Abstract: An input system comprises an optical device configured to transmit and receive one or more optical signals along a segment of fiber optic cable; an optical input device connected to the segment of fiber optic cable, the optical input including an input key configured to reflect a portion of an optical signal as a consequence of being actuated; and a signal decoder connected to the optical device, the signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the portion of the optical signal reflected by the input key.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dynamically stabilizing a ship in high sea states. A six degree-of-freedom robotic arm is attached to the ship, and a thruster is located at the distal end of the manipulator. The manipulator is be used to orient the thruster to counteract wave forces that act against the ship's hull in real time. This active balancing technique can be used to keep the ship substantially erect in rough seas by making continual corrections to the ship's body attitude. The center of gravity and the center of buoyancy of the ship are utilized, along with a precisely oriented and controlled thrust at the end of the manipulator, to optimally control the ship's state against impending waves.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a chassis which supports a “sealed” housing containing a data storage magnetic disk, and read/write heads and actuator. The housing also contains an erasure device which generates a magnetic or other field or emanation for erasing the disk, so that the erasing field or emanation need not penetrate the sealed housing to effectuate erasure. A backup power supply provides power to the erasing device so that erasure can occur even in the absence of external power. A bus- or network-actuated arrangement couples power to the erasure device so that many hard drives may be simultaneously erased.

Abstract: A magnetic anomaly detector includes a magnetically active device which produces analog signals in response to magnetic fields. The analog signals are time quantized and then discrete-time differentiated. The differentiated signals are applied to a low-pass filter. The filtered signals are Fourier transformed into an amplitude-frequency spectrum. An error detector compares at least one reference amplitude-frequency spectrum with the reference spectrum to identify the presence or absence of a magnetic anomaly. The resulting error is displayed on a monitor or operates an alarm.

Abstract: A workers' compensation medical reporting system including software accessed at a provider computer, the software adapted to prompt the provider to input the data concerning a workers' compensation claim, the software adapted to send an electronic workers' compensation claim, the software adapted to send an electronic workers' compensation treatment report electronically across the Internet to a payer computer; and electronic report filtering software accessed at the payer computer, the electronic report filtering software adapted to direct the electronic report as a result of predetermined criteria, electronic workers' compensation medical treatment reports that meet a human review criteria are automatically set to a case manager for review, other electronic workers' compensation medical treatment reports are automatically directed to be processed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling access to multiple applications which are each implemented as a client application in an operating system environment of a data processing device from a shared memory system. The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing an improved method and an improved device for controlling access to multiple applications which are each implemented as a client application in an operating system environment of a data processing device from a shared memory system, which allow an efficient exchange of data for input/output. In particular, interaction with multimedia data in such an operating environment should be optimized.

Abstract: A portable fairing for a mobile radar array system includes at least partially open housing surrounding the mobile radar array and a curved covering mounted on the housing. The curved covering is adapted to cover the radar array in a closed position. The sides of the housing are curved such that when the curved covering is closed, the housing and the curved covering form a generally curved structure.

Abstract: In a radar system using a radar clutter map comprising a plurality of range-azimuth cells containing parameter data values indicative of time averaged echo returns for affecting alarm threshold levels at range-azimuth locations scanned by the radar system antenna, a method for detecting comprising the steps of obtaining from the radar clutter map a first parameter data value associated with a given cell under test (CUT); determining a second parameter data value using parameter data values of other cells from the plurality of range-azimuth cells from the radar clutter map; comparing the first parameter data value associated with the CUT with the second parameter data value; and generating a signal indicative of a target detection when the first parameter data value exceeds the second parameter data value by a given threshold corresponding to a target false alarm rate.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery providing an array of electromagnetic receiver antennae arranged and operated in conjunction with an array of far field electromagnetic transmitter antennae for mapping subsurface features of a reservoir. Mapping is performed according to the relative intensities, frequencies, phase shifts, and/or other reflected signal parameters of the reflections received by the receiver antennae (relative to the transmit signals) associated with a given location or target area within a reservoir. Such mapping aids in determining an optimal location of a production well or the location of an auxiliary well relative to the production well.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antenna system for transmitting and receiving radar signals comprising a first non-conductive material embedding a plurality of parasitic antenna elements, where the first non-conductive material interfaces a second non-conductive material embedding a plurality of electrical feed elements, and wherein the first non-conductive material covers one or more adjacent interconnecting joints.

