Abstract: An electronic lock box contains a secure compartment for storing keys to a structure. A sensing system allow the lock box to determine whether the contents of the lock box have been replaced as well as ensuring the correct key or object has been returned. The system reports the status of the object back to the central clearinghouse computer through an electronic key or secure memory device.

Abstract: A purge and trap concentrator system that includes a sparge vessel, and includes a variable gas flow valve for controlling the gas pressure in an analytic trap or the sparge vessel; a sensor that detects both a foaming sample state and a high liquid level in the sparge vessel, using one optical sensor; a control scheme that re-directs the purge gases to a second inlet of the sparge vessel during a foaming condition; a control scheme that uses a split flow to enhance the quantity of sample gases passed from an analytic trap; an electrically powered thermal energy source with a fan raising the sparge vessel temperature via thermal convection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for the treatment of organic and inorganic waste in a waste fluid. The method involves a co-current plug flow of fluid in a reactor in which ozone mass transfer conforms to the effective life of the ozone used in the treatment. Hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide can be added to the waste fluid. The combined fluids to be treated travel the reactor through a series of surfaces in a packed reactor. The apparatus includes a diffuser for ozone which assists in the co-current plug flow of fluids. The diffuser can have a porosity of about 10 microns. The invention further envisions a compact system for efficient treatment of waste fluids.

Abstract: An improved electronic lock box system is provided for more secure control over the accessibility of a secure compartment in the electronic lock box, which is typically used to store a dwelling key. The new system uses biometric identification sensors to determine if the correct, authorized user is attempting to access the secure compartment of the electronic lock box. In one embodiment, the biometric identification sensor uses thermal scanning to detect a person's fingerprint pattern. This is compared to previously stored (enrollment) biometric identification information/data, and if the “live” (observed) biometric identification information/data sufficiently correlates to the stored enrollment biometric identification information/data, access will be granted.

Abstract: Eyeglasses having temples with detachable decorative pieces. The decorative pieces generally comprise an inner piece and outer piece which connect to one another through and/or around the eyeglass temples. When attached together, the outer decorative piece and the inner decorative piece are supported by and attached to the eyeglass temples.

Abstract: A medical device for clamping the stomach in morbid obesity surgery consists of a silicone frame that is essentially U-shaped, having opposing legs self-hinged to a bight portion interconnecting the legs. The opposing legs have sufficient stiffness to permit limited bending and have inner surfaces that sealingly carry an inflatable balloon which can be selectively inflated or aspirated after the device has been clamped to the stomach to adjust the gastric restriction stoma. A flexible latch member carried by one of the legs has at least one serration which is inserted into a latch cavity of the opposing leg to lock the opposing legs in fixed spaced relationship. Lumens within the legs communicate with a fluid supply source and respective inflatable balloon for selective inflation or aspiration of the inflatable balloons.

Abstract: The control systems and technique can regulate or control operations of a water treatment system in a primary control mode and, when appropriate, in a secondary or an alternate control mode. The primary control can represent a normal control mode during which the water treatment system is intended to operate. The alternate control mode can represent a second control or mode of operation. The systems can be operated to control or facilitate regulation, monitoring, and performance of one or more operating parameters of one or more water systems between, or to and from, a first mode, a second or alternate mode, and, in some cases, a third or even a fourth control mode. The change in control mode can be triggered by identifying one or more predetermined, pre-selected, and/or programmed conditions.

Abstract: In a tank for treating wastewater and including a first plurality of air diffuser elements and a second plurality of air diffuser elements, means for adjusting the relative height of the first diffuser elements with respect to the height of the second diffuser elements in response to changing operating conditions in the tank and changes in the characteristics of the diffusers.

Abstract: An improved laser light beam receiver rejects unwanted pulses of optical energy, such as strobe lights or other flashes of light, that can occur on a jobsite. The receiver analyzes a light beam reception by using a photosensitive light beam detector arrangement and a separate photoelectric detector serving as an interference signal detector. This additional detector is not easily able to detect the light beams needed in normal operation. On the other hand, the additional detector does detect mostly all interfering light flashes—caused by flash lamps and other similar devices—whose threshold limit is either at the same level or below that of the light beam detector arrangement. An evaluating circuit such as a microcontroller correlates the time of reception of the light beam detector arrangement and the interference signal detector in order to discard the result if the times of reception correspond to a major extent.

Abstract: A modulated laser light detector that converts laser light energy into electrical signals which exhibit a frequency that is substantially the same as the laser light modulation frequency, in which these signals allow the detector unit to determine a position where the laser light is impacting upon a photodiode array. A superheterodyne receiver circuit is used to provide high gain at an improved signal-to-noise ratio to improve the range at which the modulated laser light signal can be reliably detected. Various types of signal detection circuits are available. Various processing algorithms are disclosed, including one which rejects laser light strikes that are due to reflections, rather than due to a direct strike from the laser transmitter.

