Abstract: A first instruction is provided to add the contents of a container to the reservoir bowl portion of a tree stand, where the material includes an amount of a SuperAbsorbent Polymer (SAP). A second instruction is provided to add ice. In one example, an assembly includes a container, where the SAP is in the container, and where the container bears the instructions. This assembly is provided to the user. The user follows the instructions, and pours the contents into the reservoir bowl, and then adds ice to the reservoir bowl. The melting ice hydrates the SAP. The hydrated SAP then transfers moisture to a cut tree held by the stand. Water is replenished by adding more ice. No water must be poured or handled to hydrate the tree, so spilling and difficulties associated with pouring volumes of water into the bowl portion are avoided. The SAP is reusable and biodegradable.

Abstract: A first instruction is provided to add the contents of a container to the reservoir bowl portion of a tree stand, where the material includes an amount of a SuperAbsorbent Polymer (SAP). A second instruction is provided to add ice. In one example, an assembly includes a container, where the SAP is in the container, and where the container bears the instructions. This assembly is provided to the user. The user follows the instructions, and pours the contents into the reservoir bowl, and then adds ice to the reservoir bowl. The melting ice hydrates the SAP. The hydrated SAP then transfers moisture to a cut tree held by the stand. Water is replenished by adding more ice. No water must be poured or handled to hydrate the tree, so spilling and difficulties associated with pouring volumes of water into the bowl portion are avoided. The SAP is reusable and biodegradable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for monitoring a chemical reaction proceeding from a first state to a second state by emitting and detecting radiation in ranges of interest for a spectral signature of the material undergoing the chemical reaction. Using the concept of optical spectral detection and identification, it is therefore possible to utilize a combination of specific emitters and detectors, optics and signal processing in order to identify materials and events.

Abstract: A system and method of automatic call handling allowing agent optimization in an automatic call distributor using voice recognition and speech synthesis technology. A speech synthesizer takes a script as input and generates speech as output. A prepared script includes speech input for the speech synthesizer. Connect a call with a call contact, speak to the call contact speech generated using the prepared script as input to the speech synthesizer, receive live agent voice input, and recognize agent speech.

Abstract: A system and method of automatic call handling allowing agent optimization in an automatic call distributor using voice recognition and speech synthesis technology. A speech synthesizer takes a script as input and generates speech as output. A prepared script includes speech input for the speech synthesizer. Connect a call with a call contact, speak to the call contact speech generated using the prepared script as input to the speech synthesizer, receive live agent voice input, and recognize agent speech.

Abstract: It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valve assembly of the general class aforedescribed having the capability of drawing-back the flow of product from the nozzle after valve closing, in a more accurate and precise manner, requiring few moving parts, without the need of external sources for moving any of the parts, and in a manner which automatically closes the discharge and thereafter creates the suck-back flow.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor generates information indicative of a distance to an object in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristic of the object. The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object in the field is a living plant or another object such as soil. Light emitted from the optical sensor for reflection off the object is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The optical sensor is scanned over the field to map objects in the field and/or to determine the location of rows of crop plants. A sensor in accordance with the present invention has many uses in agriculture including spraying, cultivation and vehicle guidance.

Abstract: An agricultural implement in accordance with the present invention includes a supporting member affixed to a farm vehicle, such as a tractor. The supporting member supports a plurality of sensors that each has a unique physical location along the supporting member such that the sensors traverse parallel paths as the vehicle moves across a field. Information gathered by the sensors can be combined with information as to the vehicle's position to create a map of the field. For example, information indicative of the presence or absence of weeds at specific locations in a field can be used to create a weed-map. To ensure that such maps accurately depict a field, the agricultural implement includes a control unit configured to automatically assign each sensor unit a unique address based upon the physical location of each sensor.

