Abstract: A local multipoint data distribution system (10) simultaneously accommodates many communication sessions occurring at a variety of data rates. Space surrounding cell sites (12) is partitioned into sectors (16), and the spectrum is allocated so that adjacent sectors (16) use different spectrum portions, but the entire spectrum is reused numerous times. A time diversity scheme allocates different numbers of time slots (54) to different calls. Time slot identifiers are assigned in contiguous blocks in an assigned numbering system (56). The time slot identifier assignments are translated into a counted numbering system (58) which causes the time slots (54) for any call to be distributed throughout a frame (48) and interleaved with time slots (54) assigned to other calls. Data communications use a common modulation format and a modulation order that is specifically adapted to a particular call.

Abstract: A tool (20) for manipulation of a compact fluorescent lamp (24) has a body (28) and a lamp holder (30). The body (28) has a coupler (32), for attachment to an extension pole (22), and a base (36), coupled to the coupler (32). The body (28) also has a detent (42) for attachment to the lamp holder (30). The lamp holder (30) is removably attached to the body (28). The lamp holder (30) has a baseplate (46) with a central opening (48) of a shape and size intended to admit a compact fluorescent lamp bulb assembly (44). The baseplate has a collar (50) with at least one protuberance (54) configured to engage the detents (42) on the body (28). The collar (50) has a plurality of grippers (52) axially extending therefrom.

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: An earth remediation auger (22) is adapted for boring into tight ground (28) at a contaminated site. The earth remediation auger (22) includes a soil mixer (36) with mixing holes (40), scraping blades (34), and fin cutters (32). The fin cutters (32) score the ground (28) before the scraping blades (34) break the scored ground (28) into chunks and pass the chunks onto the soil mixer (36). The earth remediation auger (22) has relief cutouts (50) for self-cleaning of clay based soils.

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. Three embodiments of a tube electrode formed from elastomeric material, have a nonconductive base, and a conductive tube weaving through holes in the base. Two have single adjustable loops and are for use around penile or scrotal tissue, and against anal tissue. The third comprises two loops, one to wrap each testicle against scrotal tissue.

Abstract: A binocular lens protector (10) has a binocular lens cover (14), with a rigid support structure (18) and a resilient structure (20) joined by a bonding agent (22), and an elastic coupler (16) that is used to hold the binocular lens cover (14) firmly to a binoculars (12). Two binocular lens protectors (10), intended to protect both the objective lenses (28) and the eyepiece lenses (30) of a given binoculars (12), form a binocular lens protection set (52). Two binocular lens covers (14), intended to protect both the objective lenses (28) and the eyepiece lenses (30) of a given binoculars (12), yet attached to each other and to the binoculars (12) by a single elastic coupler (16), form a binocular lens protection system (54).

Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit translates digital data into an analog signal. The PWM circuit includes at least a digital counter, a significance reverser, and a comparator circuit. The significance reverser reverses the relative order of significance of at least two bits in the count words generated by the counter. The comparator determines whether the magnitude of a digital input word is greater than the magnitude of the reversed order count word. The PWM circuit produces a high output when the magnitude of the input word is greater than the magnitude of the reversed order count word and a low output when the magnitude of the input word is not greater than the magnitude of the reversed order count word. The analog output produced by the PWM circuit includes a number of pulses evenly distributed during the count cycle of the counter, and the input word indicates a duty cycle for the analog output.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus determines the fluid depth, volume, and temperature in a storage tank. A system description for monitoring an underground storage tank containing gasoline is described. The system determines the water's and gasoline's depth, volume, and temperature. The apparatus consists of a remote console, ultrasonic probe, and interconnecting cable. The remote console contains a display to report tank information and a computer to operate the probe. The probe consists of an ultrasonic transducer above the bottom of the probe facing upwards to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, vertically spaced reflectors and a temperature sensor to measure fluid temperature.

