Abstract: The invention addresses resolution of serious deficiencies in the timing and movement of racing animals at racetracks and other locations. These needs are met by utilizing, refining, and applying modern computer satellite and tracking technology to an antiquated industry. The technology to be utilized includes adaptations of computer chips currently in domestic pet location use, global positioning satellite technology and on board transponders and uses modern communication technologies to centralize information flow and dissemination for efficient management of many respects of the animal racing industry.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for use in medical applications that permit affordable 3D imaging of blood flow using a low profile easily long-term unattended Doppler ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad, and associated processor collects, Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a 3D region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto, and tracks the points in 3D space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a 3D map of blood vessels, provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection, for long-term continuous, and unattended blood flow monitoring.

Abstract: Chalcopyrite semiconductors, such as thin films of copper-indium-diselenide (CuInSe2), copper-gallium-diselenide (CuGaSe2), and Cu(Inx,Ga1-x)Se2, all of which are sometimes generically referred to as CIGS, have become the subject of considerable interest and study for semiconductor devices in recent years. They are of particular interest for photovoltaic device or solar cell absorber applications. The quality of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films, as an example of chalcopyrite films, is controlled by making spectrophotometric measurements of light reflected from the film surface. This permits the result of non-contacting measurements of films in a continuous production environment to be fed back to adjust the production conditions in order to improve or maintain the quality of subsequently produced film.

Abstract: Glitter is applied to cylindrical articles by forcing them through a pot of clear lacquer, squeegeeing the coating to a desired thickness by means of an elastic elastomeric grommet, and then immediately passing the articles through a pot of glitter. The articles then pass through a vacuum tube, which removes the excess glitter for reuse.

Abstract: The disclosed educational snap-together toy vehicle system is exemplified in this application as a set of cars and trucks. The vehicles are broken down into four primary components: a main body, front clip, rear clip, and roof. The body parts are snapped together by a contrasting color, plastic three-element connector system consisting of: a fixed universal socket; an intermediate shaped-socket coupler; and a fixed shaped socket.

Abstract: An auction service is provided that stimulates competition between energy suppliers (i.e., electric power or natural gas). A bidding moderator (Moderator) receives bids from the competing suppliers of the rate each is willing to charge to particular end users for estimated quantities of electric power or gas supply (separate auctions). Each supplier receives competing bids from the Moderator and has the opportunity to adjust its own bids down or up, depending on whether it wants to encourage or discourage additional energy delivery commitments in a particular geographic area or to a particular customer group. Each supplier's bids can also be changed to reflect each supplier's capacity utilization. Appropriate billing arrangements are also disclosed. The technology required to facilitate forward delivery transactions, in which a buyer and seller agree to the terms of a transaction today but schedule the delivery for a future time, would be helpful to end users, resellers and suppliers.

Abstract: A thinned array of ultrasound transducers includes plural transmitters configured so that each transmitter insonates one segment of a volume at a time and an array of receivers electronically aimed at and dynamically focused upon subsegments of the insonated segment. The spacing between receivers is greater than one-half the transmitted wavelength. Echoes are received in a pattern that is aligned with the insonates segment so that receiver grating lobes nearest the echoes coincide with first transmitter nulls, minimizing the deleterious effects of grating lobes.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a composite sheet (5) comprising at least one corrugated sheet (1) and at least one flat sheet (3), which is glued to the wave peaks of the corrugated sheet (1), said device comprising at least one fluted roller (13) for shaping and/or maintaining the shape of the corrugated sheet (1), said roller being covered with the corrugated sheet (1) around a portion of its circumference during operation, and a gluing unit (27) for applying a liquid glue used to attach the corrugated sheet (1) to the flat sheet (3), with said gluing unit (27) having a gluing roller (45) whose outer surface (47) is continuously coated with a glue film and whose axis is essentially parallel to that of the fluted roller (13), said gluing roller being driven at approximately the same peripheral speed as that of the fluted roller (13), and with it being possible, using means for moving the rollers closer together (53, 65, 67, 69), to move said gluing roller, with its outer surface (47) against the portion of the c

Abstract: Because of technological and regulatory changes, telecommunication service is becoming more of a commodity, with competition between service providers for traffic. The herein disclosed invention stimulates this competition and facilitates a service provider's and a consumer's ability to make economic choices between competing telecommunication carriers. In this method and system, telecommunication switches route calls in accordance with economic incentives (e.g., least cost routing) resulting from a bidding process between participating telecommunication carriers (Carriers), administered by a bidding service provider through operation of a central processor, a computer referred to as a bidding moderator (Moderator). Some of these switches may be provisioned to treat every call attempt presented to them as a call attempt to be routed to the low-bidding Carrier.

Abstract: The method is disclosed for checking the accuracy of folding a parallelepiped box made from a cardboard blank (1) comprising four adjacent panels (Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd), at least some edges of the panels being associated with flaps (Ra1, Ra2, Rb1, Rb2, Rc1, Rc2, Rd1, Rd2) for closing the top and bottom surfaces of the box. Slots (5, 6) with parallel edges are formed between the adjacent flaps. In the method, the spacing between the edges of the slots (5, 6), produced between the flaps (Ra1, Rd1 Ra2, Rd2) when the outer panels are folded together, is compared with a predetermined standard spacing between the edges of the slots (5, 6) to determine whether the folded box is defective.