Abstract: A computer-based music synthesizer system includes a data storage medium for electronically storing a multiplicity of four-part hymns. The user of the system may select the hymn to be played, and may also cause the system to automatically generate an appropriate plagal cadence to establish an “amen” phrase at the end of the hymn. Each of the four parts of the hymn may be independently orchestrated by the user. Alternatively, the user may select one of a plurality of pre-stored orchestration schemes to cause each part of the hymn to have a predetermined orchestration which may be different from the orchestration of the other parts.

Abstract: A system for automatically selecting an oil pressure sensor processing algorithm based on oil pressure sensor type includes an oil pressure sensing device producing an signal indicative of engine oil pressure, and electrically connected to one of an analog and a switch input of a control computer. The control computer is configured to identify the oil pressure sensing device as an analog oil pressure sensor and process the oil pressure signal according a corresponding signal processing algorithm if a voltage level at the analog input is within a predefined voltage range while a voltage level at the switch input is at or near a first voltage level, and to identify the oil pressure sensing device as an oil pressure switch and process the oil pressure signal according a corresponding signal processing algorithm if the voltage level at the switch input is at or near a second voltage level.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling autonomic or sympathic nerve stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract. The method comprises selecting waveforms from a storage area that are representative of body organ function. The selected waveforms are then transmitted to a treatment member, which is in direct contact with the body or attached to internal targets, and which then broadcasts the waveforms to a specific body organ to modulate the body organ functioning. A control module is provided for transmission to the treatment member. The control module contains waveforms which are selected and transmitted to the treatment member, and computer storage can be provided for greater storage capacity and manipulation of the waveforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of profiled plastic pipes comprises a machine bed (1) that half shells (2, 2′) are guided on, forming a molding path (9). A driving pinion (17) is provided above the molding path (9). At least one lower driving pinion (41) is provided on the machine bed (1) along the molding path (9). A lower indentation (39, 39′) is formed in the area of the lower side (30, 30′) of the half shells (2, 2′), with the at least one lower driving pinion (41, 41′) engaging therewith.

Abstract: A booster seat having a base 10 with foldable legs 20 to raise and lower the base. A seat assembly 12 is provided on the base having a seating surface 50 and arms 52. A backrest 14 is pivotally connected to the seat assembly 12 and moves between an operative erect position and a stored collapsed position wherein it lies substantially parallel to and closely adjacent the seating surface 50. A tray 16 is selective mountable on the seat assembly 12 for use by a child seated in the booster and a stored position on the bottom of the base 10. A retractable strap assembly is mounted in the base having one pair of straps 168 and 169 for wrapping around the seat and a second pair of straps 164 and 165 for wrapping around the back of a chair on which the booster is supported.

Abstract: Method of automated measurement of the ohmic rotor resistance (Rr) of an asynchronous machine (1) controlled via an inverter (8) while being acted upon by a non-rotating field, the method involving a. measuring the ohmic stator resistance (Rs), the leakage inductances (L&sgr;s, L&sgr;r) and the main inductance (Lm) of the asynchronous machine, b. leading a testing signal (Usa) being formed by a predetermined direct signal with a superimposed alternating signal corresponding approximately to the nominal slip frequency (fs) of the asynchronous machine (1), c. measuring the amplitude and the phase (&phgr;) of the phase signal (Isa) resulting from the testing signal, and d. calculating the ohmic rotor resistance (Rr) from the measured values according to a) and c).

Abstract: A micro-structured optical fiber precursor 1 is made by size reducing a multiple core optical fiber having solid multiple cores or a multiple core optical fiber preform O having multiple solid core preforms C. A fiber fuse is induced in at least one of the cores 2 of the precursor 1. The effect of the fiber fuse is to consume the core 2 along the whole length of the fiber or to consume periodically spaced lengths of core 2 along the whole length of the fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to portable devices and their methods of use, which assist in moving patients positioned on beds, gurneys, or other such patient supports. More particularly, the invention relates to portable devices and their methods of use, which enable a single health care worker to perform a patient pullup, roll the patient to a desired position, reposition the patient, or laterally transfer the patient to another patient support.

