Abstract: An asymmetric bandwidth communication system enables wireless communication between interrogators/readers and transponders/tags. A transponder transmits TDCIR (Time Domain Carrierless Impulse Radio) signals in the uplink direction and receives non-TDCIR signals, such as electromagnetic continuous waves, in the downlink direction. The transponder may receive partial or whole power from non-TDCIR signals. The TDCIR utilizes electromagnetic impulses with short duration and ultra wide bandwidth. It offers high data rate reliable communication at low power and design complexity. It also demonstrates resilience against path fading, selective absorption and reflection by physical matters and excellent location determination capabilities.

Abstract: An integrated, yet divisible shop vacuum and air compressor system is provided with a blower, a wet and dry vacuuming section and a compressor section, each of which is mounted on a easy to relocate trolley. The vacuum system has a separate motor from the compressor and is independently operable with full capacity. A filter in front of the vacuum suction prevents debris and moisture from entering the vacuum-generating unit. The vacuum hose decreases in diameter as a function of distance from the unit to increase airflow velocity. Air pressure within a compressed air storage tank in the compressor section is sensed and controlled. The integrated shop vacuum and air compressor system provides dry vacuuming, wet vacuuming, high pressure air delivery and air blowing capability from a single, mobile unit. The unit is fully integrated into a single, yet divisible platform which may come with or have available via after market purchase, a second set of wheels for total independence.

Abstract: A high intensity lighting system comprises a plurality of high intensity discharge lamps electrically connected to a polyphase alternator and a prime mover mechanically connected to the alternator. An inherent impedance characteristic of the alternator permits the lamps to be reliably started and energized without any separate ballast or comparable impedance element. The alternator comprises a stator having teeth extending from a backiron. The teeth consist of the alternator phases, and the coils encircle the respective teeth of each pair and are wound in opposite sense and connected in series. The machine is preferably an axial airgap device wherein the stator assembly has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine exhaust system comprises a single-piece, seamless metal housing having tubulated gas inlet and outlet ports and a tubulated intermediate section with a catalytic element therein. The intermediate section is connected to the inlet port by an inlet transition section and to the outlet port by an outlet transition section. The inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet transition sections are formed by swaging the ends of a seamless tube used to form the housing. Exhaust gas produced by operation of the engine passes into the converter and through the catalytic element. Noxious substances in the exhaust, including CO, NOx, and incompletely combusted hydrocarbons are converted to more benign substances through the action of the catalytic element, which is preferably a frangible ceramic honeycomb structure having a plurality of internal passages coated with a catalytically active substance.

Abstract: A plurality of canine acetabular cups designed to fit within different sized spherical reamed bone cavities to produce controlled interference without use of cements, screws or nails. Each of the canine acetabular cups, regardless of size, mates with a common femoral head, providing interchangeability. The controlled interference is obtained through use of a multiple curvature Ti—Al—V shell having a porous coating. The interference starts from zero at 50 degrees from the apex of the shell and extends to full interference value at 90 degrees from the apex. The Ti—Al—V shell carries a UHMW polyethylene insert, which is locked by interference, a non-circular post mated with an elongated opening and a circumferential locking groove mated with an interior projection. Initial stability is provided immediately after surgery due to the interference arrangement; long term stability is afforded by bone ingrowth.

Abstract: Acute and chronic heart disease is treated using a rational, multi-tier approach. A patient is pretreated with growth factor proteins or gene therapy, followed by the administration of adult stem cells. The progress of treatment is continuously monitored by echo-cardiogram with growth factor treatment and/or stem cell administration adjusted according to the results of the echo-cardiogram or clinical status of the patient. Heart disease is also treated by a method that comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a growth factor protein by oral inhalation therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rational, multi-tier approach to the administration of growth factor proteins in the treatment of heart disease. Also disclosed is a method to evaluate the effectiveness of the administration of growth factor proteins comprising the clinical assay of CPK-MB levels in a patient undergoing treatment with growth factor proteins. In addition, there is disclosed a method for treatment of heart disease comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a growth factor protein by oral inhalation therapy.

