Abstract: A transaction verification system and method includes a central station coupled to receive transaction data from a plurality of transaction locations at which a person having an account identification document and a mobile communication device that is associated with the account identification document transacts business. If the central station receives a request for a transaction from a location that is consistent with normal usage of the account identification document, the central station approves the transaction. If the central station receives a request for a transaction from a location that is not consistent with normal usage of the account identification document the central station contacts the person through the mobile communication device and approves the transaction only if the person is authenticated using the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A reliable, low cost mounting assembly for a tire pressure transducer removably mounts the transducer on a multi-piece automobile wheel to enable the transducer to transmit tire pressure information that will enable the detection of an unsafe tire pressure. The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket, a valve stem that passes through an air hole in the wheel and secures the mounting racket to the wheel while facilitating the adjustment of tire pressure, and a set of seals that seal both the valve stem and the mounting bracket relative to the air hole in the wheel. The mounting bracket has a generally flat base and a tab that extends radially outward from the base on one side at an oblique angle that assures proper positioning of the transducer within the wheel drop.

Abstract: A low cost, reliable and accurate audio frequency phase detection system and method includes an audio signal source generating an audio frequency test signal and a phase detector detecting phase reversals in the audio frequency test signal. The signal source may be an active, real time signal generator or a recorded media player playing back a prerecorded signal. The test signal is provided to a user system while the phase detector determines whether or not a phase reversal has occurred in the test signal between the input and output of the user system and illuminates a green or red LED to indicate whether or not a phase reversal has occurred. The test signal includes a lower frequency signal component and a higher frequency signal component that provides a marker for testing the phase of the lower frequency signal component.

Abstract: A relatively low cost but effective vehicular safety system includes a navigational status determination system generating navigational status information, an alarm response system generating alarm responses in response to alarm response command information and a data processing system. The data processing system stores a list of safety zones having one or more safety conditions for each safety zone. The data processing system receives the navigational status information and compares the received navigational status information to the stored safety conditions. If a safety condition is found to be violated the data processing system communicates a response command to the alarm response system. Depending upon the severity of the violated safety condition, the alarm response system notifies the vehicle operator of the violation, notifies law enforcement authorities external to the vehicle of the violation or takes some other safety response.

Abstract: A multi plane plumb level includes an elongated rigid frame having an X shaped cross section having four walls that are rigidly joined along an elongated central portion of the X shaped cross section and extend outward from the elongated central portion of the X shaped cross section and six level indicating bubble vials that are mounted on front and back sides of the frame in opposing pairs. A pair of flip out transversely oriented bubble vials rotates from secured positions within the front and back sides to extended positions, forming extensions of frame walls to facilitate the leveling of posts, pipes and edges. The remaining two pairs of bubble vials provide level measurements in the longitudinal direction and at a 45 degree angle.

Abstract: A flexible, reliable and economical DC to DC power converter system includes a plurality of DC to DC converter units, a pulse width modulation current share bus interconnecting the DC to DC converter units and a synchronization signal connected to each of the DC to DC converter units to synchronize each of the DC to DC converter units to the same frequency. Each DC to DC converter unit includes a power section, a controller and a standard universal interface connecting the power section to the controller such that the power section can be changed to accommodate different input voltages, output voltages and current loads without making significant hardware changes in the controller. The controller includes a digital signal processor having a calibration table matching control parameters to the specific circuit characteristics of the power section.

Abstract: A data storage system includes one or more data storage devices, one or more bridges that are each coupled to a different associated data storage device and a bus interface that is connectable to up to four host data processors through an IEEE 1394a type of serial bus. Each bridge operates as an interface for the associated data storage device and allows each of the up to four hosts to log in to the associated data storage device simultaneously. Conflicting accesses to the associated storage device of a bridge are queued and processed by the bridge in the order they are received. In the preferred embodiment the data storage devices are ATA/ATAPI type hard disk drives.

Abstract: A liquid container for the above-ground storage of flammable fuels is shown having an inner tank with a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface placed within an outer shell having a bottom surface, side surfaces, and an open top. The bottom surfaces of the inner tank and outer shell are spaced apart from each other by first bottom spacers which connect the two bottom surfaces. The side walls of the inner tank and outer shell are also spaced apart from each other by second side spacers which connect the tank and shell. The side spacers for connecting the tank and shell prevent the inner tank from floating within the outer shell when an insulating material, such as concrete, is added therebetween.

Abstract: A highly reliable and inexpensive safety device for a power tool having a protective guard over a cutting blade which prevents use of the power tool when the protective guard is not in place. The safety device includes a proximity detector detecting a distance between the guard and a power tool table top and an interlock system that prevents operation of the power tool when a distance less than a predetermined relative proximity is not detected. In the case of a power table saw a pair of magnets are secured to the guard and a pair of reed switches are mounted beneath the table top to be closed when the guard is in place. The interlock system responds to the reed switches by allowing the saw to be started when the switches are both closed and preventing startup when they are not. A key activated bypass circuit allows the saw motor to be started when the guard is not present.

