Abstract: A retractable securement apparatus and system for securing cargo to a support structure to prevent undesired relative movement between the cargo and the support. The apparatus comprises a strap contained in an elongate tubular member that is a component of one or both of the cargo or the support structure. One way strap stops fix ends of the strap relative to the tubular member yet allow the strap to be extended from a normally retracted position to an extended position in which hook members on one or both ends of the straps secure the cargo to the support.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus for motion detection detects motion based on differences between pixel frames to make external image comparison processing unnecessary and to reduce erroneous detection of motion.

Abstract: An optical conduit is bundled with one or more fluid carrying conduits such that the bundled conduits are axially aligned near their distal ends. Light and fluid emitted from orifices at the terminal ends of the conduits are emitted along substantially coaxial paths. A ferrule is preferably used to bundle the conduits together at the distal ends of the conduits, and elsewhere along their combined lengths if desired. The fluid conduit may comprise an outer tube and a smaller coaxial inner tube, one tube for delivering a first fluid and the other tube for delivering a second fluid. The optical conduit comprises optical fibers for delivering light through the end of the bundle. Because the conduits are bundled near the distal ends of the aligned tubes, the light and fluid delivered through the conduits are precisely aimed at the intended point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stud component of a cleanroom wall system that, in addition to supporting wall panels also supports a door, thereby doing away with the need for a separate, standard doorframe. Thus, the universal nature of the wall and door stud components substantially reduces the material and labor cost associated with acquiring and constructing doorframes in a cleanroom wall system.

Abstract: An interactive collaborative information visualization system provides improved visualizations of relationships or connections in collaborative information relating to network interaction media such as email and email lists, conferencing systems and bulletin boards, chats, multi-user dungeons (MUDs), multi-user games and graphical virtual worlds, etc. In one implementation, network graphs in various display or visualization formats represent the collaborative information as nodes that are connected together by links. With reference to collaborative information about Usenet newsgroups, one visualization format provides an inter-group visualization in which newsgroup nodes are linked together by links representing messages that are cross-posted between the newsgroups. Other visualization format can be provided. In one implementation, a graphical user interface allows a user to control the database filter to select the selected portion of the collaborative information to be obtained and measured.

Abstract: A hazard monitor for surgical tourniquet systems comprises: pressure transducing means for detecting a pressure in a pneumatic tourniquet cuff; power switch means for enabling an operator in initiate an interruption in the supply of electrical power required by pressure regulator means, wherein the tourniquet instrument is connectable pneumatically to the tourniquet cuff to supply pressurized gas to the cuff, thereby producing a pressure in the cuff; pneumatic connector means for enabling an operator to connect an inflatable cuff to the pressure regulator means, and hazard detection means communicating pneumatically with the pneumatic connector means for detecting pressurized gas having a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure level when an interruption in the supply of electrical power is initiated by the operator.

Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed posiiton in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 208) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang.

Abstract: Chemoluminescent illuminators are used in night visible game equipment, notably, croquet and bocce. Game balls overcome rotational wobble tendencies resulting from perturbations in the rotational moments of inertia. The balls are at least partially transparent or translucent and include a receptacle for receiving a chemoluminescent illuminator. Different colored illuminators are provided to mark different balls as relating to different players. In one embodiment the balls have relatively thin outer walls and internal metallic rings to contribute a majority of the necessary weight and to add differential weighting to equalize the moments of inertia around all three axes. Wickets comprise chemoluminescent illuminators held in proximity to conventional wickets. Wicket holders may assist with supporting the illuminators. Stakes and mallets accept chemoluminescent illuminators to illuminate the stakes.

Abstract: An economical and compact flat panel loudspeaker is disclosed that effectively dampens undesirable standing waves that form in the diaphragm without adversely affecting the frequency response. The diaphragm is preferably anisotropic, and has at least one compliant compressed dampening member transposed between it and a substantially planar support. The dampening member is preferably positioned at or near at least one mode of constructive or destructive interference on the diaphragm, and urges the diaphragm away from the planar support, thereby placing as light bending force on the diaphragm, and a slight compression force on the dampening member. Accordingly, the dampening member serves as a sink for transferring undesirable standing waves from the diaphragm to the planar support. In a preferred embodiment, the dampening member is an elongated strip of compliant foam rigidly secured to the diaphragm and planar support and extending through a plurality of modes on the diaphragm.

Abstract: A virtual machine object memory structure includes a contiguous region of virtual address space in which objects (i.e., temporary objects) are segregated into a new generation space and an old generation space according to the ages of the objects, as well as a permanent object memory (POM) generation space. The POM generation space operates as a persistent object cache that is not subject to conventional garbage collection processes. The lifetime of an object in the POM generation space relates to the frequency at which objects are copied from a persistent object store (e.g., disk storage) and shared object cache, rather than garbage collection processes relating to the new generation space and the old generation space.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and the lifter is sized and shaped to engage or lift the patient's epiglottis, thereby to expose the glottis. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion and lifter portion are substantially the same length, and a viewing device, which is preferably a CCD or CMOS camera positioned near the transition portion between the base and lifter portions, is aligned to provide a perspective view toward the distal end of the lifter. Lights, which are preferably LED units, are positioned toward the distal end of the lifter to facilitate viewing.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adaptable pressure waveform to a patient's limb to augment blood flow comprises: an inflatable sleeve for applying pressure to the limb; pressure transducer for producing a pressure signal; pressure waveform applicator responsive to the pressure signal and a reference pressure waveform signal for controlling a supply of fluid to the sleeve so that the pressure in the sleeve is maintained near a varying pressure indicated by the reference pressure waveform signal; and waveform register for producing the reference pressure waveform signal indicative of a reference pressure waveform that includes a maximum pressure at a time within a cycle time period and a rate of pressure increase leading to the maximum pressure and wherein the waveform register includes waveform adaptor for allowing the rate of pressure increase to change from a first rate to a second rate without changing the maximum pressure.

Abstract: An electronic (e.g., LCD) projector combines multiple projection lens assemblies with equal color component optical path lengths to provide improved display images and a compact arrangement. In one implementation, the projector includes a successive pair of angled dichroic mirrors that fold the red and blue color components of light in opposed directions. The green color component of light passes through the dichroic mirrors toward a pixelated electronic light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, and an associated projection lens assembly. The red and blue color components of light are each folded again to propagate parallel with the green color component toward a pixelated electronic light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, and an associated projection lens assembly. The separate projection lens assemblies are arranged in a non-linear, close-packed arrangement to receive the color components of light.

Abstract: A multimedia computer speaker system includes a pair of amplifiers that provide amplified right and left audio signals to a pair of wide-band speakers. The amplifiers are configured to provide the amplified right and left audio signals that are out of phase with each other. The amplified right and left audio signals are applied to opposite terminals of the two wide-band speakers. These reversed terminal couplings to the wide-band speakers of the phase-reversed signals provide phase-aligned right and left audio playback at the speakers. A subwoofer and a low pass filter are connected as a bridge-tied load to receive the amplified right and left audio signals. The phase of one amplified audio signal is in effect reversed by applying it to the negative terminal of the subwoofer. As a result, low frequency components of a phase reversed amplified audio signal are summed by the subwoofer with low frequency components of the other amplified audio signal to provide a low frequency audio playback.