Abstract: A prescription drug printing machine is used by a physician in connection with prescribing one or more prescription drugs to a patient. The printing machine has a memory unit that contains a database of information on all known available prescription drugs, including a colored pictorial representation of each of the available drugs. Each of the colored pictorial representations is a substantially similar replica of the drug it depicts. Preferably, the colored pictorial representation is an exact replica of the actual drug, containing the drug's exact color, shape and size. The printing device includes a first and second printing means for printing a prescription drug form and a patient receipt, respectively. Both of the prescription drug form and the patient receipt include the name of the drug, a colored pictorial representation, and other information. The prescribing physician inspects each of these documents for accuracy before handing them both over to the patient.

Abstract: An axial gap dynamoelectric machine comprises first and second stators disposed coaxially with an intermediate rotor. The stators are selectively aligned with an axial offset between the positions of their respective teeth and slots. The stators comprise toroidal cores having laminated layers composed of a material selected from the group consisting of amorphous and nanocrystalline metals and optimized Fe-based alloy. Optionally, the machine further comprises misalignment means for adjusting the offset of the stators. Adaptive adjustment permits the machine to be operated to in a mode that reduces the back EMF of the motor, allowing constant voltage to be maintained as speed is increased. Reducing back EMF also allows a wider range of operating speed, especially in combination with use of high pole counts. Alternatively, the machine can be operated, e.g. at lower speed, in a constant torque mode. The machine may exploit the high pole count achievable by use of improved soft magnetic materials.

Abstract: A three dimensional amorphous metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping amorphous metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. The three dimensional shape is mechanically contained in three dimensions. If the amorphous metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into a stator. The stator would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.

Abstract: Information concerning personal investment and finance is developed and stored in first and second data sets containing topics and issue-questions related thereto. The information is accessed from these data sets by selectively combining an issue-question with at least one topic to produce a primary information product. A program means associated with the data sets modifies the primary information product by imposing thereon a plurality of answer-options to the selected issue-question. Each answer-options comprises at least one expert opinion and at least one prudent-investor opinion, stored in third and fourth data sets. The imposition of answer-options on the information product produces a polycentric information product, which is readily communicated by oral, written or electronic means.

Abstract: An apparatus protects the feet and legs of an infant from certain rigid parts of an infant bouncer seat while the infant is sitting and playing in the bouncer seat. A foot and leg protector includes a unitary and elongated, shell, wherein the shell is u-shaped when viewed from its top surface. Padded material having a thickness of at least about one half inch is disposed within the shell. The foot and leg protector further includes a removable attachment means including a male part and a female part. The male part is located on the bottom surface of the foot and leg protector and the female part is located substantially near the front lip of the bouncer seat. The removable attachment means is operable to removably attach the foot and leg protector to the bouncer seat such that the foot and leg protector covers substantially the entire portion of the front lip of the bouncer seat, and front portions of left and right side lips.

Abstract: A local injection and detection system assesses the attenuation of light propagating from a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber associated therewith. The system comprises a light injector, a light detector, a driver to energize a light source in the injector, and a receiver. Light from the light source is injected into the first optical fiber and propagates therethrough. A portion of the propagating light in the second fiber is extracted onto a light responsive element in the detector. The system is particularly adapted for use in a system for splicing optical fibers, the system minimizing the insertion loss of the joint by optimally aligning the fibers prior to fusing them. In addition, the insertion loss of a joint can be inferred by comparing light attenuation before and after the joint is fused. The present system is compact and low in profile, enabling it to be used with a fusion splicer that operates with minimal clearance to adjacent equipment and structures.

Abstract: An attachment means allows for easy attachment of a decorative item or attachment to a vehicle. The attachment means includes a mounting member comprising a flexible strip, which supports the decorative attachment. A plug is attached to each end of the mounting member. The plug may be easily inserted into and removed from the bottom holes of a license plate on a vehicle. The plugs are attached to the mounting member by extensions, and include slits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide interactive audience participation at live spectator events. Enjoyment for a plurality of spectators is enhanced. Participating spectators employ wireless interactive devices that present a promotional message and include user input and output interfaces. Spectators are queried, and enter answers via the user input interface. The answers are transmitted to a central processor, stored as spectator data, and processed into results. A visual display or the user output interface announces the results to the spectators.

Abstract: A scent dispersing apparatus, such as a mat, capable of enclosing a scent-containing element inside an air-filled cavity. A housing contains a means for air ventilation, such as small air holes, for dispersion of scent. When the housing receives a force, such as a user exerting pressure upon on the housing, air is pushed from the air cavity outward through the air holes, thereby, dispersing scent contained in the scented insert. Additional air enters the air cavity once the pressure is released through an elastic rebound effect.

