Abstract: An optical switching system employing switching modules. Each module comprises (a) a source channel, (b) a transmitting element, (c) a receiving element, and (d) a destination channel. The transmitting element directs the source channel signal to a destination channel. The transmitting element includes an initial beam deflector and a beam deflection amplifier. The receiving element includes a beam deflection compressor and a beam aligner. One embodiment of the initial deflector is a pair of focusing lenses, one of which is displaced by a piezoelectric actuator. When one lens is displaced a distance d, the output light beam has a deflection angle &agr;=(f1+f2)/f2. The beam deflection amplifier multiplies the small angle &agr; by a transfer function F to result in a beam with a deflection angle F&agr;. The receiving element is the transmitting element in reverse. The first system configuration connects a single channel to one of a number of channels.

Abstract: A keyway protector having housing and the slider. The housing hugs the crossbar of a U-lock and secured by screws. The slider fits into a shallow depression in the inner surface of the housing and moves between open and closed positions. In the open position, an aperture in the housing, a hole in the slider, and the keyway are aligned to allow access to the keyway. In the closed position, the slider hole is not aligned, denying access to the keyway. A knob outside the housing is used to move the slider. Protrusions in opposed pivoting arms on the slider snap into opposed notches in the depression walls to hold the slider in the open or closed position.

Abstract: A network having a plurality of distributed systems at different geographical locations permits the random scanning of original documents at the different scanning locations and the storage of the original documents at precisely known storage locations. Original documents are identified by the date/time instances at which they have been scanned and are stored in containers that are marked with corresponding ranges of the date/time instances. Resulting images are identified by the date/time instances of scanning and may be organized electronically. The locations of original documents are immediately known to be in the containers that are marked with ranges of corresponding date/time instances.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wirelessly determining position and orientation of a first object relative to a second object in six dimensions, including one or more recording assemblies and one or more identification-coded or orientation-coded optical transponders. The positions of the recording assemblies are fixed relative to the first object and the transponders are fixed relative to the second object. A light source in each recording assembly emits light into space that is received, modulated, and retransmitted back by each transponder to a photodetector assembly in the recording assembly. The identification-coded optical transponder modulates the retransmitted light with a unique fixed code. The orientation-coded optical transponder modulates the retransmitted light with a unique fixed code that depends upon the direction of the incident light.

Abstract: A swab dispenser comprising a bin adapted to store swabs, a fluid reservoir, and optionally, a cover. The bin may be compartmentalized. The reservoir ceiling has a depression in its outer surface, an aperture at the low point of the depression, and is optionally removable for cleaning and filling. A membrane covers the aperture. The membrane has an opening that is at least two intersecting slits or a circular hole that allows a swab to be inserted into the reservoir by temporarily deforming the membrane. Preferably, the floor of the reservoir is concave with the low point directly below the aperture. Alternatively, the bin and reservoir are separable so one may be replaced without having to discard the other.

Abstract: An anchor/tether assemblage for use with a security slot in a portable electronic article that provides a securement for securely attaching the portable article to a stationary fixture. The anchor includes an internal member, an external member, and a means for securing them together. The internal member includes a right angle portion inside the portable article that is approximately parallel to the inside wall. The external member has a clamping surface that abuts the outer surface of the portable article and a knob for attachment of the tether. The external member has an aperture into which the internal member fits and is removably secured by a screw that extends through the external member and into a threaded hole in the internal member. The tether denies access to the screw when attached to the knob. The tether has a locking head with an opening for attachment to the knob and a cable extending from the locking head.

Abstract: A card game having multiple rounds in which a player chooses which rounds to play and a number of cards for each round on a display. Each round has rules different from the other rounds. Cards and their values are randomly selected and revealed. Payouts are determined by the number of player-chosen cards that matches the number of randomly selected cards and/or by the hand formed by the randomly selected values revealed for the player-chosen cards.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler comprises a body 1 defining a storage chamber for a powder and further defining an inhalation passage 2 through which air is drawn via a mouthpiece 3. A flow duct passing through the mouthpiece includes a circulatory section 25 in which the flow duct is in the form of one or more passageways. The flow duct further includes a cyclone chamber 35 between the circulatory section and the outlet of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: Changing the locking mechanism in a U-lock, cable lock or other tie lock as often as desired is achieved without compromising the lock's resistance to physical damage. This function is achieved by an auxiliary sleeve that removably fits over the U-lock's crossbar or the cable lock's end bar. Either bar provides an aperture, which is too small to permit the locking mechanism to be picked or pried, but which is operatively positioned and sufficiently large to provide access for a key to the keyway of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A well styled, single layer shell jacket is waterproof and windproof, yet possesses the various characteristics of conventionally comfortable clothing, and permits the stitching of emblems thereon without impairing waterproof and windproof characteristics. A seam of stitching joins each pair of the contiguous edges of adjacent sections of this jacket. Superposed on the waterproof and windproof fabric of each sleeve and forming a pocket thereon is a superposed upper patch, which appears to be a continuation of the yoke and the edges of which are joined to the sleeve by seams of stitching. In the patch is a zipper or other closure. This closure, when opened, permits entry into the pocket and sewing of an emblem or the like on the patch without affecting the waterproof and windproof construction of the remainder to the jacket. This closure, when closed, permits easy access to gloves, eye wear, medicines, or other items stored in the pocket.

