Abstract: A process for preparing pepperoni, includes the steps of preparing the meat mixture by grinding and mixing to specification. The sausage is stuffed into casings or is extruded into sheet form for fermentation and cooking, following cooling and slicing or dicing. The resulting product is dried in a perforated drum dryer where it is exposed to a relatively warm forced air stream which dries and also assists in conveying the product through the dryer. The dried sausage is then typically passed to a chiller or freezer.

Abstract: A data acquisition system including at least a speaker and a microphone coupled to a two-way radio, in addition to audio recording circuitry and multi-use audio memory coupled to the microphone. The system may further include a video camera lens, an image sensor for receiving images through the camera lens, video recording circuitry, and rewriteable digital video memory. Intercoupling of the various devices included in the system may be via either wired communication or wireless radio frequency communication. All components of the system may be contained in a single housing, such as a speaker microphone. Alternatively, the various components may be distributed in several interconnected modules. The system may further include a light source having at least one light-emitting diode. The various components are powered by an electro-chemical power supply, which may be either integral with the two-way radio or separate therefrom.