Abstract: The inventory control apparatus and method includes a sensor device connected to a detection device to generate an indicating signal in response to the change of status of an object by its removal or deposit relative to the sensor device. An indicating device is connected to the detection device and signals the change of status of the object relative to the sensor device. The signalling of the change of status is terminated either manually or after a predetermined time delay interval.

Abstract: The laser illuminated image producing system includes in one form of the invention, a single light valve which not only serves to form an image, but also to increase the number of its colors. In another form of the invention, the lasers are sequenced at high input energy for short intervals of time to provide high average output luminosity at lower average energy costs.

Abstract: The transducer support assembly includes a transducer secured to a U-shaped strap having a pair of chest engageable leg portions connected integrally to a curved neck engageable portion by a pair of twisted intermediate portions for engaging the body of the user. The chest engageable leg portions are adapted to fit over the shoulders and to lie substantially flat against the chest of the user. A wide portion of the neck engageable portion extends in overlying substantially continuous engagement with the neck or back of the user to resist the chest engageable leg portions from swinging away from the chest. A gripping material forms an underside surface of the strap to frictionally engage the user, thereby inhibiting the strap from moving relative to the body of the user. Another transducer support assembly includes a flexible U-shaped neck support having a chest engageable portion.

Abstract: The battery analyzer/conditioner system includes a battery analyzer/conditioner having an input port and an output port. The battery analyzer/conditioner operates to analyze, condition and test a group of rechargeable batteries. A cable is coupled between the input port and a remote control unit to transmit signals between the battery analyzer/conditioner and the remote control unit to enable the remote control unit to control the operation of the battery analyzer/conditioner. Another battery analyzer/conditioner also having an input port and an output port communicates with the battery analyzer/conditioner via a cable coupled between the output port of the battery analyzer/conditioner and the input port of the second battery analyzer/conditioner, wherein the first and second battery analyzer/conditioners are connected in a daisy chain network to permit the remote control unit to communicate selectively with any one of the battery analyzer/conditioner units.

Abstract: The projection lens arrangement includes a projection lens assembly having a plurality of lens elements aligned in a common optical path, and arranged in a generally Tessar configuration. One of the lens elements is movable along the optical path in a linear fashion. Another one of the lens elements is movable along the optical path in a non-linear manner, wherein the two lens elements move along the optical path substantially concurrently. The movement of the non-linearly moving element is slaved to the movement of the linearly moving element. A field lens element directs the flux from an image display unit to the entrance pupil of the projection lens assembly.

Abstract: A universally adaptable battery charger connector which couples electrically a battery charger outlet to pairs of terminals of different types and kinds of rechargeable battery devices. The universal adaptable battery charger includes an attachment arrangement for engaging releasably one of the pairs of battery device terminals. The attachment arrangement includes a pair of electrodes coupled electrically to a battery charger outlet for helping to supply electrical current to the battery device terminals. The universal connector also includes a securing device for mounting removably on the battery device to be charged. Each one of the electrodes includes a resilient contact for pressing resiliently into engagement with the terminals to maintain an electrical and mechanical contact between the securing device and the battery device terminals.

Abstract: A new and improved display control system which includes a logic arrangement for causing auxiliary light information projected from a hand held light generating device upon a projected primary image to be integrated into the primary video image upon command from a user. A display control circuit causes the underlying primary image to be altered to include an accentuating image indicative of the path of travel followed by a spot of auxiliary control light as it is directed by a user via the hand held light generating device. A color control circuit responsive to user input commands enables the accentuating image to be displayed in one of at least eight primary colors. An erase control circuit also responds to user input commands to enable the user entered accentuating images to be deleted selectively individually or in total simultaneously.

Abstract: A simulation system includes a computer, and provides a mathematical model of the entity under investigation, and includes input apparatus for supplying desired variable change information to the mathematical model. The system generates model simulation information as modified by the variable change information, and controls the changes of the model simulation information in correspondence with real time, independently of the computer used. The system includes toggling apparatus for activating and deactivating selectively desired subsystems of the mathematical model, and is arranged to adjust selectively the number of subsystems and subsystem components of the mathematical model. In addition, the system allows the user to customize the information displayed about the mathematical model while the model is running without deactivating the simulation of any activated subsystem or subsystem component.

Abstract: A projector and a method of using it includes an expandable housing, which includes a display panel assembly, and an illumination and display panel projection optics arrangement. The housing includes housing portions which are movably mounted relative to one another, to increase the overall dimensions of the housing adjustably to accommodate the display panel optics arrangement during use as a projector.

