Abstract: A “polishing” water filter for the micro-filtration of fine particles comprises a porous ceramic substrate, having an average pore size in the range of about 0.2 to about 100 microns, which is coated with porous rice hull ash (RHA) particles that have an average particle size that is greater than the average pore size of the ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate preferably has an average pore size of about 30 microns; the RHA has an average particle size in the range of about 120 to about 150 microns and an average pore size in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 microns.

Abstract: A programmable phase shifter is constructed of Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) logic elements. The logic elements may include an RSFQ inverter and an RSFQ T flip-flop. A digital word comprising N bits is used to control the amount of phase shift and the phase shifter selectively imparts a respective phase shift for any of 2N states that can be represented by the digital word. The RSFQ logic elements utilize Josephson junctions which operate in the superconducting temperature domain.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus, for example of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,976, is provided with a resistance source for exerting a counterforce to the force applied by the user. This resistance source includes at least two of (1) means, such as a cylindrical rod or the like, for removably holding one or more weights, (2) at least one hook or the like for removably attaching one or more springs, and (3) means for removably attaching one or more damping devices.

Abstract: A magnetic arrangement for transmitting torque from an input shaft (1) to an output shaft (2), of for example a pump, comprises at least one magnet arrangement (3, 4) assigned to each of the input shaft (1) and to the output shaft (2). A containment shell (5) comprising at least one inner sleeve (3) and at least one outer sleeve (4) extends between the magnet arrangements. An inner sleeve (3) is formed from at least one profile element (7) that extends approximately in the manner of a coil, as a unitary helical band with a mating protrusion and groove on opposite sides. An outer sleeve (4) is provided for axially fastening the profile element.

Abstract: A new approach to speech recognition that reacts to concepts conveyed through speech, which shifts the balance of power in speech recognition from straight sound recognition and statistical models to a more powerful and complete approach determining and addressing conveyed concepts. A probabilistically unbiased multi-phoneme recognition process is employed, followed by a phoneme stream analysis process that builds the list of candidate words derived from recognized phonemes, followed by a permutation analysis process that produces sequences of candidate words with high potential of being syntactically valid, and finally, by processing targeted syntactic sequences in a conceptual analysis process to generate the utterance's conceptual representation that can be used to produce an adequate response.

Abstract: An acceleration-triggered or shock-triggered, smart, tunable MEMS switch that may function as both a classic accelerometer and an acceleration threshold detector. A parallel element MEMS device has a stationary and a movable element forming a capacitor. Varying acceleration moves the movable member with respect to the stationary member, thereby changing the capacitance of the device. The capacitance varying may be used, in cooperation with appropriate circuitry, to provide a signal representative of instantaneous acceleration. By applying a biasing voltage, the movable element may be positioned in a predetermined fashion such that acceleration of a predetermined magnitude causes the movable element to pull in (snap down). The movable and stationary elements may function as a switch such that when the predetermined acceleration or shock level occurs, electrodes close, a current flows between the elements so that an external device such as an air bag may be activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus receive, detect, collect and analyze program-identifying (“PI”) information contained in a plurality of broadcast or recorded electronic audio signals. Each audio signal represents the sounds (audio portion) in a plurality of sequential program segments, such as program material or commercials.

Abstract: A training projectile includes at its head a hollow arched cavity or cap that defines a hollow cavity within the head of the training projectile, and that bursts when the projectile strikes a target. Into this cavity are placed a first chemically-inactive marking material and a second chemically-active marking material, whereby both marking materials are released upon bursting of the arched cavity. The first marking material creates, for example, a color effect by means of a colored powder; the second marking material produces a light effect by means of, for example, materials that interact to produce chemo-luminescence.

