Abstract: A protective eye covering (20) for a domestic animal (24) includes a flexible material (48) for covering the eyes (34) and adjacent portions of the animal's head (22). The flexible material (48) has a V-shaped lower edge (52) trimmed with a fabric portion (118) and configured to be positioned about an upper muzzle region 40 of the animal. A pair of darts (78, 80) extend from the V-shaped lower edge (52) to form convex portions (82) configured for location over the eyes (34). A pair of ear openings (84, 86), trimmed with fabric portions (110, 114), are located proximate an upper edge (50) of the flexible material (48). A dart (88) and reinforcement strap (98) extend from the upper edge (50) between the ear openings (84, 86) to form a stiff pocket (92) configured for location over the forelock (32) of the animal (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a quantity of stuffing material includes a pliable fabric shell having an opening that facilitates the insertion and removal of stuffing material. The opening is releasably sealed with sealing elements located on a plurality of flaps that surround the opening. The apparatus is constructed such that the flaps and the opening are of approximately the same length. The flaps extend within the shell and the sealing elements engage to seal the opening. When the shell is sealed, the flaps and the sealing elements are hidden from view and physically unexposed.

Abstract: A stepstool (20) configured for mounting on a vehicular tire (22) includes a support frame configured to rest against an outer surface (38) of the tire (22). The support frame includes a first upright support (24), a second upright support (26), and a third support (28) coupled to each of the first and second upright supports (24, 26). A platform (30) is attached to the support frame. A retaining bar (36) is configured to rest against an inner surface (40) of the tire (22). Chains (32 and 34) link the retaining bar (36) to each of the first and second upright supports (24, 26). The chains (32 and 34) are directed over an upper circumferential surface (83) of the tire and wrap around the upper circumferential surface (83) to hold the platform (30) securely on the tire (22).

Abstract: A vibration isolation system (20) reduces vibrations produced by an operating electric motor (22). A motor retainer ring (24) fits into a motor retaining ring isolator (40) which is placed into a mounting surface opening (52) such that protrusions (48) contact a mounting surface (50). An upper motor cover (54) and a lower motor cover (60) are positioned to surround motor (22) while protruding ridges (62) space the interior surface away from motor (22). Fasteners (32) fit through retainer mounting holes (30) and attach to threaded holes (38) such that protrusions (58) of the upper motor cover (54) contact the mounting surface (50).

Abstract: Different subscriber units (14) transmit different burst signals to a base station (12) on a common frequency to which a base station demodulator (64) is already synchronized. The base station (12) transmits constant values .alpha. and .eta., where .alpha. is multiplied by a base station reference frequency to achieve a base station transmitting frequency, and .eta. is multiplied by the reference frequency to achieve the base station (12) receiving frequency. A subscriber unit (14) synchronizes to the base station transmitting frequency. As a result of the synchronization process, the subscriber unit (14) determines a value .mu., which, when multiplied by a subscriber unit reference frequency, achieves the subscriber unit synchronization frequency. The subscriber unit then determines a value .gamma., which is proportional to .eta. and .beta. and inversely proportional to .alpha.. The subscriber unit reference frequency is multiplied by .gamma.

Abstract: A method (30) is provided for the detection and analysis of anomalies (32) in a road surface (36). An image (34) of the road surface (36) is obtained (82) wherein traffic control markings (76) are masked (88). The image (34) is filtered (90) and a pixel map (92) is produced (98). The pixel map (92) is partitioned (112) into a multiplicity of subimages (108). For each subimage (108), anomaly parameters are identified (120) and a status characteristic is determined (124) and assigned (136). A subimage map (138) is produced (142) depicting the subimages (108) and their status characteristics. A determination (156) is made as to which subimages (108) contain anomalies (32). Anomaly-containing subimages (108) are grouped (158) into anomalous objects (152). For each anomalous object (152), an object type (162) is determined (160) and assigned (164). An object map (154) is then produced (166) depicting the anomalous objects (152).

Abstract: A vibration isolation system (20) reduces vibrations produced by an operating electric motor (22). A motor retainer ring (24) fits into a motor retaining ring isolator (40) which is placed into a mounting surface opening (52) such that protrusions (48) contact a mounting surface (50). An upper motor cover (54) and a lower motor cover (60) are positioned to surround motor (22) while protruding ridges (62) space the interior surface away from motor (22). Fasteners (32) fit through retainer mounting holes (30) and attach to threaded holes (38) such that protrusions (58) of the upper motor cover (54) contact the mounting surface (50).

Abstract: A vehicular storage unit transit system (20) is provided for joining a storage unit (32) to a vehicle (30) possessing a cargo area (28) having a forward end (38), an access end (42), a pair of opposing sidewalls (46), and a floor (50) with a pair of wheelwells (56) protruding thereabove between the sidewalls (46). A pair of transit assemblies (22) couple the storage unit (32) to a pair of guidance assemblies (24). A first section (76) of each guidance assembly (24) sustains the storage unit (32) in a first position (36) proximate the forward end (38) and in a first attitude (54) substantially parallel to the floor (50). A second section (82) of each guidance assembly (24) sustains the storage unit (32) in a second position (40) proximate the access end (42) and in a second attitude (66) oblique to the floor (50).

Abstract: A monolithic inductor (20, 20') is formed over a silicon or other substrate (22). The inductor (20, 20') includes at least one coil (62, 78) arranged so that its axis (58) is parallel to the substrate (22). Other inductive features, such as other coils (64, 70, 72) or planar spirals (74, 76) are arranged in series with the coil (62, 78) to guide magnetic flux lines away from the substrate (22). In one embodiment, a common thin film coil core (60) made from a magnetic material is provided for two coils (62, 64). The coil core (60) provides a continuous magnetic material flux path through the two coils (62, 64). In another embodiment, an axis (58) of the coil (78) is located between the plane in which two spirals (74, 76) are located and the substrate (22) to guide magnetic flux lines (82) away from the substrate (22).

