Abstract: A fishing lure or decoy is provided, the lure having a casement for receiving an electronic insert. The insert is operated by a microcontroller programmed to implement at least one sequence of operation implemented by at least one of a LED light emitter, a vibration-producing device and an audio transducer. An electrical power supply in the insert provides power to the devices and microcontroller, and a pair of externally exposed contacts switches the microcontroller ON when bridged by water containing electrolytes, as would be found in a fishing area. This also produces an electrical field around the lure, this electrical field also serving to simulate living food creatures to entice fish to bite the lure.

Abstract: A coin or token sorting apparatus is disclosed. In this apparatus, a hopper within which coins are placed is provided with a floor, the floor also serving as a dispenser for spreading the coins out in generally across the floor. From one side of the floor the coins are provided to a plurality of V-shaped troughs being bisected longitudinally so as to create a coin path down each inner side of each trough. Coins are oriented in a single file as they move down each side of a respective trough. After being so oriented, the coins enter a region of a respective trough having a slot in a bottom thereof, with the coins riding along a narrow ridge of the slot. For each diameter of coin or token, a diverter is provided along the slot so that a coin to be sorted engages the diverter and is lifted off the ridge and directed through the slot. As such, larger coins are sorted first, with smaller coins moving unaffected past a diverter for a larger coin.

Abstract: A fuel processing device is provided that produces properly sized fuel aerosol particles that when mixed with combustion air, reduces or eliminates detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines thus reducing fuel octane requirements for engines of a given compression ratio. The device includes an adapter between a fuel injector and a port for the fuel injector, the adapter being generally of a hollow cylindrical configuration. A plurality of plates are disposed in the adapter, the plates provided with a central opening, with radially extending slots extending away from the central opening. Each slot has one edge configured with a vane that creates turbulence in the air/fuel mix passing through the adapter so that larger droplets are broken up into smaller droplets until an optimum droplet size is reached.

Abstract: Retrofit apparatus for retrofitting an ozone generator to a spa, hot tub or similar facility is disclosed. Here, a fitting is threaded into an air inlet of a spa or hot tub, and covers provided for the water outlets to generally prevent outgassing. In another embodiment, an ozone-providing plug is provided to one water outlet of a spa or hot tub, with the air and other outlets being blocked. In addition, different configurations of ozone generator are disclosed. Particularly, one type ozone generator includes an inverted U-shaped apparatus so that heat from the ozone generator induces a chimney effect so as to cause the ozonated air to rise through a chimney and then settle into a selected area. Another ozone generator creates a low rate of airflow by “ion wind” in order to propel ozonated air into a system of piping in the absence of water flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An optical spatial switch with perpendicular states and capability of high-speed operation in the range of about 100 Gb/sec is provided. The switch is made of n-i-p semiconductor waveguides of, for example, GaInAs/InP for operation at 1.55 &mgr;m wavelength or PbTe for operation at 3.39 &mgr;m in the form of multiquantum wells grown with a boundary plane with air formed as an exponential spiral. The waveguide claddings may be of n and p doped layers, with the core of i-type quantum wells separated by barriers. The waveguides of ports of incidence and reflection are made to be at critical (Brewester) angle of semiconductor/air interface for the case of decreasing (or increasing) refractive index due to the application of voltage and the port of transmission waveguide in the form of, for example an optical fiber, brought close to the boundary and aligned at the Brewester angle in the air. The hot and ground electrodes are made so that their edges are aligned to the curved semiconductor/air boundary.

Abstract: Calibration and resolution-determining apparatus for dial indicators is disclosed. In this apparatus, a dial indicator to be tested is rigidly mounted in an upper frame member, with a plunger of the dial indicator bearing against a movable gage block having upper and lower parallel surfaces. A reference indicator of a higher accuracy than the dial indicator under test is mounted to the frame below the gage block, with a plunger thereof bearing against the lower surface thereof. The gage block is mounted to a distortable structure connected to the frame by living hinges so that distortion of the structure causes the gage block to move, causing corresponding movement of the respective plungers of the dial indicator and reference indicator. A readout of the reference indicator may then be compared to a reading on the dial indicator, allowing determination of accuracy and resolution of the instrument under test.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting airborne plant material, such as mold spores and pollen, and flying insects and birds, and classifying them as to whether they are harmful to field crops, production animals or other assets within a protected volume or area. Lasers, radar, and other types of radiation may be used to illuminate at least a perimeter around such assets to be protected, with radiation returns detected and applied to a pattern classifier to determine whether the detected objects of interest are harmful, benign or beneficial. In the event the objects are determined to be harmful (pests), a variety of measures controllable via the radiation returns may be taken to eliminate the harmful objects, these measures including firing pulses of laser, microwave or other radiation of a sufficient intensity to at least incapacitate them, or mechanical measures such as controlled drone aircraft to macerate the pests with propellers or spray limited amounts of pesticide in the area of the pests.

