Abstract: The invention measures the flow of a liquid by measuring the effect of that flow on a laser beam which travels from a laser source, through the flow, and landing upon a detector oriented to receive that laser source. Interfaces within the flow stream will refract the laser beam and cause variations in strength of the energy reaching the detector. These variations in the forward scatter occur at audio and super audio frequencies. The flow rate is proportional to audio frequency which can be measured and correlated by comparison to known flow rates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method apparatus for detecting marginal gradation changes of a controlled product on a conveyor. The apparatus comprises a transducer (4) for converting swinging motion to a number of pulses; a member (24) operably secured to the transducer, the member for being in contact with the controlled product to cause the member to swing back and forth, thereby causing the transducer to generate the number of pulses; and a programmable device (28) operably connected to the transducer, the device being adapted to count the number of pulses generated by the transducer over several blocks of time periods, compare the number in each block of time to a group of reference numbers for the product, sum the number of occurrences that the number is above or below the group of reference numbers and provide an indication when the sum exceeds a target value.

Abstract: A system and method and system for controlling distribution of software to an user in a multitiered distribution chain. The system includes at least one entity that distributes the software in a locked software container, and includes means for receiving a request from the user to use the software. The method and system further includes a license clearing house for controlling usage rights of the software. The license clearing house includes means for receiving the request from the at least one entity, means for validating the request, means for generating a unique authentication certificate if the request was validated, and means for sending a reply to the user. The reply includes the authentication certificate and a master key, where the master key unlocks the software container and enables the user to use the software, and the authentication certificate identifies the user as an authorized user of the software.

Abstract: A proximity sensing apparatus comprising a capacitor and means for detecting the change in capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises two capacitive elements that are insulated from each other and are relatively movable. With at least one of the capacitive elements formed from an electrically conducting liquid. The capacitance detecting means operate as a switch in response to the change in capacitance producing a binary output. This output being combined with a series of other outputs from a series of such proximity sensors to form an apparatus to determine position of an object, particularly a liquid level.

Abstract: A system for determining a maximum length digital sequence is constructed by selecting a Mersenne Prime integer and a primitive polynomial having an ORDER equal to the Mersenne Prime integer. An arbitrarily selected mask m is either provided to the transmitter and receiver, or constructed, at either, or both. The mask is used to create a decimated M sequence, and work backwards to define a recursion rule vector r which is associated with another primitive polynomial corresponding to the decimated M sequence. This recursion rule vector r is used to create a new feedback shift register which produces a maximum length sequence. An initialization vector i is provided to the transmitter and receiver and used as an initial load of the shift register. A selected stage of this register is exclusive-ORed ("XORed") with each bit of a plaintext message to be sent to result in cipher text.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator includes a cylindrical connecter, a lamp cover combined with the connecter, and an electric conducting unit arranged in the lamp cover. The connecter has an air guide disc to press open an air valve of a tire to let air in the tire flow out into the connecter, If the air pressure in the tire is sufficient, a bellows in the connecter expands inward to push an inverted T-shaped disc inward, which then pushes inward a battery laterally put in an insulating ring so that the negative of the battery disconnected from a negative washer fitted on the inverted T-shaped disc, turning off an LED lamp fixed in the lamp cover. If the air pressure in the tire is insufficient, the bellows shrinks back, permitting the battery move back by elasticity of a spring and contact with the negative washer as to turn on the lamp.

Abstract: A communication method that can easily carry out cipher communication. At the caller, a secret key is produced based on data including the caller's own telephone number and the telephone number of the called station, and then image data is transmitted after enciphering it based on that secret key. At the called station, modem signal data including the telephone number of the caller transmitted during the ring off period of the call tone is received, the telephone number of the caller is detected from among that received data and a secret key is produced based on the telephone numbers of the caller and the called station. Afterwards when coded data is received, the coded data is deciphered based on that secret key and printed out.

Abstract: A programmable leak tester is implemented to include the ability for performing a math step in conjunction with the program steps. The math step can use as inputs the result of a previous step, a register value, or a previous compensation or calibration value. As outputs, the math step can provide a compensation or calibration value for use in the execution of another program, can provide a register output, or can be provided as the step result for the current step. By using multiple math steps, the programmable tester provides flexible and adaptable leak testing in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Concentration measurement equipment is calibrated by performing a concentration measurement on a reference standard sample which includes a radioactive marker element. Because a count of decay products can be correlated with the number of atoms of the radioactive marker element, a precise count of decay products of the radioactive marker element is used to calculate an otherwise unknown number of atoms of the radioactive marker element on the reference standard sample. The calculated number of atoms of radioactive marker element is then used to calibrate a concentration measurement of the radioactive marker element by the concentration measurement device. Suitable radioactive marker elements for use in calibrating concentration measurement equipment include Pm-147 and Tc-99.

Abstract: The apparatus (101, 110) and method for authentication is provided by generating R and encrypting it using a selected algorithm K as the key in a primary station, encrypting the verification key, V using R as the key and encrypting the result using K as the key, transmitting both pieces of information (VAR1 and VAR3) to the secondary station (110), using K to decrypt VAR1 and VAR3 to obtain R and eventually V which is encrypted using R in the secondary station (110)verifying authenticity of the primary station (101) if the decrypted V matches the secret key portion of V that is stored at the secondary station (110).

