Abstract: A safe and effective, neutral, non-toxic cleaning agent composition containing a surfactant, nonylphenol ethoxylate, and a wetting agent alkane sulfonate, for rapidly and economically removing oils and greases. The composition is safe in handling, and enables more rapid oil and grease removal than prior art cleaners. The composition is aqueous based, and therefore more environmentally safe and able to be used in conjunction with biodegradation systems without detrimentally effecting microorganisms performing the breakdown of waste.

Abstract: An image projection system includes a bright light source of polarized light, and in one form of the invention, a spatial light modulator, having an alignment layer, to modulate the polarized projection light, wherein the bright polarized light source is aligned with the alignment layer to permit the polarized light to pass therethrough without the need for unwanted light blocking polarizers. The spatial light modulator generates output light representative of the image, which is projected by a projection lens system onto a remote viewing surface to form a bright image thereon. In another form of the invention, three different colored images are each produced by three separate polarized light sources illuminating three individual light valves, and are superimposed to produce a full color image while all three light sources are maintained fully activated to provide a brightly illuminated image.

Abstract: A computer input system for a computer generating images appearing on a screen. For the purpose of modifying the images appearing on the screen, a light generating device causes an auxiliary light image to appear on the screen. An image sensor responds to the auxiliary image, and a circuit responds to the sensor for causing auxiliary image information to be stored concerning the auxiliary light image. Another circuit responds to the stored auxiliary image information to supply the auxiliary light image information to the computer for utilization therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects disposed in close proximity to a conductive loop, includes the use of a sensitivity selection circuit to compensate for loop sensitivity to metal and other conditions, and a microprocessor circuit for helping to prevent false detections or undesired interruptions of valid detection due to changes in environmental conditions.

Abstract: Light pre-polarized in a particular plane is divided into a plurality of paths, where each path includes a reflecting mirror, a dichroic mirror and a liquid crystal display. The light in each display is selectively modulated and combined for projection purposes. The displays are rubbed in directions coordinate with the display peripheries to enhance the contrast of the light passing through the display.

Abstract: A compact projection illumination system includes a display controller, a condenser lens assembly including a light source, and a pair of finely faceted mirrors angularly disposed relative to one another to spread projection light emitted from the high intensity projection light source in two directions, and direct the reflected light to an image forming display device where an image is formed for projection purposes. The light is spread to illuminate precisely the light impinging surface of the image forming display device. To reduce image distortion caused by the faceted mirrors forming beam segments, the condenser lens assembly and the light source are arranged and constructed to permit the reflected beam segments to converge sufficiently to fill in dark or shadow areas between the beam segments prior to the segments impinging on the image forming display device, so that the resulting image is formed uniformly and substantially distortion free in a narrowly defined, compact space.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement with a pair of angularly disposed, spaced apart groups of character keys dedicated for operating use respectively by the left hand and the right hand of a user. A space bar key is operable by either thumb of the user and bridges between the two groups of character keys. The rows of keys in each group are staggered, and each key bears character indicia disposed at an angle to the transverse direction of its group of keys.

Abstract: An optical input arrangement and method includes an optical device for sensing a projected image and for detecting the presence of a high intensity optical input signal light by discriminating it from the entire projected image and the ambient light reflecting from a viewing surface. A determination is made as to when the differences in intensity of sequentially measured pixel intensity values of the light reflected from the viewing surface exceeds a positive threshold amount and substantially immediately thereafter decreases more than a negative threshold amount, to facilitate an even more precise discrimination between the input signal image and the overall projected image. An alignment device generates an optical signal for facilitating the alignment of the arrangement to capture the entire image reflecting from the viewing surface.

Abstract: The optical auxiliary input arrangement for an optical system projecting computer generated images includes an image processing unit and communication interface for detecting the speed at which two high intensity auxiliary light images flash onto the projected computer image, to interpret the images as a mouse double click feature. The optical auxiliary input arrangement accurately and reliably discriminates between user generated double click information without the need of the user being so steady of hand as to cause the auxiliary light information beam to illuminate the same precise location on the viewing surface during the double click operation. The image processing unit and communication interface cooperate together to permit both a low speed mouse and the high speed light generating device to communicate with the system.

