Abstract: The invention is a method for augmenting images to highlight regions where objects of interest are likely to appear. The method uses fuzzy set theory to classify locations that may contain objects of interest, uses fog volumes to represent the fuzzy sets in three dimensions, and renders these fog volumes from the vantage point of the image to provide a colored overlay with which to augment the image. Where fog volumes of different colors overlap in an image, the invention renders the overlapping area using cross-hatching, so that the multiple colors appear side by side rather than blending to make a third color.

Abstract: A method for secure, electronic, distributed voting using existing automated teller machines (ATMs), comprising issuing each voter an access card that can be read by an ATM and a personal identification number (PIN). This card may be a standard bank credit or debit card. ATMs are enabled to read access cards and accept PINs. In response to the reading of an access card and appropriate PIN entry, information relating to the vote to be cast is displayed at the ATM. The user is allowed to cast votes using one or more ATM functions. A particular ATM function is identified as an indication of finalization of the vote. In response, the finalized vote is automatically tallied.

Abstract: An absorbable pubovaginal sling system for surgical management of urinary incontinence, generally comprising: a latex-free, synthetic sling made entirely of absorbable materials of which at least one of the materials is adapted to stimulate fibroblast interposition; and a looped monofilament suture that is adapted to be transposed to the suprapubic position, supported by an external adjustable tension device, and connected to said sling.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering electromagnetic waves, the apparatus comprising a substrate having a surface relief structure containing at least one dielectric body with physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in a two dimensional array covering at least a portion of the surface of the first substrate. Also disclosed is a material sensor utilizing this apparatus.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to protect an instrumented firefighter's fire hose nozzle from shock and undesirable environmental pollutant penetration. The invention provides for doing this through the use of a rugged cover on the equipment as well as soft equipment mounts. The cover provides the instrumentation with protection from impact as well as protection from contamination by environmental pollutants. On the inside of the cover, the shock sensitive equipment is seated on an island that is mounted by one or more soft vertical posts, which protect this equipment from shock.

Abstract: Multiaxis Turbine with an external upper covering, a tower structure with a plurality of vertical elongated members connected to each other with supporting horizontal elongated members, and a plurality of smaller blades on a rotation connected to a tower structure with a plurality of the rotation. A preferred embodiment includes impact impellers connected to a rotation creating a swept area with a height to diameter ratio of greater than four. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said impact impellers connected to a rotation means creating a swept area with a height to diameter ratio of greater than ten.

Abstract: A game requiring and enhancing ball kicking accuracy, to accomplish the desired result of being the first of two alternating players to kick a soccer ball into, and win possession of, three consecutive squares in a frame consisting of nine square openings, arranged three vertically by three horizontally.

Abstract: A systematic, time-varying current is applied to any number of transmission conductors while the voltage on each remains at an essentially constant level but periodically reversed in polarity. Variations in current, from high to low and from positive to negative, are timed to coordinate with the thermal time constant of the conductor or cable. Current is interrupted on each conductor for a short period around a zero value to allow reversal of voltage. This invention allows full thermal utilization of each conductor in the system while gaining the advantage afforded by sustained DC voltage.

Abstract: Inertial Measurement Units based on integrated designs to reduce alignment and assembly costs. Integration also leads to performance improvement, increased miniaturization and simplification as well as reduced cost. Also disclosed are gyroscopes and accelerometers that are identical, yet by their mechanization, can be made to act as separate sensors. Miniaturization and simplification is improved by combining instruments that can share a common member. Savings in space and complexity are also possible in the electronics when elements are shared.

