Abstract: A method of treating macular degeneration comprising a specific dietary regimen. The regimen includes lipids as approximately 70% or more of daily caloric content, protein up to 10%-15% of daily caloric content; and carbohydrates up to 25% or less of daily caloric content, primarily in the form of non-starchy, low-glycemic fresh fruit and vegetables, and nuts, average daily cholesterol intake of less than 10 mg, and 30 grams of cocoa solids.

Abstract: A method of treating cholesterol imbalance, high LDLs, and other metabolic syndrome problems and symptoms of osteoarthritis. The regimen preferred embodiment includes lipids as 60% or more of daily caloric content, protein up to 10%-15% of daily caloric content; and carbohydrates up to 25% or less of daily caloric content, primarily in the form of non-starchy, low-glycemic fresh fruit and vegetables, and nuts, along with a daily intake of 35 grams of dietary fiber, with a significant percentage of this as soluble fiber; average daily cholesterol intake of less than 10 mg, and 30 grams of cocoa solids.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the extraction of espresso coffee from ground coffee beans in which the pressure of extraction is precisely regulated by a pressure valve and is not dependent on coffee grind size, degree of compaction of the coffee grind, or operator skill. A feature of the invention is in an assembly of the brewing chamber and regulator valve for convenient removal and attachment to an espresso machine as a unit without otherwise modifying the machine. The assembly is configurable with the regulator valve within a common housing which also defines the brewing chamber, or with a regulator valve separate from the brewing chamber assembly but attached to an outlet of the brewing chamber.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a cylindrically shaped rotating cam having a small radius portion and a large radius portion that are spaced from each other along a circumference of cylinder. A ball is seated against the cam. The ball is forced outward when it is seated in the small radius portion of the cam, and is allowed to move inward when it is seated in the large radius portion of the cam. A first hollow latch pin is provided, having an indentation at one point on the outer surface thereof into which the ball can seat. A second smaller size latch pin, also having an indentation in one point on the outer surface thereof into which the ball can seat, is insertable within the first hollow latch pin, to thereby allow multiple objects to be secured by the latch mechanism. A housing supports and facilitates movement of the cam, the ball and the two latch pins.

Abstract: Light weight, compact electronic image displays are provided which have flat profiles and which can be configured as direct view or projection displays. An improved cathode-ray tube utilizing two or more electron guns simultaneously produces two or more lines in separate phosphor stripes on the faceplate of cathode-ray tube, one phosphor for each electron gun. A vertical raster is produced mechanically by a rotating mirror mechanism and is positioned on a screen by way of optical elements. A controller and frame buffer synchronize electron gun output and vertical raster scanner operation to produce a bright, high resolution, converged image.

Abstract: The present application discloses an on-demand, portable mass data storage device useful for navigational planning and other applications. One embodiment comprises a flight planning apparatus having a formatted database and a processor control system which accesses the database in response to user inputs. User inputs are prompted to be coordinated with the formatting of the database to provide for optimal accessing. Particular data records may then be retrieved from the database in response to individualized user inputs, for example, in conjunction with flight planning in which particular approach and other navigational aids must be filtered from a large volume of similar information. In the preferred embodiment, sorting of the information may be done on either a geographic or a named basis. Output of the system comprises information which the user find necessary for the particular planning application.

Abstract: Access to a complete data base stored on optical disk media is limited to portions of the data base to which individual users are entitled by provision of an additional code on the optical disk, indicating the portions of the data base which the customers may access. The disk reader comprises an additional reader for reading the additional code and means for preventing access to other portions of the data base. The additional code may be conventional bar code.

Abstract: The production of acid and base is effected by the electrolysis of a metal halide salt solution across an ion-exchange membrane. The base is removed directly from the cathode and the hydrogen and halogen gases produced at the electrodes are reacted in a catalytic column to form the acid. This gas is absorbed by water to form an aqueous hydrogen halide acid solution. Such a system can be operated automatically and on a small scale.

Abstract: A closed water recycling system produces potable drinking water from total domestic waste-water, including household sewage. The system includes filtration and demineralization units. An electronic controller, which is preferably a microprocessor, monitors the operation of the system and automatically cleans the filter assembly, operates the demineralizer when the monitored variables indicate this is necessary, acts as a failsafe monitor to insure water quality, and shuts down the system in case of a malfunction. For example, the demineralizer may include acid and base regenerated resin beds in an ion-exchange system. When a monitor indicates that the beds require regeneration, acid and base regenerating solutions are supplied to the beds. The flow of regenerating solution and rinse is controlled by the electronics which sense conditions at the bed outlet.

Abstract: A closed water recycling system produces portable drinking water from total domestic waste-water, including household sewage. A microprocessor monitors the operation of the system and automatically back-flushes the ultra-filter assembly, regenerates the ion exchange bed when the monitored variables indicate this is necessary, and acts as a failsafe monitor to insure water quality by shutting down the system in case of a malfunction. For example, the bed includes acid and base regenerated resins having different specific gravities. When a monitor indicates that the bed requires regeneration, a water flush separates resins by specific gravity. Acid and bas regenerating solutions are supplied to opposite sides of the bed. The flow of regenerating solution is stopped when the salt band produced during regeneration approaches an outlet at the middle of the bed.