Abstract: An energizable magnetic core for use in an inductor or a transformer includes a plurality of legs extending from the back yoke. The back yoke is formed in a loop arranged to provide a magnetic circuit. Each of the plurality of legs have a first end adjacent to the back yoke and a second end extending away from the back yoke. With the legs positioned upon the back yoke, a cover yoke is positioned adjacent to the second end of each of the plurality of legs. The cover yoke is also formed in a loop such that the cover loop is arranged to provide a magnetic circuit. Coils are positioned upon the legs of the energizable magnetic core. In one embodiment, amorphous metal may be used to construct the energizable magnetic core.

Abstract: An automatic razor blade sharpener simultaneously sharpens and sanitizes multiple edges of a spring-loaded disposable razor blade cartridge without edge overheating by lubricated gentle contact of the blade edges with a moving rubber or polymeric compliant belt that is motor driven. The disposable razor blade handle is set in a cradle aperture, which is spring loaded against the moving belt. A sanitizing and lubricating liquid is dispersed from a container between the razor blade edges and the moving belt forms a thin liquid layer on the belt surface. The liquid layer is illuminated by transversely located light illuminator and the reflected light is received by a transversely located sensor. Deep grooves in the blade cutting edge reduce this reflection, indicating an overly worn blade. The absence of reflection actuates an LED, informing the user that the thin liquid film has evaporated or spilled out, or that the container lacks a sufficient quantity of sanitizing and lubricating liquid.

Abstract: An Integrated Drip Proof Stopper System for wine and other liquid-containing bottles is installed during the manufacture of the bottle. The Integrated drip Proof Stopper System contains a shrink-wrap shell disposed about the throat of the bottle. The shrink-wrap shell has an opening strip that separates a shrink-wrap shell extension from a lower portion of the shrink-wrap shell. When pulled, the strip exposes an absorbent pad that is adhesively bonded to the bottom portion of the shrink-wrap shell. The absorbent pad captures drips that occur when wine or liquid is poured from the bottle, preventing damage to tablecloths or tabletops on which the bottle is placed. The upper portion of the absorbent pad has a plurality of slits and teeth forming a teeth-like structure adapted for expansion by the user to increase drip capture efficiency.

Abstract: A pants construction comprises an undergarment having a drawstring, elastic band or other securing mechanism on the waistband. The undergarment is attached to the inside of a pair of pants or shorts with a hook and loop type fastener, buttons, zippers, snaps, tie strings, temporary glue or the like. The attachment is concealed; and is arranged such that at least some of the upper portion of the undergarment is revealed above substantially the entire circumference of the waistband of the pants, and the waistband of the pants is below the waist of the wearer. This conveys a perception that the pants are far below the waist. A securing mechanism associated with the undergarment stabilizes the pants to prevent them from falling down.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live spectator events. The method includes providing spectators with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the spectator through the interactive device, querying the spectators, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by spectators via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as spectator data, processing the spectator data into results, storing the results of the processing of the spectator data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the spectator data.

Abstract: A rotating, dynamoelectric machine, such as an electric motor, a generator, or a regenerative motor, comprises a stator assembly that includes a backiron section, a plurality of stator tooth sections, and a frontiron. The dynamoelectric machine has an axial airgap-type configuration. In addition, the electric machine has a high pole count that operates at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and reduced heating in the rotor. Low-loss materials employed in the dynamoelectric machine include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, optimized Fe-based alloys, and optimized grain-oriented Fe-based materials or non-grain-oriented Fe-based materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rational, multi-tier approach to the administration of growth factor proteins in the treatment of heart disease. Also disclosed is a method to evaluate the effectiveness of the administration of growth factor proteins comprising the clinical assay of CPK-MB levels in a patient undergoing treatment with growth factor proteins. In addition, there is disclosed a method for treatment of heart disease comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a growth factor protein by oral inhalation therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaving an optical fiber waveguide comprises a support base, a fixed fiber support including a fixed fiber base and a self-aligning fiber holder, a fiber pull tension assembly including a tension assembly base and a rotatable pull clamp, a tension spring, and a scribing knife assembly. The self-aligning fiber holder and the pull clamp support the fiber in an adjustable tension applied by the tension spring. The knife assembly comprises a blade carriage reciprocally driven on a linear slide by a motor drive assembly through a crank and a crank actuator. On the blade carriage is mounted a scribing blade borne on a blade arm that is upwardly biased. A guide pin on the blade arm engages a generally parallelogram-shaped guide track in the fixed fiber base. The guide track has an upper track and a lower track. During forward motion of the blade carriage, the guide pin travels in the lower track, thereby depressing the blade arm.

