Abstract: A system utilizing a software program used to write other software application programs for the implementation of guideline applications for use in situations where a qualification decision or next course of action determination must be made. The system uses questions with limited choice answers. Data provided in answer to the questions causes a second program application to be automatically generated based on the answers. The second application then elicits responses in an interactive manner. Qualification decisions and courses of action are suggested as an output of the second application. Means are provided for evaluating the reliability of the suggestions based on consistency of answers and fatigue of the user. Means are also provided for editing either application program.

Abstract: An insulated link using new castable insulating materials and interim molds. A strong, insulating cast dielectric is assembled with metal plates to form a core assembly. A low viscosity bonding compound introduced into the core prior to casting an outer dielectric jacket eliminates the formation of air pockets. This construction provides a link that can support heavy loads and that has strong dielectric properties. The simplified method of construction of the link increases manufacturing yields, as well as the durability, ultraviolet resistance, and electrical resistance of the link.

Abstract: A codeword forcing technique is applied which provides gradual degradation of an audio output during fading such that analog degradation in a fading signal environment is simulated.

Abstract: A tractor and trailer together with a post-processing system that uses GPS satellites together with a dead reckoning system and associated cameras and sensors to determine the exact location of the system, translating this location information onto several photogrammetric mapping collectors for the purposes of developing an orthographic database image that can be correlated with other onboard sensors for determining the precise location of terrain features. The main sensor platform comprises a GPS receiver together with a plurality of visual sensors and a dead reckoning system mounted on a trailer. The GPS data and the dead reckoning data are brought together in a navigation system to provide precise location of the system. The camera system on board the trailer of the system comprises a series of cameras for recording images of the terrain as the trailer proceeds over the terrain of interest. During data collection, digital imagery is transmitted from each camera and received by an on-board computer.

Abstract: A method for culturing insect cells using fish serum. The method uses serum extracted from the blood of fish to culture insect cells for various purposes. The technique has the key advantages of consistent quality, low cross reactivity, safety from infectious agents that would endanger researchers or humans and animals receiving cell culture products as therapy and has appropriate nutrients to maintain the growth of insect cells. Fish serum is used together with designated defined medium to allow insect cells to grow and populations to be maintained. The method may also be used with lumpfish to prevent the attachment of insect cells to cultureware. Serum is derived from the blood of captive stocks of fishes raised under control conditions.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment plant for removal of organic matter, suspended solids and other pollutants comprising a pre-treatment chamber, a biofilm-aeration chamber and a settling chamber. Biofilm grows on biofilm support structure which is stationary and submerged in the mixed liquor of the biofilm aeration chamber. The combination of submerged or surface aeration and suspended solids particle size reduction occurs thereby creating a sufficient fluid flow within the biofilm aeration chamber. This combination of sufficient fluid flow, and reduced size suspended organic particles results in the efficient digestion of organic matter and pollutants by the biofilm growing on the biofilm support structure submerged in the biofilm aeration chamber. This results in a vastly more effective digestive process than conventional processes producing no sludge. Further, resulting treated effluent has a high dissolved oxygen content and low BOD and SS.

Abstract: A point of sale system designed to read information from a consumer's check, credit card, or manual input with a subsequent debiting of a consumer's account and crediting a merchant's account for the goods or services provided. Point of sale terminals are designed to accept a form of credit card with a consumer's bank account information encoded thereon or in the alternative to read the MICR number from a consumer's check in order to verify that a consumer has an appropriate balance to conduct the transaction with a given merchant. Thereafter the transaction of that information is transmitted to a central computer system which verifies the consumer's credit worthiness and stores the transaction event information for subsequent bank reconciliation via the ACH network. The invention eliminates the need for paper checks with all bank reconciliation being accomplished electronically.

Abstract: A series of large bins which can be raised and lowered on lifts in order to reach a bridge that is to be sand blasted. A skirt is attached to the upper outside edges of the bins. This skirt is raised and attached to the bridge so that the entire work area is completely enclosed. An air inlet and an air outlet are provided at either end of the enclosed work area. Air is pumped in to the work space through the inlet and is evacuated through the outlet. The outlet pressure is maintained at a higher level than that of the inlet in order to maintain a negative air pressure inside the work area relative to the outside air pressure. A grate covers each bin, providing an area on which workers can stand. As the bridge is sand blasted, all paint debris and blasting sand falls through the grates and into the bins. Smaller particles of dust are removed from the work area through the air outlet and are collected by a dust filter.

Abstract: A locking mechanism which provides a number of resistance points, all of which function to impede the opening of a door located on the chassis of a lottery dispensing machine or any other enclosure that must be secured. The locking mechanism includes a rotating cam which sets the lock in motion. Rotation of the cam is translated into reciprocating motion of a number of bolts which move into a locked position. Once the bolts are in a fully locked position, movement of the door is impeded. If two bolts are used, they face in opposite directions. If more than two bolts are used, they all face in different directions. This makes the lock impossible to jimmy. Further, to successfully pry open the lock would require an effort great enough to cause substantial structural damage to the enclosure itself. A cam extension is also provided which provides extra resistance when the locking mechanism is in a closed position.

Abstract: A filter for removal of biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids utilizing multi-layer filtration media. The filter media includes plastic particles, sand, and garnet and is operated under an automatic control condition. Fine filtering is accomplished by a sludge cake which develops at the upstream face of the filter media. For cleaning the filtration media, deposited sludge is removed from the filter bed by backwashing in a short time period at a high strength backwash flow rate.

