Abstract: The invention relates to a capillary tube holder with a recess for holding a capillary tube. At least one pair of light channels is provided perpendicular to the axial direction of the recess. Each pair of light channels has an incoming light channel to supply light beams to the capillary tube and an outgoing light channel to transmit said light beams to an evaluation device. The light channels extend radially with respect to the recess and lead therein. Light conductors comprising individual fibres are provided in each incoming light channel and each outgoing light channel and are arranged upstream of the capillary tube. The diameter of each individual fibre corresponds at least approximately to the internal diameter of the capillary tube, and a plurality of individual fibres of the light conductors is arranged parallel and/or radially to the longitudinal axis of the capillary tube in the area where the light channels lead into the recess.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and reporting the viewing of television programs on a television receiver includes an RF probe which is positioned on the exterior of the receiver housing in close proximity to the intermediate frequency amplifier of the receiver to pick up the intermediate frequency signal therein. A demodulator circuit derives a composite video signal from the intermediate frequency signal. A closed captioning chip and decoder derive channel and/or program information from line 21 of the composite signal, which information is periodically stored in a memory with associated time, date and viewer ID information. The stored viewing information is periodically transmitted by modem to a central monitoring location for analysis. In an alternative embodiment the viewing information is transferred to a removable memory card which is mailed to the central monitoring location.

Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard having a mount and a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of unbroken adjacent rows is provided. Each row is comprised of an arcuate portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The left and right portions extend tangentially from the left and right sides of the arcuate portion, respectively. The arcuate portion, of each row is convex to the user side of the keyboard, and at least two keys in each arcuate portion are elongated. Alphanumeric indicia on the keys can be arranged in the QWERTY pattern.

Abstract: A device for removing residual deposits from storage vessels by moving the deposits radially inwardly to a central outlet in the floor of the vessel. The device includes a sweep arm pivotably connected about the central outlet at its inner end and extending outwardly generally parallel with the floor. The sweep arm includes a ramp which plows the deposits up onto a perforated platform which is sloped inwardly towards the outlet. Air pressure is provided into a plenum chamber under the platform so as to create a bearing for the deposits to transverse from the platform to the outlet. A motive drive force is provided so as to pivot the sweep arm about the central outlet thereby plowing the deposits from the floor to the platform and conveying them into the outlet.

Abstract: A fault indicator for detecting the occurrence of a fault current in a monitored conductor and providing a contact closure and a light indication indicative thereof includes a rotatably mounted indicator flag. The flag is positioned in either a reset indicating or a fault indicating state by a four-pole magnetic pole piece, which is magnetized to an appropriate magnetic orientation by momentary application of a current to an actuator winding on the pole piece. A first magnetically actuated reed switch in an auxiliary magnetic circuit associated with a first pole of the magnetic pole piece and including the actuator winding and a first bias magnet closes upon occurrence of the fault current to connect an internal lithium battery to an LED visible from the exterior of the fault indicator housing.

Abstract: A fault indicator for detecting the occurrence of a fault current in a monitored conductor includes a rotatably mounted indicator flag. The flag is positioned in either a reset indicating or a fault indicating state by a magnetic pole piece, which is magnetized in one magnetic direction or the other by momentary application of a current in one direction or the other to an actuator winding on the pole piece. An auxiliary magnetic circuit comprising an auxiliary pole piece magnetized by the actuator winding, a reed switch and a bias magnet magnetically aligned to oppose the reset magnetic orientation and reenforce the trip magnetic orientation of the magnetic pole piece provides contact closure upon occurrence of the fault current.

Abstract: A physically non-distributed microprocessor-based computer includes a microprocessor, and a random access memory device, a mass storage device, and an input-output port device, all operable from the microprocessor and including an interface for receiving and transmitting data in packet form. A novel packet-based data channel extends between the microprocessor and the interfaces of the devices to provide communication between the microprocessor and the devices. By varying the size of the packets in accordance with actual data transmission requirements improved computer performance is achieved.

