Abstract: A radio direction finder based on the simulated Doppler frequency shift principle is disclosed that is applicable to FSK encoded pulsed transmissions. Typical applications include tracking of stolen vehicles or shipped package tracking. During FSK decoding, all antenna elements of the antenna array are turned on in a non-rotating mode thus eliminating error due to the simulated antenna rotation modulation while providing enhanced gain for the FSK decoder circuit. After decoding a suitable FSK signal, a virtual antenna rotation is enabled, and the bearing is measured during the time interval when the transmitter is only broadcasting a carrier wave.

Abstract: A refractive energy window system which uses light energy to heat the air. The system has a solar panel which focuses the light energy on the air when the air passes through the solar panel. A frame structure is used to support and hold the solar panel. The frame has an input section which draws the air into the solar panel and an output section which outputs the air after the air has passed through the solar panel and has been heated by the light energy.

Abstract: A handgrip with a protective endcap that is designed to enhance the grip of the operator over the equipment by preventing unintended slippage and protect the operator from injury in the event of loss of control of the equipment. The improved handgrip is comprised of a tubular section which fits over the equipment handle, a protective endcap and a rigid support section which couples the protective endcap to the tubular section. The invention also includes an optional fastener to secure the handgrip to the equipment handle.

Abstract: An improved output driver that minimizes source point reflections when driving a signal on a transmission line by generating a constant source impedance. The improved output driver uses a transistor switching circuit for generating a nearly constant channel impedance when transistor switching circuit is enabled and is not operating in a saturation mode. A switched diode circuit is coupled in parallel to the transistor switching circuit for generating a nearly constant source impedance when a sufficient voltage to bias the switch diode circuit is applied. Control circuitry is coupled to both the transistor switching circuit and to the switched diode circuit for enabling and disabling the transistor switching circuit and the switched diode circuit. By alternatively enabling and disabling the transistor switching circuit and the switched diode circuit the control circuit is able to generate a constant source impedance.

Abstract: A test kit and method for determining the optimal level of intake for an individual of a useful substance--including vitamin C and calcium--that is water soluble, urine excretable, and nontoxic at physiologically beneficial levels is disclosed.

Abstract: New plunger having a cylindrical hollow body 20 or 20B, a handle 30, 30A, or 30B, an outlet hose 40, an outlet tip 42, and a valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 that is able to control the air flow within the hollow 25 of the cylindrical body 20 or 20B. Valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 is moved into a closed position so that air is forced out of the front of the plunger and towards a clogged or stopped area 82 or 92 and is moved into an open position so that air enters the back of the plunger and passes valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 so that water and/or clogging material is not drawn or sucked into the interior of the plunger. First embodiment plunger 10 discloses a flexible valve flap 50 that compresses against the inner wall of the cylindrical body 20 in a closed position and flexes outwardly and away from piston plate 38 in an open position.

Abstract: A geometrical layout technique for an individual circular capacitor in a semiconductor device. Circular capacitors reduce the detrimental effects of (1) corner etching, (2) peripheral capacitance, (3) capacitor to capacitor coupling, and (4) electric field anomalies and result in superior capacitor matching. The circular capacitor is comprised of a circular bottom plate made of a conducting material, a circular dielectric material coupled to the bottom plate and a circular top plate made of a conducting material.The circular capacitors may be arranged as an array in either a rectangular lattice layout or a diagonal lattice layout. These lattice layouts take advantage of the elimination or reduction of the problems encountered in the prior art such as corner etching, peripheral capacitance, capacitor to capacitor coupling and electric field anomalies.

Abstract: A wireless interface for diagnostic examination and programming of vehicular control systems. The wireless interface uses a vehicle processor which is coupled to at least one of a plurality of vehicular control systems. The vehicle processor is used for monitoring and controlling the different vehicular control systems located in the vehicle. A first transceiver is coupled to the vehicle processor for sending and receiving programming signals and operating signals to and from the vehicle processor. A second transceiver is provided for sending the programming signals to the first transceiver and for receiving the operating signals sent from the first transceiver.