Abstract: The capacity of an optical transmission system can in principle be increased by interleaving two bits streams with orthogonal polarisation states. This requires, in the interleaved bit stream, the bits of one component bit stream to be timed to occur close to midway between the bits of the other component bit stream. Achieving this by adjustment of relative optical path lengths upstream of the interleaver requires control of those lengths to ±200 microns for ±1 ps bit interleaving accuracy. Such precision is awkward to achieve using fusion splicing. Instead, the necessary precision of interleaving accuracy is achieved by trimming a length of birefringent fiber inserted downstream of the interleaving, this fiber oriented to have its principal polarisation planes (principal axes) aligned with the polarisation states of the two bit streams. Employing birefringent fiber with a beat length of 2.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring wavelength dispersion value and/or nonlinear coefficient of optical fibers which realize high accurate nonlinear coefficient and wavelength dispersion value without influence of emitting power at measurement, length of test optical fiber, wavelength spacing of light source, and varying wavelength dispersion value of light source are provided.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus including a filter cap with a releasable filter element is disclosed herein. The filter cap defines a filter chamber and includes an upper wall having an opening therein. An oil filter element is positioned in the filter chamber. A snap connection is provided within the filter chamber for releasable connecting the oil filter to the filter cap. Finally, an actuator having a portion extending through the opening into the filter chamber is provided. The actuator is operable is operable to eject the filter element from the filter chamber. The actuator is movably secured to the filter cap and is separable from the oil filter upon ejection of the filter element from the filter chamber.

Abstract: A spin top toy comprising a base having a handle, a spring motor frame mounted to the base and having a portion of ratchet mechanism therein, a spin top having a drive mount and a portion of a ratchet mechanism on a bottom side thereof and a spin point on the top side thereof, a spring motor in the spring motor frame including a spring and a spring driven drive shaft having a drive on one end that is engageable with the drive mount on the spin top to permit the spin top to wind the drive shaft and the spring, upon rotation of the spin top in a first direction when the spin top drive mount engages the drive on the drive shaft and wherein the ratchet mechanisms on the spring motor housing and top are engaged to permit the rotation in the first direction, but prohibit rotation in an opposite direction to allow the top to wind the spring, and a release trigger mounted on the base handle operable to raise the drive shaft to a point where the ratchet mechanism on the shaft no longer engages the ratchet mechanism on

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and disposing of fluid waste from a patient undergoing a medical procedure in an operating room comprises a tank and a conduit. The tank is positioned outside the operating room. The conduit extends from the tank and into the operating room. Fluid waste from the patient is suctioned through the conduit and collected in the tank. A method for collecting and disposing of fluid waste from a patient undergoing a medical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension for a rail brake on a bogie of a rail vehicle. A passive lifting device is provided which acts upon the rail brake according to the activation state thereof in such a way that said brake can be displaced between a lowered braking position and a lifted release position. In the release position, damping elements act between stoppers of the rail brake and the carriers of the bogie in such a way that transverse forces are reliably damped by virture of vibration or impact loads for instance. In the braking position, the lateral play required in said position is provided. The spring characteristics of the damping elements are configured in such a way that the two requirements can be met.

Abstract: A ladder includes a frame and a plurality of folding steps. The ladder includes a step mover coupled to the steps to allow pivotable movement of the step sections relative to the left and right legs as the ladder is moved between opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A device for hanging implements comprising a hook member having two straight parallel arms with the first end of each arm joined by an arcuate section and with the opposite end of each arm extending at an angle with respect to its respective arm, and a generally flat base member for joining the hook to the implement.

Abstract: A mousepad having support for the user's wrist. A pad platform is surrounded with a peripheral wrist support comprising a tubular element filled with a mobile fill media, such as a plurality of pellets. The tubular elements extends above the pad platform sufficiently so that the user's wrist is supported, thereby substantially lessening fatigue over long periods of use.

Abstract: A stroller handle container includes a basket made of a pliable material and a sleeve made of a pliable material and mounted in an interior region of the basket to provide more than one receptacle accessed via a top opening into the basket. The container also includes basket support straps coupled to the basket and configured to support the basket in a predetermined location relative to a push handle of a juvenile stroller.

Abstract: An optical dispersion compensation device includes a first optical compensation unit that applies non-linear dispersion compensation across a signal band, the first optical compensation unit being coupled to a second optical compensation unit that applies a degree of linear dispersion compensation across the signal band. The approach taken is to provide broadband dispersion compensation by applying dispersion slope compensation across the signal band to equalise residual dispersion slope and by applying a degree of linear compensation separately to affect the required linear dispersion compensation. Using these two degrees of freedom it is possible to set the desired dispersion slope and linear dispersion (whether positive or negative) to affect broadband dispersion compensation without needing to demultiplex the optical signal.

Abstract: A system of developing a calibration parameter set for an internal combustion engine includes a host computer having an engine calibration database and a calibration rules check database stored therein, and an engine/calibration development computer separate from the host computer. A first engine calibration parameter set is provided from the engine calibration database of the host computer to the engine/calibration development computer, and therein at least one parameter of the first engine calibration parameter set is modified to form a second engine calibration parameter set. The second engine calibration parameter set or the at least one modified parameter of the first engine calibration parameter set is then provided to the host computer, and therein a calibration rules check of the second engine calibration parameter set or the at least one modified parameter of the first engine calibration parameter set is conducted against the calibration rules check database.