Abstract: An expense tracking system is provided for use with the portable computer having a computer memory, a computer keyboard, and a display screen, in a vehicle of the type which generates an electrical odometer signal corresponding to the distance traveled by the vehicle. A mileage tracking hardware module is electrically coupled to the portable computer for receiving the electrical odometer signals from the vehicle, and for generating a mileage signal which is readable by the portable computer. A computer program is resident in memory of the portable computer and is operable in a mileage tracking mode for receiving data relating to the trip purpose, trip contact, and trip time, and for receiving the mileage signal from the mileage tracking hardware module and grouping data of the mileage signal with the trip purpose, trip contact, and trip time data, and for storing the group data in the memory of the portable computer.

Abstract: A support bracket system for securing a motorcycle backrest to a motorcycle fender rail. The support bracket system has left and right support members. Each support member has a substantially flat planar member with forward and rearward mounting members located in forward and rearward mounting portions. The forward coupling member has a bolt feed slot communicating with a locking cavity. At least one bolt member assists in securing the substantially flat planar members to the motorcycle. The bolt member has an elongated shaft, at least one externally threaded portion, and a shoulder. At least one internal threaded nut with a locking shoulder portion and a stem portion cooperate with the bolt to secure the support members. The shoulder portion of the bolt and the locking shoulder portion of the internal threaded nut engage the inward and outward surfaces of the substantially planar plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for distributing a software object from a source to a user. A software object is encrypted with an encryption operation utilizing a long-lived encryption key. It is directed from the source to the user. It is loaded onto a user-controlled data processing system having a particular configuration. A numerical machine identification is derived based at least in part upon the particular data processing system configuration of the user-controlled data processing system. A temporary key is derived which is based at least in part upon the numerical machine identification and the long-lived encryption key. The long-lived key generator is provided for receiving the temporary key and producing the long-lived encryption key. The user is allowed to utilize the temporary key for a prescribed interval to generate the long-lived encryption key to access the software object.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting modular and cooperating components which includes a base member, a vertical support pole extending upward from the base member, at least one bushing concentrically engaging the vertical support pole at a particular axial location, at least one support arm extending radially outward from the bushing, and at least one support surface secured to the support arms in a position substantially orthogonal to the support pole, which minimizes the space requirements for supporting modular and cooperating components, particularly in an office environment. The support apparatus according to the present invention increases the functionality of the modular and cooperating components without exposing the modular and cooperating components to unnecessary risk of harm.

Abstract: The current invention is comprised of a method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of backup batteries, especially those associated with an on-line, uninterruptible power supply driving a critical load. This is accomplished by measuring an AC ripple current induced into the backup batteries by the UPS, comparing the amplitude of the AC ripple current to a low level limit and to a high level limit determined by the UPS operating parameters and the critical load, and indicating an alarm condition when the AC ripple current falls outside the range defined by the low level and high level limits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for generating electricity, which includes a plurality of components which cooperate together. A housing is provided which defines a substantially enclosed and continuous, closed-loop airflow pathway. At least one power consuming air propeller is provided within the closed-loop airflow pathway for propelling air within the substantially enclosed and continuous closed-loop airflow pathway. A means is provided for energizing the at least one power consuming air propeller. Preferably, this means is an array of solar panels for generating electricity, but could alternatively comprise or include internal combustion engines, coal powered combustion engines, water powered turbines, or any conventional equivalent prime mover. Additionally, the apparatus includes a plurality of wind turbines located in the substantially enclosed and continuous closed-loop airflow pathway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for regulating the flow of rates of particulate matter. The invention includes a flow gate with a generally cylindrical body having a flowpath defined there through. A stator member is provided in fixed position relative to the cylindrical body. The stator member has a plurality of alternating tapered vein portions and inlet portions. A rotor member is interfaced with the stator member. The rotor member has a plurality of alternating stock portions and outlet port portions. The rotary coupling is utilized to couple the rotor member and the stator member. A position actuator is provided for receiving at least one control input and producing a corresponding displacement of the rotor member. A mechanical coupling is provided between the position actuator and the rotor member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for distributing software objects from a producer to a potential user. The software object is reversibly functionally limited, preferably through encryption, and loaded onto a computer-accessible memory media along with the file management program. The computer-accessible memory media is shipped from the producer to the potential user. The file management program is loaded into a user-controlled data processing system, and associated with the operating system for the user-controlled data processing system. The computer-accessible memory media is read with the user-controlled data processing system. The file management program is utilized to restrict access to the software object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved logging apparatus. The logging apparatus includes transmitters, receivers, and a controller member. The controller member is utilized to selectively energize the transmitters to generate an interrogation signal. The receivers are utilized to obtain measurements of the interrogation signal. The controller member can be utilized to substantially simultaneously process the recorded samples--such as by mathematically combining a plurality of measurements in order to obtain a measure of an attribute value which relates to at least one of the wellbore and surrounding formation.