Abstract: A container for the above-ground storage of flammable fuels has an inner tank which may be rectangular, with a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface, or which may be some other shape, such as cylindrical, placed within an outer shell having a similar shape. In the case of a rectangular inner tank and a rectangular outer shell, the bottom surfaces of the inner tank and outer shell are spaced apart from each other by first bottom spacers which connect the two bottom surfaces. The side walls of the inner tank and outer shell are also spaced apart from each other by second side spacers which connect the tank and shell. The side spacers for connecting the tank and shell prevent the inner tank from floating within the outer shell when an insulating material, such as concrete, is added therebetween. The inner tank may be constructed of metal, fiberglass, fiberglass-coated metal, polyethylene, or other like materials, while the outer shell is steel.

Abstract: A low power loss boost converter of the discontinuous conduction type includes an inductor coupled between the boost converter input and a junction, a current rectifier coupled between the junction and the converter output, a switch coupled between the junction and common, and a switch capacitor coupled in parallel with the switch, the inductor and an energy storage capacitance associated with the input. The switch is alternately opened and closed in switching cycles which alternately energize the inductor and transfer the energy to the output load. Power losses are reduced by providing switch closure at a near zero voltage and current switch conditions produced by a circuit resonance. The capacitor reduces voltage across the switch during the switch open transient condition.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply which is advantageous for use with a computer receives power alternatively from a utility main power source or a rechargeable battery. The uninterruptible power supply includes an input for receiving AC utility power, an AC to DC converter coupled to the input, receiving AC power from the input, having at least one regulated D.C. output, and generating DC power at an output of the converter, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, an inverter coupled between the AC to DC converter and the primary winding of the transformer and arranged to supply a chopped DC voltage to the primary winding to cause a corresponding chopped DC voltage having an amplitude V.sub.s to be generated across a secondary winding of the transformer coupled to the output, an auxiliary power supply having an energy store having a supply terminal that is operable at a voltage V.sub.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply includes first and second inputs for receiving AC and DC power respectively, first and second switching circuits, an auxiliary power supply, a transformer, a selection circuit, an A to DC converter and a hold-up capacitor. The hold-up capacitor can provide energy storage for both AC and DC operation.

Abstract: A strong, light weight, highly maneuverable dental floss holder has two centrally pivoted support members with holding sections extending on one side of the pivot and a pair of handle sections extending on the other side. Storage for new and used dental floss is provided by supply and take up reels located between the pair of handle sections. The handle sections terminate with a wedge actuated break assembly that restricts undesirable motion of the supply and take up reels. With single hand operation tension of the floss between the tips of the holding sections can be readily controlled and the dental floss can be selectively advanced.

Abstract: An energy efficient uninterruptible regulated power supply includes a full wave rectifier that is responsive to AC main power generating an unregulated DC voltage signal, a power factor correcting boost converter coupled to receive and selectively increase the unregulated voltage signal to generate a boosted voltage signal, a battery and a single ended forward converter having a primary winding coupled to receive pulse width modulated energy from the boosted voltage signal and a secondary winding couple bidirectionally to the battery with pulse width modulated control. A first controller pulse width modulates the boosted voltage and battery signals coupled to the primary and secondary windings, respectively, to regulate the output voltage while a second controller operates independently of the first controller pulse width modulate the boost converter to regulate the voltage of a transformer secondary signal that is coupled to the battery.

Abstract: A liquid container for the above-ground storage of flammable fuels is shown having an inner tank with a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface placed within an outer shell having a bottom surface, side surfaces and an open top. The bottom surfaces of the inner tank and outer shell are spaced apart from each other, as by first bottom spacers which connect the two bottom surfaces. The side walls of the inner tank and outer shell are also spaced apart from each other, as by second side spacers which connect the tank and shell. The spacers for connecting the tank and shell prevent the inner tank from floating within the outer shell when an insulating material, such as concrete, is added therebetween.

Abstract: A video special effects system and method includes at least one signal system operating in real time to transform one or more input video signals to generate an output video in response thereto, a work station, an operator control panel and a control system communicating with the signal systems, the work station and the control panel. Control surfaces defined by one or two control curves are developed at the work station and subsequent used by the control system to define a video effect in which portions of the input video images are selectively mapped to the control surfaces and subsequently manipulated to define an output video image. The control system operates to define each parameter controlling the output image at selected event times and to individually interpolate each given parameter between the event times at which the parameter is defined. The signal systems generate the output images in response to input images and the instantaneous values of control parameters defined by the control system.

Abstract: An improved data processor architecture is provided having integrated circuit (IC) memories. Provision is made for dynamic memories with a memory refresh arrangement. Memory refresh is provided in response to instruction execution, synchronized with computer control signals to minimize contention or conflicts with computer operations and to share control circuitry. An improved memory architecture is provided that is particularly suitable for dynamic memories and integrated circuit data processors.

Abstract: A computer system having an improved memory architecture uses a variety of memory speed enhancement features that can be used in combination. For example, the memory is scanned out across memory blocks, unnecessary row addressing operations are detected and eliminated, and the memory is organized to reduce row addressing operations for combinations of instruction accesses interspersed by operand accesses. In a DRAM configuration, unnecessary CAS addressing cycles and RAS addressing cycles are detected and eliminated. A memory address detector circuit in the memory controller determines the nature of the memory cycle; chip select, RAS, or CAS; needed to access stored digital information and deletes unnecessary cycles.