

Abstract: Keys forming a data inputting part to input such data as characters are formed of mechanical switches large in the operating stroke so that data of many inputting key operations may be input by a blind touch and keys forming a function executing part to execute preset functions are formed of flat switches having substantially no operating stroke and covered with a water-proof cover so as to be able to be simply cleaned even in case the functions are operated to be executed with dirty hands while the medical apparatus is being used.

Abstract: A compressible keyboard utilizing flexible key skirts is disclosed to provide portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers with the capability of a full-size or nearly full-size keyboard allowing greater flexibility and easier input for the user without compromising the format. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides laptops, notebooks and sub-notebooks with increased size keyboards which approximate the size of a typical desktop computer keyboard when in use, but when in a non-use configuration smaller dimensions conforming to conventional form factors for these devices.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor system for an active magnetic bearing supporting a rotating shaft and flywheel in a flywheel energy storage system integrates sensor elements into the bearing stators, thereby conserving valuable space within a vacuum housing enclosing the flywheel energy storage system. High frequency resonant processing provides intrinsic linearity and noise immunity while permitting fast response times. Simple design of the sensor system permits all sensor electronics to be readily packaged within the vacuum housing.

Abstract: A keyboard-type input apparatus has a main key area consisting of at least fifteen keys arranged in a three-line and five-column state to include a basic side either on right or left side of the column, of which two-column belongs to the basic side being provided as a vowel sound area to input vowel sounds and other columns composed of three-column being provided as a consonant sound area to input consonant sounds.

Abstract: An interrupt apparatus for remotely controlling a potentiometer is comprised of an encoder for generating a pair of quadrature output signals whenever the encoder becomes rotated. The pair of signals are sent to a pair of D flip-flops for detecting a rising or falling edge of one of the signals. The pair of D flip-flops sends an interrupt signal to a microprocessor when the signals indicate that the encoder has been rotated. Either one of a pair of AND gates will output a high signal to set a third D flip-flop when motion is in the counter-clockwise direction. After being interrupted, the microprocessor reads the direction signal from the third flip-flop, resets the three flip-flops so that subsequent motion may be detected, updates the value of resistance stored in memory, and outputs the magnitude of the resistance in digital form.

Abstract: A remote telemetry metering system, includes one or more battery-powered metering units and a central data collection unit, each including a radio transceiver. The central data collection unit transmits a signal including power down time information and transmits instructions, which is received by each metering unit. Each metering unit extracts the power down time information and transmits instructions from the signal and, if appropriate, transmits data in response to the data transmit instructions; this data being collected by the central data collection unit. The metering units then interrupt the power supply to their transceivers for a period of time which is dependent upon the power down time information. The central data collection unit delays, for a slightly longer period of time before transmitting a further signal via its transceiver, at which time the power supply to the transceiver of each metering unit has already been resumed.

Abstract: A system includes a medication dispensing device that is adapted for dispensing a medication to a patient at a predetermined time interval and includes a method for the detection of the timely removal of the medication from the device. When the medication is not timely removed from the device a signal of non-compliance is generated and is received by an alarm system that is adapted to summon help. According to a first embodiment the alarm system places a telephone call to a care-giver or, if the care-giver is unresponsive, to an alternate care-giver who in turn makes contact with the patient. According to a second embodiment the alarm system places a telephone call to a central monitoring station which attempts to make contact with the patient by use of a two-way speaker phone that is included in the alarm system.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dialing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: A touchpad, which may include a keypad array, digitizing tablet, touch screen or an electronic mouse, is operable through a suitable dielectric medium, operating by capacitive effect and suitable for use as a computer interface in conjunction with a monitor screen, or as a computer input device in a number of applications, for example, as a cash till keypad.

Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard utilizing ten keys which are activated in pairs to produced coding signal representing alphabetic symbols of a conventional computer keyboard. The keyboard is operated as a replacement or in parallel with a conventional computer keyboard. Each key corresponds in position with each finger on a hand. By pressing two keys, unique letters and functions are produced. As the number of unique binary combinations of ten elements is 45, the ten-key keyboard system is capable of representing at least 26 characters plus the function keys of a standard 101-key computer keyboard. The structure enables greater speed through efficiency in finger movement and easy learning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker control arrangement that is reliable, accurate and cost-effective to manufacture, install and maintain. This circuit breaker arrangement also provides increased modularity by alleviating the need for installing wires to connect each circuit breaker with the control station. The present invention uses circuit breakers that contain internal control technology for interrupting and establishing an associated current path. At least one coded signal designates each circuit breaker, and a communication bus carries these coded signals to each circuit breaker. Decoding technology located on each circuit breaker determines whether the coded signal corresponds to that circuit breaker. If the coded signal does correspond to that circuit breaker, then the decoding technology responds by sending the appropriate response signal over the communication bus, and the circuit breaker's internal control technology either interrupts or establishes the associated current path.

Abstract: Self leveling apparatus that includes a frame, a device that is to be leveled, and a leveling mechanism such as a double ring gimbal having an inner gimbal ring and an outer gimbal ring. The outer gimbal ring is secured to the frame and the inner gimbal ring is secured to the device and to the outer ring. The inner ring comprises a viscous or preloaded bearing that allows the device to swing around an inner ring axle to thereby level itself in that axis and prevent spurious movement of the device. The outer gimbal ring and inner gimbal ring are attached by outer axles that comprise a viscous or preloaded bearing that allow the inner gimbal ring to swing around the outer axles thereby level the inner gimbal ring in that axis and prevent spurious movement of the device. A disclosed embodiment of the invention includes a magnetometer sensor that is coupled to signal processing and telemetry electronics and a power source that are leveled to keep axes of the sensor oriented along horizontal and vertical axes.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to materials and methods useful for monitoring and management of certain pests well as other biotic and abiotic factors. The invention is particularly well suited for the control of social insect pests, and particularly, termites. The invention concerns methods and apparatuses for monitoring pest activity and presenting a toxicant. The invention is useful as part of an Integrated Pest Management Program and can significantly enhance the efficacy, efficiency and convenience of the management program.

Abstract: The device provides a signal to an electronic appliance and is used in a system including a plurality of electronic appliances connected in series so that they can transmit and receive information and control signals amongst each other, with the transmission and reception of the information signals being controlled by a control apparatus. The system includes a preceding apparatus and a succeeding apparatus connected in series with the preceding apparatus. The device includes a first terminal that transmits and receives information and control signals to and from the preceding apparatus, and a second terminal that transmits and receives information and control signals to and from the succeeding apparatus. The second terminal also receives a predetermined control signal from the succeeding apparatus. The predetermined control signal indicates whether the succeeding apparatus is connected to a terminal of the preceding apparatus. The device also includes a switching unit and a processor.

Abstract: A bearing is mounted within a housing having an acoustic-electric transducer mounted on its outside. A stationary annular outer race has at least one sensor, an electric-acoustic transducer, and an electronic system interconnecting the sensor and the electric-acoustic transducer. The electric-acoustic transducer is mounted in an opening extending radially through the stationary race. The electric-acoustic transducer has an elastic cap pressed into the inside of the housing by a spring. An alternative configuration, having at least one sensor mounted on a rotatable inner race, without a hard-wired connection through the bearing housing, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention overcome the difficulties of balancing paired LVDT probes via provision of a quick and inexpensive process that can be implemented in either hardware or software. In particular, a software method is provided for determining a balance correction factor for paired probes in a LVDT gauging system. The balance correction factor is found through a procedure in which an operator moves a part under measurement within a fixture to which the probes are installed. The balance correction factor is then used to mathematically normalize A/D counts from individual paired probe circuits into a single result for each pair.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the horsepower transmitted by the drive shaft of an automotive vehicle, by determining the torque on the shaft through the measurement of the resistance of an included strain gauge, yet without the need for a power supply, such as a battery, being on the rotating shaft itself.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus includes a reserving circuit for reserving transmission of data, a communicating circuit for performing data communication, and a communication control circuit for determining transmission destinations for a plurality of data reserved by the reserving circuit and simultaneously transmitting all data destined to a given transmission destination to this destination.

Abstract: A combined technology event detection device for detection of an event such as movement and/or body temperature, such as an intrusion detection device. The event detection device includes: a passive infrared (PIR) sensor to generate a first output signal in response to detection of an event; a microwave sensor to generate a second output signal in response to detection of an event; a logic device to receive the first and second output signals, which activates an alarm in response thereto; and a fault monitoring system.