Abstract: An anchor device for use with a security slot in a portable electronic article that provides an anchor for attaching a cable or other security device. The anchor device includes an internal member, an external member, and a securement for securing them together. The internal member includes a right angle portion inside the portable article that is approximately parallel to the inside wall. The external member has a clamping surface that abuts the outer surface of the portable article. The external member has an aperture into which the internal member fits and is secured either permanently or removably. The preferred removable securement is a screw that extends through the external member and into a threaded hole in the internal member. The securing device denies access to the screw when engaged with the external member. The external member provides an anchor for removably attaching the security device.

Abstract: A keyway plug that provides a means for preventing the correct key from opening a tumbler lock, including a plug and an extractor. The plug fits into the keyway to block complete insertion of a key. An arm extends from the tip of the plug across the tumblers, but is short enough so that the outermost tumbler drops to hide the plug. The extractor includes a narrow finger, the end of which pushes the innermost part of the plug upwardly, while the tumblers push the outermost part of the plug downwardly. A chamfer at the outer end of the plug arm pushes the outermost tumbler up out of the way so the plug can be removed. The upper edge of the finger includes a hook that mates with a matching notch in the lower edge of the plug arm. As the extractor is removed, the hooks and notch interlock, pulling the plug from the keyway.

Abstract: A light beam deflector comprises an initial beam deflector that imparts a small initial deflection, and a beam deflection amplifier that increases the initial small deflection by a multiplication factor. There are five embodiments of the initial beam deflector. The first four use a pair of lenses and a piezoelectric actuator affixed to one lens. When the parallel lens axes are separated by a distance, the incident light beam will be deflected by a small angle, typically up to about 5°. The fifth embodiment comprises a mirror affixed to a piezoelectric actuator, which tilts the mirror. The beam deflection amplifier has five embodiments. The first is a Keplerian telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage. The first is a Galilean telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage. The third embodiment is either a Keplerian or Galilean telescope lens alone. The fourth embodiment replaces the single second lens of the first stage with a compound lens system.

Abstract: A shelf with a platform and a pair of brackets, whereby the platform has an upper panel and a lower panel at right angles. The upper panel has coaxial trunnions that fit into groove in the brackets. The groove has a vertical back wall, a shaped front wall, an opening in the top of the bracket, an upper pocket in the front wall, and a lower trough where the front and back walls meet at the bottom of the groove. The pocket and trough are connected by a 45° slope. The platform has a down position maintained by gravity where the upper panel is horizontal. The trunnion resides in the groove pocket and the lower panel abuts a vertical retaining wall that is parallel to the vertical back wall of groove. The platform has an up position maintained by gravity where the lower panel is horizontal. The trunnion resides in the trough and the upper panel abuts the retaining wall.

Abstract: A light beam deflector comprising an initial dynamic beam deflector and a beam deflection amplifier. The initial deflector can be any currently available device for providing a small angle deflection. The beam deflection amplifier has two embodiments: a Keplerian telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage, and a Galilean telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage.

Abstract: A mounting plate for securing the heating pipe of a radiant heat system to the subfloor. The plate is a flat sheet with a groove in the upper surface and a plurality of legs underneath. The plate is composed of a rigid and highly heat-conductive material, preferably aluminum and aluminum alloys. The legs form large air gaps which can be left empty or filled with insulation to raise the efficiency of the system. The groove runs from one edge of the plate to another. The bottom of the groove is preferably semicircular, with a diameter the same as the outside diameter of the pipe so that heat transfer is maximized. The pipe is retained in the groove by a ridge running the length of the groove or by forming the groove in an omega shape so that the pipe must be snapped into the groove.

Abstract: A keyway plug that provides a device for preventing the correct key from opening a double-sided tumbler lock, including a plug and an extractor. The plug fits into the keyway to block complete insertion of a key. In one embodiment, a pair of arms extend from the tip of the plug across both rows of tumblers, but is short enough so that the outermost tumblers drop to hide the plug. In the second plug embodiment, the outermost tumblers drops into a notch in the arms to prevent the plug from going too far into the keyway. Alternatively, only one arm has a notch. The extractor includes a narrow finger, each edge of which include a hook that mates with a matching hook in the inner edge of each plug arm. As the extractor is removed, the hooks interlock, causing the plug to be removed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying short pulsed waveforms, on the order of 1 &mgr;s pulses at a frequency of about 5 kHz, to a discharge lamp, such as a low-pressure mercury/argon lamp, in order to shift the ratio of the intensities of two of the mercury lines, in particular the 254 nm and 365 nm lines, of which for a sinusoidal excitation signal the 254 nm line is predominant, towards the higher wavelength. This greatly increases the efficiency of a lamp using phosphors excited by these UV emissions, because of the reduced Stokes shift.

Abstract: A single extruded cross-section and a single milled cross-section provide the rails and stiles of window sashes with the trouble-free functionality of vinyl and the esthetic functionality of wood. A few accessory extruded cross-sections provide weatherproof meeting rails and jambs and out-of-plumb compensation. Assembly of the extruded and milled components is accomplished simply and securely. This structure is characterized by plastic extrusions that feature a few interactive primary cross-sectional profiles, and milled wood or otherwise-shaped parts that feature a secondary cross-sectional profile. The primary and secondary profiles coact simply, securely and attractively.