Abstract: A liquid testing device for determining the value of at least one property of a liquid. The liquid testing device includes a planar base and at least one test section, located on the planar base, with a reference color section located adjacent to the test section, which exhibits a color according to the value, as a result of reaction of a reagent with the liquid. The reference color section includes a plurality of different reference colors arranged for easy visual color comparison with the test result. The reference color section is placed adjacent to and in contact with the test section, with the test section having sufficient length so that it substantially encompasses the entire reference color section with its plurality of different reference colors. Thus, when the test section exhibits a reaction color, the visual comparison is simplified since the reference color which matches the reaction color becomes substantially visually merged and self-aligned therewith.

Abstract: A fluid mixing valve for producing a mixed fluid stream from first and second inlet fluid streams having different, varying temperatures, and having different, varying pressures, the mixed fluid stream having a substantially stable, preselected temperature of a magnitude between the temperatures of the first and second inlet fluid streams, the fluid mixing valve including a housing and a mixing regulation assembly disposed within the housing. The invention also provides a method for producing a mixed fluid stream from first and second inlet fluid streams having different, varying temperatures, and having different, varying pressures, the mixed fluid stream having a substantially stable, preselected temperature of a magnitude between the temperatures of the first and second fluid streams.

Abstract: A method for planting a living fence of different lengths with a height or design which varies, from saplings of different species. The fence can be transported ready for planting in an intended location, with the transport device provided as an integral part of the growth apparatus, and with the transport device intended to protect the fence from damage during transport.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a granular product. The system includes a refillable, sealable receptacle, having a neck at its lower end, a rotatable and flexible impeller within the neck, with the shape and size of the impeller conforming generally to the shape and size of the neck, providing sealing for maintaining the freshness of the granular product. Preferably the impeller comprises a hollow central core, and a shaft extends through the hollow core into at least one through-hole formed in the neck. A handle is present for turning the shaft to rotate the impeller. A base is provided with a retaining arm for removably receiving the receptacle. The system is capable of easy disassembly for cleaning, by removal of the receptacle and impeller from within the receptacle. Also provided is a multi-system for dispensing a plurality of products; having several receptacles and associated dispensing mechanisms mounted on a single support.

Abstract: A software development platform, used to develop software applications substantially free of the need to write code. The platform includes a visualizable computer executable modeling language for the definition of software solutions. The platform also includes a visual modeling system comprising a visual modeling tool for users to develop software solutions using the modeling language, and a runtime engine software program that automatically executes the defined software solutions.

Abstract: An innovative system and method for achieving high precision clock recovery, i.e. reconstruction of the clock signal having the same frequency, over a packet switched network. The proposed method utilizes a minimum network delay approach, which overcomes the problems caused by delay variation of the network and filters out network jitter, such as noise jitter and other “singular” anomalies causing latency deviations. Minimum network delay is defined herein as the time delay in which a packet remains in the network under assumption that all transmission queues through which the packet passes are empty.

Abstract: A method to provide direct bonding of wires to silicon for microelectronic and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). The method includes preparing a rough “pothole” during one of the many deep etch steps already provided in MEMS fabrication. The method also includes roughening of the smooth silicon surface in and around the rough pothole and plastically deforming a ball-bond into the rough pothole, such that the interconnection will eliminate a costly metallization layer, and thereby lower fabrication expenses and allow high temperature processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiding a visually impaired or blind person to detect, identify and avoid objects in the field of vision of the surroundings. The apparatus includes electro-optical devices to detect and identify objects, a control unit, which receives and processes information from the devices and a vocal representation unit to receive instructions from the control unit for purpose of audibly describing the objects to the person in the field of vision, thereby enabling the person to cope and proceed safely in the surroundings. The method for aiding a visually impaired person to detect, identify and objects in the field of vision surroundings includes the steps of receiving visual images of the objects, receiving range information concerning the objects, processing the image information, and audibly describing to the person the objects in the field of vision, thereby enabling the person to cope with, and proceed in his surroundings.