Abstract: A splicing system for joining polarization-maintaining, single mode optical fibers produces durable fusion splices that have low transmission loss and maintain mode integrity. The system employs active optical techniques such as profile alignment or local injection and detection to achieve optimized lateral alignment of the fibers prior to fusion. Azimuthal alignment is performed using a transverse, polarized light illumination and detection system. Each fiber is rotated azimuthally to determine a transverse intensity function. The transverse intensity functions of the respective fibers are cross-correlated to determine a relative orientation that matches the polarization axes of the fibers. After the relative position of the fibers is manipulated laterally, axially, and azimuthally, the fibers are fusion spliced using an electric arc discharge.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned. Such illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light as indicative of the detection of the contraband substance, and activates a signaling device to provide an audible or visible alarm.

Abstract: Fine or short hair is held in place by a barrette having a fastener material known as Velcro®, comprising hook and loop portions. The barrette comprises a flat strip of flexible material having a decorative upper surface and a lower surface. One end of the strip's lower surface is attached to the hook portion of the fastener material. The loop portion of the fastener material is attached to the lower surface of the other end of the strip. Releasable contact between the hook and loop portions of the fastener material is achieved by bending the strip about a line perpendicular to its length, with the short, fine, curly or kinky hair being trapped by and held between the complementary surfaces of the fastener material. The hooks and loops of the fastener material are closely spaced so that constraining forces are applied to individual hair filaments or small hair filament groups. Fastening is facilitated, optionally by a snap attachment.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective pet leash has handle, central pet leash, and pet collar sections that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet owner's hand, pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This pet leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve that is coated with an abrasion resistant transparent polymeric coating. The braided reflective sleeve is composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise narrow nylon or polypropylene sheets thermally bonded to a flexible polymeric sheet with attached corner cube or microsphere retroreflectors.

Abstract: A single use self-contained surgical knife provides twist stability and lateral support for the knife blade. Turning a knurled ring member within the containment casing retracts the knife blade into the containment casing. Retraction of the blade is permanent; once retracted, subsequent usage of the knife blade is prevented. A substantial safety margin is provided, in that injuries occasioned by the retraction process are virtually eliminated. The knife blade remains forever in the retracted condition, preventing spread of blood borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis and the like, that might otherwise result from subsequent usage of the knife blade.

Abstract: A pool cover drain substantially completely drains collected rainwater without use of pumps or electrical hookups. The pool cover drain is non-centrally located in a pool cover. It is attached to a flexible hose that directs the water to a swimming pool sidewall drain outlet. A weighted tubular element creates a conical depression in said swimming pool cover. The weighted tubular element is placed atop the pool cover in close proximity to said pool cover drain. Collected rainwater is directed along the outside and, optionally, the inside walls of the weighted tubular element, and into the pool cover drain. Angled weighted projections are located on an end of the weighted tubular element proximate the pool cover drain to facilitate gravity feed of collected rainwater into the pool cover drain. These angled weighted projections are weighted by filling the projection tube with sand, or optionally without sand by slotting the projection tube and allowing rainwater to collect therein and act as a weight.

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 luggage identifier for air and rail travelers uniquely identifies a luggage piece on a airport carousel or train station conveyer belt. A battery powered remote radio wave transmitter carried by the passenger sends a radio wave to a battery powered receiving and activating mechanism associated with the luggage piece. The transmitted signal triggers a latch release mechanism connected to a flexible flagpole that is held under spring tension in the collapsed state. Upon being triggered, the latch release mechanism releases the flagpole, which is driven to an extended state under spring power. Identifiers carried by the flagpole are thereby moved into a conspicuously visible position, which facilitates identification of the luggage piece. The identifiers can comprise LED lights mounted on the flexible flagpole, a colored puffball, a name flag, and a sound generation mechanism.

Abstract: A computer mouse pad comprises a rigid base and a plurality of fanfolded 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 through microperfs. A subtle opening and closing of two levels of paper at the fold where two perfs occur, induced by mouse pressure, endows the working ply surface with a flexibility of vertical movement, creating a subtle mouse buoyancy. 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.

Abstract: An automatic razor blade sharpener simultaneously sharpens multiple edges of a spring-loaded disposable razor blade cartridge by gently contacting 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 timer terminates the blade sharpening operation, indicated by a green LED. A liquid is dispersed on the moving belt forming a thin liquid layer on the belt surface, illuminated by transversely located light illumination and the reflected light is received by a transversely located sensor. When the blade contacts the thin liquid layer, deep grooves in the blade cutting edge reduce this reflection indicating that the blade is too worn to be sharpened and a red LED light is indicated. Absence of reflection indicates that the thin liquid film has evaporated or spilled out.

Abstract: A portable reading machine has a scanner for scanning an image comprising text. The scanner has a scanning area occupying a maximum width and an active width defined by a scanning width limiting mechanism adjustable to a preselected width. A photoreceptive element forms an electronic representation of a portion of the image within the active width. The electronic representation is converted to a digital character string corresponding to the active image text. A speech system outputs the digital character string as ordinary spoken language voiced through a speaker or headset.