Abstract: A distributed amplifier (10) configured to amplify an input signal (20) is presented. Within the amplifier (10), a first input phase-shift element (40) shifts the input signal (20) into a first shifted input signal (56). A first active element (18'), coupled to the first input phase-shift element (40), amplifies the first shifted input signal (56) into a first amplified signal (58). A second phase-shift element (42), coupled to the first input phase-shift element (40), shifts the first shifted input signal (56) into a second shifted input signal (62). A second active element (18"), coupled to the second phase-shift element (42), amplifies the second shifted input signal (62) into a second amplified signal (64). A first output phase-shift element (44), coupled to the first active element (18'), shifts the first amplified signal (58) into a first shifted amplified signal (60).

Abstract: A digital communication system (20) communicates using a polar amplitude phase shift keyed (P-APSK) phase point constellation (70, 70'). Pragmatic encoding and puncturing is accommodated. The pragmatic encoding uses the P-APSK constellation (70, 70') to simultaneously communicate both encoded and uncoded information bits. The P-APSK constellation (70, 70') has an even number of phase point rings (74, 76) and equal numbers of phase points (72) in pairs of the rings (74, 76). Encoded bits specify secondary modulation and uncoded bits specify primary modulation. The constellation (70, 70') is configured so that secondary modulation sub-constellations (78) include four phase points (72) arranged so that two of the four phase points (72) exhibit two phase angles at one magnitude and the other two of the four phase points exhibit phase angles that are at another magnitude. The difference between the phase angles at different magnitudes within a secondary sub-constellation (78) is constant.

Abstract: A sport training and exercise system (20) is provided. System (20) has a pair of base members (24), a pair of upright members (26) coupled to the pair of base members (24), and a transverse member (28) coupled to the pair of upright members (26). System (20) may have a tether-attachment device (46) coupled to one of the pair of upright members (26) at a tether-attachment-device location (52), and a tether (38) tethering a singly-tethered ball (22) to the tether-attachment device (46). Alternatively, system (20) may have a pair of tether-attachment devices (46) coupled to the pair of upright members (26) at a pair of tether-attachment-device locations (52), and a pair of tethers (38) tethering a doubly-tethered ball (80) to the pair of tether-attachment devices (46). System (20) is also configurable as a soccer goal (90) or a football goal (110).

Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a rotationally invariant pragmatic trellis coded modulator (18) and demodulator (34). The modulator (18) partitions information bits (20) into primary (42) and secondary (44) data streams. The secondary data stream (44) is convolutionally encoded (70) then fed to the LSB of a phase mapper (76). The phase mapper (76) is arranged so that all pairs of adjacent phase data are generated from pairs of opposing polarity LSB inputs. The primary data stream (42) is differentially encoded through a dual channel differential encoder (50). The demodulator (34) convolutionally decodes (90) the secondary stream, then re-encodes (96) secondary stream estimates. The re-encoded secondary stream estimates are used to remove (102) the secondary modulation from phase value estimates. Adjusted phase value estimates are phase demodulated (104) and differentially decoded using a dual channel differential decoder (106).

Abstract: A system (10) controls the dispensing of valuable commodities, such as beers. The system (10) includes a controller (36), sensors (26, 34), and solenoid-activated valves (24). The dispensing of a commodity begins when an operator identifies himself or herself to the controller (36) after selecting a commodity and quantity. A record of this transaction is recorded in a memory (40) of the controller (36). The controller (36) continues dispensing the selected commodity, determines when the selected quantity has been dispensed, then automatically ceases dispensing the commodity. Reports (178) are generated summarizing dispensing transactions. A variety of operational parameters may be established by a manager. Parameters relevant to the preservation and flow of the commodity, such as temperature and pressure, are monitored, and warnings annunciated (164, 170) if out-of-range conditions are detected.

Abstract: A penetration-resistant modular security passway (20) includes a concrete vestibule (24), a doorframe (70), and a penetration-reactive security door (32). The vestibule (24) has a plurality of reinforcing members (36), a plurality of lifting lugs (26), and an embedded passive antipersonnel device (56). The doorframe (70) has hinge and strike jambs (108,110) attached to the reinforcing members (36). The hinge jamb (108) has a plurality of studs (124) and the strike jamb (110) a plurality of deadbolts (126) for protrusion into the door (32). The door (32) has a substruction (72), to which are affixed grates (86,92) and cladding (84,90). A girdle (100) is affixed to the cladding (84,90). Within a space (76) within the substruction (72), a metallic cable (78) is woven and a plurality of individually sealed tubes (96) containing a foaming agent (98) under pressure are suspended.

Abstract: A temperature controlled gravimetric moisture analyzer (20) is used to control the temperature of a sample material (24) while determining moisture content of the sample material (24). The moisture analyzer (20) includes a thermally conductive sample holder (22) having an emissive surface (44). A high precision force balance (30) is coupled to the sample holder (22) for weighing the sample material (24). A heater (26) encloses the sample material. An air temperature sensor (38) is configured to produce an air temperature signal (54). An infrared temperature sensor is configured to detect infrared emissions from the emissive surface (44) to produce a sample temperature signal (60) representative of the temperature of the sample material (24). A controller receives the air and sample temperature signals (54, 60) and controls the heater (26) in response to the signals.