Abstract: A system (20) for controlling a transmission throttle valve in a vehicle having a fuel management device (500) having a rotatable linkage member (508) includes an adapter plate (22) which is mountable beneath the fuel management device (500), a bracket (26) which is connectable to the adapter plate (22), and a throttle valve cable (30) which is connectable to the bracket (26). Throttle valve cable (30) has a tubular housing (32) which is fixedly connectable to bracket (26) and a cable (34) which is slidably disposed within tubular housing (32), the cable (34) having a first end (36) and an opposite second end connectable to the transmission throttle valve. First end (36) is selectively connectable along a slot (40. Different first end (36) connection positions along slot (40) result in correspondingly different rates of cable pull and therefore different transmission responses.

Abstract: A system (20) for recognizing gaming chips (500) includes pairs of light emitting devices P1 through Pn, each pair emitting light (28) of a different color. The light (28) is reflected off of the surface (502) of the gaming chip (500), is sensed by a light detector (32), digitized by an analog to digital converter (33), and compared with stored intensity profiles for various denomination gaming chips (500). When a match is obtained, system (20) issues a signal indicating the color, and thus denomination, of the gaming chip (500). An energizing circuit (26) produces a constant current to ensure a constant light intensity level. An automatic adjustment circuit (40) changes the constant current to accommodate for factors such as component aging. Adjustment circuit (40) is controlled by a calibration feature wherein light (28) is reflected off of a calibration surface (42) while system (20) is in use.

Abstract: A safety liner (20) for a vehicle tire (500) includes a toroidal tube (22) having at least one hole (24). At least one plug (26) is selectively insertable into the at least one hole (24). Toroidal tube (22) is compressible into a flattened circular shape by a compressive force, and when the compressive force is removed, the toroidal tube (22) resiliently assumes its original toroidal shape. Safety liner (20) is installed in the cavity (503) of vehicle tire (500) as the vehicle tire (500) is being installed on the tire rim (502). If a blowout or other leak occurs, safety liner (20) will cause the shape and pressure of vehicle tire (500) to be retained for a period of time.

Abstract: A high power microwave amplifier implementation comprised of a conductive substrate defining first and second parallel planar surfaces and an edge surface extending substantially perpendicular to said planar surfaces. Output transistors are physically mounted adjacent to said edge surface enabling a heat sink to be placed in close proximity thereto. Microwave input circuitry is located adjacent to said first planar surface and microstrip output circuitry is located adjacent to said second planar surface. The substrate is mounted in a conductive housing so as to partition the housing interior volume into isolated first and second cavities respectively containing the input circuitry and output circuitry.

Abstract: An inflatable exercise belt (20) for placement around the abdomen of a user includes a substantially belt-shaped body (22) having a first end portion (24) and an opposite second end portion (26). A selectively inflatable air chamber (32) is disposed at first end portion (24). Backing (36) is disposed adjacent to the inflatable air chamber (32), so that when the inflatable air chamber (32) is inflated, the inflatable air chamber (32) expands in a direction away from backing (36) thereby exerting pressure on the abdomen of the user.

Abstract: A tracheal humidification system (20) includes a filter (26) for humidifying the air being breathed by the patient. The filter (26) is disposed in an uppermost portion (24) of a breathing path (22). At least one secretion path (28) including a drain tube (30) is provided for collecting secretions (512) from the patient. Filter (26) is disposed above the secretion path (28), so that the secretions (512) are prevented from contacting and clogging filter (26).

Abstract: A warning system (20) includes a central control unit (CCU), and a plurality of local units (LU) connected to the central control unit (CCU). Each local unit (LU) includes a plurality of input trips (An), such as smoke detector, an earthquake detector, and gas detector, and a plurality of programmable responses, such as a bypass relay (C), a message delivered by a record/playback unit (D), an emergency light (E), and a strobe light (F). The input trips (An) also include a disconnect trip (A1), which is activated by a detector input signal (DI) sent from the central control unit (CCU), and indicates that the central control unit (CCU) has malfunctioned. The programmable responses include a warning output signal (WO) which is sent from the local unit (LU) to the central control unit (CCU) to indicate the presence of a local emergency at the local unit (LU).

Abstract: A system for automatically testing a fluid specimen, e.g., urine, to indicate the presence of specified chemical components in the specimen. The system preferably utilizes an assaying device comprised of a collection cup and a cap which carries at least one test strip. The device includes an integrated aliquot delivery mechanism actuatable to wet the test strip with an aliquot delivered from the fluid specimen. The assaying device is configured to operate in conjunction with an electronic reader device capable of actuating the aliquot delivery mechanism and reading the reaction of the test strip. A preferred reader device defines a keyed receptacle for accommodating a complementary shaped cup housing in a particular orientation. The reader device is comprised of a camera for capturing the image of a test strip, an actuator for actuating an aliquot delivery mechanism, and a microprocessor/controller for (1) controlling the camera and actuator and (2) processing the image.

