Abstract: A propulsion device is provided that is intended to be an improvement over well-known propulsion devices by utilizing a differing propulsion system that does not require expulsion of mass from the object being propelled or from the propulsion device itself. The present invention utilizes rotating disks (having a relatively large mass) interacting with freely rotating point masses (having relatively little mass; in a preferred embodiment, a point mass has a mass equal to approximately 0.018% of the mass of a rotating disk), to produce relatively large amounts of centripetal acceleration from zero to ? radians of rotation, or less, without a corresponding acceleration from ? to 2? radians, and thereby produce relatively large amounts of positive thrust that may be applied to an object to produce propulsion of that object.

Abstract: Programmable light assemblies that may function in various operating modes, such as to function as marker lights and/or emergency lights, or have other functions, are disclosed. The protocol and architecture of the light assemblies enables the associated light fixtures to provide a constant current output despite the presence of substantially large voltage ranges, and even when submerged in water. Alternative embodiments of the programmable light assemblies of the invention provide many other features as described herein.

Abstract: Programmable light assemblies that may function in various operating modes, such as to function as marker lights and/or emergency lights, or have other functions, are disclosed. The protocol and architecture of the light assemblies enables the associated light fixtures to provide a constant current output despite the presence of substantially large voltage ranges, and even when submerged in water. Alternative embodiments of the programmable light assemblies of the invention provide many other features as described herein.

Abstract: A low cost close range RFID Reader/Writer which is operatively connected to a control device which contains a transmitter and is configured to function as a homodyne receiver. The device can be constructed from low cost parts and can function in close ranges to other tags. The present invention provides increased RFID identification and isolation properties and is suitable for inclusion and operative use with a variety of applications.

Abstract: A health care test kiosk includes a carrel body, a controller, a physiological test interface, a seat, and a weight scale. The carrel body supports a console housing and includes a support side panel forming a lateral side and extending beyond the console housing. The controller is housed within the console housing and includes a display and user interface. The physiological test interface is coupled to and supported by the carrel body on the support side panel. The physiological test interface is communicatively coupled to the controller for supplying physiological information to the controller for analysis and display. The seat is coupled to the support side panel of the carrel body. The weight scale is coupled to and supported by the seat. The weight scale is communicatively coupled to the controller for supplying weight information to the controller for analysis and display in combination with the physiological data.

Abstract: A disk drive in a computer system is equipped with a power storage unit that supplies power to the drive controller when there is a system power interruption, such as a powerdown or a power failure. Once the controller is notified that system power has been interrupted, it will immediately initiate a seek to a reserved location in the disk drive and store the contents of the cache memory at the reserved location. After power has been restored to the system, the controller can load the contents of the reserved cylinders back to the cache memory and complete the pending write operations by writing all of the data items in the cache to their respective final locations in the drive.

Abstract: An extrusion line for producing rubber tire tread. Method and apparatus for continuously controlling extrusion line operation to maintain a predetermined length and weight for the finished product. Sensors for unit weight, extruder speed and swell, extruder load, extrudate temperature at the extruder and at the skiver, and conveyor speeds, signal conditioning circuits, and controls for take away conveyor speed, extruder speed, unit weight and skiver length.