Abstract: A keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Abstract: A method for a computer system to allow user editing of a help item that is associated with an element in an uninterrupted user session. The method has the steps of receiving a help item edit command from a user wherein the help item edit command has an association with the element and receiving a help item level selection command which also has an association with the element. In response to the help item level selection command, the system then sets the help level for which to apply the help item edit command. Then, in response to receiving the help edit command, the system saves a user-edited help item that is based on the help item edit command and is in association to the set help level. Both the help item edit command and the set help level are associated to the element so that when the element is activated, the user-edit help item may be subsequently retrieved.

Abstract: An open-lattice, foldable, self-deployable structure with a number of spaced, bendable longitudinal members each having a curved cross section forming cells each bounded by a portion of two spaced longitudinal members and two spaced diagonal members. The diagonal members are joined to the longitudinal members at the cell boundary intersections of the diagonal members and the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members are made of a material which bends and flattens by a predetermined amount below the material's yield point and the diagonal members are made of a material which both bends and twists by a predetermined amount below the material's yield point so that the structure can be collapsed and then self resurrected.

Abstract: A method for displaying multi-level help for an element on a computer system by receiving an activation command associated with the element and displaying a first help item for the element. The system subsequently receives a help item selection command, and in response, displays a second help item for the element. An alternative embodiment receives a help request command associated with an element and displays, to the user, a help item selection utility to select from a plurality of help items for the element. Upon selection, the selected help item is displayed.

Abstract: A damping system is disclosed which includes a housing that receives vibrations, a mounting platform movably disposed with respect to the housing, at least one bearing surface on or attached to one of the housing and the platform, and at least one frictional member on or attached to the other of the housing and the platform in contact with the bearing surface. The system frictionally dampens vibrations received by the housing and isolates the platform from vibrations.

Abstract: A system for implementing a user-defined view selection utility for selecting among a number of available views for a data items in which the host computer stores the definition of the view selection utility with reference to a data item. Then, in response to a subsequent user command selecting the data item, the host computer implements the view selection utility. The user-defined view selection utility may be created and implemented during an uninterrupted user session, and may be transmitted to a compatible computer system where is received, stored and implemented during an uninterrupted user session. The user-defined view selection utility may be defined in database records, and may be implemented by processing those records during an uninterrupted user session.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foldable member. A plurality of C-section member plies are formed. First and second sets of the C-section member plies are assembled. Two sections of a tube are arranged in an end-to-end manner defining a gap therebetween. The first set of the C-section member plies is secured to one side of the two sections of the tube to bridge the gap therebetween and the second set of C-section member plies is secured to an opposing side of the two tube sections to also bridge the gap therebetween thus forming opposing elongated slots separated by longitudinal strips of material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces and which unfold when released. A foldable member manufactured in accordance with this method is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a structure made of one or more such foldable members.

Abstract: A microphone, transmitter, speaker, receiver, and power source, all mounted to an eyeglasses frame, for sending and receiving signals wirelessly to and from a remote cell phone or other electronic device. The microphone and the transmitter can be mounted to extension arms that can be extended, pivoted, or otherwise moved to a position for use, and then moved to a stored position when not in use. Alternatively, the microphone, transmitter, speaker, receiver, and power source, can be mounted onto a clip-on or other attachment member that mounts onto a conventional eyeglasses frame, or to a hat or other article worn on the head.

Abstract: An open-lattice, foldable, self-deployable structure with a number of spaced, bendable longitudinal members each having a curved cross section forming cells each bounded by a portion of two spaced longitudinal members and two spaced diagonal members. The diagonal members are joined to the longitudinal members at the cell boundary intersections of the diagonal members and the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members are made of a material which bends and flattens by a predetermined amount below the material's yield point and the diagonal members are made of a material which both bends and twists by a predetermined amount below the material's yield point so that the structure can be collapsed and then self resurrected.

Abstract: A foldable member in the shape of a tube with at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube and opposing sets of elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces, each slot of each set of elongated slots separated longitudinally along the length of the tube from each adjacent slot by a bridge element of tube material. A collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.

Abstract: A foldable member in the shape of a tube with at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube and opposing sets of elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces, each slot of each set of elongated slots separated longitudinally along the length of the tube from each adjacent slot by a bridge element of tube material. A collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.

Abstract: An open-lattice, foldable, self-deployable structure with a number of spaced, bendable longitudinal members forming cells each bounded by a portion of two spaced longitudinal members and two spaced diagonal members. The diagonal members are joined to the longitudinal members at the cell boundary intersections of the diagonal members and the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members are made of a material which bends by a predetermined amount below the material's yield point and the diagonal members are made of a material which both bends and twists by a predetermined amount below the material's yield point so that the structure can be collapsed and then self resurrected.

Abstract: A foldable member in the shape of a tube with at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube, and a plurality of opposing elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces. A collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.

Abstract: A digital transmitter/receiver communications system transmits audio voice signals over a channel with increased quality for a specified bit rate. The method of encoding takes advantage of spherical symmetry of error vectors associated with encoding Line Spectral Frequency (LSF) coefficients, to reduce the information transmitted. Errors in encoding the LSF coefficient sets, vectors J, are modeled by a number of vectors J.sub.p having all positive components, and a sign vector s indicating the polarity of each component of the vector. Each LSF vector J intended to be transmitted is approximated by a positive vector J.sub.p and a sign vector s. An index I.sub.p of the positive vector J.sub.p and the sign vector corresponding to vector J are transmitted, along with other audio information to a receiver/decoder where the signal is decoded into an audio signal closely representing the original signal intended to be transmitted.

Abstract: A clamp assembly can support a member, in particular a light fixture or light filtering, blocking of reflecting member, on a support such as a stand, table top, shelf or the like, and permit three degrees of freedom between the member and the support. The assembly includes a first clamp arm having a mating side and an attachment side opposite from the mating side and a second clamp arm having a mating side and an opposite attachment side. A pivot journal connects the first and second arms to each other with the mating sides facing each other for rotation of the first clamp arm with respect to the second clamp arm about a first axis extending through the mating sides and journal. A hand crank or screw fixes a relative rotational position between the first and second clamp arms with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: A coin-freed vending machine for cylinders of compressed gas comprises an outer cabinet having a door-opening, a storage chain conveyor for cylinders within the cabinet and a rotatable transfer cradle between the door-opening and the conveyor preventing access to the conveyor. The transfer cradle is furnished with sensors enabling an empty cylinder placed in it through the door-opening to be identified by a data processor, following which the cradle and conveyor are operated to load the empty cylinder into the conveyor and to unload a full cylinder from the conveyor for extraction through the door-opening.

Abstract: A method of automatically mixing predetermined quantities of liquid organic compound and liquid propellant is disclosed. A metering cylinder is filled from a storage reservoir of a liquid organic compound and then disconnected from the reservoir. Then one end of the metering cylinder is connected to a source of liquid propellant, the other end is connected to a mixing vessel, and vapour pressure of the liquid propellant is utilized to force all of the liquid organic compound into the mixing vessel, together with a predetermined volume of liquid propellant.