Abstract: A method for treating neurological diseases in mammals comprising the step of administering a mixture comprising selected carboxylic acids in an effective amount for treating the neurological diseases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating a reference point on a workpiece for a program in a CNC machine tool is disclosed. A camera is mounted in a CNC toolholder so that the lens of the camera is coaxial with a rotational axis of the CNC toolholder. A pair of crosshairs or other indica are provided in the view from the camera, the crosshairs being centered in the view so that when the camera is mounted in the toolholder, the crosshairs indicate the center of rotation of the toolholder. The camera may then be positioned with respect to the workpiece so that it images an area of the workpiece containing a reference point with respect to the coordinate system of the CNC program. The toolholder is then adjusted so that the crosshairs are directly on the desired reference point, and this reference point entered into the CNC program.

Abstract: An ozone water purification system is disclosed. In this system, ozonated water flow proceeds alternately upwardly and downwardly through a series of vertical tubes. In order to disturb the laminar flow within the tubes, several types of turbulence-inducing devices may be mounted within the tubes. Such a mounting may be made so that the devices are removable for cleaning. In addition, the tubes may be circularly arranged so as to conserve space.

Abstract: An invention is presented that expedites cause, fault and liability litigation of rail-highway crossing mishaps by providing a digital audio and video record of the events at the crossing as the locomotive or rail vehicle approaches and passes through the intersection. The electrical system components are located on and within the locomotive and can be powered exclusively by resources available from the locomotive. In addition, the invention may automatically and spontaneously inspect the operational status of the rail-highway crossing gate by capturing and processing the digital images of the gate by computational methods programmed in the locomotive's on-board computer. Alternatively, the images or video could be transmitted to a remote station for processing or inspection.

Abstract: A method for treating amblyopia in children is disclosed. A pair of eyeglasses or goggles is provided with an electrically and selectively darkenable lens, such as am LCD lens, so that for selected portions of time, one or the other eye may be occluded. In one embodiment, circuitry for providing pulses of a selected width to one or both lenses is incorporated in the eyeglasses or goggles, with the lens associated with the deviating eye receiving a wider pulse than the lens associated with the other eye. Thus, the deviating eye is occluded for a longer period of time than the normal eye. In another embodiment, a computer is coupled to the eyeglasses or goggles, and is provided with a program of interest to the child which selectively occludes the deviating eye.

Abstract: A system for weighing railroad cars and their load is disclosed. In virtually all railroad cars, there exists a disk on a bottom of a railroad car that fits or interfaces with a well in a wheel truck assembly at each end of the railroad car. A load cell is constructed having one surface to bear against the bottom of the disk on the railroad car, and an opposite surface for bearing against a bottom surface of the well in the wheel truck assembly. The output of the load cell is provided to a telemetry transmitter, which transmits an indication of weight to an operator of a crane or other loading appartus loading the railroad car.

Abstract: A combination ozone generator for providing ozone and illumination source is disclosed. The ozone generator is of the ultraviolet plasma tube type, with a light guide positioned in or incorporated into the housing of the ozone generator. A phosphor compound is provided on the light guide so that ultraviolet radiation striking the light guide causes the phosphor compound to emit visible light, which is then transmitted away from the ozone generator by the light guide to where it is emitted. Alternate embodiments also disclose the phosphor compounds coating an interior of the housing, and an edge lit panel.

Abstract: An ozone generator utilizing an ultraviolet light tube for generating ozone is disclosed. In this ozone generator, efficiency in converting oxygen to ozone is increased by imposing an electrical field around the light tube. This electrical field causes a theta pinch in the plasma of the light tube, increasing luminescence in the ultraviolet spectral range and exciting diatomic oxygen molecules passing through the electrical field. Thus excited, the diatomic oxygen is easier to disassociate and become converted to ozone.

Abstract: A method for processing an image of eyes of a subject is provided. The image is divided into two halves, each containing an eye of the subject. The halves are then processed to determine at least a position of a pupil within the first half and second half. After positions of the pupils are determined, horizontal and vertical histograms are developed from the pupil in each of the halves. Several ways of plotting the respective histograms are disclosed, these plots provided with various indicators for detecting abnormal conditions of the eyes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sterilizing tubes and piping of a jetted tub or spa is disclosed. An ozone generator that operates by photodisassociation is connected to a tube connected to an air intake of the tub. A sensor detects when the tub is being filled, and initiates operation of the ozone generator, filling the tubing with ozone prior to water filling these tubes. Ozone may be provided to the water circulating through the tubes during operation in order to purify and sanitize the water. As the tub is being emptied, ozone continues to be provided to the tubes of the tub or spa as they empty, sterilizing these tubes in an empty state. In another embodiment, a timer may be connected to the ozone generator and sensor in order to operate the ozone generator for a selected period of time after the tub or spa is emptied. In yet another embodiment, aroma therapy may be combined with the ozone.

Abstract: A dual-mode propane fuel dispenser apparatus and a metal skid framework supporting a bottled gas dispensing station on one side and a motor vehicle fuel pump carried at an opposite side. Dispensing nozzles at each side are coupled to a common supply tank and solenoid valves are used to control flow to the selected dispenser. The bottled gas station has a scale to measure weight to determine when the container is full. The fuel dispenser includes a meter which determines the volume of fuel dispensed. A computer and visual displays are provided to show amounts dispensed to either a vehicle tank or bottled gas container and the price charged for each.