Abstract: A schematic diagram (32) for a printed circuit board (34) is synthesized (20) from a physical design file (56) and a graphical symbol file (86). The printed circuit board (34) has a plurality of parts (36) at least one of which has a plurality of pins (38), those parts (36) and pins (38) being defined in the physical design file (56), from which physical attributes (60) are extracted (58). The finished schematic diagram (32) will include a plurality of symbols (40) at least one of which has a plurality of nodes (41), those symbols (40) and nodes (41) being contained in the graphical symbol file (86) from which graphical attributes (90) are extracted (88). These physical attributes (60) and graphical attributes (90) are integrated (26) along with operator determined position data (168) to produce schematic application page files (30). These schematic application page files (30) may then be processed by a schematic drawing program (156) to plot (158) the finished schematic diagram (32) on a visual medium.

Abstract: A digital demodulator (10) reads symbol samples into a memory buffer (38) that can be played forward and backward into a phase locked loop (48). During an initial non-data directed symbol timing estimating phase (56) the demodulator (10) achieves an approximate frequency synchronization and starts to achieve phase synchronization on an incoming stream of symbols. During a first forward readout pass (58) of stored samples, the phase locked loop (48) begins the frequency and phase convergence. During subsequent pass (60) using a reverse readout of stored samples, phase locked loop (48) continues to converge toward zero phase error. Then another forward pass (66), phase locked loop (48) achieves usable frequency and phase synchronization of carrier and begins valid data extraction.

Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a rotationally invariant pragmatic trellis coded modulation (PTCM) encoder (18) and decoder (34). The PTCM encoder (18) partitions information bits (20) into primary (42) and secondary (44) data streams. A pilot bit (56) is inserted into the secondary data stream (44) during each frame (46). The secondary stream (44) then receives rate 1/2 convolutional encoding (60) that is punctured to a rate of 9/16. The primary data stream (42) is differentially encoded (50). The encoded primary and secondary streams are concurrently phase mapped (70) using an 8-PSK constellation so that an effective code rate of 5/6 results. The PTCM decoder (34) convolutionally decodes (84) the secondary stream, then re-encodes secondary stream estimates using a systematic, transparent convolutional encoder (88). The pilot bit is evaluated (92) in the re-encoded symbol estimates (90) to detect and correct any secondary stream inversion that may have occurred due to phase ambiguity.

Abstract: Electrodes for stimulating living tissue such as penile, scrotal, anal, vaginal and clitoral tissue are shown. The electrodes are formed from elastomeric material. Electrical stimulation to such areas is intended to control incontinence, to induce penile erection, or to induce excitation and orgasm. A plug electrode formed from elastomeric material, has a nonconductive base plate and base, and a conductive portion comprising a stem extending from the base and the ellipsoid ball extending from the stem. A snap contact on the base plate allows the electrode to be connected to an electrical source, and a wire within the base terminating in the stem carries the electricity, when applied, from the contact to stem and to the ellipsoid ball. A memory wire is also shown allowing the ellipsoid ball to be bent along its length or allowing the stem to be bent against the base, thereby angling the posture of the ball relative the base.

Abstract: A signal converter (20) processes an incoming digital data stream (24) to produce an analog signal (26). A pulse shaping network (28) is configured to receive the incoming digital data stream (24) and generate a plurality of subset data streams (30). A precompensation network (32) then crosscouples the subset data streams (30) to produce crosscoupled data streams (38). Each of crosscoupled data streams (38) are then converted by respective ones of digital to analog converters (22) to produce intermediate analog signals (44). The intermediate analog signals (44) are summed by an operational amplifier (46) to produce the analog signal (26). The precompensation network (32) can be combined with the pulse shaping network (28) by using a common look-up memory element (70) to perform both functions.

Abstract: A receiver-dryer for use in an air conditioning system utilizes desiccant bags that can be mounted within the receiver-dryer body without using mounting plates or baffles. The receiver-dryer includes an output tube having a retaining shoulder located thereon. In one embodiment, a desiccant bag includes a rigid eyelet that cooperates with the retaining shoulder to support the desiccant bag. In an alternate embodiment, the desiccant bag is supported by the retaining shoulder via a support washer.

Abstract: A vehicular antenna system uses a plurality of vehicle windshield wipers. Each wiper is configured to act as an antenna receiving element. The wipers may be configured to act as receiving elements by using a conductive wiper housing and/or a conductive spring. Insulators are positioned to electrically isolate the antenna receiving elements from vehicular ground. In one embodiment, an insulating bushing is positioned within a windshield wiper housing aperture so that the entire wiper is isolated from a wiper shaft.

Abstract: A three-hour fireproof door (20) is made from a metal frame (26), a body (28), and a hinge (30). The body (28) is made from a concrete mix (40). The metal frame (26) is such that, when attached to a mold base (34), the body (28) may be cast in place. The concrete mix (40) contains an integral strengthening material (54) in the form of either a metal mesh (54) or an elastomer admixture (82).

