Abstract: A current mode coupler includes a unitary casing, a stub cable connector, a circuit board, a magnetic structure, a wire core holder, an enclosing lid and an E-core situated in a cavity in the unitary casing and an I-core affixed to the enclosing lid. When the enclosing lid is in a closed position, the E-core and the I-core contact, forming a transformer. When electrical current is present in a data bus that is situated within the E-core/I-core arrangement, the coupler magnetically couples the current mode doublets on the data bus to the circuitry enclosed in the unitary casing. The current mode doublets sensed on the data bus is then converted to voltage mode doublets and transmitted to the stub interface. The current mode coupler also receives voltage mode doublets through the stub interface, converts the voltage mode doublets to current mode doublets, and transmits the current mode doublets via the E-core/I-core arrangement.

Abstract: An event notification system in accordance with the present invention includes a computer system configured to receive data indicative of an event to be warned for and to process the data to define a boundary for an area affected by the event. A distribution site communicates with the computer system to distribute information indicative of the boundary of the area affected by the event to a plurality of devices remote from the distribution site and each other. The plurality of remote devices communicate with the distribution site to receive information indicative of the boundary of the area affected by the event and each is configured to determine if it is affected by the event and to respond accordingly. A method of remotely activating a warning device in response to an event notification is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cover reel assembly for laying or retrieving a ground cover comprising a first frame attachable to a prime mover, the first frame having pivotal support arms attached rotatably to a cover reel and attached fixedly to a second frame, with a hydraulic device between the first frame and pivotal support arms to raise and lower the cover reel and second frame, the second frame being attached to a third frame having a brush/guide mechanism. The prime mover pushes the cover reel assembly forward with downward pressure from the hydraulic device on the cover reel to unwind a ground cover from the cover reel onto the ground, simultaneously laying cables from cable reels as retainers on the ground cover, with the cable reels attached to the first frame. The ground cover and cables are rewound by a reverse procedure pushing the cover reel assembly forward.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for behavior monitoring and training for an animal, comprising a remote unit with a microprocessor, accelerometers, stimulators, and batteries. The remote unit microprocessor receives monitoring and training instructions from a host unit and signals from the accelerometers. The remote unit, when placed on an animal, produces training stimuli, including sound and/or electric shock, in response to digging and jumping. When a microphone and receiver are also employed in the remote unit, the remote unit can also produce training stimuli in response to barking and leaving a confined area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel device for providing heat to dental and periodontal structures and a novel process for brightening teeth, together with a novel use of old known processes for brightening teeth. The novel device comprises a splint/stint or vacumformed dental tray, containing a heating element to be placed around the tooth or teeth to be brightened. The novel process for brightening/whitening teeth entails using the splint containing the heating element in conjunction with standard tooth whiteners with a brightening agent. The heating element is attached to a power source, preferably mobile and transportable, so that the process may be accelerated by the heating of the brightening agent, in accordance with the Q10 rule.

Abstract: The application of a fault tolerance technique to the intelligent agent technology to create a highly-reliable distributed computing system. The present invention relates to the merger of software fault tolerance techniques to cooperative intelligent agents to provide highly reliable coordination of interactions between computer systems, even when data is corrupt, when available information is incomplete, or when synchronization of the computer systems is imperfect. Agents engaged in an interaction exchange information. Received information is acceptance tested to determine if the information indicates the occurrence of a fault. If the information is outside a range of expected values, or otherwise does not take the form of expected information, a fault is indicated. A fault tolerance technique is employed to overcome the fault. One such technique is the retry block software fault technique. Re-expression and re-transmission of the information may be requested.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to weather forecasting systems which can predict the direction of a storm's movement. More particularly, the invention will receive and record weather data from any of a variety of weather data sources. The invention will then allow a user to request a storm tracking prediction, and graphically display said prediction with a high degree of accuracy. The weather data is stored in a time-tagged fashion. By storing the weather data in a time-tagged fashion, the weather system constructs an easily accessible weather database containing the locations of storms and other weather phenomena as a function of time. The weather system provides a Graphical User Interface which allows the user to call up a graphical representation of current weather data being supplied to the weather system. The weather system also provides the user with the ability to call up a graphical representation of any of the time-tagged historical weather data stored in the weather database.

Abstract: An electronic control unit and tubing assembly system for automatically controlling urinary irrigation is provided, including a tubing assembly and two embodiments of an electronic control unit. The tubing assembly includes tubing to connect to an irrigant supply source feeding a supply line, to a urinary catheter, and to a vent line connected to a fluid sensor assembly. The vent line is arranged so that irrigant flows into the vent line should the catheter drain become obstructed or should the supply line become kinked, and actuates a fluid sensor. An electronic control unit is in communication with the fluid sensor, and generates a control circuit that is responsive to the fluid sensor. When the fluid sensor detects a catheter obstruction, the circuit changes states and closes a pinch valve to shut off the flow of irrigant. In this manner, the system prevents the patient from suffering bladder distension, perforation, or rupture due to a “runaway” urinary catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a snow and ice melting device (10) comprising a road transport vehicle (12) and a railroad track transport vehicle (14) mounted on a common road transport vehicle chassis (12I). Upon the railroad track transport vehicle (14), a melter (16) is mounted on a melter rotator (16C) functioning to rotate the melter from a rearward (road transport vehicle (12) frontward) direction which is utilized as a propulsion device to a frontward (road transport vehicle (12) rearward) direction which is utilized for melting snow and/or ice. The melter (16) has a melter lift (16E) such that a user can angle the melter (16) to a desired position.

Abstract: The invention discloses a medication which requires the combination of levothyroxine sodium and potassium iodide, with the potassium iodide acting as a stabilizing excipient, the presence of which results in a more stable levothyroxine sodium medication and provides for longer shelf life of the medication. A method for manufacturing the disclosed medication is also provided.