Abstract: A vehicle notification system for communicating with a driver of a passenger vehicle, after the driving journey has ended, that a child or valued object remains within the vehicle. A detection device detects the presence or restraint of a child or valued object, and transmits a presence/restraint status signal. A portable controller device attached to the OBD-II port has a transceiver that receives and re-transmits the presence/restraint status signal, and a microcontroller that interacts with the network of the vehicle to determine the status of the vehicle journey as being underway or ended. The controller also transmits a vehicle journey status signal. A drivers smartphone includes a microprocessor with software that configures the smartphone transceiver to receive the vehicle journey and presence/restraint status signals, and generates an alarm signal in response to a predetermined condition of the presence/restraint status and the vehicle journey status.

Abstract: A teaching aid for players of brass instruments is described that includes at least one rectangular paddle connected to a handle at one end. The rectangular paddle is dimensioned to have a height appropriate for a type of player's instrument so that when the rectangular paddle when placed between the front teeth of the player, it holds the teeth apart a distance equal to the height of the paddle, that distance placing the player's mouth in a proper position for that instrument. The handle is preferably sized to fit through the opening in the mouthpiece of the player's instrument.

Abstract: A single-end-mount seismic isolator for protecting a structure from the effects of seismic shock or other external applied forces includes a load shaft that is secured at its first end to a mounting surface on which the structure is supported. So secured, the load shaft projects beyond a base of the structure, on which an actuator is supported. A resilient element, such as a friction spring, is operably interposed between the load shaft and the actuator to allow relative motion between the structure and the mounting surface in the event of a seismic shock or other external applied force. The resilient element also absorbs energy of such motion. The single-end-mount design facilitates seismic retrofitting of existing structures and servicing of seismic isolators in the field. In dual-action embodiments, the resilient element includes primary and secondary resilient elements for damping in two directions.

Abstract: A single-end-mount seismic isolator for protecting a structure from the effects of seismic shock or other external applied forces includes a load shaft that is secured at its first end to a mounting surface on which the structure is supported. So secured, the load shaft projects beyond a base of the structure, on which an actuator is supported. A resilient element, such as a friction spring, is operably interposed between the load shaft and the actuator to allow relative motion between the structure and the mounting surface in the event of a seismic shock or other external applied force. The resilient element also absorbs energy of such motion. The single-end-mount design facilitates seismic retrofitting of existing structures and servicing of seismic isolators in the field. In dual-action embodiments, the resilient element includes primary and secondary resilient elements for damping in two directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a controller to monitor a flow volume in a fluid transportation system. The controller being operably connected to a module. The module being operably connected to a flow meter. The module senses a series of pulses that represent a known fluid volume in a proving loop. The module also measures the fluid density of the fluid in the proving loop. The controller utilizes a dynamic density of the fluid and the sensed pulses to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the flow volume through the measuring flow meter. The controller ensures the accuracy of the flow meter by utilizing the partial pulses sensed during a meter-proving period by using an interpolation method.

Abstract: An international trade information system (“ITIS”) for managing the transfer of purchased goods across international borders, including regulatory and tax considerations. The ITIS works with a plurality of internal and external service engines that are inside and outside the protection of a software firewall, respectively. The various service engines are configured to provide various international trade e-services appropriate to various jurisdictions, but are not configured to be used in a completely integrated system. The ITIS includes an application server module configured to guide a user through the operation of the service engines as needed to complete the service needs of the user. The application server module buffers the user's interactions with the service engines for an integrated and consistent interface, and integrates the interaction of the service engines to form a seamless, fully integrated system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a controller to monitor a flow volume in a fluid transportation system is disclosed. The controller being operably connected to a module. The module being operably connected to a flow meter. The module senses a series of pulses that represent a known fluid volume in a proving loop. The module also measures the fluid density of the fluid in the proving loop. The controller utilizes a dynamic density of the fluid and the sensed pulses to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the flow volume through the measuring flow meter. The controller ensures the accuracy of the flow meter by utilizing the partial pulses sensed during a meter proving period by using an interpolation method.

Abstract: When linearizing FMCW radars it is customary to produce a synthetic target signal independently of the radar signal and to use the synthetic target signal to linearize the sweeping of the transmitted VCO frequency or the sampling of the radar IF signal to be analyzed. In order to reduce the overall number of microwave RF components, the present invention uses one mixer (18) to produce the radar IF and linearizing IF. In one embodiment an RF STALO (32) is coupled by a directional coupler (34) into the return path of the radar signal. In other embodiments (not shown) the mixer comprises a dc biased waveguide harmonic mixer and the STALO generates a lower frequency which is applied to the mixer by way of either the bias port or the radar IF output port. The linearizing arrangements (28) disclosed are based on known designs.