Abstract: A system for providing a virtual play environment to assist children with physical and/or cognitive impairments is described. The system includes a central processing unit, a selection device connected with the central processing unit, a computer memory connected with the central processing unit for storing object definitions and operational rules, and a visual display device connected with the central processing unit for displaying a visual image of a defined object and the actions of the defined object when it is selected by the user.

Abstract: A system for processing documents is provided for use in remittance processing of bulk mail. An extraction unit opens envelopes and extracts the envelope contents, typically in the form of a pair of documents such as an invoice stub and an accompanying check. The extraction unit discards the opened envelopes and feeds the pair of documents in parallel disposition to a document sorting apparatus. The paired, parallel documents are conveyed through a document shifter in the form of nip rollers wherein one document of each pair is at least partially shifted relative to the other document of the pair to expose at least a portion of the covered document to an operator. The documents are then conveyed to a viewing area where the operator visually inspects each pair of documents and manually designates a selected path of movement using a manual input device.

Abstract: A medical device having an automatically retractable needle is provided with a safety latch for preventing premature or inadvertent retraction of the needle. In a preferred embodiment, the medical device comprises an intravenous catheter or guide wire insertion device having a nose portion that is axially adjustable during assembly to provide a uniform needle length projecting from the forward end of the device.

Abstract: A data received is provided with DC restoration circuitry for correcting the DC level of received multi-level data signals. A DC shift detection circuit detects whether the received DC level multi-level signals has shifted due to a predominance of one of the data levels in the data stream. A correction circuit responds to the shift detection circuit by applying a corrective bias to an isolation transformer. Alternatively, the correction circuit applies a corrective bias to the received signals within the receiver circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic separation apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a flow-through vessel defining a plenum and an inlet port for introducing fluid into the plenum. A hydrodynamic damping structure is provided between the inlet port and plenum for reducing turbulence in the fluid. A mounting device is provided with a slot therein for supporting and receiving the vessel. The mounting device also supports a first array of magnets along one side of the slot and arranged adjacent one another to face the slot with alternating polarity, and a second array of magnets along the opposite side of the slot from the first array arranged adjacent one another to face the slot with alternating polarity and confronting and magnetically opposing the magnets in the first array.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and managing the operations of a multi-technology telecommunications network is disclosed. The system includes programmable probes operatively connected to a network for monitoring data transfer activity on the network and collecting selected data relating to one or more relevant functions. A workstation interpreter is programmed for (1) receiving input from a system manager identifying the type or types of parameters that are to be monitored, (2) providing appropriate commands to program the programmable probe to effect collection of data relative to the selected parameter, and (3) receiving and storing the parameter data from the probe. The probe hardware is selected for compatibility with the network technology with which it is associated and it is programmed with the appropriate protocols to facilitate communications with the associated technology.

Abstract: An injection device for administration of fluid medication is provided with a retraction mechanism for safety retracting the injection needle after administration of the injection. The device comprises a barrel for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge containing a supply of fluid medication and sealed by a slidable plug. A plunger is positioned in the barrel. The plunger includes a rear portion for engaging and puncturing the plug, and for holding the plug at a stationary position as the cartridge is merged into the barrel to administer the injection. The player further includes a formal end for releasing the needle for the needle retraction mechanism when the cartridge has been urged into the barrel after the and of an injection stroke.

Abstract: An austenitic, stainless steel alloy is disclosed consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about______________________________________ C 0.035 max Mn 3-10 Si 1.0 max P 0.05 max S 0.15-0.45 Cr 10-20 Ni 4-8 Mo 1.0 max Cu 1.0-3.0 N 0.035 max B 0.005 max Se 0.1 max ______________________________________with the balance essentially iron. The disclosed stainless steel provides superior machinability relative to AISI Type 203 stainless steel with similar corrosion resistance, strength, ductility, hardness, and magnetic permeability.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for digital signal processing of telecommunication signals along respective transmit and receive paths of a two-way telecommunication link. The respective transmit and receive signals each include an audio data component and a timing component. Digital signal processing of at least one of the signals, such as an echo cancellation, employs information derived from the audio data component of the other signal. To compensate for differences between the respective timing components of the signals, resynchronization of each signal in terms of the timing component of the other signal is performed prior to modifying the audio data component of the other signal.

Abstract: A method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network is disclosed. The process includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks and equipping each of the equipment racks identically with at least one cable interconnection means. The method also includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site, providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one or more devices to one of said multiconductor cables, and grouping one of the equipment racks with said plurality of multiconductor cables and with a set of the multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for an installation site.