Abstract: An animal bed includes an annular bed frame defining an interior chamber. A perforated top wall is supported at its periphery by the bed frame to receive and support the animal above the chamber. The perforated top wall is composed of a non-woven fabric material to provide a hammocklike suspension for the animal, and to permit small insects to fall through the top wall. The chamber is dimensioned to provide a space below the top wall sufficient to inhibit the insects from travelling upwardly through the top wall. An insect exterminating composition contained within the chamber receives the falling insects and destroys them.

Abstract: A plastic open frame basket is made by molding from plastic material, a tapered body portion, having integrally interconnected smoothly contoured longitudinal rib members and cross members in an interconnected, open frame configuration. A plurality of raised diagonal parting lines extend between said outer and inner corners formed by adjacent cross members to define a stepped configuration, thereby enabling the resulting plastic molded open frame basket to be made from a relatively inexpensive mold apparatus.

Abstract: A linear electrodynamic machine (10) includes mover (12) and stator assemblies (14). The stator assembly (14) includes an inner stator having laminations (30-45) and an outer stator having laminations (60-75) for defining a closed loop magnetic flux path. A magnet (95) mounted on an outside portion of the stator assembly (14) produces a constant flux extending through the flux path. The inner and outer stators form at least one pair of aligned spaced apart magnetic poles (50, 80) forming a gap. A group of slugs (24) mounted on the mover assembly (12) moves into and out of the gap to interact electrodynamically with the magnetic flux within the gap. A linear electrodynamic machine (10) includes a stator assembly (14) having at least one pair of elongated stator poles (50, 80) defining a flux gap and having magnets (283A-288A) disposed thereon to interact electrodynamically with a group of slugs (24, 26) mounted on a mover assembly (12) for moving into and out of the gap.

Abstract: A new and improved tax collection system and method collects and remits taxes in real time at point-of-sale locations. The system includes a group of point-of-sale terminals at merchant point-of-sale facilities that receive and store tax collection information under merchant control. A bank computer at a merchant bank accesses the stored tax collection information and wire transfers the collected sums periodically to at least one computer at a tax authority bank. For credit or debit transactions, a service computer receives the tax collection information daily from certain ones of the point-of-sale terminals, and wire transfers the credited or debited taxes to the tax authority bank computer.

Abstract: A fuel equalization line device couples in fluid communication vehicle tanks and has one or two conduits joined together by a removable coupling device, which provides for fluid communication between the conduits when engaged to equalize fuel levels within the tanks, and enables the fuel equalization line to be separated into two parts to free the tanks from the vehicle frame during a tank removal operation. A pair of shutoff valves enable the fuel to be retained in the tanks when they are removed from the frame.

Abstract: The radiation shielded and packaged integrated circuit semiconductor device includes a lid secured to a base to enclose the integrated circuit die within, wherein the lid and the base are each constructed from a high-Z material to prevent radiation from penetrating therethrough. Another embodiment includes a die attach slug constructed from a high-Z material disposed between the integrated circuit die and a base, in combination with a high-Z material lid to substantially block incident radiation.

Abstract: A security apparatus for attaching a portable unit to be protected to a supporting surface. The security apparatus includes a normally deactivated passive locking unit, which is activated by an electronic key unit, which is portable and moved adjacent to the passive locking unit to power it. The key unit includes a device for coupling electromagnetically the key and the locking units to transmit electrical power therebetween. A magnet is concealed within the security device to activate the electronic key, only when it is placed in the proper position relative thereto. Additionally, a mechanical arrangement for a locking pin is employed to further provide a level of sophistication before the actual unlocking of the device occurs.

Abstract: A pump for pumping shear sensitive material comprising a housing having an internal displacement chamber and a displacement rod. The displacement rod is reciprocable within the displacement chamber and the displacement chamber having an aperture through which the displacement rod is reciprocated. The aperture being sealed with respect no the displacement chamber by the displacement rod and an annular seal surrounding the displacement rod. The displacement chamber having an inlet opposite the aperture and an outlet radially disposed to the longitudinal axis of the displacement rod and in close proximity to the annular seal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projection panel construction and a method of making it includes securing an interference color filter member and a lenticular lenslet array plate to a high resolution display panel to produce a bright, full color high resolution image. The panel construction is small in size, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.