Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided herein for an electrically assisted chemical oxygen iodine laser. The preferred system, in accordance with the present invention, includes a laser resonator with a laser-active gas mixture of at least excited oxygen and dissociated iodine. A first electrical generator in which a primary flow of at least excited oxygen is electrically generated from a first gas that includes at least ground state oxygen. A second electrical generator in which a secondary flow of at least dissociated iodine atoms is electrically generated from a second gas that includes at least diatomic iodine. The system further includes a means to inject the secondary flow into the primary flow to generate the laser-active gas mixture.

Abstract: A grease containment assembly to collect grease discharged from a grease exhaust system that has an exhaust duct extending upwardly from a roof top and interconnected to a fan base that connects to an exhaust fan. The grease containment includes a plurality of interconnecting U-shaped channels positioned around the exhaust duct to form a frame surrounding said exhaust duct. A sorbent material is further received within the interconnecting channels, having properties that absorbs grease and repels water. A plurality of holes is positioned in the interconnecting channels such that the water repelled by the sorbent material may drain out of the interconnecting channels. In addition the frame is further secured to the exhaust duct.

Abstract: An occupational-therapy/physical-therapy apparatus is disclosed and includes at least one pivotal or rotatable resistance against which the body part being exercised is located. A resistance bar is biased to act against the body part, which bias is adjustable. Operatively associated with the resistance bar is at least one stabilization bar that is used to support a part of the body in close proximity to the body part engaged against the resistance bar, in order to provide the most optimal support to the body part being exercised. Each of the resistance bar and the stabilization bar has a multitude of degrees of freedom of motion, which in the preferred embodiment total six degrees of freedom, so that numerous types of exercises may be performed on numerous different body parts, and so that the most optimal orientation of the body part may be achieved, where both horizontal, vertical and angular orientations of the body parts may be accomplished while the body part is being exercised.

Abstract: A method of encoding an audio sequence with synchronized data is provided. An audio sample and a data sample is provided. The audio sample is converted into an audio signal. The data sample is converted into a data signal. The data signal includes a plurality of data segments. Finally, the audio signal is encoded with the data signal to form an audio sequence. The audio sequence includes a plurality of frames. Each frame includes at least one field for receiving at least one data segment of the data signal.

Abstract: This novel cushioned container consists of an inner tube in which an item is located and concentric outer tube resiliently connected to the inner tube. The inner tube is evacuated by a hose located therein after which the hose is closed off. The outer tube is then inflated by a hose to provide a cushioning chamber surrounding the enclosed item. The hose connected to the outer chamber is then closed off to prevent air from leaving the cushioning chamber.

Abstract: A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer. The computer utilizes a main or primary housing for the major components of the computer, and a separate, independent, auxiliary expansion unit having its own housing for mounting a replaceable radio module that is connected to the main computer via a multi-pin connector, whereby the replacement or exchange of the radio module for a different one is easily and readily achieved, and where auxiliary or expansion devices may be connected to the main computer thereby, and where the auxiliary device itself serves as a handle for holding the main computer.

Abstract: A system that allows the flexibility of primary and secondary treatment of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation may be used either as the primary dewatering treatment, secondary dewatering treatment, direct WAS-treatment, and combinations with other conventional dewatering techniques, in order to provide the municipal treatment plant, or the paper-pulp treatment plant, with the most cost-effective and efficient system as possible. The electroporated-treated sludge releases hitherto unreleased biosolids exiting from the PEF-electroporation system, which are returned to aeration tanks. The electroporation process causes the release of intracellular dissolved/organic matter, which is used as “food” for the bacteria of the aeration tanks.

Abstract: A private branch exchange (PBX/PABX) is provided with a fixed wireless terminal, which allows both incoming and outgoing calls to be made on the private branch exchange. The fixed wireless terminal is coupled to the private branch exchange via an interface unit connected to one of the analog extension lines of the private branch exchange. A telephone extension serviced by the PBX/PABX places a call to a remote cellular telephone, or a remote cellular telephone user places a call to the telephone extension. When the PBX-user makes a call to a remote cellular telephone, one picks up a local PBX/PABX extension, and hears a dial tone, signifying that the PBX/PABX is ready to service his call. The caller then dials the directory number of the PBX/PABX extension which is provided for cellular calls. The PBX/PABX then automatically connects the caller to the cellular extension, which is the interfaced fixed wireless terminal.