Abstract: The present invention impresses the data on the power signal by utilizing a saturable core reactor. The saturable core reactor uses two cores. Each core has both load windings and control windings. The control windings are selectively energized to alter an electrical characteristic of the current passing through the load windings. The saturable core reactor is designed with cores made of a highly magnetically permeable material so that the cores are easily saturated. The cyclical saturation of the cores achieved by the load current, and the selective saturation of the cores achieved by selectively applying a control current, results in "deformations" being selectively formed at the zero crossings of the load current waveform. These "deformations" can be selectively formed on the power signal to represent a binary data stream.

Abstract: An improved dialer programming system and device in which an assembled dialer may be loaded into a combined programming and printing system to be programmed with predetermined signals and imprinted with associated variable data. The predetermined and programmed signals may be representative of telephone numbers, account authorization numbers, or other data. The associated variable information to be printed may be textual such as name, account number or telephone number data or graphical, such as graphic designs or barcode images. The variable information may be printed or affixed to the dialer using a wide variety of processes adapted to the needs of the end user. An improved assembly design for the dialer device and improved dialer programming and imprinting system are particularly adapted to accommodate high volume production of many dialer devices with different programming and imprinting requirements. Additional new programming techniques for autodialer devices are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is (1) a method of manufacturing a binder product, (2) an apparatus for use in operations for manufacturing binder products, (3) an improved binder which utilizes a rigid and arcuate spine board, and (4) an improved binder product with lid boards which are of a size in the range of industry standard sizes, but which are capable of fully enclosing tabbed document archiving office products.

Abstract: A wellbore is at least partially obstructed with a partition or obstruction member. A fluid slurry of an aggregate mixture of particulate matter is pumped into the wellbore adjacent the partition or obstruction member. The aggregate mixture of particulate material contains at least one component of particulate material, and each of the at least one particulate material components has an average discrete particle dimension different from that of the other particulate material components. Fluid pressure then is applied to the aggregate material and fluid is drained from the aggregate material through a fluid drainage passage in the partition or obstruction member. The fluid pressure and drainage of fluid from the aggregate mixture combined to compact the aggregate mixture into a substantially solid, load-bearing, force-transferring, substantially fluid-impermeable plug member, which seals a first wellbore region from fluid flow communication with a second wellbore region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for compensating V2 for bias error on one or more magnetometers used for one or more borehole directional surveys, comprising determining the constant or first-order varying bias values which minimize the variance of computed local magnetic field vectors with respect to central values, which may be either independent estimates of the local magnetic field vector or the mean values of the computed local magnetic field vectors.

Abstract: A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in a borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication.An acoustic communication system is described especially designed for use in providing acoustic transmission of information in a borehole. The communication system comprises a surface transceiver and at least one downhole transceiver. The surface transceiver operates in conjunction with a host computer that sends commands to the downhole transceiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transferring encrypted files from a source computer to one or more target computers. An export program is provided in the source computer and an import program is provided in the target computer. The export program decrypts the encrypted file and tags the export operation with an export counter value. The clear text file is then encrypted with an encryption operation utilizing a key which is unique to a transfer memory media, such as diskette serial number. The memory media is carried to a target computer which utilizes the import file to decrypt the encrypted file.

Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor or weighted portion shaped to engage the bottom of a body of water. An upstanding shank in the form of a hollow cylinder extends from the anchor portion. The interior of the cylinder defines a bait compartment to receive a quantity of fish-attracting material. A removable cap closes the hollow shank to secure the fish-attracting material in the bait compartment. A ring is secured to the shank for attachment to an anchor line or chain. The shank is provided with at least one perforation to permit the fish-attracting material to mix with water surrounding the anchor.