Abstract: A filter for removal of biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids utilizing multi-layer filtration media. The filter media includes plastic particles, sand, and garnet and is operated under an automatic control condition. Fine filtering is accomplished by a sludge cake which develops at the upstream face of the filter media. For cleaning the filtration media, deposited sludge is removed from the filter bed by backwashing in a short time period at a high strength backwash flow rate.

Abstract: A proximity detection device for protection of personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation. The device works by detecting the presence of people, either the operator or bystanders, who are in the system antenna's radio frequency radiation hazard zone. Upon detection, the device triggers a timer that delays the activation of alarm circuitry for a brief period of time. This time delay is instituted to minimize the triggering of nuisance alarms by a momentary intrusion in the hazard zone. If a presence is still detected after the delay time, pulsing visual and audible alarms are triggered to alert the system operator of the dangerous situation. The alarms remain activated for a timed period, allowing the operator to clear the hazard zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliciting customer input to construct advertising/marketing campaigns. The metaphor elicitation technique method and apparatus provides a series of steps on an apparatus for eliciting from a customer the important aspects associated with a particular topic about which a marketing program is to be devised. The customers interact with a file of images which are designed to pictorially represent important sensory aspects of a topic being studied. The images and subsequent graphical maps and related constructs are then used to create an appropriate marketing/advertising campaign for the product or subject matter being studied.

Abstract: An access control system which uses a password token scheme for controlling user access to data within computer systems. The key component in the access control system is an optical token card that is capable of receiving optically encoded information directly from the CRT display of a standard personal computer and processing the information for use in identification and authentication procedures, cryptographic key management schemes, and administrative procedures such as maintaining audit trails. This design permits the use of much longer strings of challenge input data without the addition of peripheral readers to the system.

Abstract: A method for the assembly of biofilm support structure modules from individual sheets of biofilm support structure. The apparatus consists of a number of dowel rods protruding from a base. Hollow tubes are placed over the rods. Alignment holes are made in the biofilm support structure sheets such that the sheets may be slid over the tubes. When the required number of biofilm support structure sheets have been stacked in this fashion, caps are attached to the ends of the tubes, holding the biofilm support structure sheets in place. The assembled biofilm support structure modules may then be placed in a wastewater treatment plant. The tubes may also be used as passages for outside air or water, allowing the biofilm support structure sheets to be cleaned while still inside the treatment plant.

Abstract: A method for culturing mammalian cells using fish serum. The method uses serum extracted from the blood of fishes to culture mammalian cells for various purposes. The technique has the key advantages of 1) freedom from mammalian infectious agents that could contaminate cell lines or endanger researchers or recipients of therapeutants derived from mammalian cell culture; 2) consistent and reproducible serum content and quality; 3) low cross-reactivity; and 4) the appropriate serum nutrients to maintain the growth of mammalian cells. Fish serum is used together with designated defined media to allow mammalian cells to grow and populations of these cells to be maintained. Blood serum is derived from captive stocks of fish raised under controlled conditions such that the diet, habitat, genetics, life history, and reproductive status of the fish remains substantially consistent and reproducible.

Abstract: A parallel rule-based data transmission method and apparatus is described comprising multiple computer ports, modems, and multiple data transmission channels. The invention incorporates hardware and software data compression, automatic line selection and port allocation, data file segmentation and reassembly and simultaneous data transmission over multiple communications channels and their associated modems or ISDN interfaces. The invention allows a true multi-tasking environment to exist over inexpensive data communication channels thereby increasing the speed of data transmission as well as decreasing the cost associated with such transmission.

Abstract: A process for evaluation of an individual's food choices based upon selected factors and dietary guidelines is disclosed. The DINE System provides a method and apparatus which allows an individual to determine how well or poorly the person is eating. The invention analyzes the food an individual eats and determines certain predictor and follower nutrients that will give rise to an assessment of how a person's diet matches with various dietary guidelines established by governmental and/or other entities. The invention provides the results of the analysis to the individual complete with messages regarding over or under consumption of key nutrients so that the individual can correct the diet thereby resulting in better eating habits. The invention also gives the individual a "score" by which the person can immediately assess how well he or she is doing with respect to the various guidelines. The higher the number the better the diet.

Abstract: A portable voice and data encryption device designed to be used with normal wideband telephone and cellular telephones, computers and facsimile machines to transmit voice and data in encrypted form. The V/DED comprises a voice and data encryption module, an encryption and control module, and a modem module. The modem module can adapt its data rate to account for the changes in the signal strength between the sending and receiving sites. The encryption and control module senses the change in data rate of the modem module during transmission and synchronizes the activities of the voice and data module so that the amount of data being produced for encryption and transmission matches the data rate being experienced by the modem module. The V/DED very simply connects to the wall jack of a normal PSTN with the computer, telephone, or facsimile machine plugging directly into the V/DED.

Abstract: A chlorination and dechlorination apparatus and method for the treatment of wastewater or other fluid comprising a chlorinator, a contact tank, and a dechlorinator. The contact tank is a vessel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and is divided into two contact chambers by a baffle which runs vertically the entire length of the contact tank. A baffle opening is provided at the lower end of the baffle to allow passage of fluid from the first contact chamber to the second contact chamber. The chlorinator includes a chlorine tablet feeder and the dechlorinator includes a dechlorination tablet feeder. The fluid under treatment flows from inlet opening to the outlet opening in a plug-flow pattern. Previous to entering the contact chambers, the fluid washes over and dissolves chlorine tablets stacked in the chlorine tablet feeder. After flowing through the contact chambers, the fluid washes over and dissolves dechlorination tablets stacked in the dechlorination tablet feeder.