Abstract: A laminated anti-fatigue area rug comprises a bottom laminate of anti-fatigue material being rubber or vinyl having anti-slip properties for stability, a top laminate of cork with an upper wearing surface having a polyurethane coating and a middle bonding laminate of fiberglass cloth and adhesive material to bond the layers together. There resulting rug is sufficiently flexible that it may be rolled for storage without cracking the cork or delaminating.

Abstract: A tool for use in spacing deck boards on typically framed deck structures that is in the form of a cylindrical arm with a ½? eye located at one end. The arm is the thickness of a desired gap between spaced decking and the eye attaches to a drills handle assembly by means of sliding the bolt, which attaches the handle assembly to the drill, through the eye of the tool and tightening the handle to the drill, thus securing the tool to the drill.

Abstract: A multi-battery system comprises a circuit having a circuit positive terminal and a circuit negative terminal. At least two batteries are provided to combine to deliver required system power. The batteries are connected to a protection circuit, an energy storage device, a system output voltage sensor and a logic gate. The protection circuit generates a protection signal and the voltage sensor generates an enabling signal that are fed into the logic gate as true signals to generate a true control signal. The true control signal causes the energy storage device to discharge. The digital enabling signal for each of the circuits is time-shifted by a time “t” so that at any time one of the circuits is discharging and one of the at least two circuits is charging during said time “t”.

Abstract: A system and method for formatted inter-node communications over a computer network comprises a transmitting node transmitting a message in a format acceptable to the receiving node. Message templates are created by the receiving node and then stored in a repository accessible by both the transmitting node and the receiving node. The message templates are identified by a digital ID tag and comprise a pattern of labeled fields visible to the transmitting node and accessible for message input by the transmitting node. When the transmitting nodes wishes to send a message only those templates acceptable to the receiving node will be available to the transmitting node.

Abstract: A duct cleaning apparatus for cleaning ventilation ducts in a household environment comprises a typical household or light industrial vacuum cleaning having a sealed container, a blower having suction and exhaust, a first flexible hose attached to the suction port and a second flexible hose attached to the exhaust port. The hoses are adjacent and parallel to each other and fixed together using a plurality regularly spaced elastic bands. A blower nozzle and a suction nozzle are adjacent to each other and placed in a duct for cleaning. The blower nozzle directs a jet of air into the vacuum zone of the suction nozzle thereby agitating dirt and debris within the vacuum zone for a more efficient cleaning action.

Abstract: An integrated domestic utility system is used to recycle grey water in a domestic house as a means to divert treated potable water away from non-potable uses, and in particular, toilet flushing. The system comprises a rainwater tank for storing rainwater collected from a roof top and a grey water tank to store grey water collected from a shower or bathtub. The rainwater is used to augment the grey water supply through a self regulating valve. Domestic water can also be used to replenish the grey water tank. A demand amount of grey water is pumped from the storage tank to at least one toilet tank. The system is controlled by a controller using pressure sensors and temperature sensors. The invention may include a solar heating circuit coupled to a domestic water heater. In one example of the invention, the system stores grey water in a bathtub and supplies it to toilet tank.

Abstract: A text to speech interactive voice response system is operable within a personal computer having a processor, data storage means and an operating system. The system comprises an input subsystem for receiving a text data stream from a source device in a predetermined format; a process control subsystem for converting the text data stream into corresponding output data items; an audio record subsystem for recording audio data to be associated with each output data item; and, a broadcast control subsystem for generating an audio broadcast based on the output data items. There is also disclosed a system management and control subsystem for user interface with the system.

Abstract: An automated massage device for biomechanical rehabilitation massage for use on CP patients comprises at least one inflatable bladder with inflation means adapted to provide compressive forces against the body to stimulate smooth muscles in a controlled manner. The device includes a programmable controller that is able to receive instructions on a dynamic prescriptive basis from a professional therapist and then relay these instructions to a care-giver in a home situation. The instructions include the placement of the bladder, the duration of the massage and the sequence of body locations to receive massage therapy. Once the bladder is placed in the required position against the body the device will execute the prescribed massage therapy for that location and then cue the care-giver to move the bladder to the next body location in the prescribed sequence. The prescription is time limited and once expired renders the device inoperable to prevent over application of the massage therapy.

