Abstract: An accurate measure of normally operating noise is required for a useful noise measurement system. A device is needed to make a representative measure of the boat's acoustic power using measured boat sound level with integrated corrections for sensed distance to the boat and measured ambient sound level. This device needs to make this measurement process invisible, automatic, and accurate from a law enforcement point of view.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for collaboratively generating characteristic data regarding at least one characteristic of a component. A querying ontological data structure is provided for structuring characteristic data transmitted across the network. A querying communicator which is connected to the network generates and structures based upon the querying ontological structure a first query which regards a first characteristic of the component and wherein the first query is to be sent across the network. The first component characteristic communicator which is connected to the network receives via the network the generated first query from the querying communicator. A first component characteristic determinator which is connected to the first characteristic communicator determines first characteristic data regarding the first characteristic of the component based upon the first query.

Abstract: A closed loop feedback control for enhancing the response of electrorheological fluid having a light source and a photodetector measuring the light transmission through the electrorheological fluid. A manually controllable signal generator generates a reference signal indicative of the desired transmission through the electrorheological fluid. A control amplifier responsive to the difference between the measured transmission and the reference signal changes the value of the electric field being applied across the electrorheological. The change in the electric field selected to significantly reduce the time required for the electrorheological fluid to change from its current state to the desired state.