Abstract: A watthour meter testing device for testing watthour meters is provided that includes a measuring device, a switch, a transmitter and a receiver. The measuring device is in communication with the power measured by the watthour meter. The switch is operable to test electromechanical watthour meters in a first position and operable to test electronic watthour meters in a second position. The transmitter is operative to transmit a light signal to a consumption indicator on the watthour meter when the switch is in the first position for testing electromechanical watthour meter. The receiver is operative to detect the light signal transmitted from the transmitter and reflected from the consumption indicator on the watthour meter when the switch is in a first position. The receiver is further operative to detect a consumption light signal emanating from the electronic watthour meters when the switch is in a second position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing fast compression and decompression of seismic data. An adaptive transform (124) with selectable mathematical basis is applied to an initial data set to obtain a set of transformed coefficients, the transform factorizing an effective symmetric or non-symmetric biorthogonal filter of size (u, v) into a number m of elementary (3, 1) biorthogonal filters which are applied to the data set in selected directions without requiring transposition of the data set. The coefficients are encoded (126) using non-uniform scalar quantization and run-length coding followed by adaptive coding of resulting threshold coefficients. The transform and encoding steps are repeated (128) using a new mathematical basis for each iteration to obtain a compressed data set at a desired compression rate. Exact compression ratios can be obtained (158), allowing evaluation of the data in the compressed domain as well as transparent, on-the-fly decompression at computer network data transfer rates.

Abstract: An exemplary retractable awning and method are provided for mounting to virtually any structure, such as a house trailer, recreational vehicle, house, patio, deck, and the like, to provide shade and protection from the elements. The retractable awing includes a roller tube assembly, a covering, and support arms. The roller tube assembly includes a roller tube and at least one retractable rib. The roller tube has a first end, a second end, and a rib storage groove operable to receive and store the retractable rib so that the retractable rib may couple with the roller tube and extend from a retracted position, at least partially within the rib storage groove, to an extended position. The retractable rib may have an upward arch or bend when in its extended position. The covering couples between the structure and the roller tube assembly and may be supported by the retractable rib when open. The covering provides shade and protection from the elements when open.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide improved control over the activation and deactivation of a computer program. For example, the computer program may be a screen saver program and/or a password protection program. The computer program is prevented from being activated when the user has not recently provided input to a computer system via an input-output device, but the user is still in the vicinity of the computer system. When no person is detected in the vicinity, the present invention allows the computer program's activation to be controlled using standard known methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control without the need to modify existing computer hardware or software. Embodiments of modified computer hardware and software systems are also provided where it is desirable to integrate enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control into a hardware or software system.