Abstract: A wrist unit is provided for allowing the diver to view the breathing parameters that are determined. The breathing parameters are determined by a tank processor via sensors that are disposed on the breathing tank of the diver. These are transmitted to the display unit on the wrist of the diver via a wireless communication link. An inertia switch is provided in the wrist unit, the wrist unit having a watertight housing. The inertia switch is responsive to impacts in the form of tapping on the housing or of rotation of the wrist. When the wrist is rotated, the inertia switch will generate impulses that can be counted and, after a predetermined number, generate a control signal. The control signal controls the on/off function of the wrist unit and also allows switching between alternate displays.

Abstract: Molded block optics system (10) writes and reads data from an optical storage medium and includes first molded optics block (12) for receiving reference beam (60) and original object beam (46) that contains a predetermined data set. First molded optics block (12) includes reflective surfaces (18, 20, 22, and 24) and spatial light modulator (50). Reflective surfaces (18, 20, and 24) include reference beam surfaces (24) and object beam surfaces (18, 20, and 22). Reference beam surfaces (24) direct reference beam (60) to optical storage medium (16) at predetermined location (54). Spatial light modulator (50) modulates object beam (46) and directs modulated object beam (46) to predetermined location (54). Reference beam (60) and object beam (46) form an interference pattern that writes data on optical storage medium (16). First molded optics block (12) also directs reference beam (60) to optical storage medium (16) for generating reconstructed object beam (64).

Abstract: A feeder handle (16) for a hot glue dispenser (10) has a main body portion (30) which defines a hand grip (35), and a forward end portion (32) which extends forward of the main body portion (30) for releasibly engaging a cartridge barrel (20) having a heating cartridge (22) for heating a stick of glue (15) and dispensing a melted end of the stick of glue (15) therefrom. The forward end portion (32) of the feeder handle (16) includes a protruding portion (34) which slidably engages within a mounting channel (28) formed into the cartridge barrel (20) to align the main body portion (30) of the feeder handle (16) and the cartridge barrel (20) when the cartridge barrel (20) is mounted to the feeder handle (16). A feeder mechanism (18) is mounted to the feeder handle (16), and includes a feed member (90) which is selectably moveable to advance the stick of glue (15) toward a dispensing end of the cartridge barrel (20).

Abstract: A removable cartridge barrel (20) of a hot glue dispenser (10) is removably secured to a feeder handle (16) by a releasable latch (24). The cartridge barrel (20) includes a protective housing (26) which includes an interior cavity (160) within which a heating cartridge (22) is mounted, with an air gap (170) extending substantially fully between the heating cartridge (22) and the protective housing (26) to provide a thermal barrier. Air ports (169) extend through a forward end of the cartridge barrel (20) to vent the air gap (170) exteriorly of the cartridge barrel (20). A feed passage (150) extends interiorly through the heating cartridge (22) for passing a glue stick (15) from the feeder handle (16) to a dispensing end of the heating cartridge (22). A nozzle (145) is provided on the discharge end of the heating cartridge (22) to provide a dispensing tip (147) for dispensing a melted end of the glue stick (15). A thermally protective shroud (172) is mounted to the exterior of the nozzle (145).

Abstract: A spindle for providing precise radial location of a disk includes a spindle having a key that extends from one end thereof. The disk includes a hub having a shape that is similar to that of the spindle with a key notch disposed on the peripheral edge thereof that is shaped similar to that of the key in the spindle. The key has two surfaces that come together at an angle to an apex, which apex extends downward away from the spindle and radially outward. The surfaces of the key notch on the hub are longer than that of the key, such that the surfaces of the key can mate with the surfaces of the key notch and slide therealong, such that the spindle is maintained in the center of the hub.

