Abstract: An environmental sensor distinguishes between a plurality of different ambient acoustic environments and communicates with an audio gain circuit which automatically adjusts the audio characteristics of the speaker and microphone of a wireless communications assembly for more optimum audio performance. The wireless communications assembly preferably includes a hands free adapter coupled to a wireless communications device such as a cellular telephone. The adjustments to the audio characteristics are according to predetermined settings for the identified ambient acoustic environment which are preferably stored in memory associated with the audio gain circuit. In this manner, the audio characteristics are automatically adjusted for the actual ambient acoustic environment that the wireless communications assembly is operating in.

Abstract: A flexible tie comprises a flexible strap having a head portion and an opposing end portion. The head portion of the strap includes first and second slots. Loops are formed in the strap by inserting the end portion of through the first and second slots. The first slot is a non-locking slot that permits the strap to move in both directions. The second slot is a locking slot that limits movement of the strap to a single direction. In use, the loops are tightened around a prisoner's arms or legs. The non-locking slot prevents the loops from over-tightening and cutting off circulation to the prisoner's arms and legs.

Abstract: A history list is used to automatically track where communications facilitation data, in the form of a communications facilitation data card, has been sent. When a communications facilitation data card is changed, the changed communications facilitation data card is automatically sent to all the previous sendees as indicated by the history list. This method applies both when the user changes their own communications facilitation data card and when a communications facilitation data card has been relayed by the user to a third party and an updated version of that communications facilitation data card is received. The maintenance of the history list and communications facilitation data cards are preferably performed in a personal communications assistant device and the sending is preferably via a wireless communications system. This method of handling communications facilitation data cards reduces errors and burden on the user when communications facilitation data cards are updated.

Abstract: A clock circuit includes a clock signal generator for generating a first clock signal during a normal mode of operation and an oscillating dual clock generating circuit for producing a second clock signal during a second mode of operation. The oscillating dual clock generating circuit is connected to the output of the clock signal generator. In the first mode of operation, the clock signal from the clock signal generator is passed through the oscillating dual clock generating circuit to a control device. In a second mode of operation, the input of the oscillating research signal is isolated. Isolation of the oscillating dual clock generating circuit causes oscillation in the dual clock generating circuit. Thus, the dual clock generating circuit acts as an oscillator during the second mode of operation to generate a second clock signal.

Abstract: A method for locating a mobile communication device includes the steps of sensing geocoordinates that represent the telephone's approximate location, comparing the sensed geocoordinates to predefined geocoordinates that represent a home location municipal address, selecting geocoordinates responsive to the comparison, and locating the portable telephone according to the selected geocoordinates. In another embodiment, a cellular telephone includes a positioning receiver for sensing approximate geocoordinates of the cellular telephone, memory for storing home-location geocoordinates, logic for comparing the approximate geocoordinates with the home-location geocoordinates and for selecting a preferred position responsive to the outcome of the comparison; and a radio transmitter for transmitting the preferred position to a public safety answering point.

Abstract: A device for shading a child from sunlight while positioned in a child seat. The device includes a visor shaped for shielding the child from the sun. A bendable support arm is used for mounting and adjusting the visor. The support arm includes an interior member that is pliable for adjusting the orientation of said shield relative to the seat, and a protective outer member extending around the interior member to prevent contact of the interior member by the child.

Abstract: A socket assembly for releasably mating with an electrical connector plug utilizes a plurality of fixed leads, and optionally a moveable retainer frame. The fixed leads are in direct electrical communication with an electrical circuit, such as the modem portion of a computing device. At least a portion of each lead remains anchored in a position fixed relative to the electrical circuit and are directly connected to the circuit traces of the electrical circuit. The optional retainer frame is preferably movable between a storage position and a ready position. In the ready position, the retainer frame is adapted to receive and retain the connector plug in a mated position such that the contacts of the connector plug are brought into contact with the fixed leads. In other embodiments, the housing of the electrical circuit includes a socket cavity which is adapted to receive the connector plug.

Abstract: A cabinet for housing telecommunications equipment in outdoor locations includes an enclosure for containing the telecommunications equipment. A subrack is mounted within the enclosure. A duct directs ambient air from outside the cabinet to the subrack. The duct includes an inlet disposed in a lower portion of the cabinet and a subrack inlet plenum disposed immediately below the subrack. A subrack exit plenum is disposed above the electronic subrack for exhausting air heated by the electronics equipment. A fan draws ambient air into the inlet through the duct into the subrack inlet plenum, through the electronic subrack into the subrack exit plenum, and out of the enclosure through the subrack exhaust plenum. A heater is provided for heating inlet air when ambient temperatures are low. The fan and heater are controlled by a thermal controller. At low ambient temperatures, the air flow is maintained constant by the fans and power to the heater is varied to maintain the subrack inlet temperature constant.