Abstract: A digital communication receiver (#10) takes one complex sample (#20) of a baseband analog signal (#12) per symbol. A rectangular to polar converter (#44) separates phase attributes of the complex samples from magnitude attributes during coarse symbol synchronization (#28). A phase processor (#48) identifies clock adjustment opportunities which occur when relatively large phase changes take place between consecutive symbols. A magnitude processor (#46) influences symbol timing only during clock adjustment opportunities. The magnitude processor (#46) advances symbol timing in a phase locked loop when decreasing magnitude changes are detected during clock adjustment opportunities and retards symbol timing when increasing magnitude changes are detected during clock adjustment opportunities during coarse symbol synchronization (#28).

Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting the presence of a specified gas within a mixture includes a silicon substrate, a silicon nitride membrane supported by the substrate, a thin gold sensor trace deposited on the membrane, and a thin gold reference trace deposited on the membrane. A molybdenum adhesion layer is employed between the membrane and the gold traces. The electrical resistance of the sensor trace changes when the sensor trace adsorbs molecules of the gas. Solid state construction facilitates quick and efficient regeneration of the sensing capability of the gas sensor. The silicon nitride membrane and the molybdenum adhesion layer do not adversely affect the resistivity of the gold traces. An alternate gas sensor embodiment includes an integrally formed heater element.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for use with an internal combustion engine includes a fuel delivery device such as a carburetor 12, or a throttle body or port fuel injection fuel regulator 16, a fuel vaporizer 14 that provides the carburetor 12 with vaporized fuel, a fuel regulator 16 that regulates fluid characteristics of the fuel, and an electronic control module 18 that controls the fuel regulator 16. The fuel delivery device includes a body 22 having an inlet port 28 and an outlet port 30 and a throttle valve assembly 24 that regulates the air stream flowing through the body 22. The throttle valve assembly 24 is adapted to induce a vortex in the air stream, and to release vaporized fuel into the center of the vortex. An actuating mechanism 46 causes two vanes 42 and 44 to rotate in opposite directions, which induces the vortex.

Abstract: A computer (10) includes an operating system (14) having a system manager (18) and a native file system (20). An installable file system (36) installs hooks at a core interface (24) between the system manager (18) and the native file system (20). Hooks are installed for only a portion of the many native function routines (26) provided by the native file system (20). A virtual driver (30) communicates with the native file system (20) and simulates a file storage device having substantially no files stored thereon. Foreign file system device (42) requests for function routines that have not been hooked are handled by the native file system (20) and virtual device (30). Foreign file system device (42) requests for hooked function routines are handled by a foreign file system (34).

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first transmitter for transmitting a first test signal from a first end of the cable and a second transmitter for transmitting a second test signal from a second end of the cable. The first test signal is transmitted on a first conductor pair at a first frequency and the second test signal is simultaneously transmitted on a second conductor pair at a second frequency. The apparatus also includes a first receiver for receiving a first coupled signal at the first end of the cable and a second receiver for simultaneously receiving a second coupled signal at the second end of the cable. The first coupled signal exhibits the first frequency and is received on a third conductor pair, while the second coupled signal exhibits the second frequency and is received on a fourth conductor pair. The transmit frequencies are offset such that interference and noise are not detected by the receivers as coupled signals.

Abstract: A system for estimating listening audience characteristics in response to radio broadcast programming includes a central office, a plurality of remote survey sites, and a plurality of remote access sites. The survey sites collect survey data describing radio stations to which vehicle-mounted tuners are tuned. The survey data is downloaded to the central office, where the survey data is associated with a radio program broadcast by a radio station. The survey data and the radio program are presented at the remote access sites in a substantially synchronous format such that audience responses to specific radio programming can be observed.

Abstract: A base member and a fascia are assembled to form a hollow door section which is filled with insulative material. Adjacent sections are coupled along respective longitudinal edges for angular and spatial displacement. The base member is extended from a selected plastic with male and female coupling components extending continuously along respective longitudinal edges. A plurality of mounting members projecting from the lateral edges of the sections matingly and slidably engage the semi-cylindrical guide surface of a tract for reciprocal vertical movement of the door. The door may be partially raised for spatial displacement of the sections whereby flow-through ventilation openings are exposed. In a specific embodiment, a flexible drive screw is rotatably carried within the track for powered operation of the door. In alternate embodiments a generally tubular door track is either grasped by a door guide apparatus having a clip, or the guide is slit and a rounded guide rides within the track.