Abstract: A method of allocating resources in the presence of uncertainty is presented. The method builds upon deterministic methods and initially creates and optimizes scenarios. The invention employs clustering, line-searching, statistical sampling, and unbiased approximation for optimization. Clustering is used to divide the allocation problem into simpler sub-problems, for which determining optimal allocations is simpler and faster. Optimal allocations for sub-problems are used to define spaces for line-searches; line-searches are used for optimizing allocations over ever larger sub-problems. Sampling is used to develop Guiding Beacon Scenarios that are used for generating and evaluating allocations. Optimization is made considering both constraints, and positive and negative ramifications of constraint violations. Applications for capacity planning, organizational resource allocation, and financial optimization are presented.

Abstract: A method of transmitting protected video and/or graphic data over the Internet from a Web site, by encrypting the video and/or graphic data and storing it at a Web site associated with a server, and by encrypting a video player and storing it at the Web site. Both are then downloaded to a requesting computer via the Internet or Intranet. The requesting computer decrypts the video and/or graphic data and video player via a previously supplied decryption key, so that the video may be played back by the decrypted player.

Abstract: A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer. The computer utilizes a main or primary housing for the major components of the computer, and a separate, independent, auxiliary expansion unit having its own housing for mounting a replaceable radio module that is connected to the main computer via a multi-pin connector, whereby the replacement or exchange of the radio module for a different one is easily and readily achieved, and where auxiliary or expansion devices may be connected to the main computer thereby, and where the auxiliary device itself serves as a handle for holding the main computer.

Abstract: A retrofitting, folding, portable keyboard for a notebook computer consists of two, pivotally-hinged halves. The two halves are hinged so that may be assume a perfectly flat, horizontal position, or, alternatively, a laterally raised and sloping configuration that provides an enhanced, ergonometric configuration to the user. Each half has its own set of keys and space bar. The keyboard of the invention has its own pointing device that takes over the pointing function of the pointing device of the dedicated keyboard provided with the notebook computer. The portable, folding keyboard of the invention also has a joystick-adapter by which a conventional joystick may be operatively coupled to the notebook computer by which games may be played. Four, bottom, pivotal feet support the keyboard on and/or above the existing keyboard provided with the notebook computer. A carrying case is provided in which the folded-up keyboard may be stored and transported.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing the pay-per-view DVD-ROM system, whereby the enabling data provided to the DVD-player allowing the playback of the DVD-ROM video data is provided to the DVD-player via the Internet or via the cable-TV system provider. The invention discriminates between DVD-ROM's requiring pay-per-view play, and those that are free and do not require pay-per-view play, by the use of a special code for the header of the DVD-ROM indicating a pay-per-view title. Also disclosed is use of a smart card or ATM card for receiving the enabling data for allowing playback of the Hyper-DVD disk.

Abstract: A method of determining the end-of-dialing of a currently-dialed telephone number entered into a land-type POTS telephone coupled to a cellular transceiver via a cellular interface unit. The software of the invention will automatically generate a SEND signal upon the matching of a presently-dialed telephone number with a previously-dialed telephone number stored in the memory of the cellular interface unit that has been dialed on the telephone of the system a preset number of times, such as two. The software of the invention stores the list of previously-dialed telephone numbers by numerical order by time-ordering, or random storage of numbers, and continually updates the list for each new dialed telephone number. The software of the invention will allow one of the prior-art, end-of-dialing methods to determine the generation of a SEND signal for those presently-dialed telephone numbers that are not matched with a stored, previously-dialed telephone number.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pulsed electric-field system, apparatus and method for the effective disinfecting and dewatering previously-dewatered, biologically active waste-water sludges (e.g., municipal waste-water sewage sludge) in an efficient manner, so as to dramatically reduce the resulting volume of the inert waste material which has to be disposed of by the municipality. The method employed sequentially consists of hydraulically pressurizing the previously dewatered sludge, pre-heating the previously dewatered sludge to a predetermined temperature range, exposing the previously dewatered sludge to a high energy pulsing electrical discharges, pressure separation of the resulting solids and liquid fraction, and final pressure extrusion of the separated solids through nozzles.

Abstract: A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer, is provided with exterior, removable grips that not only provide a gripping function, but also provide shock-absorption and protection exteriorly of the computer-housing. Each grip may be selectively removed from attachment to the computer-housing, in order to allow access to the interior of the housing for repair and maintenance. Four such removable grips are provided, where each grip is provided with an actuable lever for removably locking the grip to a portion of the computer housing, with each actuable lever being capable of movement away from such locking engagement in order to allow removal thereof from the housing.

Abstract: A walking toy animal which is pulled by a leash. The animal includes a retracting mechanism within the animal housing and secured to the leash to retract the leash essentially within the animal housing when the leash is released. The animal includes resilient leg assemblies whereby when it is pulled it will simulate a walking action.