Abstract: A polyvinyl display device for bifocal computer/reading spectacles. The display device enables a person to identify a pair of spectacles having the correct optical center to match the wearer's pupillary separation. The present invention includes, in combination, a pair of spectacles having two near focal powers and a new type of display mechanism that allows the purchaser to choose not only the correct power needed, but also the correct pair of glasses to match the user's pupillary distance (PD). Optical centers of finished reading glasses are marked, then a display device including an opaque polyvinyl static cling film having two, preferably round, holes therein is placed onto the glasses such that the holes in the film overlie the optical centers. When the user dons the glasses, if a solid round area is viewed, the spectacles have the correct size for the user's PD. If a figure eight or two holes is viewed, the PD is too wide. If the user views the outside edges, the PD is too narrow.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods are disclosed for the spatial and temporal processing of time dependant array data using analog signal processors. In one embodiment, a programmable array of switched capacitors is used to provide tunable parameters for controlling the desired processing of input data streams. The switched capacitor implementation of a spatial filter provides a massively parallel device that can be programmed to perform isotropic and spatially-oriented anisotropic filtering with low power demands. The system further includes the ability to combine differently filtered output streams with independent multiplicative weights. In another embodiment, the nonlinear spatio-temporal motion energy of a two-dimensional image stream data is computed. The spatial-temporal filter is able to combine multiple analog filters, both spatial and temporal, to perform complex spatial-temporal filtering operations implemented by Gaussian kernel filtering chips.

Abstract: A device for removing airborne contaminants and inhaled biopathogens, particularly particulate or aerosol contaminants, from respired air that can be either stationary or incorporated into a garment or accessory worn upon the body. In a preferred embodiment, a negative electrode is connected to voltage multiplier and modulation circuit and then to a discharge electrode having an electron emissive surface disposed near the wearer's airway. The positive (counter) electrode is similarly disposed away from the airway such as, for example, near the forehead. Electrons, ejected from the electron emissive surface, transfer a negative charge to airborne particulate contaminants which are accelerated toward, and collected by, the counter electrode.

Abstract: The enzyme, iron hydrogenase (HydA), has industrial applications for the production of hydrogen, specifically, for catalyzing the reversible reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen. The present invention relates to the isolation of a nucleic acid sequence from the algae Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and Chlorella fusca that encodes iron hydrogenase. The invention further discloses the genomic nucleic acid, c-DNA and the protein sequences for HydA. The genes and gene products may be used in a photosynthetic process for hydrogen production which includes growing a microorganism containing the gene coding for HydA in a culture medium under illuminated conditions sufficient to accumulate an endogenous substrate; depleting a nutrient selected from the group consisting of sulfur, iron, and manganese from the medium; then allowing the culture to become anaerobic by consumption of an endogenous or exogenous substrate in the light.

Abstract: A tool operable for connecting a mail F-type coaxial cable connector having a connector ring rotatably mounted on a leading end thereof. The connector ring having a shaped outer surface. The tool includes a wrench portion and a grasping portion. The wrench portion includes a rigid, substantially tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end. An inner surface of the tubular member adjacent the leading end is dimensioned to matingly engage a portion of the shaped outer surface of the connector ring. The grasping portion having an annular leading end with a first outer diameter rigidly affixed to the trailing end of the wrench portion and an expanded annular trailing end having a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses low noise, optically coupled optoelectronic and all-optical artificial neuron devices that can be configured in an array to simulate the function of biological neural networks, and methods for making the artificial neurons. In a first optoelectronic embodiment, the device employs the regenerative pulsation property of astable multivibrators as optical pulse generators. A photosensitive detector, disposed in a circuit to control the state of an astable or bistable multivibrator, converts the intensity of the input light into a train of light pulses having a frequency that is a function of the intensity of the input signal. In an all-optical embodiment of an artificial neuron, an input signal is first integrated and the integrated signal transmitted to an optical pulse generator comprised of a nonlinear material disposed within the cavity of a Fabry-Perot etalon.

