Abstract: A holder, electrical supply, and optional radio frequency transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit's power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an radio frequency transmitter in the unit, and the resulting radio frequency signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

Abstract: A replaceable instrument mechanism for a haptic device comprises a coupler having a coupler body adapted to be connected to an output end of the haptic device. A force transmission mechanism is connected to the coupler body, has a movable connector displaceable along one degree-of-freedom with respect to the coupler body, and is connected to a force feedback system of the haptic device so as to receive force feedback from the haptic device and impart the force feedback to the movable connector. An instrument has an instrument body having a connector end releasably secured to the second end of the coupler body so as to be displaceable with the coupler. A handle portion is manually actuatable in one degree-of-freedom with respect to the instrument body to simulate an operation performed with the instrument.

Abstract: A system for interfacing with an audio player comprises a housing (110, 410) containing a first connector (111, 411), a transmission device (120, 420) including a second connector (121, 421) capable of removable engagement with the first connector, a power interface (130, 430) electrically coupled to the housing, and an audio interface (140, 440) electrically coupled to the housing and capable of being coupled to the audio player. The transmission device is connectable both to the housing and to the audio player directly, and is capable of transmitting an audio signal generated by the audio player to a playback device such as a radio.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery pack can be configured to power an electronic device having a first battery. The rechargeable battery pack can comprise a second battery supplemental to the first battery, an external power input configured to couple to an external power source, a power output for powering the electronic device. The rechargeable battery pack can also comprise a first circuit comprising a first power path between the external power input and the power output, a second power path between the second battery and the power output, and a power switch set. When the external power source is decoupled from the external power input, the first power path is disabled by the power switch set, and the second power path is enabled by the power switch set. When the external power source is coupled to the external power input, the first power path is enabled by the power switch set, and the second power path is disabled by the power switch set. Other examples and embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A power supply system capable of providing electric power to an electronic device having a first battery includes a battery pack (100) and an attachment apparatus (300). The battery pack includes a body (110) having at least a first recess (221), a second battery inside the body, and at least one of a first circuit (500) capable of dynamically changing a charge current supplied to the second battery based on a power consumption level of the electronic device, and a second circuit (600) capable of dynamically switching the electronic device between a recharging state and a non-recharging state depending on a status of the battery pack. The attachment apparatus includes a frame (310), an extension (350) protruding from the frame, and attachment features (461) suitable for working with the recess to attach the battery pack and the attachment apparatus to each other and to the electronic device.

Abstract: A system for manipulating the appearance of a video signal includes an input, a user interface, and a processor. The input receives a video signal displayable as a video image in an active video field. The video image includes a plurality of sections. The user interface accepts a user input to select one of the plurality of sections. The processor manipulates the video signal to display the selected one or more of the plurality of sections of the video image on a display associated with the user.

Abstract: A method of encoding video signals includes obtaining, averaging, offsetting, and replacing steps. In the obtaining step, a first value comprising a value of a video characteristic for a first portion of a first video signal and a second value comprising a value of the video characteristic for a second portion of a second video signal are obtained. In the averaging step, the first value and the second value are averaged to obtain an average value. In the offsetting step, the average value is offset by a first predetermined offset to obtain a first offset value and the average value is offset by a second predetermined offset to obtain a second offset value. In the replacing step, the first value is replaced with the first offset value on the first signal and the second value is replaced with the second offset value on the second video signal.

Abstract: A personal video display device includes first and second display screens and a controller connected to the screens for showing video signals received from a source. The controller selectively switches between a two-dimensional mode and a three-dimensional mode based solely on the received video signals.

Abstract: A holder, electrical supply, and optional radio frequency transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit's power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an radio frequency transmitter in the unit, and the resulting radio frequency signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

Abstract: This invention is an improved distillation sequence for the separation and purification of ethylene from a cracked gas. A hydrocarbon feed enters a C2 distributor column. The top of the C2 distributor column is thermally coupled to an ethylene distributor column, and the bottoms liquid of a C2 distributor column feeds a deethanizer column. The C2 distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The top of the ethylene distributor is thermally coupled with a demethanizer column, and the bottoms liquid of the ethylene distributor feeds a C2 splitter column. The ethylene distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The deethanizer and C2 splitter columns are also thermally coupled and operated at a substantially lower pressure than the C2 distributor column, the ethylene distributor column, and the demethanizer column. Alternatively, a hydrocarbon feed enters a deethanizer column.