Abstract: A restaurant transaction processing system which employs low-cost cordless phone transceivers to transmit orders. A server includes a first cordless telephone transceiver. A portable computer includes a second cordless telephone transceiver and transfers order data to the first computer. The first and second cordless telephone transceivers preferably operate at frequencies designated by the FCC and have a transmission range less than five thousand feet. A typical frequency of operation is in a frequency band near 900 MHz. The system may also include a kitchen terminal which is coupled to the server through a network, and a transaction processing terminal which is also coupled to the server through the network. The server maintains transaction data, routes orders to the kitchen terminal, and routes order ready signals from the kitchen terminal to the portable computer. The transaction processing terminal completes payment for the orders.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the exhaust flowrate from an internal combustion engine (112) includes a laminar flowmeter (116). The flowmeter includes a capillary section (18) of ceramic material including an array of capillary tubes. Signals from a differential pressure sensor (128) which measures pressure loss across the capillary section as well as an absolute pressure sensor (126) and a temperature sensor (130) are input to a computer (134). The computer is programmed to calculate the flowrate of exhaust gas from the engine through its operating range.

Abstract: A system and method for delivery of cardioplegic solution to the heart of a patient incorporates novel venturi flow cells individually adapted for insertion in the blood and crystalloid solution lines together with transducers for measuring a pressure drop across each venturi flow cell and transmitting it to a microprocessor to calculate flow rate for display on a monitor. The novel self-venting and self-priming transducers and venturi flow cells are incorporated in a disposable cassette. The transducers in the disposable cassette are removably snap connected to a hand set or plug housing which communicates with the computer or microprocessor and monitor. A novel variable ratio valve permits infinitely variable ratios of blood and crystalloid solution.

Abstract: A method of preventing the inserting of a wrong flowmeter tube into an anesthesia machine comprises the steps of forming a selected number of longitudinal ridges at selected places on the inside surface of an upper portion of a flowmeter tube, attempting to insert the upper end portion into a socket pin mounted on the housing of a anesthesia machine, seating the tube on the socket pin if the socket pin exterior surface has grooves corresponding to the number and placement of ridges on the flowmeter tube, and rejecting the tube by the socket pin if the socket pin exterior surface does not have grooves corresponding to the number and placement of the ridges on the flowmeter tube, since the lack of said correspondences indicates that the tube is the wrong tube for the socket pin.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a spring assembly for a gauge with a hollow metal tube that changes in volume in response to differential pressures applied across the walls. The tube has a neck connected to a fitting of the gauge, a body connected at one end to the neck with its other end sealed, and at least a portion of the walls of the body being flattened and cold worked to a reduced thickness to thereby increase their yield point to a spring temper. The body is coiled into a spiral or helix. The coiled tube is heat treated to increase its elasticity. The interior of the neck is in pressure communication with the fitting, and the interior of the body is in pressure communication through its unsealed end with the interior of the neck, whereby a change in the pressure applied to the fitting is communicated along the interior of the body changing the differential pressure across the walls of the body to cause a corresponding change in the volume.

Abstract: A level detector or proximity detector for materials capable of sensing through plastic container walls or encapsulating materials is of the sensor. Thus, it can be used in corrosive environments, as well as in a wide variety of applications. An antenna has a characteristic impedance which depends on the materials in proximity to the antenna. An RF oscillator, which includes the antenna and is based on a single transistor in a Colpitt's configuration, produces an oscillating signal. A detector is coupled to the oscillator which signals changes in the oscillating signal caused by changes in the materials in proximity to the antenna. The oscillator is turned on and off at a pulse repetition frequency with a low duty cycle to conserve power. The antenna consists of a straight monopole about one-quarter wavelength long at the nominal frequency of the oscillator.

Abstract: A system for measuring fluid flow in a conduit having a gradual bend or arc, and a straight section. The system includes pressure transducers, one or more disposed in the conduit on the outside of the arc, and one disposed in the conduit in a straight section thereof. The pressure transducers measure the pressure of fluid in the conduit at the locations of the pressure transducers and this information is used by a computational device to calculate fluid flow rate in the conduit. For multi-phase fluid, the density of the fluid is measured by another pair of pressure transducers, one of which is located in the conduit elevationally above the other. The computation device then uses the density measurement along with the fluid pressure measurements, to calculate fluid flow.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided with a piezoelectric measuring element which is positioned between two force-transmitting supports and exhibits anisotropic thermal expansion and lateral extension behavior relative thereto in a plane normal to the direction of force application. The piezoelectric measuring element, or the end regions of the two supports adjacent to the piezoelectric measuring element, are divided into several rod-, roller-, or rib-shaped elements, the two supports and the piezoelectric measuring element exhibiting essentially the same thermal expansion or lateral extension in longitudinal direction of the rod-, roller-, or rib-shaped elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an update method preference value (401) is determined as between a group update method and an individual update method for a wireless communication system (100). Also, a plurality of communication units are partitioned into at least one group, which at least one group is further partitioned into at least one subgroup (402). Once partitioned, a number of communication units in the at least one subgroup is determined (403) and, along with the update method preference value, is applied to a predetermined function to select an update method (404). The update method is used to update a communication unit parameter in communication units included in the at least one subgroup (405). Using this method, the update of communication unit parameters can be achieved automatically through the use of group and individual updates.

Abstract: A transmitter in a process control loop measures temperature. A calibrator includes a known calibration element which is connected to the transmitter. Software in the transmitter compares a measured value of the calibration element with the actual value of the calibration element and responsively calibrates the transmitter. The calibrator includes a temperature calibration sensor for coupling to a terminal block of the transmitter. The temperature calibration sensor provides an actual temperature input to the transmitter. The transmitter measures actual temperature of the terminal block and compares actual temperature with a temperature measured by an internal terminal block temperature sensor, and responsively calibrates the internal temperature sensor.