Abstract: A navigation guidance system is provided which gives direction information from a remote server to a mobile user unit for guiding the user from their current location. The user unit may be a mobile telephone, PDA or the like. A navigation query is transmitted from the user to the remote server. A GPS receiver or the like is provided so that the current location of the mobile unit can also be determined and provided to the remote server. Based on the information received from the user, the server determines appropriate route guidance information and sends this back to the user. In a preferred form of the invention, the data is transmitted between the user unit and the remote server using DTMF tones which are encoded so that no two consecutive tones are identical.

Abstract: An enclosure for use in a cable management system includes an outer shell having a generally rectangular shape and defining an interior space, the outer shell including a bottom panel, a top panel and first and second sidewalls. A first reversible mounting bracket is provided for connection to the bottom panel, and a second mounting bracket is provided for connection to the top panel. The first and second mounting brackets can include means for supporting cable management devices. The mounting brackets can each include a generally L-shaped member having a first portion positioned adjacent to the top or bottom panel, and a second section positioned substantially perpendicular to the top or bottom panel. The means for supporting cable management devices can include a master plate that can be mounted between the brackets. The master plate can define one or more openings for attachment of the cable management devices.

Abstract: An enclosure for use in a cable management system includes an outer shell having a generally rectangular shape and defining an interior space. The outer shell includes a bottom wall and a sidewall, with the sidewall defining a sidewall opening for access to the interior space. The bottom wall includes a curved portion adjacent to a first edge. A tray positioned within the interior of the enclosure includes a curved portion positioned adjacent to a first edge of the tray. The first edge of the bottom wall and the first edge of the tray are positioned adjacent to each other such that the curved portion of the bottom wall and the curved portion of the tray together form a first radius control structure positioned adjacent to the sidewall opening.

Abstract: A method for preparing a copper pad surface for electrical connection that has superior diffusion barrier and adhesion properties is provided. In the method, a copper pad surface is first provided that has been cleaned by an acid solution, a protection layer of a phosphorus or boron-containing metal alloy is then deposited on the copper pad surface, and then an adhesion layer of a noble metal is deposited on top of the protection layer. The protection layer may be a single layer, or two or more layers intimately joined together formed of a phosphorus or boron-containing metal alloy such as Ni-P, Co-P, Co-W-P, Co-Sn-P, Ni-W-P, Co-B, Ni-B, Co-Sn-B, Co-W-B and Ni-W-B to a thickness between about 1,000 Å and about 10,000 Å. The adhesion layer can be formed of a noble metal such as Au, Pt, Pd and Ag to a thickness between about 500 Å and about 4,000 Å.

Abstract: Liquid gauging system for liquid in a container includes a plurality of sensors; each of the sensors measuring a respective parameter of the liquid in the container and producing a sensor output related to its measured parameter; there being at least two sensors that measure different parameters of the liquid; and a processor that receives the sensor outputs and determines, based on the sensor outputs, a quantity of the liquid in the container; the processor determining the quantity by executing at least one sensor fusion algorithm that is based on a set of relationships between the measured parameters and the quantity. The gauging system can also include a data fusion process for determining quantity based on a plurality of quantity measurements.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimized solution of positions for N liquid surface sensors used to gauge quantity of liquid in the container, comprising the steps of:a) defining geometric limits of the container in terms of coordinates of a three axis (x,y,z) reference coordinate system assigned to the container;b) defining a chromosome structure for an individual, wherein said chromosome structure identifies a solution in terms of position data of the N sensors;c) determining a population of individuals wherein each individual in said population is a possible solution within said geometric limits; each individual having a respective chromosome; andd) executing a genetic algorithm on said population to identify a solution that meets a performance criteria as measured by a predetermined cost function.

Abstract: The output response of an image processing system having a color printer and a color printer characterization is linearized by printing a target image having target patches of differing color densities. After measuring printed patches, a calibration transform is generated that incorporates the relationship between requested and measured color densities. The calibration transform is then composed with the characterization, calibrating the printer characterization.

Abstract: A rugged electronic pressure scanner which is capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions is provided with a transducer per port configuration. Internal multiplexing, amplification and integral calibration valve permit on-line calibrations. The construction of a plurality of individual transducer modules each containing its own electronics permits field replacement of individual pressure transducer modules in the event of destruction or inoperativeness.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fishing rod formed from one or more lengths of rod material each length of which has a polygonal cross-section such as a hexagon or pentagon. Each length is formed from a number of triangular section elements having a base part of a fibre reinforced plastics and an apex part of a rigid plastics foam. The triangular section elements are bonded together with the base parts forming the outer wall of the section and the apex parts forming an inner core to resist collapse of the section when it is heavily bowed.

Abstract: A process for forming a self-aligned resist mask over a surface of an alumina ceramic substrate having a conductive molybdenum pattern at said surface by first blanket coating the surface with a negative resist sensitive to aluminum emitting X-rays. A blanket dosing of the substrate with resist insensitive X-rays occurs to induce X-ray emission by the aluminum of said substrate to penetrate said resist. The aluminum X-ray emission is screened by said molybdenum pattern at the surface and the resist adjacent the surface molybdenum pattern is penetrated by the aluminum X-ray emission. The resist is developed for removal thereof over the molybdenum pattern while retaining the resist doped by said aluminum X-ray emission. Further metalization can be accomplished by evaporation or sputtering to blanket coat the developed resist with a conductive metal followed by removal of the resist with the metal coating thereon such that the metal coating is retained on the molybdenum pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for separating liquid from solids entrained therein, which solids, preferably paint particles emanating from a paint spray booth are capable of floating on the liquid. The liquid and solids are entrained in a collector which is open to atmosphere and in which a Coanda - type flow prevails so that the solids are collected as a skin on the surface of the liquid. In one embodiment the level of the liquid is raised so that the skin slips over a lip and out of the collector, leaving the liquid behind; in another embodiment the skin is collected behind a restraining device which is moved to allow the skin to flow through an outlet therefor, again leaving the liquid behind.

Abstract: Our invention relates to improved devices for supporting in upright position, containers for plants, flowers, liquids, etc. during transportation of same, or when located in exposed situations, comprising a "knock-down" base, resilient elements releasably and adjustably secured thereto and carrying receptacle engaging elements.

Abstract: A ventilated enclosure, for example a paint-spraying booth, is divided into two or more zones by one or more isolating curtains of rapidly-flowing air. One longitudinal curtain is used on each side of the object to be treated in the enclosure, to provide a central longitudinal zone for the surface treatment process and two side zones for the workmen. The two curtains converge downwardly toward each other so that the ventilating air flowing downwardly between the curtains exits from the central zone largely by way of the space between said objects. Transverse curtains and/or additional longitudinal curtains may also be used with special advantages, particularly when the speeds and positions of the curtains are specially selected.