Abstract: A capacitor isolated electronic power converter includes a direct current power source in series with a first inductor; and a first switch for switching contact with a second inductor in series with the power source return; an output load in series with a third inductor which connects to a second switch for switching contact to a fourth inductor in series with the output load return; the third inductor and second switch for switching connect through a first capacitive coupling to the second inductor; and the fourth inductor and second switch for switching connect through a second capacitive coupling to the first inductor; wherein the first and second capacitive coupling isolate the power source from the output load.

Abstract: A system for classifying targets utilizes radar receptions and acoustic signatures of armament projectiles (e.g., bullets from celebratory rifle fire, mortars, cannon fire, artillery shells, or rockets, etc.) to associate ordinances with radar returns to better utilize a radar's resources to acquire and track targets of interest. In one embodiment of the invention the system for classifying targets comprises: a radar system for detecting targets based upon radar receptions; an acoustic system for detecting targets based upon acoustic receptions; and a means for classifying the acoustic receptions into target types; a means for computing range, bearing and time of incidence for the radar receptions and the acoustic receptions; a means for associating the radar receptions and the acoustic receptions according to the classification.

Abstract: An article includes a plurality of stems projecting from a surface thereof. Each stem includes a hollow stalk projecting orthogonally from the surface and a hollow head defined on a distal end of the hollow stalk. The head includes a flange section extending from the distal end of the hollow stalk and having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the hollow stalk at the distal end. A cap section extends from the flange section, defines a distal end of the stem and has a generally convex contour. The cap section has a first wall thickness at the distal end of the stem, a second wall thickness at a junction of the cap section and the flange section and a third wall thickness at a circumferential section intermediate the distal end and the flange section. The third wall thickness is less than the first and second wall thicknesses.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer array and method of baffle construction is presented to provide an improved array for use in underwater installations. The array is presented wherein a significant majority of the acoustic energy receiving surface is formed by lightweight acoustic baffling material while still maintaining a fully functional, fully populated array. The acoustic baffle constructed is incompressible and suitable for deep water operation while demonstrating both improved acoustic performance and positive buoyancy when necessary. In addition, the invention eliminates the non-uniform element to element spacing that occurs between sub-panels in similar arrays.

Abstract: A method of fulfilling needs acquired as a result of property and other similar losses, the method involving the steps of directing a person or entity with a need resulting from a loss to a site on a global computer network, interviewing the person or entity at the site to obtain information about the person or entity and the need they have, and analyzing and processing the information to provide the person or entity automatic access at the site to at least one service that will go toward fulfilling the need of the person or entity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, having an exhaust line carrying exhaust gas away from the internal combustion engine and having a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the exhaust line. The fuel injector is mounted on the exhaust line via a mounting device. This mounting device has a receiving body into which the fuel injector is inserted and which is mounted on the exhaust line via a disk-shaped flange. To reduce the risk of overheating of the fuel injector, the flange is mounted on the receiving body via a constriction in cross section and/or on the exhaust line via a thermal insulator.

Abstract: A portable searchlight with a focused beam operating both in the infrared and visible portions of the spectrum with a range of approximately 400 meters includes telescopic lens system integrated with an illumination system. The beam of the searchlight and the telescopic lens are automatically aligned to both focus on the distant object. The telescopic lens system is combined with a digital camera system and an LCD display. The searchlight includes an eyepiece lens enabling an user to choose either viewing a display screen or using the eyepiece lens to optically observe the field of view.

Abstract: A method and system for managing funds within separate accounts permits a distributor to market and an investor to purchase a single product that combines the benefits of a family of funds with the protection element of a death benefit or living benefit. To create the product, a legal entity issues an instrument typically stock comprised of a common stock and a preference stock having beneficial rights. The holder of a beneficial right controls the investment allocations over funds within separate accounts. The value of the preferred shares will be based on the value of underlying shares invested in separate account funds. The separate accounts are not available to satisfy the company's general or common stock obligations.

Abstract: A method for radar target detection and angle estimation in the presence of jamming includes the steps of receiving a signal from a radar array having elements arranged in rows and columns; performing deterministic row-based beamforming on the received signal to obtain row sum azimuth beams; performing deterministic column-based beamforming on the received signal to obtain column sum elevation beams; performing one-dimensional maximum likelihood estimation on the row sum azimuth beams to obtain an estimated target elevation angle and an adaptive array sum azimuth beam; performing one-dimensional maximum likelihood estimation on the column sum elevation beams to obtain an estimated target azimuth angle and an adaptive array sum elevation beam; and performing target detection based on the adaptive array sum azimuth beam and the adaptive array sum elevation beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of semiconductor granules comprising a step in which semiconductor powders are sintered and/or melted. The powders are nanometric and/or micrometric sized.