Abstract: An STOL or VTOL winged aircraft comprises a fuselage and a fixed wing attached to the fuselage and extending outward from the two lateral sides thereof, forming one wing component extending outward from one side of the fuselage and a second wing component extending outward from the opposite side of the fuselage. At least one “thruster” is disposed in each wing component to provide vertical lift to the aircraft when the aircraft is stationary or moving forward only slowly. The thruster includes a shaft mounted for rotation in the respective wing component and extending substantially parallel to the wing axis and a plurality of fan blades attached to the shaft for movement of air. A shroud is preferably arranged in each wing component, adjacent to the fan blades, for directing the airflow downward or rearward.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for the anonymous purchase of goods. A Customer requests to purchase some physical goods, the Vendor determines the cost of the goods, and asks the Customer to select a Carrier. The Vendor requests a Customer Token and redirects the Customer's browser to the Carrier, with the Customer Token, a Vendor Token and a description of the package. The Carrier validates the Vendor's Token and uses the Customer's token to request information about the Customer, including shipping instructions. The Carrier assigns a shipping identifier and shipping cost and redirects the Customer's browser back to the Vendor along with the identifier and shipping cost. The Vendor adjusts the cost to include shipping, packages the goods, and labels the packages with the shipping identifier. The Carrier picks up the packages, prints a complete label using the Customer information associated with the shipping identifier and delivers the goods.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a lipid membrane bound structure, the method comprising the steps of providing the structure to be processed in a liquid medium; and heating the liquid medium containing the structure at a rate and through a range sufficient to cause a discrete phase transition in at least one of the membranes, such that the membranes fuse. The method may be used to fuse the structure with another structure, or to reduce the integrity of the structure. The apparatus atomizes a medium containing the structure into small droplets and subjects them to an environment containing steam vapor while moving at high velocity, to rapidly increase the droplet temperature to the steam temperature by release of the latent heat of vaporization.

Abstract: A method for carrying out endothermic or exothermic gas phase reactions by using a tube bundle reactor with a tube bundle of catalyst-filled reaction tubes comprises the following steps: a) Introducing a reaction gas mixture into the reaction tubes; b) Dividing-up of the reaction gas mixture flow flowing through each of the reaction tubes into at least two partial flows, each partial flow having the same composition; c) Feeding-in of each partial flow at a different point along the catalyst filling with an existing flow resistance; d) Determining the desired partial flow volume for each partial flow (V1, V2, V3, V4); e) Calculating the pressure at the point of the first division of the reaction gas mixture (9); f) Calculating the pressure in the catalyst filling (12) at the point of feeding-in of each partial flow (V1, V2, V3, V4); and g) Setting of flow resistance for each point of feeding-in in such a way that the flow resistance at the desired partial flow volume corresponds to the pressure difference bet

Abstract: A vehicular system, comprising a vehicle position determining system, an itinerary for the vehicle, an external wireless data communication system, a user interface, and, a controller, the controller receiving information from the vehicle position determining system and the itinerary to determine a relationship therebetween, and presenting location and itinerary relevant information received through the external wireless data communication system through the user interface.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for integrating processes with a multi-faceted human centered interface is provided. The interface is facilitated to implement a hands free, voice driven environment to control processes and applications. A natural language model is used to parse voice initiated commands and data, and to route those voice initiated inputs to the required applications or processes. The use of an intelligent context based parser allows the system to intelligently determine what processes are required to complete a task which is initiated using natural language. A single window environment provides an interface which is comfortable to the user by preventing the occurrence of distracting windows from appearing. The single window has a plurality of facets which allow distinct viewing areas. Each facet has an independent process routing its outputs thereto. As other processes are activated, each facet can reshape itself to bring a new process into one of the viewing areas.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for integrating processes with a multi-faceted human centered interface is provided. The interface is facilitated to implement a hands free, voice driven environment to control processes and applications. A natural language model is used to parse voice initiated commands and data, and to route those voice initiated inputs to the required applications or processes. The use of an intelligent context based parser allows the system to intelligently determine what processes are required to complete a task which is initiated using natural language. A single window environment provides an interface which is comfortable to the user by preventing the occurrence of distracting windows from appearing. The single window has a plurality of facets which allow distinct viewing areas. Each facet has an independent process routing its outputs thereto. As other processes are activated, each facet can reshape itself to bring a new process into one of the viewing areas.

Abstract: A high-speed lookup table is designed using Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) logic elements and fabricated using superconducting integrated circuits. The lookup table is composed of an address decoder and a programmable read-only memory array (PROM). The memory array has rapid parallel pipelined readout and slower serial reprogramming of memory contents. The memory cells are constructed using standard non-destructive reset-set flip-flops (RSN cells) and data flip-flops (DFF cells). An n-bit address decoder is implemented in the same technology and closely integrated with the memory array to achieve high-speed operation as a lookup table. The circuit architecture is scalable to large two-dimensional data arrays.

Abstract: An EL display (10a) of the invention includes a substrate (12), a wall (14) arranged on the substrate (12) to form a plurality of openings corresponding to pixel areas, a plurality of pixel patterns (16) formed in the openings and a first lubrication layer (18a) formed on the wall (14).