Abstract: A hot glue dispenser (10) is disclosed having a dispenser section (12) and a removable heater section (14). The dispenser section (12) includes a feeder handle (16) having a main body portion (30) which extends to a provide a hand grip (35). A feeder mechanism (18) is mounted to the feeder handle (16). The feeder mechanism (18) is operable to feed glue sticks (15) from the dispenser section (12) into the heater section (14). The heater section (14) is removably secured to the feeder handle (16) of the dispenser section (12) by a releasable latch (24). The heater section (14) includes a heating cartridge (22) and a protective housing (26). The protective housing (26) includes an interior cavity (160) within which the heating cartridge (22) is mounted, with a gap (170) extending substantially fully between the heating cartridge (22) and the protective housing (26) to provide a thermal barrier.

Abstract: A toilet seat (12) is attached to a toilet bowl (11) by a hinge (9). A lid (14) is also pivoted about a shaft (16) fixed to the seat and forming part of the hinge. A spring (18) acts between the lid and the seat such that, when left in a raised position, the seat is biased towards a lowered position and a catch (21) acts to retain the seat relative to the lid. A proximity detector is arranged to sense when a user moves away from the water closet (10) and is then operable to release the catch to allow movement of the toilet seat from the raised position to the lowered position. The apparatus provides for automatic lowering of the seat and is constructed in a compact manner which contains the essential components within a hollow base portion (15) of the lid.

Abstract: A scene change monitor includes a camera (12) for monitoring a given scene. The camera (12) is operable to sequentially generate frames (18) of visual information, which frames are then divided up into pixels and the value of the pixels for each frame accumulated in an accumulator (25). The accumulator (25) provides on the output thereof a frame value for each frame (18) and stores this value in a register (22). A difference generator (24) is operable to generate the difference between select ones of the registers (22) for select ones of the frames (18) and generate a difference value for input to a comparator (26). The comparator (26) compares the difference value to a scene change threshold and, if it exceeds this value, a VCR activation signal is generated for turning a VCR (16) on to record the scene.

Abstract: A digitally controlled circuit breaker includes a conventional thermal circuit breaker (10) which is controlled by a solenoid (16) to override the thermal aspect thereof. The solenoid (16) is controlled by a digital processing section (20). The digital processing section (20) has a digital control module (22) with multiple profile tables associated therewith. The profile tables allow the digital control module (22) to compare a sensed current from a sensor (24) with a predetermined current value as a function of time and to generate the control signal for the solenoid (16) if the sensed current exceeds that in the profile. The profiles can optionally be downloaded to the module (22) through a serial communication port (36). The digital control module (22) is also operable to sense the voltage of the circuit breaker to determine zero crossing points and phase angle, which phase angle can be utilized to determine the type of load and, therefore, can alter the profile to be utilized.

Abstract: A cassette (20) for a currency handling system includes a door (28) that can be opened to expose the entire front surface of the cassette. An end door (30) is operable to be opened to allow currency that is disposed within the interior of the cassette (20) to be urged outward. The cassette (20) has a locking mechanism disposed in an end (72), which locking mechanism prevents the door from opening until the cassette (20) is disposed in a docking station. Once in the docking station, a paddle (56) is urged downward into the cassette (20) to urge the notes outward therefrom. These notes are moved into a buffer region (58) and then the cassette (20) can be removed to allow another cassette (20) to be disposed therein. This allows a continuous feeding operation. The cassette (20) can then be disposed in a second collection docking station to collect the output of the sorter (41). In this docking station, a paddle (68) is reciprocated downward into the cassette (20) with the collected notes.

Abstract: A plant (72) is operable to receive control inputs c(t) and provide an output y(t). The plant (72) has associated therewith state variables s(t) that are not variable. A control network (74) is provided that accurately models the plant (72). The output of the control network (74) provides a predicted output which is combined with a desired output to generate an error. This error is back propagated through an inverse control network (76), which is the inverse of the control network (74) to generate a control error signal that is input to a distributed control system (73) to vary the control inputs to the plant (72) in order to change the output y(t) to meet the desired output. The control network (74) is comprised of a first network NET 1 that is operable to store a representation of the dependency of the control variables on the state variables. The predicted result is subtracted from the actual state variable input and stored as a residual in a residual layer (102).

