Abstract: A digital video interface receiver adjusts a transfer function of a phase-locked loop circuit having a programmable charge pump, a programmable phase-locked loop filter, or a programmable gain voltage controlled oscillator. The digital video interface receiver monitors and detects errors in a data stream associated with the phase-locked loop circuit. Moreover, the digital video interface receiver changes the transfer function of the phase-locked loop circuit, in response to the detected errors, by changing parameters associated with the programmable charge pump, the programmable phase-locked loop filter, or the programmable gain voltage controlled oscillator of the phase-locked loop circuit so as to change the transfer function of the phase-locked loop circuit.

Abstract: A light assembly having a pre-defined shape is provided to be removably attached to a mating guide provided on any convenient device but advantageously provided on a weapon. The light assembly comprises a housing provided with suitable optics having a light source at one end thereof and batteries for powering the light source through a switch. The housing has a pair of lateral members which are movable between a retracted position and an extended position so that, when the members are in the retracted position, the light assembly has the above-mentioned pre-defined shape and when the members are in the extended position, they are adapted to engage the mating guide. Means for preventing the longitudinal movement of the light assembly on the mating guide are also provided with the light assembly. In a particularly advantageous application, the light assembly can thus be easily mounted and used as a target illumination and/or aiming device with a weapon or be readily used as a separate and independent entity.

Abstract: A method of storing an image in a digital camera, comprising the steps of: capturing the image using the selected quantization table. A method of storing an image in a digital camera, wherein the step of selecting a quantization table comprises the steps of: selecting a quality setting; compressing the image using a quantization table corresponding to the selected quality setting; decompressing the image; evaluating the decompressed image with the image quality metric; and, adjusting the quantization table such that the quality metric matches the selected quality setting.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting tools at a given height on a door jamb is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a vertical support member having a top end and a bottom end, a front side and a back side, and forming a passageway through the back side thereof, the passageway configured to attach the vertical support member to a fastener device extending from the door jamb, a wall grip mechanism in connection with the vertical support member, the wall grip mechanism disposed below the passageway formed in the vertical support member, the wall grip mechanism comprising a first projection and a second projection disposed apart from one another at a first given width, and each one of the first projection and the second projection extending in a first direction away from the vertical support member, the first direction parallel to a first axis extending from the front side to the back side of the vertical support member, and a tool platform extending in a second direction away from the vertical support member, the second dir

Abstract: Phase-locked loop structures are provided that facilitate enhanced stability of loop-generated signals. They include an oscillator network, a feedback loop and a controller. The oscillator network generates a loop output signal with a frequency that varies in response to a control voltage and to a frequency-determining parameter, the feedback loop generates the control voltage in response to the loop output signal and a reference signal and the controller increments the frequency-determining parameter to maintain the control voltage within a predetermined control-voltage range. These structures enhance signal stability by facilitating the use of low-gain oscillator structures and they simplify and shorten loop operations because the structures operate in a closed-loop condition at all times.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for determining if a human being, object or animal has moved beyond a predetermined radius. The system includes a base station, and at least one slave associated with the base station. Each of the slaves is located on the human being, object or animal, and each slave is adapted to receive and emit a coded signal at predetermined intervals. The base station is adapted to transmit and receive the coded signal, decode the coded signal and, if the coded signal represents a slave associated with the base station, determine a signal strength of the coded signal, the signal strength of the coded signal indicating that the human being, object or animal has moved beyond a predetermined area if the signal strength is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automatic weapon safety system where power consumption is reduced and safety is increased is disclosed. The system includes a movement detector operatively associated with the handgrip of a weapon for detecting the presence of a hand on the handgrip. The system also has a transceiver operatively associated with the movement detector for sending a coded signal when the weapon has been gripped. The coded signal is received by at least one remote token which receives the coded signal and transmits a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. A system is provided for enabling and disabling the weapon, operatively connected to the transceiver for allowing operation of the weapon when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received. The system may include two tokens, which are worn by the authorized user.

Abstract: The air filtration device for use with a roof drill has an air intake block attached to a vertical support abutting the mine roof lateral to the drill hole. A flexible hose attached to a dust filter and a vacuum source for filtering and collecting dust from the air before exhausting the air to the atmosphere is connected to the air intake block. The air intake block has a plurality of holes defined in at least one face of the block for the intake of dust laden air and an air passage within the block in communication with the vacuum source provided by the flexible hose. The holes defined in the air intake block may be covered by screens to prevent the entrance of large particles into the air intake block. The air intake block is disposed to provide sufficient suction lateral to the longitudinal axis of the drill steel in order to remove fine particles of quartz and dust from the air adjacent the entrance of the drill hole.

Abstract: An automatic firearm safety system where power consumption is reduced and safety is increased is disclosed. The system includes a movement detector operatively associated with a trigger of a firearm for detecting movement of the trigger. The system also has a transceiver operatively associated with the movement detector for sending a coded signal when movement of the trigger has been detected. The coded signal is received by at least one remote token which receives the coded signal and transmits a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. A solenoid is also provided for locking and unlocking the trigger, operatively associated with the transceiver for allowing operation of the trigger and thereby the firing of the firearm when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received by the transceiver. The system may include two tokens, both of which are worn by the authorized user.

Abstract: A DMD spatial light modulator (20) having an improved reset waveform (80) that improves the electrostatic control over the DMD mirrors (30) during switching states (T3). An intermediate bias level is provided to the yoke (32) and mirror (30) during the mirror reset cycle (T3) which is sufficient to maintain a voltage differential between the mirror/yoke and the address electrodes (26,28,50,52) to dynamically park the mirror during a same-state transition, but which voltage differential is insufficient to overcome the hinge restoration forces during an opposite-state transition such that the mirror releases toward the neutral position and can be captured in the other state upon reapplication of the bias voltage. The transition bias level is maintained for a sufficient time period (T3) to allow the mirror/yoke to release from the landing pads (82) a sufficient distance toward the neutral position.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for applying low frequency high voltage waveforms across a load and which includes low and high voltage circuits. The low voltage circuit includes a sinusoidal signal generator for producing a low voltage electrical waveform, and a transmitter circuit having first and second light emitting diode circuits by which first and second light signals are generated which are transmitted to the high voltage circuit by respective fibre optic light guides. The high voltage circuit includes first and second high voltage d.c. supplies and first and second triode valves.