Abstract: A reel-type slot machine includes a microprocessor driven game control circuit for randomly selecting a game result. Three reel assemblies each include a symbol-bearing display reel driven by a stepper motor for displaying game symbols corresponding to the game result. A series of signals representing potential game results is repetitively generated within the game control circuits. Upon user actuation of a spin switch one of the game results is randomly selected for application to a look-up table wherein the corresponding three game symbols to be displayed are identified. The number of repetitions of a potential game result in the series establishes a time window of availability for the result, and hence the probability of that game result being selected. After the three game symbols have been identified, the display reels are driven by their respective stepper motors to display the game symbols. Optional ramp-up and ramp-down circuits provide improved stopping accuracy.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for mounting a circuit condition monitoring device to electrical cables of various diameters includes a core member comprising a plurality of laminations arranged in a generally rectangular configuration. A spring spanning the core member is anchored at one end to the core at a point near the housing of the monitoring device and at the other end is attached to a bridging member affixed at the opposite end of the core near the housing. This allows the spring to expand less as it transverses the bridge in order to accommodate different power cable diameters.

Abstract: A reel-type slot machine includes a microprocessor driven game control circuit for randomly selecting a game result. Three reel assemblies each include a symbol-bearing display reel driven by a stepper motor for displaying game symbols corresponding to the game result. A random number generator within the game control circuit generates a random number within a predetermined range of random numbers for application to a look-up table wherein a game result consisting of three game symbols is identified. Each potential game result is associated with a subset of random numbers within the total range of random numbers. The size of the subset determines the probability of the game result occurring. An undesired game result may be avoided by providing no corresponding subset. After the game result symbols have been identified, the display reels are driven by the stepper motors to display the game symbols. Optional ramp-up and ramp-down circuits provide improved stepping accuracy.

Abstract: An electronic chef's fork is provided which displays indicia such as food type and degree of doneness for a selected food type and temperature and which includes control areas by which the user of the electronic chef's fork selects the meat type. The operational circuitry of the device allows the user to select among an array of food type options and to thereby designate a degree of doneness for the selected type of food. A prompt message is provided to indicate the degree of doneness attained for the selected food type when the device is inserted into the food.

Abstract: Whole muscle slicing is accomplished in order to provide a plurality of meat slices, each of which is a single piece of meat, despite the fact that the muscle from which the slices originate had been reshaped prior to slicing in order to enhance slicing yield from each such muscle. The invention is particularly useful in forming roast beef slices which are used in preparing weight-controlled food products such as sandwiches.

Abstract: A composite structure for method of mounting a vehicle suspension member, such as a leaf spring or a main support member, to an axle housing is disclosed. The invention is particularly useful in the truck and trailer industry. An axle bracket is welded to the axle housing. A cover and an axle seat are clamped so as to compress the suspension member and a top pad between them The cover and axle seat are then welded together. The axle seat and axle bracket may then be bolted together. A spacer plate may be inserted between the rear portions of the axle seat and axle bracket so as to increase the pinion angle of the vehicle axle.

Abstract: A fluid treating method for treating fluid to reduce the concentration of undesirable nitrogen compounds and/or metal constituents contained therein is disclosed. The method utilizes a bed of metal particulate matter. The metal particulate matter comprises copper. Preferably, the metal particulate also contains zinc and can be in the form of an alloy. The fluid treated is often water, preferably, drinking water. Among the nitrogen compounds that may be effected by the present method are inorganic nitrates and nitrites and/or metals may be aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead, mercury, selenium and silver.

Abstract: A system is provided for proceeding with automated filtration of liquids in a manner which allows for quantitative collection of desired filtrates or permeates. The system, as well as its associated method, monitors various parameters which are fed to a processor-controlled pump unit. This pump unit has several alternative modes of operation, including controlling the rate of flow through the pump unit. Data are received from one or more pressure sensors and preferably also from a scale. The processor-controlled pump unit operates on these data to control flow velocity and/or filter back pressure within the system.

Abstract: A computer-based system is provided for collecting data from callers, including a customer's database corresponding to a customer's Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) and in which system the caller has an identification code. When a call is received, the DNIS is detected and is compared with the customer's database to determine the data to collect during the call. If a caller identification code is required, then the caller identification code is obtained and the caller identification code is compared, via the computer, with a check digit algorithm without referencing a caller identification code database. After the call is terminated, a call record is created for the received call.