Abstract: A tilt-up automobile seat having a tilt-up mechanism positioned under a seat cushion. The seat cushion and a seat back are continuously positioned in a flat plane at a predetermined angle and the whole seat is tilted upwards around a front side of the seat cushion as a fulcrum. The tilt-up mechanism is always covered by a combination of an upper cover for covering at least its upper part and an under cover for containing at least its lower part even in a tilt-up position of the whole seat, resulting in preventing the tilt-up mechanism from being seen from outside. The upper and lower covers can include flange parts overlapped to each other, having a predetermined height.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing device is provided for manipulating a suture to form a stitch through a tissue within a body cavity. The suturing device comprises a needle with a shaft, a pointed end located at the distal end of the suturing device, a receptacle formed proximally to the pointed end, and a latch for opening and closing the receptacle. The latch is biased to the open position. A tubular sheath is provided which is concentric with the needle shaft, the needle shaft being frictionally slidable within the tubular shaft. The suture is clamped by the device by inserting the suture into the receptacle and sliding the tubular sheath over the latch, thereby closing the receptacle. The suture can then be released by sliding the tubular sheath to uncover the latch, thereby opening the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for making a corrosion resistant, ferritic steel alloy, with reduced magnetic coercivity is disclosed. The process includes the step of providing an intermediate form of a ferritic alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about______________________________________ Carbon 0.02 max. Manganese 1.5 max. Silicon 3.0 max. Phosphorus 0.03 max. Sulfur 0.1-0.5 Chromium 8-20 Nickel 0.60 max. Molybdenum 1.5 max. Copper 0.3 max. Cobalt 0.10 max. Aluminum 0.01 max. Titanium 0.01 max. Nitrogen 0.02 max. Iron Balance ______________________________________The intermediate form of the alloy is given an annealing heat treatment at a first temperature in the range of about 700.degree.-900.degree. C. for at least about 2 hours. After the penultimate annealing step, the intermediate form is cold worked to reduce its cross-sectional area by about 10-25%, thereby providing an elongated form of said alloy.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus incorporates a counterfeit detection system for identifying counterfeit suspect documents on the basis of the magnetic characteristics of the documents. Each document is transported within the vicinity of a magnetic read head, which produces an electronic signal in response thereto. The signal from the read head is conditioned by a conditioning circuit to be compatible with the analog-to-digital converter. The conditioning circuit includes one or more amplifiers, a filter, a rectifier, and an integrator. The conditioned signal from the integrator is provided to the analog-to-digital converter and is optionally limited to a compatible voltage level. As each document is detected a plurality of sample values are obtained by the analog-to-digital converter. The sample values are accumulated to produce one or more cumulative values representative of the document.

Abstract: A magnetically soft, Co--Fe--C alloy is disclosed which contains in weight percent, about______________________________________ Carbon 0.05-0.50 Manganese 0.5 max. Silicon 0.5 max. Phosphorus 0.01 max. Sulfur 0.01 max. Chrominum 1.0 max. Nickel 1.0 max. Molybdenum 0.25 max. Cobalt 14-28 Vanadium 0.1 max. Niobium 0.1 max. Tungsten 0.1 max. ______________________________________and the balance is essentially iron. The alloy provides a yield strength of up to about 580 MPa (84 ksi) while maintaining ductility and magnetic induction comparable to the known 27Co--Fe soft magnetic alloy. Magnetic and mechanical properties are developed through an annealing heat treatment which is performed after the alloy has been mechanically worked and machined to final shape.

Abstract: A document production system is provided for preparing documents and managing a database of information pertaining to investigational studies of medical products. The document production system includes a data management user interface for providing user access to the database and for retrieving information from the database as specified by selected document templates for placement into word processor-compatible documents. Additionally, the data management user interface is capable of updating information stored within the database in accordance with information specified within a previously-prepared document.

Abstract: A telecommunication signal processor includes a noise compensation system for preventing undesirable spectral modulation of the noise component of a telecommunication signal subjected to a process wherein subband portions of the signal are variably attenuated. A noise component is injected into each attenuated error signal in order to compensate for attenuation of background noise incidental to the variable attenuation of the subband signals. The amplitude of the noise components are each determined independently on the basis of an estimated noise content of the original subband signals and in accordance with the applied attenuation within each subband. The attenuated and noise-compensated subband signals are combined by a synthesis filter to provide a send-output signal.

Abstract: A process for making a cladding for a nuclear fuel rod is disclosed which includes the following steps. First, at least two layers of zirconium-based metals are spray deposited on a generally cylindrical substrate in a manner that provides a rough, cylindrically-shaped, porous billet. The zirconium-based metal for each layer is different from an adjacent layer and is selected to provide a desired combination of properties. Next, the substrate is removed from the spray deposited material, thereby providing an elongated tube hollow. The spray deposited material is then consolidated in a known manner to remove the porosity, densify the tube hollow to substantially full density, and reduce the cross-sectional dimension of the tube hollow to a desired size.