Abstract: An array of uncooled infrared sensors based on a micro-machined temperature sensitive MOS transistor. The sensor array is fabricated using a commercial CMOS process on SOI wafers, followed by backside silicon dry etching for each sensor pixel. Active sensor pixels may include either, an integrator and buffer, or simply the sensing transistor, serving also as the selection device. The transistor bias controls the selected device and the sensitivity of the sensor. PMOS transistors and switched operation are used for noise minimization.

Abstract: A hand-held, motorized depilating device, introducing a novel mechanical design to provide improved depilating coverage and hair plucking efficiency, without requiring the user to pass the device over the same given skin, area numerous times. The hair-plucking assembly is rotatable about a shaft and includes at least two disc assemblies, each comprising a pair of complimentary discs, mounted on a hub, and having radially extending arms which terminate in a flattened peripheral portion, which when pressed against a corresponding portion forms a trap for the hair. At least one of the radially extending arms is bent so that the associated hair trap lies in a different predetermined plane than the other hair-traps associated with that disc assembly. This staggered arrangement results in improved depilating coverage.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor device for plasma-based gas and liquid purification. The device comprises a series of electrodes arranged in rows of alternating polarity so as to form a series of triangular modules in which the spacing between adjacent electrodes is less than or equal to the diameter of an individual electrode. When an electrical power supply is connected to the electrodes, an electrical discharge is produced which reacts with the constituents of the fluid to produce activated radicals. The device further comprises a fluid swiveling device which facilitates homogenous flow of the contaminated fluid through the reactor by providing effective mixing between activated radicals and fluid, such that toxins contained in the fluid are attacked and decomposed by the radicals. A number of alternative embodiments of the fluid swiveling device are described.

Abstract: An improved method for providing high-quality optical fiber metallization with the required length at the required location. The method enables metallized optical fibers to be soldered and connected to mechanical components while reducing the level of stress in the metal coatings and providing strong adhesion, good conductivity and connectivity. The advantage of the method is a combination of vacuum evaporation and electroless deposition for the optical fiber metallization. A strong adhesion of the metal layer is achieved by the use of an evaporated thin metal layer, comprising an adhesion layer and a seed layer. The stress reduction is achieved due to electroless deposition, which is adequately thick for subsequent soldering/welding or other applications. The method comprises preparation for evaporation, preparation of optical fibers, evaporation of the thin metal adhesion and seed layer on the optical fiber, electroless deposition of an adequately thick metal layer, and acceptance testing.

Abstract: A transducer for a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device comprises a plurality of interdigitized electrode fingers, which change in width along their length. Preferred forms include shapes similar to paired curled brackets { }, paired reversed curled brackets } {, paired rounded brackets ( ) trapezoids, bells, and rhombus <>. Simultaneously, weighting by shape of the interdigitized electrode fingers is determined using of at least one of the following inventive mechanisms: the SAW velocity dispersion effect along the finger's length and the dispersion of the SAW reflection coefficient along the finger's length. Electrode fingers shaped in form of either paired brackets, rhombus, cascaded brackets or cascaded rhombuses are also utilized for SAW beam diffraction control by focussing of the SAW due to the SAW velocity dispersion effect along the fingers' lengths.

Abstract: A system for compressed digital video bitstreams, in which an I-frame may precede a plurality of P-frames slices, wherein the system includes an encoder to encode the bits for each successive P-frame slice. The system also includes a decoder buffer, where the bits enter at a fixed rate and a decoder, which uses the extracted bits to decode each frame and display each frame. The delay is chosen at a fixed rate between 10 msec and 100 msec.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The multi-purpose modular infra-red ablatable graphic arts tool provided comprises solutions to economy of scale for infrared ablatable Graphics Arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived. This is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate, so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions.

Abstract: There is disclosed beverage a beverage whipping apparatus having a motor for creating rotational motion, a rod having a first end and a second end, a whipping head that is in communication with the first end of the rod, and a torque reducing member intermediate the motor and the rod. This torque reducing member is in communication with the motor and the second end of the rod. Also included is a method for manufacture of the beverage whipping apparatus.