Abstract: A system for navigation and collision avoidance where aircraft and vessels determine their position by GPS and report that position to a system of satellites along with local parameters such as heading and attitude. This system of satellites allows communication and exchange of information between all the satellites. Each participating craft receives from at least one of these satellites the positions, headings, speed and other parameters of all craft in the system or of all craft in the vicinity. A display can display a situation or a view located on any craft in the system (but normally on the craft where it is located) to inform o hazards and pending collisions. Icons and craft information appear for all craft being displayed.

Abstract: A drywall finishing system for inside and outside drywall corners including regular corners and bullnose corners. A special roller tool with a flexible frame and four rollers is used to press prefabricated drywall trim into place over a coating of drywall mud. Embodiments for inside and outside corners differ in that the rollers for inside corners are opposed and those for exterior corners are open, in both cases forming an angle of 84 to 87 degrees but able to flex from 84 degrees to over 97 degrees to match an corner angle. A special edge finisher mud box then allows the tapered edges of the trim pieces to be feathered and brought to a finished state. The mud box has several different front slots for coarse and final feathering.

Abstract: A computer program and method for displaying a family tree in 3 dimensions. A family space contains person objects representing members of a family. Data can be entered on family members by hand or read in from a database. Person objects are connected to other person objects to represent family relationships. Different axes in the family space can represent different relationships. One axis can represent siblingship, another can represent parent/child, and another can represent marriage or father/mother relationships. The space, or parts of it, can be displayed on an output device. A set of commands allows rotations, translations, zooming, etc. Selecting a particular person object can bring up historical information concerning that person and possibly a visual representation of that person.

Abstract: A two piece valve cover with a removable top cover is constructed of thin gauge material for use on an internal combustion engine having an engine cylinder head and a plurality of valve rocker arms. The cover includes an elongated dome like upper portion which acts as a cover over the rocker arm and cylinder head area of the engine whose external continuous surface does not conform dimensionally with those of a peripheral base flange. A separate peripheral flange portion includes a sealing groove adapted for sealing engagement to the cylinder head through the use of a sealing gasket member. A plurality of apertures through the cover portion can be inserted to secure the cover to rigid flange portion. The outer rim of the top cover is forced into the O-ring groove by the downward action of the cover being attached to the base flange and an outward action of a tapered wedge design of a primary groove, thus forming a seal and the structural rigidity of a one piece product.

Abstract: A removable nametag or insignia that is placed on a uniform or garment with a hook-loop system like the product sold under the registered trademark VELCRO. A flexible backsheet is sewn or otherwise attached to the garment or uniform piece with a set of loops facing outward. A nametag or insignia, either rigid or flexible, is equipped with a set of hooks on its backside. The nametag or insignia is then pressed onto the backsheet when the member is to be worn. For laundering or other maintenance of the garment, the nametag or insignia is removed. Numerous garments can contain backsheets with loop material in the correct position. When the user wants to wear one of them, he or she simply presses the nametag or insignia into position. In this manner a single nametag or insignia can service a wardrobe of garments. The method allows nametags and insignia to be removably worn without making pin or postholes in garments.

Abstract: A method and system for airport or other building security where passengers or persons entering a building approach a check-in point or check-in counter and must undergo a positive identification (ID) by fingerprint scan, retinal scan, or an other means of positive identification. A digital photograph can then be taken of the person. This data plus the positive ID data and optional data about the person including a scan of a government supplied ID like a drivers license or passport is entered in a database and checked against various law enforcement databases such as FBI or others for law enforcement interest in the person. The person is given an electronic smartcard that has wireless capability. The person carries the smartcard while in the airport or building. The system is notified when the person enters a secure gate area, boards or leaves an aircraft, etc. In addition, the system can determine if a person is carrying more than one smartcard or if a card has been abandoned.

Abstract: A system and method of computerizing companies with customized individual addressable electronic direct marketing, self-service automation, and customer care support. The system contains a private network connecting product companies, manufacturers, stores, educational institutions, travel companies, medical providers, financial institutions, and many others to a specified individual customer. The connection is made to a personal agent device carried or worn by a participating consumer that contains local processing means with an interactive display, security features, optional camera, and wireless communications with the private network. Communications microchips can be placed on products that communicate product information upon interrogation with the personal agent. The invention also includes business professional units in communication with the private network and in-store local wireless communication between personal agents and the business professional unit.

