Abstract: A composition for accelerating the disposal of ethanol from bodily fluid. Certain additives can accelerate the metabolic oxidation of ethanol, and others in addition act as catalysts or “pseudo” enzymes for the oxidation. Additives include the oxidant Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide and a variety of other additives such as transition metal ions and complexes thereof which favor the oxidation reaction. The compositions described can act as a sobriety inducer and/or as an effective palliative for the unpleasant effects of overuse of ethanol.

Abstract: An autonomous sensor system is provided for powering sensors using thermoelectric modules driven by thermal energy. The system includes solid-state thermoelectric (TE) modules for the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy. The TE modules are composed of p-type and n-type semiconductors that are interdigitated so that the p-type and n-type elements form thermocouples. The TE modules derive electrical power from thermal energy available in the immediate environment. The system also includes sensors that are powered by the TE module, wherein a corresponding free space signal is generated.

Abstract: Images with enhanced resolution are created with a display device comprising a non-transmissive light valve including addressable pixels, a light source that directs light to the light valve, and a lens positioned between the light valve and the light source, the lens directing light from the light source to the pixels on the light valve and the light valve directing light to viewing optics. The light valve is an integrated circuit ferroelectric liquid crystal device (ICFLCD), or other light valve arrays such as a digital light processor (DLP) display, having an array of addressable pixels. Such light valves may be mounted in a head mounted display.

Abstract: One or more beverage container labels and the method for creating a first static part and a second variable part including printing the image on the label using a single pass. The printing apparatus having a computer with memory to store a first static portion of an image and a second variable portion of an image so that a rasterizer connected to the memory and combining the first static portion and the second variable portion can form an image for printing. The apparatus also has a printer connected to the rasterizer for printing the image on a label in one step.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for in-situ testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric transducers including piezoelectric accelerometers. Circuits, measurement techniques, and interpretative algorithms to enable in-situ testing of piezoelectric accelerometers are described. Accelerometers that employ a piezoelectric material to convert mechanical strains into electronic signals are reciprocal electromechanical transducers. In such transducers the electrical output impedance of the sensor is dependent upon the electrical and mechanical parameters of the sensor. The procedure described in this disclosure includes methods of measuring the transducer electrical output impedance as a function of frequency and the extraction of the electrical and mechanical transducer parameters from the measured data. The measured values of the transducer parameters may be interpreted to provide an indication of the operational status of the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for dissipating water wave energy and for shoreline control including a module with a generally hollow body, a pair of opposed flanges attached to adjacent corners of the body, a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures in the flanges for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system, and a recess disposed between the flanges. Each recess contains a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections for substantially disrupting any laminar flow of water past the surface and creating turbulent flow.

Abstract: A reference mouse pad provides data, which is accessible, when the mouse pad is opened. The reference mouse pad having a body made up of a cover and a base that are hinged together. The cover having a planar first mouse contacting surface and a planar second mouse contacting surface, the cover hingedly connected to the base an movable between a closed position exposing only the first mouse contacting surface and an open position exposing only the second mouse contacting surface contains a top surface on which the mouse is rolled on during use.

Abstract: A display having a two-stage optical process is disclosed. This two-stage system enables a relatively compact and inexpensive display. A display screen projects an image that passes through a first lens or lens system. The collimated light is then diffused by one of several methods so as to increase the ultimate viewer's eyebox. The diffused image then undergoes a magnification process involving total internal reflection within a second lens. The light exiting the second lens is magnified to the level desired at a low cost and a small size.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display includes an image forming device and a substrate having alternating strips, where strips having a first optical property are separated by strips having a different optical property. This substrate may be composed of alternating strips of polarization film separated by clear, nonpolarizing strips. Alternately, this substrate may be composed of first alternating strips that retard a component of linearly polarized light by one-half wavelength, separated by second alternating strips that retard a component of linearly polarized light by one wavelength. A removable, separate polarizing substrate may be removably placed in front of the substrate containing the alternating strips. When the removable polarizing substrate is placed in front of the strips in a certain orientation, autostereoscopic imaging is viewed by the observer, and when this polarizing substrate is removed, 2D imaging is viewed.

Abstract: An instrument of process calibrator includes a housing, a traceable, controllable calibration source in the housing, the calibration source including memory for storing identifying information about the calibration source, a data connector coupled to the calibration source, a removable hand held computer preferably a PDA, attached to the housing, and connected to the data connector, the computer including user input means for receiving a control input user for controlling the calibration source, and output means, preferably graphical output means for displaying the identifying information and calibration results to the user.

Abstract: An instrument or process calibrator includes a housing, a traceable, controllable calibration source in the housing, the calibration source including memory for storing identifying information about the calibration source, a data connector coupled to the calibration source, a removable hand held computer preferably a PDA, attached to the housing, and connected to the data connector, the computer including user input means for receiving a control input user for controlling the calibration source, and output means, preferably graphical output means for displaying the identifying information and calibration results to the user.

Abstract: A quick loader and associated method for a surgical suturing instrument of the type having at least one ferrule receiving chamber and a suture receiving passage, includes a loader body having a recess formed therein for receiving an end of a surgical suturing instrument, a seat adjacent the recess for releasably holding at least one ferrule-tipped end of a suture in the seat, the seat being aligned and adjacent to a ferrule receiving chamber in the suturing instrument when the instrument is positioned in the recess, for permitting the transfer of the ferrules from the seat on the loader into the ferrule receiving chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating and projecting autostereoscopic images with a look around feature, in particular a device which creates several full resolution perspective views of a scene and makes each one visible within a different region of space in front of a special lens screen assembly on which the images are projected. The apparatus, including an illumination system, a light valve, a relay lens, a beam steering device, a plurality of projection lenses and mirrors, a focusing lens, and a screen assembly such that the mirrors focus light exiting the projection lenses and the screen assembly has a diffuser.

Abstract: The present invention is a valve cleaning apparatus and method for transporting a cleaning fluid from a supply tank into the air intake valves of a combustion engine. It comprises housing having a pair of legs and a closed end. The housing has a flow path through the housing. A valve is located collinear with the flowpath. The valve cleaning apparatus also includes tubing, a nozzle and a hook to hang the assembly from the hood of a car.