Abstract: Order flow information is used to provide traders with an enhanced market data feed. The external market data are overlaid with detailed internal customer order flow data to produce an enhanced virtual order book that more accurately reflects the best price and quantity available to traders at the receiving location and also the market liquidity behind that current best price. If a market impact overlay processor at a particular location closer to the exchange has access to customer order flow data from other more remote locations, the resultant enhanced virtual order book may not only be shared with traders at the closer location but also may be broadcast to market impact overlay processors at the remote locations, which may further enhance the shared data with more recent customer order flow data that would have not been received at the closer location at the time the enhanced data was broadcast.

Abstract: A handle-sheath may be molded for of a flexible material and may be shaped and dimensioned so as to be stretched over a conventional handle, thereby permitting the sheath to be conveniently removed and replaced. An internal flushing mechanism is preferably provided for sanitizing the interior of the sheath without requiring the sheath to be removed from the handle. The handle sheath may be molded from a tear-resistant, soft touch, elastic polymer such as thermoplastic elastomer (otherwise known as “TPE”). The interior may be provided with inwardly facing support studs and/or channel walls which define a plurality of individual-contact areas between the sheath and the handle, each of which providing a respective localized intimate contact area for frictionally securing the sheath to the handle, and at the same time defining channels which facilitate the maintenance of a sanitary condition between the handle sheath and the underlying structure, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acoustic filters for use in combination with a multiple transducer system which includes a low frequency transducer subsystem and a high frequency transducer subsystem each mounted with respect to an axis directed towards the listening environment so as to function acoustically as though having coaxial acoustic centers. Preferably, the acoustic filter is constructed from one or more acoustical elements such as small tubes, narrow slits, perforated baffles, enclosed cavities, and the like combined so as to provide an acoustical impedance which is relatively low for the frequencies produced by the low frequency transducer but which is relatively high for the frequencies associated with the high frequency transducer.

Abstract: A two-gate field-effect transistor (FET) is designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures (circa 1.degree.-20.degree. K.). For an N channel FET, the low-concentration weak-P type material used for the channel region is built into an intrinsic (or near-intrinsic) layer which in turn is built on a P type substrate. The first gate corresponds to a conventional FET control gate. The second gate may be designated a weak-source gate and is directly above a corresponding weak-source region which is itself adjacent to the conventional (strong) source region. The weak-source gate is placed at a fixed positive potential with respect to the source region so that the electrons will collect in the conduction band within the weak-source region. Once the required fixed weak-source gate potential has been established, the control gate functions in a conventional manner even when the device is at a cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention is a three-gate charge-coupled device (CCD) which is designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures (circa 1-20.degree. K). For an N channel device, a low-concentration N type material is separated from a P type substrate by a thin layer of intrinsic material. The active detection area is underneath a transparent detector gate which functions as the device's input gate. Electrons excited into the conduction band under the detector gate flow into the conduction band under the adjoining second gate which functions as an integrating gate by collecting the electrons that flow from under the input gate. The third gate also adjoins the second gate and is called the readout gate. When the readout gate is at a low potential, it dams up the electrons in the conduction band under the integrate gate.

Abstract: A relatively thin layer of extrinsic material formed on the top surface of a nearly intrinsic semiconductor substrate forms the detector area of an infrared detector device. A source region is provided along a portion of the perimeter of the detector area and is electrically coupled to the extrinsic detector area by means of an external connection. A drain channel is provided which is separated from the detector area by a gate region. The concentration of the extrinsic material in the detector area is sufficient for it to be at least a poor conductor. Thus, replacement electrons can flow from the source region into the extrinsic detector area via the external connection and electrical charge-neutrality can thereby be maintained at the extrinsic sites. The gate electrode forms a fringing field extending into the detector area which facilitates conduction from the detector area to the drain channel during the read-out process.

Abstract: Flammable fluid or other incendiary matter (204) contained aboard an aircraft may be removed from the aircraft's interior by means of a special purpose disposal device that utilizes the differential in pressure between the pressurized interior of a modern aircraft and the external airstream. The device itself comprises a main intake nozzle, an intermediate wand portion which is connected to the intake nozzle and in fluid communication therewith and a flexible hose provided with a quick connect fitting for connecting the device to a suitable outlet fitting in the skin of the aircraft. Preferably, several such outlet fittings are provided so that the device can be utilized at different locations within the aircraft's interior without requiring an excessively long hose. Each of the outlets is normally closed by means of a disk-shaped plug held in a flush position with respect to the aircraft's outer surface by means of a removable retainer ring.

Abstract: An aquarium water heater having a heater element energized by first and second silicon-controlled rectifiers connected in parallel in opposing conductive relation, one rectifier providing energy to the heater element on one-half cycle of alternating current while simultaneouly charging a capacitor which is connected to the gate electrode of the second rectifier for rendering the second rectifier conductive on the other half cycle of alternating current to supply energy to the heater element. Circuit means are connected to the gate electrode of the first rectifier, the circuit means including a thermistor for sensing the water temperature and rendering the first rectifier non-conductive when the water temperature equals a set point determined by a rheostat in the circuit means.