Abstract: A holder, electrical supply, and optional RF transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit's power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an RF transmitter in the unit, and the resulting RF signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

Abstract: A system for interfacing with an audio player comprises a housing (110, 410) containing a first connector (111, 411), a transmission device (120, 420) including a second connector (121, 421) capable of removable engagement with the first connector, a power interface (130, 430) electrically coupled to the housing, and an audio interface (140, 440) electrically coupled to the housing and capable of being coupled to the audio player. The transmission device is connectable both to the housing and to the audio player directly, and is capable of transmitting an audio signal generated by the audio player to a playback device such as a radio.

Abstract: A replaceable instrument mechanism for a haptic device comprises a coupler having a coupler body adapted to be connected to an output end of the haptic device. A force transmission mechanism is connected to the coupler body, has a movable connector displaceable along one degree-of-freedom with respect to the coupler body, and is connected to a force feedback system of the haptic device so as to receive force feedback from the haptic device and impart the force feedback to the movable connector. An instrument has an instrument body having a connector end releasably secured to the second end of the coupler body so as to be displaceable with the coupler. A handle portion is manually actuatable in one degree-of-freedom with respect to the instrument body to simulate an operation performed with the instrument.

Abstract: A power supply system capable of providing electric power to an electronic device having a first battery includes a battery pack (100) and an attachment apparatus (300). The battery pack includes a body (110) having at least a first recess (221), a second battery inside the body, and at least one of a first circuit (500) capable of dynamically changing a charge current supplied to the second battery based on a power consumption level of the electronic device, and a second circuit (600) capable of dynamically switching the electronic device between a recharging state and a non-recharging state depending on a status of the battery pack. The attachment apparatus includes a frame (310), an extension (350) protruding from the frame, and attachment features (461) suitable for working with the recess to attach the battery pack and the attachment apparatus to each other and to the electronic device.

Abstract: A holder, electrical supply, and optional RF transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit's power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an RF transmitter in the unit, and the resulting RF signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

Abstract: This invention is an improved distillation sequence for the separation and purification of ethylene from a cracked gas. A hydrocarbon feed enters a C2 distributor column. The top of the C2 distributor column is thermally coupled to an ethylene distributor column, and the bottoms liquid of a C2 distributor column feeds a deethanizer column. The C2 distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The top of the ethylene distributor is thermally coupled with a demethanizer column, and the bottoms liquid of the ethylene distributor feeds a C2 splitter column. The ethylene distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The deethanizer and C2 splitter columns are also thermally coupled and operated at a substantially lower pressure than the C2 distributor column, the ethylene distributor column, and the demethanizer column. Alternatively, a hydrocarbon feed enters a deethanizer column.

Abstract: A method of detecting oil aerosol in an air flow. The contaminated air is passed between an electrode (11) and an electrically conductive catalyst (14), and an electrical discharge therebetween causes electrostatic precipitation of oil on to the catalyst. Air flow and discharge are stopped, and the catalyst is heated with the air substantially stagnant until the catalytic combustion temperature of the oil is reached. The heat generation due to such combustion is sensed and used to produce an output signal indicative of the quantity of deposited oil.

Abstract: The invention concerns the detection of contaminant in a stream of gas. Pious methods have either been insufficiently sensitive or have been slow and needed skilled operatives. The present invention allows speedy operation with relatively unskilled operatives. A piezo electrical crystal oscillator (1) is allowed to oscillate for a known period of time and the number of oscillations is counted. For a known time the crystal is exposed to contaminant, and is then allowed to oscillate again for the same period of time as before and the oscillations again counted. The difference in number of oscillations is a measure of the mass of contaminant deposited on the crystal (1). The period of oscillation of the first crystal is determined by a second matched crystal oscillator (2) in which the crystal is exposed to the same environment but not in contaminant. The apparatus has the advantage of being self-zeroing, and the exposed crystal (1) does not need cleaning after each use.