Abstract: A device to visually indicate the presence of electric fields in electrosurgical apparatus, without the necessity of wiring or an electrical connection to the apparatus, to visually annunciate when an electrosurgical instrument is active is disclosed. This is to alert the operating surgeon, and observing personnel, that the device is operational to mitigate the possibility of anyone inadvertently being injured. The device is comprised of an electrically insulated enclosure filled with a gas in close proximity to a surgical handpiece connected to a radio frequency current generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fail-safe safety system to detect and annunciate fractured running rails in electrically propelled transit systems using catenaries or third rail power contactors without the need to induce block by block communication signals currently required by existing systems for detecting occupancy and broken running rails. In addition, unlike existing systems, the present invention is fail-safe, fault tolerant, and self annunciating in that if any component, or connection, of the system fail, or is out of tolerance, it is immediately communicated to a central location. Further, also unlike existing systems, the present invention does not require, or interfere with, automatic train controls because it uses the propulsion power bus, itself fail-safe, as an independent means of communication without additional wiring.

Abstract: A system used to reduce the possibly of a vehicle entering a freeway ramp in the wrong direction of travel, towards oncoming traffic, is disclosed. The preferred system is comprised of equipment used in conjunction with orbiting satellite transceivers with receivers, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or OnStar™ by General Motors, housed in a vehicle and having the ability in real time to compute the receiver's, and consequently the vehicle's, longitude, latitude, and direction of travel. These devices in collaboration with a controller and freeway mounted mirrors constitute a timely, cost-effective, realizable, and simple means to reduce the possibility of entering a freeway ramp in the wrong direction of travel.

Abstract: Although the webcam and microphones have been available for computer systems, beginning sometime before 2000, as separate devices and later embedded into computer housings, there has not been an attempt to embed the technology directly into the display itself. This invention attempts to resolve that issue and relates to image, sound, and sensor data capture apparatuses that are physically embedded directly into the display apparatus—not the housing.

Abstract: The ability to operate remote control transmitter functions from external sensors, in conjunction with internal or external controls, to provide condition dependant automatic control of devices such as digital video recorders and the like are presented. The system enables any remote control transmitter to be modified to perform this function without the need to redesign any existing control functions either in the transmitter or receiver and is compatible with all remote control transmitters and receiver functions. The system is applicable to any form of control, is not dependant on existing designs, and easily implemented in any remote control transmitter. The system is a cost-effective solution to any problem, or requirement, associated with external control of remote control functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of packaging to reduce decomposition of particulate products, such as dry flake cereals that are often crushed, compacted, or pulverized during shipping and handling, by distributing the product across a multiplicity of structurally isolated cellular storage sections within the package.

Abstract: A device to visually indicate the presence of electric fields in electrosurgical apparatus, without the necessity of wiring or an electrical connection to the apparatus, to visually annunciate when an electrosurgical instrument is active is disclosed. This is to alert the operating surgeon, and observing personnel, that the device is operational to mitigate the possibility of anyone inadvertently being injured. The device is comprised of an electrically insulated enclosure filled with a gas in close proximity to a surgical handpiece connected to a radio frequency current generator.

Abstract: A system used to reduce the possibly of a vehicle entering a freeway ramp in the wrong direction of travel, towards oncoming traffic, is disclosed. The preferred system is comprised of equipment used in conjunction with orbiting satellite transceivers with receivers, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or OnStar™ by General Motors, housed in a vehicle and having the ability in real time to compute the receiver's, and consequently the vehicle's, longitude, latitude, and direction of travel. These devices in collaboration with a controller and freeway mounted mirrors constitute a timely, cost-effective, realizable, and simple means to reduce the possibility of entering a freeway ramp in the wrong direction of travel.

Abstract: The ability to operate remote control transmitter functions from external sensors, in conjunction with internal or external controls, to provide condition dependant automatic control of devices such as digital video recorders and the like are presented. The system enables any remote control transmitter to be modified to perform this function without the need to redesign any existing control functions either in the transmitter or receiver and is compatible with all remote control transmitters and receiver functions. The system is applicable to any form of control, is not dependant on existing designs, and easily implemented in any remote control transmitter. The system is a cost-effective solution to any problem, or requirement, associated with external control of remote control functions.

Abstract: A system used to detect and annunciate a loss of occupancy detection in transit systems normally operating under automatic train control operation is disclosed. Upon manual or automatic engagement of operation the system, in collaboration with the existing automatic train control electronics, detects and annunciates the loss of occupancy detection by querying the train's trailing speed control blocks for any valid nonzero speed command that would allow other trains to enter that already occupied block—causing a collision! Additionally, in the present invention the system's self checking error and failure detection operation is automatically checked during normal running mode of operation and as such each individual component of the entire automatic train operation is checked for failure in its entirety and the system is void of undetected latent failures owing to its design, stability, and simplicity of operation.

Abstract: A system used to detect and annunciate a loss of occupancy detection in transit systems normally operating under automatic train control operation is disclosed. The preferred embodiment comprised of a speed command and control data decoder; a controller; a global positing system transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver; an optical transceiver; a hard wired train line transceiver and a traction power transceiver. Upon manual, or automatic, engagement of operation the system, in collaboration with the existing automatic train operations electronics and computer software detects and annunciates the loss of occupancy detection by querying the trains trailing blocks for any valid nonzero speed command. Most transit systems using automatic train control and receiving speed commands from running rail or catenaries have no means to know if the existing entire Automatic Train Control (ATC) occupancy detection system is working properly until an accident occurs.

Abstract: A device used to safely secure a vehicle's trunk or hood lid, hereafter called lid or lids, in an open position is disclosed. The preferred device comprises a ␣ formed fork, which is housed in a vehicle's existing lid support arms, with two ends; two force distribution boots, two friction fittings and a damping-extension block. Upon manual engagement of the fork assembly the two force distribution boots contact the damping-extension block and keep a vehicle's lid from closing. Most vehicles have spring tension assemblies mounted in their lids that operate to keep the lids open by way of stored energy in the spring assemblies. As such, lids equipped with these spring assemblies are subject to unintentional closing by unexpected forces, such as winds, parking a vehicle on a grade or often accidents related to children. In the present invention, the device's flawless operation is entirely independent and void of these actions owing to its design, stability, and simplicity of operation.

Abstract: A device used to safely secure a vehicle's trunk or hood lid, hereafter called lid or lids, in an open position is disclosed. The preferred device comprises a ␣ formed fork, which is housed in a vehicle's existing lid support arms, with two ends; two force distribution boots, two friction fittings and a damping-extension block. Upon manual engagement of the fork assembly the two force distribution boots contact the damping-extension block and keep a vehicle's lid from closing. Most vehicles have spring tension assemblies mounted in their lids that operate to keep the lids open by way of stored energy in the spring assemblies. As such, lids equipped with these spring assemblies are subject to unintentional closing by unexpected forces, such as winds, parking a vehicle on a grade or often accidents related to children. In the present invention, the device's flawless operation is entirely independent and void of these actions owing to its design, stability, and simplicity of operation.