Abstract: Machinery diagnostics and prognostics is an emerging engineering field that seeks to accurately determine the operational health of a machine without waiting for the machine to fail, performing maintenance that may not yet be required or, in the worst case, performing unnecessary maintenance that inadvertently causes other problems and hastens machine health deterioration. Accurate prediction of machine health (operability) enables operators to base machine maintenance on the machine's actual condition, in contrast to the common practice of time-based maintenance (e.g., perform maintenance every 100 hours). The “just-in-time” methodology of the machine health monitoring system (MHMS) of the present invention translates into significant cost savings by providing early warning of impending failures and thus reducing unanticipated catastrophic machine failures through preventative maintenance techniques (but no more or no less than is required) while simultaneously keeping false alarm rates low.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon device adapted to be inserted into the stomach for treating obesity in humans by reducing the stomach volume. The intragastric balloon device includes a flexible, inflatable balloon having an interior chamber defining a volume. A portion of the balloon has a self-sealing valve thereon to facilitate the introduction of an insufflation catheter into the interior chamber and to facilitate sealing of the catheter track upon removal of the insufflation catheter. The volume of the interior chamber, and the volume occupied by the balloon within the stomach of a patient, is adjusted by injecting an inflation fluid into the balloon's interior chamber. The balloon further includes a deflation valve in a portion thereof. The deflation valve is a patch that has a bioabsorbable or biodegradable portion. The patch forms a portion of the wall of the balloon and is in leakproof engagement therewith.

Abstract: A kit containing the reagents necessary for the qualitative or quantitative demonstration of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. A immunohistochemical staining procedure is employed which utilizes a primary monoclonal mouse antibody that selectively binds to EGFR. The primary antibodies bound to tissue antigens are detected using a peroxidase labeled polymer that is conjugated with secondary anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibodies. The enzymatic conversion of the subsequently applied chromogen results in formation of a visible reaction product at the site of the EGFR antigen. Following development of the chromogen, specimens may then be counterstained and coverslipped. Results are interpreted using a light microscope or other optical imaging device. The detection system is adapted for both manual and automated staining.

Abstract: A neck protector for a taut ligature such as a bra or bathing suit strap. The neck protector is a perforated, generally elongate closed-cell foam body having unitary construction. The foam body is preferably a flat sheet having a length, a flat upper surface, a lower skin-contacting surface and at least four holes in the flat upper surface thereof. The four or more holes are symmetrically disposed laterally around the center of the flat upper surface along the length of the foam body. In use, the two opposing ends of a ligature are threaded downwardly through the outermost holes in the upper surface on each end of the foam body and are then threaded upwardly through adjacent respective holes in the lower surface thereof. The free ends of the ligature are then tied together with the lower skin-contacting surface of the neck protector positioned on the nape of the neck.

Abstract: A belt-attached accessory pocket for containing articles, such as a personal communication device, has a rectangular portion and is made from flexible fabric. It has front and rear surfaces, an open upper edge, and sealed lower, leading and trailing edges. A reinforcing panel of durable material, such as leather, encloses the leading edge and adjacent portions of the front and rear surfaces and resists damage due to abrasion. The panel preferably has a holster shape. The upper edge of the panel is substantially coextensive with the upper edge of the accessory pocket and includes a flap that releasably closes the open upper edge. The pocket may further include a separate, inner cell phone pocket affixed to the fabric. The pocket may also include a pair of leather thongs to be tied around the leg of the wearer.

Abstract: A frangible hollow point bullet is disclosed. The bullet (or slug) is formed from a frangible material such as sintered copper to provide a bullet-shaped body. A plurality of coaxial, substantially cylindrical cavities having progressively decreasing bore diameters are formed in the nose of the bullet-shaped body, extending rearwardly therefrom, to provide a bullet that both expands and fragments in a semicontrolled fashion upon impact with a target. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the coaxial cavities is multiply scored to provide a substantially symmetric fragmentation pattern and controlled and uniform fragment size. Controlling the aggregate depth of the coaxial cavities enables the retention of a recoverable base or shank that is suitable for ballistic investigation following bullet impact.

Abstract: An expandable bone fastener adapted to be inserted into an untapped hole drilled in a bone, thereafter adapted to expand a plurality of barbs into the surrounding bone has an enlarged proximal end, a tubular outer body portion having an axial bore, a distal end having either expandable or non-expandable legs dimensioned to fit snugly within the hole, and an expansion pin slidably mounted within the axial bore. The tubular outer body portion of the expandable bone fastener has a plurality of longitudinal slots in the wall thereof to allow the expansion and retraction of the expansion pin's barbs into or out of the surrounding bone. The barbs on the expansion pin may be elastically deformed from a normal, retracted configuration to a locking, splayed configuration wherein the outer ends of the barbs extend outwardly through the slots in the tubular outer body portion to penetrate the surrounding bone as the expansion pin is moved in a proximal direction from a fully extended position.