Abstract: A consumable flash tube for encapsulating igniter material in the propellant beds of propelling charges or rocket motors. The flash tube is constructed of a combustible, plastic material such as cellulose nitrate plastic or ethyl cellulose plastic. The combustible material is furnished with a filler of electrical charge dissipating material which renders the flash tube conductive. The conductive flash tube functions as an environmental housing and additionally as a grounded electrical conductor or Faraday shield so as to bleed off any inadvertent electrical charge presented to the flash tube and thus limit the charge transferred to the igniter material. Formation of the flash tube is by continuous extrusion of a mixture of the plastic material and electrical charge dissipating material into the shape of a hollow tube. After curing of the extruded tube, one end of the tube is flared to allow joining of the tube to a primer after the igniter material is positioned in the flash tube.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for defining process variation in a digital RF processor (DRP). The invention is well suited for use in highly integrated system on a chip (SoC) radio solutions that incorporate a very large amount of digital logic circuitry. The method and apparatus provide direct measurement of fabrication process variation in circuits without requiring any additional test equipment by utilizing a time to digital converter (TDC) circuit already present in the chip. The TDC circuit relies on the time delay in an inverter chain to sample a high speed CKV clock using a slow FREF clock. Calculation of inverse time provides a direct correlation for fabrication process variation in each die.

Abstract: A purge and trap concentrator system that includes a sparge vessel, and includes a variable gas flow valve for controlling the gas pressure in an analytic trap or the sparge vessel; a sensor that detects both a foaming sample state and a high liquid level in the sparge vessel, using one optical sensor; a control scheme that re-directs the purge gases to a second inlet of the sparge vessel during a foaming condition; a control scheme that uses a split flow to enhance the quantity of sample gases passed from an analytic trap; an electrically powered thermal energy source with a fan raising the sparge vessel temperature via thermal convection.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a receiver with a transmitter. The method includes determining number of bits, j, for adjusting a bit stream, where the bit stream is generated from n tones and is dividable into codewords having a codeword length of N bytes, and the number of bits for adjusting the bit stream is determined based upon n and N. The method includes detecting a loss of synchronization indication. In response to detection of the loss of synchronization indication, the method includes adjusting the bit stream by j bits. The method includes determining whether synchronization has been regained. When synchronization has not been regained, the method includes adjusting the bit stream again by j bits. When synchronization has been regained, the method includes terminating adjustment of the bit stream.

Abstract: A transmitter employing a sigma delta modulator having a noise transfer function adapted to shift quantization noise outside at least one frequency band of interest. A technique is presented to synthesize the controllers within a single-loop sigma delta modulator such that the noise transfer function can be chosen arbitrarily from a family of functions satisfying certain conditions. Using the novel modulator design technique, polar and Cartesian (i.e. quadrature) transmitter structures are supported. A transmitter employing polar transmit modulation is presented that shapes the spectral emissions of the digitally-controlled power amplifier such that they are significantly and sufficiently attenuated in one or more desired frequency bands. Similarly, a transmitter employing Cartesian transmit modulation is presented that shapes the spectral emissions of a hybrid power amplifier such that they are significantly and sufficiently attenuated in one or more desired frequency bands.

Abstract: A structural joint configuration is used in an automotive body structure in which a transverse roof cross member has a convoluted formed shape that must be connected to the longitudinally extending tubular roof side rail. A two-piece clam shell bracket forms the joint apparatus. A lower piece formed in a shape to mate to and receive the transverse roof cross member is welded to the underside of the tubular roof side rail while projecting a formed receiver to engage the transverse roof cross member. An upper piece clamps over top of the transverse roof cross member and is welded to the top portion of the tubular roof side rail. The joint apparatus can be secured to the transverse roof cross member and to the roof side rail by either welding or by adhesives to provide a reinforcement at the joint between the two structural members.

Abstract: A flexible deformable retainer has top and bottom horizontal walls and lateral vertical walls, the latter being perpendicular to a slatwall track, respectively to top and bottom horizontal walls of the latter. Top and bottom horizontal walls have edges abutting a central flat body of a hanger's bracket and each outward edge has a removal cutoff. Lateral vertical walls are used for insertion into vertical slits provided in a hanger's bracket. Each lateral vertical wall includes a curvature configured for snapping into a vertical slit. The retainer is able when the hanger is bumped vertically, to engage, via upper edges of its lateral vertical walls, a horizontal top of an intermediate channel of the slatwall track. A gap is provided between a horizontal top of the latter and the upper edges of retainer's lateral vertical walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to portable sun shades, and more particularly to those that are attachable to portable chairs. The sun shade invention includes a set of chair connectors that are “press fit” onto a frame member of a portable chair, and the chair connectors mechanically support the weight of the sun shade so that it maintains its position on the chair, without any other fasteners or locking hardware. The sun shade also includes a flexible support member along each side of its overall frame structure, which allows the sun shade to be positioned at various angles with respect to the horizontal plane. The sun shade further includes an adjustable width capability so that it can be mounted onto different models of portable chairs, of different widths.