Abstract: A method and display control apparatus includes a display controller for supplying display information indicative of images to be displayed, to a display device, which, in turn, displays images in accordance with the display information. The controller is arranged to receive selectively control commands encoded in the display information received from a remote video signal producing system, such as a personal computer, for control purposes. In one form of the invention, the control commands are used to freeze the image being displayed by the display device, so that the personal computer can determine the next images to be displayed by the display device.

Abstract: A new and improved transport apparatus which can be used to transport a load between different level surfaces according to a novel method of use of the present invention. The transport apparatus includes an undercarriage including a front and rear trucks having an elongated upright track assembly mounted therebetween for defining a predetermined path of travel that a load will follow as it is moved between a ground level position and an upper load destination position substantially above the ground. A load carriage unit mounted movably to the upright track assembly is coupled to a motor adapted to move the load reciprocatively rectilinearly along the predetermined path of travel. The front and rear truck construction facilitates transportation over a variety of terrain. Substantially, the trucks and upright track assembly are coupled together in a set of triangular arrangements that form a rigid, stable, load moving construction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitates the alignment and light sensitivity adjustment of an optical computer input system, which includes a user generated light directed onto a screen bearing a computer generated image, to convey information to the computer interactively by the user, even in a darkened room. The system discriminates between the user generated image, and the computer generated image. Devices facilitate the proper alignment of the system with the screen, as well as proper light sensitivity adjustments.

Abstract: A rotatable mulch bin is formed from two similar drum members (1) and (2), typically plastics moldings which are joined together by bolts through interconnecting flanges (4). One, but preferably both ends of the bin are provided with lids (7) and (9) for adding or removing material. The rotatable bin is mounted on a stand (12) by way of a pivot tube or rod extending diametrically through the bin on axis (13), acting as a clump breaker for material within the bin when the bin is rotated. The two drum members (1) and (2) are designed to nest within one another when dissembled giving a compact configuration for transportation or storage.

Abstract: A universally adaptable battery charger connector which couples electrically a battery charger outlet to pairs of terminals of different types and kinds of rechargeable battery devices. The universal adaptable battery charger includes an attachment arrangement for engaging releasably one of the pairs of battery device terminals. The attachment arrangement includes a pair of electrodes coupled electrically to a battery charger outlet for helping to supply electrical current to the battery device terminals. The universal connector also includes a securing device for mounting removably on the battery device to be charged. Each one of the electrodes includes a resilient contact for pressing resiliently into engagement with the terminals to maintain an electrical and mechanical contact between the securing device and the battery device terminals.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) electrical motor system includes a DC electrical motor having energy conversion armature windings conducting a first electric current, and an electromagnetic field windings conducting a second electric current. The system also includes means to maintain the magnitude of the second electric current in the electromagnetic field windings at a substantially constant ratio of the magnitude of the first electric current in the energy conversion armature windings. Thus, the magnitude of the ampere-turn strength of the electromagnetic field of the motor is substantially always a ratio of the magnitude of the electric current in the energy conversion armature winding circuit of the motor, and the DC electrical motor of this invention performs substantially the same as a conventional series wound DC electrical motor.

Abstract: The wheel alignment kit and method related to a wheelless alignment technique employing a pair of alignment fixtures which cooperate with a corresponding pair of turntables to support the vehicle in place of its wheels and to facilitate easy access to the strut assemblies of the vehicle for alignment purposes. The kit also includes an electronic camber gauge tool adopted to be mounted on the fixtures to provide a user with an instantaneous camber reading. A pair of toe gauge tools adapted to be mounted on the fixtures cooperate with a datum line to provide the user with an instantaneous toe reading.

Abstract: A new and improved software development system which can be utilized to create a presentation program includes a high speed memory device for storing data files indicative of an untested presentation program and a processor coupled to the storage unit for sending desired data files in place of target files at a start time corresponding to actual access time exhibited by a low speed drive unit in retrieving the target files from an associated storage media device for transfer to a host computer. Subsequently, after a user has developed a tested presentation program, the development system retrieves and supplies the tested presentation program to a low speed drive unit which causes the program to be stored on a master storage media device.

Abstract: A new and improved display control system includes a set of low speed analog to digital converters for converting incoming, high resolution information such as workstation based information into digital information for display on a low resolution display monitor. A logic arrangement compresses the high resolution information by eliminating certain horizontal and vertical pixel image information during one frame cycle and by eliminating certain adjacent horizontal and vertical pixel image information during the next frame cycle.