Abstract: A method of determining remote gas concentration values from remote gas sensors. The method is particularly applicable to heated metal oxide sensors; however, it is not restricted to this type of sensor. A polynomial fit is made of a sensor's gas response curve for each sensor in the system. Usually this is a third order polynomial; however, any other order can be used. The sensors response at zero concentration is a zero or root of the polynomial. This root is factored out of the polynomial reducing it one degree. It is possible to factor out more than one real root if such a root is known further reducing the order of the polynomial. The coefficients of the reduced polynomial are scaled and stored as absolute values in binary words at the remote. At least one additional word is used to store exponents and signs. These words are transmitted to a central location on demand so that the gas response curve can be recreated.

Abstract: A drywall finishing system for finishing 1) normal inside and outside corners of any angle, 2) stub wall or closet corners, 3) window wrap corners, and 4) L-metal for window sills and areas where drywall ends against some other surface like brick. The finishing system comprises a preformed trim piece comprising a semi-rigid member that is relatively thick in the center and tapers laterally to a thin edge. A layer of paper is bonded to the inside surface of the semi-rigid member for receiving joint compound to continuously bond the trim piece to the dry wall. A layer of finishing material is bonded to the exterior surface of the semi-rigid member. To install one of the pieces, it is selected from stock and cut to length. A flat coat of mud is applied to both sides of an exterior or interior angle, and the trim piece is placed over the mud and smoothed into place. Since it is preformed, the piece makes a straight line at the required angle.

Abstract: An eraser is placed on or near the end of the cover of a felt tip pen. The cover is inserted into the bottom of the pen or on the bottom of the pen itself. For a tapered cover type of pen, the eraser is placed on the flat upper end. For a raised or dimple type of cover, the eraser is placed concentrically around the end away from the dimple like a girdle or belt or flat on the bottom of the pen body. On a type of pen that resembles a fountain pen, the eraser is placed on the top cover on a flat area that may be slightly angled. The eraser can also be an annular ring on the base of the pen body. The eraser can be removable from the pen or can be attached with adhesive.

Abstract: An improved lift creating sail and sail system where a substantially rectangular mainsail made up of a plurality of panels forms an aerodynamically efficient airfoil that is supported at approximately its center on a pivot so that it has three degrees of freedom. The mainsail can be tilted athartships, rotated along a yaw axis, and tilted fore and aft to create lift and minimum drag. An optional jib sail that tracks the motion of the mainsail also produces lift. The mainsail and jib sail can be trimmed and positioned along three degrees of freedom to obtain maximum lift and minimum drag as well as a stable system. The effect of this sail system is to increase the speed of the boat by 15-25%.

Abstract: An adjustable pre-fabricated 3-way inside drywall corner with two flat sides and a flat face to be placed in the pointed 3-way corners created where sheets of hung drywall are joined to form two walls and a ceiling. This pre-fabricated corner can be paper, metal, or other suitable material. It allows a drywall worker to string tape by starting the tape a few inches away from a corner and running to the next corner, ending a few inches away from the second corner. The worker thus does not have to gauge exactly where to cut the tape to mate into the corners. Also, the effect of tape slip while stringing becomes unimportant. After the tape and drywall mud is dry, before the finishing step, the pre-fabricated corners are placed in every corner of a room, held in place by drywall mud. A drywall worker needs only to put a small amount of topping mud on the flanges and then "kill" the corner with a 4-6 inch knife.

Abstract: A felt tip pen cover with an attached eraser or a felt tip pen with an eraser on its bottom. The present invention places an eraser on or near the end of the cover that is inserted into the bottom of the pen or on the bottom of pen itself. For a tapered cover type of pen, the eraser is placed on the flat upper end. For a raised or dimple type of cover, the eraser is placed concentrically around the end away from the dimple like a girdle or belt or flat on the bottom of the pen body. On a type of pen that resembles a fountain pen, the eraser is placed on top cover on a flat area that may be slightly angled. The eraser can also be an annular ring on the base of the pen body. The addition of an eraser to a felt tip pen leads to the novel ability to erase and make corrections without having to search for a large eraser.