Abstract: A pathogen reduction system for a sludge treatment process that employees multiple reactors operating in a batch mode to reduce pathogen levels in the sludge while providing a continuous flow of pathogen reduced sludge to a digester. In addition, the present invention entails an efficient heat exchanger for heating and cooling the sludge being treated in the above process. In particular, the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type and includes a helical coil confined in an annular chamber for transmitting one media and wherein the helical coil is spaced so as to form another helical flow channel that is defined by the annular chamber and the helical coil itself. Consequentially, one media is directed through the helical coil while another media is directed through the flow channel that is defined in part by the helical coil.

Abstract: A conveyor dryer having a drying chamber and a conveyor disposed within the chamber for conveying a selected material through the chamber is detected. A stationary conveyor support is disposed on each side of the conveyor for supporting the conveyor. A material guide is disposed adjacent each side of the conveyor for generally retaining material on the conveyor and wherein the conveyor support and material guide are disposed adjacent to each other such that they cooperate to form a generally air tight seal that minimizes the flow of air between the conveyor support and the material guide.

Abstract: A collapsible workbench mounts to a wall and is movable between a deployed position and a storage position. A support structure is secured to the wall for supporting the bench in a generally horizontal deployed position. The support structure allows the bench to be detached from the wall or, alternatively, folded down to a storage position adjacent to the wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of water using ozone, and more particularly to an ozone-based water purification system for use in animal houses and the like. In the embodiment described herein, the water treatment system comprises a main holding or contact tank, a relatively small re-circulation pump, an ozone generator, and an ozone injector. Normal operation of this water treatment system involves the receipt of raw or untreated water from a pressurized water main, such as that typically provided by a public water works system. This raw or untreated water is held in the contact tank at or near the pressure of the supplying water main. Actuation of the ozonation re-circulation loop causes water to be drawn from the contact tank by the re-circulation pump and passed through the adjacent venturi-type ozone injector.

Abstract: A virtual keyboard displayed on a computer display is used to emulate a conventional keyboard. The coordinate position of the keys on the virtual keyboard are stored as an array in the computer's memory. The key coordinates are ordered in the array based on their frequency of occurrence. A pointing device is used to select keys on the virtual keyboard. The input points generated by the pointing device are compared to the key coordinates stored in the key coordinate array one at a time. A predetermined bounding criteria is applied to determine whether the input point matches that key. If so, then the key is assigned to the input point and the search is discontinued. The search for a matching key continues until a match is found or until the end of the array is reached.

Abstract: An electrical plug assembly includes a secondary plug assembly which releasably mates with a rotatable default plug assembly. The default plug assembly is moveable between a storage position and a deployed position and includes a plurality of default prongs of a first physical configuration. A casing associated with the default plug assembly includes a recess for receiving the default plug assembly in the storage position. The distinct secondary plug assembly includes a main body and a plurality of secondary prongs of a second physical configuration extending from the front of the main body. The secondary plug assembly attaches to the default prongs to assume a mated position, such as by sliding the secondary plug assembly rearwardly over the default prongs. A suitable latch and catch arrangement is used to releasably secure the secondary plug assembly to the default plug assembly. Preferably, the only connection between the secondary plug assembly and the casing is via the default plug assembly.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and testing the operation of a vapor recovery system within a fuel dispensing device. The system utilizes strategically placed sensors within the fuel dispensing device to gather data pertaining to each pump and hose combination for that fuel dispensing device. The gathered data is forwarded to an internal digital controller processing device where calculations are performed and results are compared to baseline results stored in memory within the digital controller. Anomalous results are displayed and/or printed. The system operates in both automatic and manual diagnostic modes. The automatic diagnostic mode runs continuously without interfering with the normal operation of the fuel dispensing device.

Abstract: A pathogen reduction system for a sludge treatment process that employees multiple reactors operating in a batch mode to reduce pathogen levels in the sludge while providing a continuous flow of pathogen reduced sludge to a digester. In addition, the present invention entails an efficient heat exchanger for heating and cooling the sludge being treated in the above process. In particular, the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type and includes a helical coil confined in an annular chamber for transmitting one media and wherein the helical coil is spaced so as to form another helical flow channel that is defined by the annular chamber and the helical coil itself. Consequentially, one media is directed through the helical coil while another media is directed through the flow channel that is defined in part by the helical coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a blended fuel including first and second real time octane sensors in fluid communication with sources of low and high octane blend components. The sensors generate an output signal indicative of the octane level of each component. The apparatus also includes first and second flow control valves in fluid communication with the first and second octane sensors respectively for independently controlling the flow rates of the low level and high level blend components. The invention further includes first and second meters in fluid communication with first and second flow control valves respectively for generating a signal indicative of the flow rates of the first and second blend components. The meters discharge to a blend manifold for mixing the blending components.