Abstract: An elastomeric device for interconnecting two or more electrical components, comprising, an elastomeric matrix having one or more outer surfaces; one or more electrically conductive pathways through the matrix; and one or more electrically conductive contact pads, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the pads is flush with or extends outward from one or more of the outer surfaces of the matrix, and wherein at least a portion of the pad is in at least intimate contact with one or more of the pathways; and methods for making same.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a mechanically-releasable balanced compressive load to a compliant anisotropic conductive elastomer (ACE) electrical connector that electrically connects an electrical device to a first side of a two-sided substrate. The apparatus includes a backup plate against the second side of the substrate, a rocker plate against the backup plate, the rocker plate touching the backup plate only at the center of the backup plate, and a rigid member on the electrical device. A plurality of pins are mechanically coupled to the rocker plate and the rigid member, and there is at least one spring member mechanically coupled to at least one pin. The spring applies a variable force coupled through the at least one pin to the rocker plate, to urge the backup plate and rigid member together and thereby compress the ACE between the electrical device and the substrate.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to create a method to allow a real person or movable physical object to occlude virtual objects in a augmented reality application using a single tracking data sensor for objects or only head tracking data for a real person. The method involves occluding virtual objects with a real world human in augmented reality. The method comprises creating an orthogonal plane billboard with soft texture edges representing a user's head; creating an orthogonal plane billboard with soft texture edges representing a user's torso; positioning and orienting the head billboard using motion tracker data; positioning and orienting the torso billboard relative to the head billboard; displaying the head and torso billboards in real-time 3-D to correspond to the location of a real person; and mixing the resulting image with a live image of a real person.

Abstract: A circuit breaker test device for testing a circuit breaker, and also for testing the branch circuit of which the circuit breaker is a part. The circuit breaker test device includes a switch that controllably short-circuits the branch circuit. A controller causes the switch to short circuit the branch circuit. A timer, responsive to operation of the controller, causes the switch to cease short-circuiting the branch circuit after a particular test time. An impedance value of the branch circuit is determined. The controller is enabled only if the impedance value is within predetermined limits. The timer is capable of establishing a variable test time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for an augmented reality-based firefighter training system. The system includes hardware for motion tracking, display, and vari-nozzle instrumentation. System software includes a real-time fire model, a layered smoke obscuration model, simulation of an extinguishing agent, and an interface to a zone fire model. Physical modeling and graphical elements in the software combine to create realistic-looking fire, smoke, and extinguishing graphics. The hardware and software components together contribute to a realistic, interactive training experience for firefighters.

Abstract: A pin-array, separable, compliant electrical contact member for separably, electrically interconnecting a first electrical device having electrical contacts to a second electrical device having electrical contacts. The inventive device includes a probe housing having a thickness, and defining a plurality of openings through the thickness, one or more pin probes, each pin probe located in and protruding from an opening in the probe housing, and each defining an enlargement larger than the opening in which the pin is located, to inhibit lateral pin motion, and also prevent the pins from being removed from their openings vertically in at least one direction, and a layer of Anisotropic Conductive Elastomer (ACE) adjacent to the probe housing and comprising a plurality of conductive chains of particles through the layer thickness and aligned generally perpendicularly to the layer's major surfaces.

Abstract: A flowmeter which clamps around and seals to a pipe with probes projecting into the pipe through holes in the pipe, the useful separation of the probes being achieved by their entering the pipe through separate holes.

Abstract: A current-modulation method of transmitting high voltage direct current (HVDC) power over a transmission system comprising at least three conductors, wherein each conductor has a nominal thermal limit to its current-carrying capacity. The method involves transmitting DC current over at least one conductor at a level which can exceed each such conductor's nominal thermally-limited current-carrying capacity, returning the transmitted current over a quantity of conductors greater than the quantity used to transmit at the higher level, so that each return current is less than the transmitted current, and periodically switching the current level in the conductors so as to rotate the higher level current among at least two of the conductors, such that, over time, the resistance heating of the conductors does not exceed any conductors' thermal limit.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering electromagnetic waves and sensing deposition of chemical species, the apparatus having a substrate having a surface relief structure containing at least one dielectric body with physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in a two dimensional array covering at least a portion of the surface of the first substrate. The apparatus may include one, two, or more such arrays, spaced from one another to create one or more cavities between the arrays.

Abstract: An implantable delivery system of the invention for managing a patient's erectile dysfunction, generally comprises: one or more reservoir members adapted to be substantially implanted in the patient's scrotal pouch and to at least temporarily store one or more pharmacologic agents; one or more diaphragms for accessing and refilling one or more of the reservoir members with one or more of the pharmacologic agents; one or more distal end members comprising one or more perforations for dispensing at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents into one or both of the patient's cavernosal bodies; one or more conduits for transporting at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents from the reservoir member to the distal end member; and one or more pumps for causing at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents to be transported from the reservoir member to the distal end member.