Abstract: A motion compensated apparatus that can be used as a sleeping platform, stabilizer. The discomfort and danger of a moving surface associated with a ship at sea is well known. The motion of such a surface causes considerable distress in humans and animals. Servos can expand and contract to position the upper portion of the assembly at various angles with respect to the lower portion and to cancel accelerations caused by pitching and rolling. The servos can be controlled by a control system that is driven by a set of motion sensors or a gyro. The sensors or gyro sense the instantaneous position of the deck with respect to an absolute level virtual reference plane. The control system continuously adjusts the apparatus to remain parallel to the absolute level plane. The system contains a quick enough response to track the fast motion encountered on a ship to yield a smooth and comfortable ride according to control system principles.

Abstract: Small modules directly situated at power outlets in buildings, that contain at least one sensor gather and report local environmental data such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, motion, particulate matter concentration, carbon monoxide, methane, or other parameters. The local modules report data back over existing building power wiring to a central unit. The central unit may store or reduce data for reporting over to a computer over a conventional RS-232 link. The data can be used to prove compliance with environmental and safety regulations and requirements or used to control HVAC equipment. Also, the data can be displayed or used with energy price tier systems.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated 3-way inside drywall corner with three tapered flanges to be placed in the pointed 3-way corners created where sheets of hung drywall are joined to form two walls and a ceiling. This pre-fabricated corner can be paper, metal, or other suitable material. It allows a drywall worker to string tape by starting the tape a few inches away from a corner and running to the next corner, ending a few inches away from the second corner. The worker thus does not have to gauge exactly where to cut the tape to mate into the corners. Also, the effect of tape slip while stringing becomes unimportant. After tape and drywall mud is dry, before the finishing step, the pre-fabricated corners are placed in every corner of a room, held in place by drywall mud. A drywall worker needs only to put a small amount of topping mud on the flanges and then "kill" the corner with a 4-6 inch knife.

Abstract: A fold-up combination tail gate table, sink, and storage box for the rear of a pickup truck containing a box or table made of steel, molded epoxy resin plastic or other suitable material mounted pivotally on an arm that can be attached to and removed from the truck's tail gate. The assembly is pivoted from a folded position on the closed tailgate to an open position from the open tailgate. It remains locked by forces on the leg(s) and the swivel arm contacting the table under the box as well as forces between the arm and the tailgate attach. In the unfolded position, the assembly is extremely stable and can support considerable weight. It becomes a table, a storage container, a sink for liquids, and with several optional circular holes, a holder for bottles, drinks or other containers. When the lid is closed, the lid itself becomes available for further use as a table. The assembly can be used for display, food preparation, fish cleaning, tool or food storage, or as a workbench as well as numerous other uses.

Abstract: A reaction chamber is filled with a fine fibrous material capable of holding powdered anatase titanium dioxide. Embedded in the fibrous mesh is a source of ultraviolet light that is used to photo-excite the titanium dioxide. Air containing carbon monoxide is passed through the reaction chamber, and carbon monoxide is oxidized to carbon dioxide which then passes out of the filter. An alternative embodiment is a rectangular plate several feet square containing fibrous material containing titanium dioxide. Ultraviolet light impinges on the fibrous material photo-exciting the titanium dioxide. When air from an HVAC system is passed through the filter, carbon monoxide is oxidized into carbon dioxide and thus effectively removed from the air. Ultraviolet light can alternatively be supplied to the filter via lossy optical waveguides or fiber optics. These waveguides may be coated with titanium dioxide or the titanium dioxide may be separately suspended in the filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing existing thermostats in buildings with physically small, inexpensive sensor array units that gather local environmental data such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, motion, particulate matter concentration, possibly toxic gas presence, and other parameters. The local arrays report data back over existing building wiring including thermostat wires and building power to a central data logging node. The central data logging node stores and reduces data for reporting over to a computer over a conventional RS-232 link. The data is used to prove compliance with environmental and safety regulations and requirements.