Abstract: A combined system and method is shown and described which uses a vaporous fuel mixture energy source comprised of air and a vaporous fuel as a source of fuel for an internal combustion engine. This mixture of air and vaporous fuel is injected into each one of a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The air and vaporous fuel mixture is cooled prior to being injected into the internal combustion engine. In another embodiment, an electric generator is coupled to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A high sensitive water entry alarm system which prevents outside noise from falsely triggering the alarm system. A transmitter generates ultrasonic timed acoustic bursts at a fixed frequency when it is submerged in water. A receiver located in the body of water senses for acoustic signals similar in characteristic to the transmitter signal. A comparing circuit coupled to the receiver compares the acoustic signals received by the receiver to a reference signal having the same fixed frequency as the transmitter signal. The comparing circuit also measures the duration of the acoustic signals received by the receiver. The comparing circuit will generate a alarm signal which will sound off an audible alarm only when the acoustic signal received by the receiver has the same fixed frequency and is transmitted in controlled burst at the same timed intervals as the transmitter signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly portable collapsible jack stand. The jack stand is comprised of a plurality of leg members. Each leg member is detachably coupled to a top guide plate which is used to support and align a telescoping rod. A ram head is coupled to the telescoping rod and is used for supporting a load. A base plate is detachably coupled to the plurality of leg members. The base plate prevents the jack stand from sinking into the ground when the jack stand is in use and under a heavy load. A low profile jack may be positioned underneath the telescoping rod for raising and lowering the telescoping rod thus raising and lowering the load on the jack stand apparatus.

Abstract: A precision oscillator circuit having a wide adjustable operating frequency range and an adjustable duty cycle. The precision oscillator use a window comparator circuit for monitoring a voltage of a capacitive element. The window comparator circuit has a first operating voltage edge and a second operating voltage edge wherein the first operating voltage edge latches an output signal of the window comparator circuit at one level when the voltage of the capacitive element is greater than the first operating voltage edge. The second operating voltage edge brings the output signal of the window comparator circuit back to an initial level when the voltage of the capacitive element is greater than the second operating voltage edge. A precision current reference source is coupled to the capacitive element and to the window comparator circuit. The precision current reference is used for generating currents which are insensitive to temperature, supply voltage, and process variations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing card wagering games that enables players to select the playing card game to be played for a particular wagering round from among multiple playing card game options. Where different decks of playing cards are required for certain of the optional playing card games, a multi-deck card holder is provided, permitting a dealer to make an immediate selection of the appropriate playing cards upon selection of the playing card game by a player at that table. Upon the conclusion of one wagering round, selection of the next playing card game is made by the same or a different player, and the play continues with the selection of playing card games entirely at the option of the players.

Abstract: A shoe type apparatus is disclosed comprising a roller skate assembly having at least four wheels coupled to a sole portion of the shoe type apparatus for roller skating, and an in-line skate assembly having another set of wheels coupled to the sole portion for in-line skating. The shoe type apparatus provides at least three distinct configurations of the roller skate and in-line skate assemblies, namely having the wheels of the roller skate assembly lower than, level with, or higher than the wheels of the in-line skate assembly. This flexible arrangement permits a user to roller skate, to roller blade, or to perform a new combination thereof.

Abstract: A combination inductive coil and integrated circuit semiconductor chip is provided in a single lead frame package. The lead frame is preferably made of a copper alloy and has a flat configuration. The chip is electrically connected to end portions of the inductive coil thus permitting the inductive coil to function as an antenna for the chip.

Abstract: Surgical repairs of torn or ruptured tendons and ligaments are made by re-fastening the torn or ruptured tendon or ligament with a biocompatible or bioabsorbable hook-and-loop fastener.

Abstract: An instruction set for a microcontroller which has robust multiple word instructions. The instruction set has a plurality of instructions wherein the plurality of instructions comprises single word instructions and multiple word instructions. At least one bit is located in a predetermined location in all non-first words of all multiple word instructions. The bit will be decoded by the microcontroller as no operation bit if the first word of the multiple word instruction is not executed prior to execution of any succeeding words in the multiple word instruction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for implementing peripheral device bus mastering via a general purpose list processor. The system is comprised of four main elements: a bus controller, a DMA controller, a list processor, and a device controller. The system operates under two modes of operation. The two modes arise from the two distinct modules: the DMA controller and the list processor. The first mode of operation is a single buffer transfer mode which is directly compatible with a distributed DMA model. Under this mode, distributed DMA registers within the DMA controller are programmed to transfer a single contiguous buffer of data. The second mode of operation is a multiple buffer transfer mode which uses linked lists of buffer transfer descriptors to program the distributed DMA registers within the DMA controller and initiates transfers independent of software.

Abstract: A system for trapping I/O instructions. The system is comprised of at least one peripheral controller for receiving a plurality of I/O instructions and for initiating trapping of an un-executable I/O instruction by issuing a target abort signal when the peripheral controller senses a power off condition in a peripheral device. A system controller is coupled to the at least one peripheral controller for receiving the target abort signal from the at least one peripheral controller and for sequentially: issuing a system management interrupt (SMI) signal; counting a predetermined time period to allow recognition of the SMI signal; and issuing a cycle completion signal after counting the predetermined time period. A CPU is coupled to the system controller for issuing a plurality of I/O instructions and for receiving the SMI signal and the cycle completion signal from the system controller.