Abstract: A muscle thickness sensor for measuring muscle thickness over a bone structure having a resilient frame placed over the muscle of interest and compressible material within the frame to sense muscle contractions. The compressible material is strain sensitive and generates a detectable signal when compressed due to muscle flexure. The sensor is able to differentiate between muscle contraction and muscle relaxation and is generally immune to signal noise caused by movement of bone structure and adjacent muscle groups.

Abstract: A fuel cell cathode flow field has multiple channels each with a cross-sectional area that varies along the length of the channel such that oxygen availability at every lengthwise position along the channel is kept substantially constant for a given channel length and air stoichiometry ratio. Each channel comprises a flat floor with substantially constant depth and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the floor; the side walls each taper inwards from channel inlet to outlet with a convex curve relative to the channel centreline. Achieving substantially uniform oxygen availability throughout the flow field results in substantially uniform current density throughout the flow field, which is desirable for efficient fuel cell operation and improved performance.

Abstract: A camera and a method for controlling the camera. Also a face recognition secure access camera and a method of capturing an image that is not saturated or too dark.

Abstract: A magnetic dust cap for a pneumatic tire comprising an external valve stem having a threaded top portion having a width, a length, a top end and a bottom end and a rubberized bottom portion having a width and a top end. The magnetic dust cap comprises a body for capping the external valve stem and magnetic means disposed within the body to removably adhere to a washer. The washer is adapted for threaded engagement over the threaded top portion of the valve stem.

Abstract: A dual-mode screwdriver has a manual and powered actuation mode achieved by inverting the screwdriver body. The screwdriver has a driveshaft having two ends each adapted for receiving the shank of a screwdriver bit. The body contains a plurality of slots for storing a plurality of screwdriver bits. Magnets are contained in each of the slots for retaining the bits within their respective slots. The outside surface of the body is contoured for hand gripping and torquing. The driveshaft is adapted for coupling to a powered drill.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrofitting automatic irrigation systems for animal and human deterrent control comprises at least one motion detector for placement within a bordered zone monitored for trespassers. The motion detector is adapted to detect a body entering said bordered zone and generate a trespasser signal having a unique ID. A programmable control receiver module receives the signal and activates a solenoid control valve to spray the trespasser with water.

Abstract: A mobile chemical mixing and injection unit adapted for use during the extraction of an oil/water/sand slurry from an oil field storage tank wherein said tank has a body of accumulated sand therein. The unit comprises a motorized truck body having a flat bed with a water storage tank and two mixing tanks mounted thereto. A high pressure injection pump pumps water from the water storage tank to the oil field storage tank and creates a slurry. The slurry is pumped to an adjacent settlement tank hopper where the oil, water and sand will stratify. An effective amount of a flocculating agent, coagulating and surfactant are mixed in each of the water filled mixing tanks and then pumped into the slurry to facilitate separation of oil, sand and water. The high pressure injection water and the water for the mixing tanks are replenished by pumping water from the settlement tank hopper thereby ensuring a continuous process until the field storage tank is cleaned.

Abstract: A powered retractable motorcycle stand is disclosed having a stationary upper assembly mounted to a motorcycle and a moving lower assembly for ground contact. The stationary assembly includes a horizontal driven shaft coupled to an electric motor coupled. Gear reduction means transfers torque from the horizontal shaft to a vertical screw shaft that extends to a ground contact position and retracts into a protective housing. The vertical screw shaft is pinned so that it does not rotate and is restricted to linear movement. A safety device to prevent operation of the motorcycle while the stand is engaged is included. Motorcycle anti-theft means are also included.