Abstract: An extendable, modular toy bank for storing coins and the like. The toy bank is substantially tubular and includes a head portion, a segmented extendable body portion and a tail portion. One of the portions, preferably the head portion, has a slot therein, dimensioned to receive a coin. The portions are hollow and, in combination, define an interior compartment. The body portion includes a plurality of tubular members, which may be bent, having forward and rearward ends that are adapted to be interconnected, end to end, by body segment connector rings placed therebetween, thereby elongating the body portion to increase the interior volume of the toy. A releasable locking mechanism on the ends of the head, body and tail portions of the toy interconnect with the body segment connector rings and enable the head, body and tail portions to be releasably attached to an adjacent tubular body portion segment of the device.

Abstract: A remote sensing method for detecting and analyzing gases, vapors and flame plumes using an imaging spectrometer. The spectrometric instrument uses Image Multispectral Sensing (IMSS) technology, enhanced by advanced imaging processing techniques and micro-miniature circuitry. These enhancements provide a portable instrument with the capability to remotely detect and image gases, including gas leaks. The technology also provides an analysis of the gas including chemical species and concentrations. The instrument can also remotely detect, image and analyze flames and plumes in the same manner, providing an analysis of the chemical species and concentrations in the flame. Advanced image processing techniques are used to provide gas and plume images and analysis to the operator. These processing algorithms are implemented in micro-miniature circuits such as digital signal processors (DSP's) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA's) to provide a field portable instrument.

Abstract: A tool for stripping a microcoaxial cable having an outside diameter of four millimeters or less. The tool is operable for precisely stripping the jacket, shield and dielectric layers of the microcoaxial cable under field conditions. The tool comprises a fixed gripping portion that holds and supports the cable both proximal and distal to the portion to be stripped. A blade portion rotatably mounted to the fixed gripping portion has a double action. When the blade portion is depressed, a plurality of blades mounted thereon cuts into the microcoaxial cable to precise and adjustable depths. A 360° rotation of the blade portion relative to the fixed gripping portion cleanly severs the respective layers of the cable. The respective severed layers of the cable are removed by hand to expose the underlying layer and the central conductor thereby providing a stripped portion of microcoaxial cable to which a microcoaxial cable connector can be attached.

Abstract: A device and method for the real time optimization of scheduling for manufacturing and information transfer systems and similar applications. The device is a computer readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to generate an optimal solution to a scheduling problem in accordance with a method encoded on the medium. The method employs a filtering algorithm to schedule minimally-conflicting events. The remaining unscheduled events are partitioned into non-interactive sub-sets. Following partitioning, artificial intelligence is used to select one of a plurality of algorithms which is employed to provide an optimal scheduling solution for each sub-set of scheduling requests. The purpose of artificial intelligence is to recognize certain characteristics in request data comprising each sub-set of event scheduling requests and select an algorithm which is optimal for scheduling each particular sub-set.

Abstract: A colloidal composition for application to the walls of a clean, warm oven and accessories contained therein to prevent the adherence of carbon-based residues thereto. The composition is shaken to disburse the colloidal particles, then applied to the clean, warm (˜140° F.) surface of the oven walls with an applicator such as a brush or sponge and the oven is ready for use. After a coating of carbonized residue has accumulated on the composition-coated surface, both the residue and the composition are easily removed with a mild detergent solution using a sponge or towel. The composition is nontoxic, environmentally safe and its use does not expose the user to harsh chemicals or fumes. In a preferred embodiment, the colloidal composition is provided in a container having a removable lid with a fine-bristled nylon applicator brush affixed thereto.

Abstract: A connector to attach cable or line to an article of gear whereby the cable or line is protected from fatigue through the use of a strain relief system and incorporates the ability to easily connect or disconnect the gear from the cable. The cable/line is permanently attached to the cable connection device with a knot or cable crimp. A strain relief for the cable/line is provided by a spring wrapped around the cable/line to prevent bending at the connection point, a heavy material coating around the cable/line again to prevent bending at the connection point, or a pivoting ball connection to allow the cable/line to move without bending the cable/line at the joint. A disconnect method is provided by a clipping system that allows the cable connection device to be connected or disconnected from the gear.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery having a photovoltaic device and battery charging circuitry integral therewith. A rechargeable battery such as, for example, a Lithium battery, includes a current regulating circuit interposed between a photovoltaic device mounted on an outer surface of the battery and the terminals of the battery. In order to attain maximum power transfer between the photovoltaic device and the battery, the circuit includes a feed-forward feature that regulates the current flow from the photovoltaic cell to the battery in response to changes in the voltage output of the cell. When the voltage output (V) of the photovoltaic cell drops below a predetermined value, the current (I) flowing from the cell to the battery is decreased in accordance with the equation V=aI+b, where the coefficients a and b are constants having a value depending on the type of rechargeable battery employed.