Abstract: Weeds growing around the bases of the stalks of cotton plants growing in a row in a cotton field are sprayed with herbicide without spraying the cotton stalks or wasting herbicide on bare ground. The cotton plants are adequately mature that their stalks exhibit a significantly different spectral reflectance characteristic than the weeds typically growing amid the cotton. The cotton plants are adequately tall that the majority of the leaves of the cotton plants are disposed outside the area which can be sprayed using an electronically-controlled valve and nozzle. Light is transmitted toward an object (a cotton stalk, a weed, or soil) in the row and the reflected light is analyzed. If the object has a spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is activated and the object is sprayed with herbicide.

Abstract: An agricultural implement (for example, a spray device) differentiates living plants growing in a field from background materials (such as soil) by detecting a change in slope of a reflectance characteristic of objects in a field of view. By using a change in slope of the reflectance characteristic, a small percentage of living plant material in the field of view can be detected and the agricultural implement need not be calibrated to a particular background material. In some embodiments, if the change in slope is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold amount, then it is determined that a weed likely exists in the field of view and a solenoid-operated spray valve is opened at the appropriate time to spray the entire area (including the weed) that was in the field of view with herbicide.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for spraying herbicide on weeds in a field without spraying herbicide on bare soil includes a photodetector circuit. The photodetector circuit includes a photodetector and an active filter. The photodetector is not AC coupled in parallel with an inductor/capacitor resonant circuit which tunes the active filter. As a result, changes in photodetector capacitance due to changes in ambient lighting conditions are not impressed across the resonant inductor/capacitor circuit and therefore do not adversely change the frequency and phase characteristics of the photodetector circuit.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor generates information indicative of a distance to an object in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristic of the object. The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object in the field is a living plant or another object such as soil. Light emitted from the optical sensor for reflection off the object is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The optical sensor is scanned over the field to map objects in the field and/or to determine the location of rows of crop plants. A sensor in accordance with the present invention has many uses in agriculture including spraying, cultivation and vehicle guidance.

Abstract: A parallel interface connects a data processor and a printer so that each may transmit information to the other or receive information from the other. The transmitted information from the data processor can be data or status signals. The data or status signals are transmitted over the same eight information lines between the data processor and the printer with a predetermined signal being sent over another line from the data processor to the printer prior to transmission over the eight lines to identify whether the transmitted information is data or status signals. The printer sends status signals to the data processor over the same eight information lines after sending a predetermined signal to the data processor over a further line that it is going to transmit.

Abstract: A memory management system for a page printer controller (11) which includes random access memory (17) allocated among bit map memory (30), page buffer memory (29), and user memory (28). The memory management system allocates the random access memory to provide either a large bit map memory or, responsive to needs of the controller (11) for increased memory for other uses, for allocating the random access memory (17) to provide a small bit map memory and place more memory in the page buffer memory (29) and user memory (28).

Abstract: A page printer (101) which rasterizes a page utilizing partial page bit map swaths. Received data to be printed is stored in packets (12-17) in a page buffer in random access memory (105). Data within each packet is arranged in printing order down the page to be printed, but the packets themselves are arranged in the order received, and are not indexed or linked. As each swath (11) is rasterized, each packet is examined, and packets containing data falling at least in part within the active swath are processed. The printer is controlled by a programmed microprocessor, and logic hardware assistance is provided for translating data addresses from logical addresses (54) to physical addresses (52). Logic hardware assistance is also provided for making the determination of whether or not a given data address lies within the active swath.

Abstract: An interpage gap control, which acts to optimize the throughput of a printer or other device, which utilizes fed pages, monitors the time for a page to be picked and fed to a sensor and the time for the page to pass the sensor. By using these time periods and other constants, the control calculates a delay time from the detection of the leading edge of the page at the sensor. This delay time must expire before the next page may be picked and fed. The control adjusts the delay period by comparing the time periods measured to reference values for the respective periods and if the measured values vary therefrom, adjusts the reference values. The adjustment of the values is made in small increments when the adjustment will tend to narrow the gap width and will replace the reference values with the measured value when the gap must be widened.

Abstract: A typewriter is disclosed which is capable of storing text in a memory and playing out the stored text on command. When the print point is moved back into the printed text for any reason, the typewriter will automatically return the print point to the same position it occupied prior to being moved back into the text, prior to the resumption of printing.