Abstract: An enhanced filling/weighing system utilizes first and second weighing stages. The first stage includes a first top container having an associated weighing device, e.g., a load cell. The second stage includes a second bottom container having an associated weighing device, e.g., a load cell. A high speed bulk feed subsystem supplies product to the top cup. A low speed dribble feed subsystem supplies product to the lower cup. In operation, the bulk feed subsystem feeds product to the top cut at a high speed. The top cup fills to its first setpoint (plus overfill, e.g., attributable to feed momentum) once per cycle. When the system controller recognizes that the top cup weight has reached the first setpoint, it pauses th bulk feed, discharges the top cup into the bottom cup, starts the dribble feed into the bottom cup, and starts the next cycle of bulk feed into the top cup. Thus, the top cup fills at high speed during cycle N+1 concurrently with the bottom cup filling at low speed during cycle N.

Abstract: A system for automatically cleaning swimming pools includes a unitary body having a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall, a propulsion subsystem operable to selectively propel the body in either a forward or rearward direction, and a cleaning subsystem operable in either a water surface cleaning mode for skimming or scooping or a wall surface cleaning mode for vacuuming or sweeping. The subsystems are powered by an electric source such as solar cells and/or rechargeable batteries and/or a wire extending to the unitary body from an external power source. An alternative embodiment uses separate top and bottom units tethered together by an electric conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for use in high volume production for determining leakage from a nominally sealed product container, e.g., a battery case. The method and apparatus first functions to analytically test for leakage of a particular component of interest, e.g., a liquid electrolyte comprising a mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and methyl-ethyl carbonate (MEC) in a lithium-ion battery. A second gas leakage test can then be performed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a band 20 which is used to secure single or multiple items. Band 20 has a first set of teeth 30 disposed on a first side 26 at a first end 22, and a second set of teeth 32 disposed on a second side 28 at an opposite second end 24. An aperture 34 is located near second end 24. Band 20 is wrapped around the item or items. First end 22 is then inserted into aperture 34 and band 20 is closed so that first teeth 30 interlockingly engage second teeth 32, thereby preventing band 20 from opening.

Abstract: The difficulties encountered with attaching tabs to very thin metal layer. e. g., a layer of gold from 0.3 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m thick are severe. Typically, in the uses envisioned for the thin metal layer, which is for a compact battery, a plastic sheet such as polyimide underlies the thin metal layer. Polyimide has a relatively low melting point. The thin polyimide substrate melts when resistance welding is used. Ultrasonic welding doesn't work because the sound wave energy is absorbed by the polyimide. This invention solves the attachment problem by using wire bonding to the thin metal sheet and to its tab. The tab attachment for a thin metal layer comprises a thin metal layer, a metal tab, and a wire and the wire is bonded to the thin metal layer and the wire is bonded to the metal tab. The thin metal layer may be gold; the thickness of the gold is between 0.3 &mgr;m and 50.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A display system for an article of clothing (20) includes an article of clothing (22) having an outer layer (28) which has an aperture (30). A display receiving insert (24) has a plate (32) which is shaped and dimensioned to fit into the aperture (30). The display receiving insert (24) is permanently attached to the article of clothing (22) so that plate (32) fits into aperture (30) and faces outward. A display (26) is then adhesively attached to plate (32).

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a user's forearm and wrists while still allowing substantially full mobility of the user's arms and hands to enable him to comfortably and effectively operate a keyboard and mouse. The assembly includes left and right subassemblies, each including an armrest. Each subassembly is configured to enable the armrest to (1) move laterally and longitudinally relative to a keyboard mounted on the surface of a support plate, (2) swivel about multiple axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface, and (3) tilt about an axis oriented substantially parallel to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing the output of multiple light sources used to expose a photosensitive material to print high quality continuous tone and/or color images. Each of the multiple light sources is driven by a different signal weighted to cause all of the light sources to output light of intensity appropriate to produce a uniform image density over a wide range of image densities. In a preferred embodiment, each light source is driven by a different digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and/or timer circuit. A control processor supplies a multibit correction value tog each DAC and/or timer circuit to supply a drive signal to its associated light source weighted to cause all of the light sources to output light of substantially uniform intensity at a certain intensity level.