Abstract: An improved expert system is disclosed wherein rules are organized into domains and subdomains, and objects are passed to rules to be operated upon. Prior to operating upon any object, the domain determines if the object is of the type which is to be operated upon by rules within the rule domain. If not, the rules are not applied to the object.

Abstract: An improved board ID number display mechanism whereby an LCD or LED or similar display is utilized on the backplane of a circuit card. The display is viewable for outside the computer case, making it possible to ascertain the board's ID number without having to open up the computer case and examine jumper or switch patterns.

Abstract: A pivotally connected stapler machine is disabled as a staple ejecting apparatus and is converted into pivotally connected lever handles to operate the enabled double jawed staple remover. To disable the stapler machine and enable the staple remover, stapler machine magazine (24), magazine shroud (56) are pushed rearward on base (10) along the hinge pin guide track (18) enabling pivotally connected staple remover jaws consisting of bottom staple remover jaw (38) and top staple remover jaw (44) to open and close concurrently with the squeezing and releasing of the pivotally connected lever handles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a structure of variably assembled hair bands, more specifically, to hair bands with pins and matching holes for assembling hair bands of various patterns and colors to form various combined hair bands. A plurality of pins and corresponding holes are provided at opposite end portions on two sides of adjacent hair bands, so that the pair of the adjacent hair bands may be assembled to form an integrated hair band by matching the pins and the holes. With this design, several hair bands with different patterns or colors can be assembled together to form an integrated hair band according to personal taste, and can also be used separately as single bands. A demand on both variations and low cost is achieved.

Abstract: A voice processing architecture is disclosed wherein a plurality of voice processing cards are resident on a network but which are not deployed within a resident host computer. The host computers are located throughout the network, and any voice processing card may be controlled by any host computer.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for holding a compact disk such that an electronic anti-theft tag may be affixed thereon flush with the base of the apparatus such that labeling or shrink wrap may be placed flush on the base, concealing the anti-theft tag without having any unsightly protrusions.

Abstract: The technique is described whereby an external application computer can exercise call monitoring and control over calls in a packet network telephony environment, wherein a separate application computer is utilized to communicate with the gatekeeper computer already known in the art of packet network telephone communications, and wherein that gatekeeper computer is enhanced beyond the current art to implement the required communication protocol with the external application computer.

Abstract: A retention ring (1) is applied to a disc rotor assembly (3) which comprises a plurality of substantially equiangularly spaced magnets (7). The ring is expanded by driving it over a tapered mandrel (13) onto a rim (5) of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An improved technique for transmitting facsimile images over a data network is described wherein a remote server is sent information indicative of the average effective information transmission rate. The average information transmission rate is maintained the same at the sending and receiving sides of the network in order to eliminate problems caused by the bursty nature of packetized communications through the data network.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an improved optical assembly having a monolithic structure is provided. The monolithic optical assembly is useful in interferometers to achieve a fringe effect in a Fourier transform spectrometer, and comprises top and bottom members which are joined into a monolithic structure by first and second support members and a beamsplitter. The assembly also comprising a first reflecting assembly in reflecting relation with the beamsplitter. An alternate embodiment of the invention has an added reflecting assembly in reflecting relation with the first reflecting assembly and the beamsplitter assembly, which allows for the use of multiple wavelength light sources to achieve a fringe effect in a Fourier transform spectrometer.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine (1) has a least one stator (23). The stator is provided with at least one radial channel (107) for ducting cooling air. The channel (107) extends between a first position (113) at or substantially near the rim (109) of a winding region of the stator (23) and a second position (119) at or substantially near the center (51) of the winding region. The machine (1) has cooling means (91-97) for causing cooling air to enter the radial channel (107) via the second position (119) and exit via the first position (113). The stator may have electrical windings arranged as coil sectors (183-197) disposed substantially equi-angularly in a generally circular pattern. At least some of the coil sectors are wound in a generally spiral fashion when viewed axially. A rotor (13), for the machine may have a plurality of equi-angularly spaced magnets (127), which are generally circular but with a cut-away portion, when viewed axially.

Abstract: An improved staple for use in internal surgery is disclosed. This improved staple has a deformation zone in each leg that varies in cross section along the length of the deformation zone. These cross sections are shaped so as to control staple leg deformation during staple installation into tissue in order to more effectively produce hemostasis and unite tissues and minimize tissue damage.

Abstract: An improved routing technique is disclosed whereby when a node becomes congested with data traffic, alternative nodes are utilized in order to maintain delays through the network to within acceptable limits. An originating node repetitively measures delays through numerous paths and causes packets to be routed through alternative paths as congestion occurs.

Abstract: A technique of transmitting documents relating to, for example, financial transactions wherein information to be filled in using fill-ins or resolvers are transmitted separately so that it may be checked and processed independently of the remainder of the document.

Abstract: An improved bulk vending machine coin mechanism and counter combination is provided.

Abstract: A pillow (10) for pregnant, over weight, back-pain suffering, sleep apnea suffering, and sciatica suffering persons lying in a prone position, is provided. The pillow has an aperture (90) extending through it, and is sized for receipt of a portion of the abdomen of the user. The aperture is defined by at least first (20), second (30) and third (40) support structures, and is of a substantially uniform thickness (T). The first support structure extends substantially traversely across the lower-chest and upper-abdominal regions of the user, the second support structure extends along a first side-abdominal region of the user to end proximate to the person's pelvic region, and the third support structure extends along a second side-abdominal region of the user to also end proximate to the pelvic region of the user.

Abstract: A method of reinstating a start winding is disclosed wherein the start winding is disconnected when the main winding motor current reaches a predetermined value, but is only reinstated when the start winding voltage has a predetermined relationship to the main winding motor current. The method uses a solid state induction motor starter circuit which requires little or no adjustment during the life of the motor.

Abstract: A videocassette package is disclosed which may be injection molded from plastic. The package includes sloped and vertical walls to assist in guiding the videocassette to be inserted into the proper position.

Abstract: An improved method of simultaneously printing a hook and loop fabric and adhering the fabric to another fabric or garment is provided. The method comprises the steps of applying a heat and pressure sensitive coating to one side of the hook and loop fabric, placing that fabric over a portion of another fabric or garment so that the hook and loop fabric touches the other fabric or garment, heating the two fabrics to commence activation of the coating, applying a printing material onto the hook and loop fabric and compressing the two fabrics together at an appropriate temperature and pressure, and for an appropriate time interval, to complete the activation of the coating so as to adhere the fabrics together and to activate the printing material. The resulting fabric or garment has a hook and loop fabric attached thereto in an unremovable, non-shifting manner due to adhesion of the two fabrics from the coating.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine comprising a rotor having a plurality of equi-angularly spaced magnets is disclosed. The rotor further comprises fan blades, which are advantageously arranged in pairs between adjacent magnets. Air that enters the rotor through the center thereof is impelled radially outwards by the fan blades cooling the magnets. In a further embodiment, a rotary electrical machine in accordance with the present teachings includes at least one concentrically mounted diffuser disc having a plurality of circumferentially disposed equi-angularly spaced diffuser fins. The diffuser fins convert velocity energy into pressure, improving pumping efficiency.