Abstract: A novel integrated aquarium is disclosed wherein all of the necessary mechanical functions (air pump, lighting, heating) are located in a compartment provided as part of the aquarium base and those components particularly subject to mechanical failure are mounted in a slide-out drawer provided as part of said base so that they may be more easily repaired or replaced. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, an incandescent light bulb located in said base furnishes both light and heat to the aquarium and is controlled by a thermal sensor with a manual lamp socket over-ride switch provided. To facilitate removal of the air pump for maintenance and possible replacement, the air supply tube leading from the air pump to a sparger/riser tube assembly associated with an undergravel filter is removably connectable to a passageway communicating with said sparger/riser tube by means of a rubber air cup.

Abstract: An animal habitat includes an exercise wheel simulating the drive wheel on a steam-powered locomotive; protuberances on the exercise wheel strike a trip wire which swings a locomotive bell and an idler disc connects the exercise wheel to simulate locomotive running wheels which may be suitably decorated to produce an effect pleasing to the eye when the running wheels are rotated by the exercise wheel which, in turn, may be rotated by an animal housed in the habitat.

Abstract: A noisemaking toy, more particularly, a simulated firecracker is presented which includes an elongate hollow cylindrical body and an elongated cord extending from one end; a piston assembly located within the body attached to the cord; a compression spring is provided for driving the piston; and a cap detonating assembly is located at the remote end of the body, the assembly containing a trigger mechanism which extends within the cylinder in the path of travel of the piston; and a sound generating means for emitting a whistle is coupled to the piston; whereby withdrawal of the cord to retract the piston and compress the spring, followed by release of the cord, allows the piston to travel forward along the axis of the body at a controlled rate, providing a whistling sound for a predetermined interval of time followed by the actuation of the cap detonating means.

Abstract: An animated toy figurine includes a simulated head and torso portion and the latter portion contains arms which carry a simulated broom. A hollow support member extends through the interior of the torso portion. The head is mounted to one end of the support member and the torso is rotatably mounted to the support member beneath the head. A plunger is carried within the support member for reciprocative movement therein. Mechanism is included which, responsive to reciprocative movement of the plunger, revolves the torso about the axis of the support member, clockwise and then counterclockwise, a predetermined arcuate extent, whereby the broom is moved simulating a sweeping action.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in those types of animated devices containing at least one animated toy figurine actuated by a plunger extending from the bottom of the figurine and a simulated structure, having a floor, such as a house, fire house, railroad station and the like, adapted to receive the figurine, and crank means associated with said structure for manually and remotely driving said figurine in which at least two crank means are associated with each simulated structure located at opposite ends of the structure and are operatively coupled together for joint movement, whereby operation of one of said crank means drives the other of said crank means as well as animating any figure properly placed within the structure, and in which each of the crank means includes means for coupling the crank means to a crank means of another structure of similar construction and purpose, whereby a plurality of crank means of a plurality of such structures may be coupled together for joint rotation and be driven through

Abstract: Pressurizing a bellows moves doll's head to a rear position, whereupon bellows is relieved so that the doll's head will move forwardly under the influence of a spring while air from bellows is simultaneously directed to a reservoir forcing water out through the doll's nose.

Abstract: Two side-by-side tracks form a closed loop having a curve at each end; the tracks support vehicles each of which moves around the closed loop as a result of impulses supplied to it by an improved vehicle-propulsion device located entirely within one of the curves for manual actuation by a child-user, and characterized by a novel propulsion arm which tilts upwards into its operating position about a fulcrum in response to an actuating force transmitted by a flexible tape which also causes said arm to rotate horizontally about a shaft.

Abstract: Pressurizing a bellows moves doll's head to a rear position, whereupon bellows is relieved so that the doll's head will move forwardly under the influence of a spring while air from bellows is simultaneously directed to a reservoir forcing water out through the doll's nose.

Abstract: Lower torso member includes a waist member having a lower portion and an upper portion so that pliable, rubber-like upper torso waist member may be slid from lower portion of lower torso waist member where it simulates waist of pre-teenager to upper portion of lower torso waist member where it simulates waist of a teenager while simulated breasts are simultaneously pressed outwardly against upper torso member causing bulging of the rubber-like material to form a simulated bustline.

Abstract: Driving gear on one limb has at least twice as many teeth as driven gear on other limb which is connected to driving gear by idler gears for negatively increasing gear ratio between limbs so that driven limb will swing through a substantially larger arc than, and in a direction opposite to, the driving limb.

Abstract: The invention disclosed pertains to liquid crystal and other optical displays useable both with ambient light and with built-in illumination sources. A light pipe formed of optically clear material has a clear, lightly etched top surface, and a patterned bottom surface (preferably having closely spaced minute convex protrusions). An enlarged portion at one edge contains a cavity for the insertion of a light bulb. The light pipe is covered with a highly reflective coating except for said clear top surface and the interior portion of said cavity.