Abstract: A baggage scanning system and method employ combined angular and energy dispersive x-ray scanning to detect the presence of a contraband substance within an interrogation volume of a baggage item. The interrogation volume is illuminated with penetrating, polychromatic x-rays in a primary fan beam from a source such as a tungsten-anode x-ray tube. An energy-dependent absorption correction is determined from measurement of the attenuation of the fan beam at a plurality of different energies. Radiation coherently scattered by substances in the interrogation volume is detected by an energy-resolved x-ray detector operated at a plurality of scattering angles to form a plurality of scattering spectra. Each scattering spectrum is corrected for energy-dependent absorption and the corrected spectra are combined to produce a scattering pattern. The experimental scattering pattern is compared with reference patterns that uniquely characterize known contraband substances.

Abstract: A digital sampling playback doorbell system has two or more doorbell buttons and a central unit with solid-state memory storage for multiple digitally sampled sound files. User assignment means are provided for assigning a particular sound file to a particular doorbell button. The digital sampling playback doorbell m has computer interface of RS-232, or USB, or infrared wireless connection type and relies on computer installed software to download digitally sampled sound files stored in the computer hard drive to the memory of the digital sampling playback doorbell system central unit. The digitally sampled sound files stored in the computer hard drive are obtained by accessing a web site through the Internet or capturing sound through an audio computer connection to a microphone, CD player or radio broadcast using software resident in the computer.

Abstract: A splicing stage for fusion joining two optical fibers comprises an electric arc welding system, a clamping and fiber position adjustment system, and an optional imaging optical system. The stage is preferably incorporated in a compact, low profile, modular fusion splicing system that employs a local injection and detection system to optimally align and position the fibers before fusion. The system is rugged, portable, and capable of operating in an adverse environment. Compact and low in profile, the splicing stage and system are operable with minimal clearance to adjacent equipment and structures and with only a minimal amount of free fiber slack available. Simplicity of design and operation enable accurate alignment and reproducible formation of low transmission loss spliced joints.

Abstract: A miniature magnetic article surveillance system marker is adapted, when armed, to resonate at a frequency provided by an incident magnetic field applied within an interrogation zone. The marker comprises a magnetomechanical element having at least one elongated ductile strip of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic material disposed adjacent to a ferromagnetic element which, upon being magnetized, magnetically biases the strip and arms it to resonate at said frequency. A substantial change in effective magnetic permeability of the marker at the resonant frequency provides the marker with signal identity.

Abstract: A computer mouse pad comprises a rigid base and a plurality of paper sheets arranged in a stack and detachably fixed to the base. Each of the stacked sheet is detachably fixed to a sheet immediately below it in the stack. The sheets are provided with printed messages on upper surfaces thereof. A coating is applied to the upper surfaces of the sheets. The coated upper surfaces are resistant to being written upon, thereby preventing accumulation of carbon, graphite and ink markings, which tend to contaminate the roller ball, prevent proper mouse tracking and adversely affect curser control. When worn, the uppermost sheet is removed, thereby exposing the next sheet in the stack and its message, for use as the upper surface of the mouse pad. Timely refreshment of the upper surface is encouraged by provision of a mouse pad in which the information conveyed by successive sheet removal creates a serial effect.