Abstract: A seating apparatus having a base, front and rear upright support members, and two vertical transverse support members. The transverse members comprise the seating means. Extending from the rear upright support members are two vertical supports holding two rear upright support members. Leg support members are rotatably mounted to the transverse support members. Coupled by ratchet devices to the rear of the seating means is a seat back. The seat back is composed of two vertical seat back members separated by horizontal seat back members. The ratchet allows the seat back to be 90 degrees from the seating means or to rearwardly pivot to parallel with said seating means. Legs formed at the top back of the seat back support the seat back against the ground when the seat back is fully reclined. Arm support members are pivotally coupled to the sides of seat back. Also disclosed are two pneumatic devices. The first pneumatically advances a horizontal armature. The second pneumatically advances a vertical armature.

Abstract: A unidirectional valve (46) is used for preventing a back flow (52) of fluid matter (72) in a dental saliva ejector (20). The unidirectional valve (46) includes a valve body (74) and a valve diaphragm (76). The valve diaphragm (76) is coupled to a base (78) of the valve body (74). The base (78) has apertures (90) for separating a particulate component (104) from a liquid component (102) of fluid matter (72). The valve diaphragm (76) has a flexible flap (96) for allowing a forward flow (48) of liquid component (102) into a low volume suction tube (28) of saliva ejector (20). The flexible flap (96) is further configured to prevent the back flow (52) liquid component (102) into an ejector tip (26) and into the mouth (22) of a dental patient (24).

Abstract: A notched-chirp generator (20), utilizing first and second chirp generators (28, 30), a functional conversion element (40), an antichirp generator (42), a summing element (64), and a translation element (66), generates a notched-chirp signal (24). The second chirp generator (30) generates a second chirp phase signal (.phi..sub.C1), is translated by the functional conversion element (40) into an oscillating antichirp signal (A.sub.O1). The antichirp generator (42) generates an antichirp signal (A.sub.1) by scaling, weighting, and cyclically positioning the oscillating antichirp signal (A.sub.O1). The summing element (64) sums the antichirp signal (A.sub.1) with a first chirp phase signal (.phi..sub.C0), generated by the first chirp generator (28), to produce a notched-chirp phase signal (.phi..sub.N), which is converted by the translation element (66) into a notched-chirp signal (24) having a notch (26) positioned at a specific frequency (f.sub.N) determined by the antichirp signal (A.sub.

Abstract: An adaptable tonneau cover (28) for attaching to a pickup truck bed (22) that is equipped with a fifth wheel trailer hitch (26). The tonneau cover (28) is made of flexible sheet material (44) and is dimensioned to cover the pickup truck bed (22). An opening (50) in the sheet material (44) is positioned over fifth wheel trailer hitch (52) to allow coupling of fifth wheel trailer tongue (26) to fifth wheel trailer hitch (52). A flap (66) is attached to the sheet material (44) to cover the opening (50) when the fifth wheel trailer (24) is not attached.

Abstract: A remote hand-held data collection device associates time with charge accounts at the instant when and the place where work is performed. The device obtains a set of descriptive codes that describe a work assignment and accrues time during which the work assignment is performed. A new work assignment may be quickly described by updating only those descriptive codes that differ from the previously entered set. The device is capable of checking the validity of the descriptive codes by comparing them to a number of valid input codes stored in a memory. The work-related records are stored in a database that is eventually uploaded to a central compiling computer for formatting and processing. An edit feature allows the user to modify erroneous data in the database, and a comment feature allows the user to enter alphanumeric messages into the database.

Abstract: A tool (20) for manipulation of a tubular fluorescent lamp (22) has a backplane (30), a coupler (32) for attachment to an external extension pole (36), a lamp gripper (38), a lamp extractor (44), and an extraction endpiece (50). The coupler (32) has a mechanism for angular adjustment (34). The lamp gripper (38) has a segmental cylindrical structure (40) with a non-slip inner surface (42) and an inner diameter generally coincident with that of the lamp (22). The lamp extractor (44) has an extraction extension (46) and an extraction stud (48) at the end of the extension (46). The Extraction endpiece (50) has an endcap (52) intended to fit over an end of the lamp (22) and an engagement fork (54) with which to engage the extraction stud (48).

Abstract: A survey electronics package (32) of a survey system (10) includes a transmitter (36) and a receiver (38). The transmitter (36) transmits a survey signal which a radio (12) residing in a detection zone (14) receives and demodulates to generate an audio echo signal. The audio echo signal is magnetically radiated from a speaker (26) of the radio (12). The receiver (38) magnetically senses this magnetically radiated audio echo signal. A bandpass filter (48) in the receiver (38) and a correlation process (86) insure that only a valid audio echo signal is recorded. When the detection of a valid audio echo signal corresponds to a radio (12) tuned to a particular radio station, a record is made of the detection.