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Abstract: A temperature compensated current source for driving a multi-vibrator (19) includes a voltage generator (10) that outputs a voltage that is proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) and a resistor (12) for setting the current output by the voltage generator (10). The temperature coefficient of the resistor (12) is chosen such that any variations in the current supplied by the voltage generator (10) are compensated for to result in a current that has substantially no temperature variation. This current is mirrored to a current source (18) for driving the multi-vibrator (19). The voltage across the resistor (12) is a function of temperature, with the current being a function of the value of the resistor (12). The temperature coefficient of the resistor (12) is substantially equal to the temperature coefficient of the voltage generator (10) to yield a temperature coefficient of substantially 0 ppm/.degree. C. for the current.

Abstract: A portable facsimile machine (10) for communicating image data to a remote machine, comprising an internal power source (20) and a user input device (28) for communicating with a controller (32) which controls the operation of devices within the machine including a scanner (16, 18) for inputting data representative of a scanned image into a memory (34), a display (12) for a user to view the scanned image stored in the memory and a communication system having a transducer (36) which creates a signal representative of the image data to enable communication of the image data over a telecommunication system to the remote machine.

Abstract: The universal joint is provided for use with power drive tools. A driving member (12) is provided having a bore (16) at one end for receiving a drive member and a cavity (18) at the other end. A driven member (14) is provided having a quadrified ball (20) at one end and a socket receiving member (22) at the other end. The quadrified ball (20) has quadrified sides (40), a spherical head (42) and spherical corners (44). The quadrified side (40) contains sloped portions (46). The cavity (18) contains a base (54), a square cross-sectional area (48), radius corners (56) and a spring groove (66). The quadrified ball (20) is held in place in the cavity (18) by means of a "C" spring (68). The "C" spring (68) fits in spring groove (66). Disposed at the base (54) of the cavity (18) is a plug compression washer (60) made of a compressible polymer. Disposed between plug compression washer (60) and the head (42) of quadrified ball (20) is a plug tension washer (62).

Abstract: A user headset is provided that is operable to contain an audio device (50) and a receiver (52). The receiver (52) is operable to receive both audio information on multiple channels and also data. The data is received in the form of pulse width modulated sync signals. The sync signals are operable to provide a synchronization signal for 3-D liquid crystal lenses (60). The data is encoded within the sync signal through pulse width modulation. The width of the pulse defines various commands. These various commands define the channel over which the audio is to be transmitted. These channels can either be user-defined or they can be a function of the transmitter. The transmitter includes an audio generator (42) for generating audio signals on multiple channels and also a data generator (40). These are modulated onto a broad band optical signal and transmitted via an IR data link.

Abstract: A user headset is provided that is operable to contain an audio device (50) and a receiver (52). The receiver (52) is operable to receive both audio information on multiple channels and also data. The data is received in the form of pulse width modulated sync signals. The sync signals are operable to provide a synchronization signal for 3-D liquid crystal lenses (60). The data is encoded within the sync signal through pulse width modulation. The width of the pulse defines various commands. These various commands define the channel over which the audio is to be transmitted. These channels can either be user-defined or they can be a function of the transmitter. The transmitter includes an audio generator (42) for generating audio signals on multiple channels and also a data generator (40). These are modulated onto a broad band optical signal and transmitted via an IR data link.

Abstract: A ventilated shoe for ventilating the foot contains an outer sole (204). A heel pad (206) is disposed at the rear end of the outer sole (204). An intake tube (228) is disposed near the front of the outer sole (204). The intake tube (228) is connected to pump cell (210). An exhaust tube (234) is also connected to pump cell (210). An intake valve (242) is disposed along the intake tube (228) and an exhaust valve (244) is disposed along the exhaust valve (244). The intake valve (242) only allows air to flow through to the pump (210). The exhaust valve (244) only allows air to flow out of the pump cell (210). The pump cell (210) is filled with an open-celled foam (212) so that when no pressure is being applied to the pump cell (210), it draws air in through the intake tube (228). When pressure is applied to the pump cell (210), the open-celled foam (212) is compressed and the air is expelled through the exhaust tube (234).