Abstract: Method and apparatus for searching a geographic database for properties within a specified range of distances and range of directions from a selected hub location. The invention includes a global computer network, the database, and a search program. The network includes a database computer, a user interface computer, and a search computer. Each database record includes a physical location of the property. The search program takes as inputs a selected hub, a range of distances, and a range of directions. The search program iterates through the records to find those properties the fall within the parameters and displays them to the user.

Abstract: A device and method for use in conjunction with exercise of about one hour or less which enhances convenience, and encourages compliance with a regimen of exercise beverages to accomplish preexercise hydration and postexercise hydration and muscle glycogen replenishment, and which includes a preexercise beverage formulation and a postexercise beverage formulation combined in a unified package with indicia and instructions. The preexercise beverage has a carbohydrate concentration of not more than about 9%, and the postexercise beverage has a carbohydrate concentration of at least about 13%.

Abstract: The construction of bearing walls is facilitated by use of superposed courses of planks that are characterized by a novel combination of composition, geometry and arrangement. These planks are composed of a homogenized dispersion of fiber and binder. This material has been found to have a suitably high compression coefficient, to be chemically inert as a practical matter from the standpoint of resistance to atmospheric conditions, and to be inexpensively produced, for example, from used newsprint and the like. The planks generally have identical dimensions, thereby enabling standardized production and ease of assembly. The planks generally are substantially greater in width than in thickness. Pairs of the planks are provided at matched end locations with aligned notches for the reception of inserts that establish spacing and weather-tight joints. The planks are nailed or otherwise interlocked in staggered courses, by which the integrity of the construction is securely maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the light deflection angle, so a light beam can be dynamically controlled within ±90°, pitch and yaw. The device comprises an initial dynamic beam deflector and a compound light beam direction mapper. The beam direction mapper includes a beam size reducer, a beam transmission adapter, and a projector. An initial light beam from a light source is deflected a small amount by the initial dynamic beam deflector. The initially deflected light beam is focused by the beam size reducer to a light energy spot on the beam transmission adapter, which transfers the light spot to the projector. The projector emits an output light beam at the far field of its output space with an output deflection angle larger than the initial deflection angle. All components are based on classical geometry optics and the energy of the output light beam is within an order of magnitude of that of the input light beam.

Abstract: A real-time scheduler for scheduling periodic access to a shared resource by a number of channels. The channel period for each channel is represented by a channel value partitioned into an extra-fine value, a fine value, and a coarse value. The fine value is in units of access intervals, the length of time of each access. The coarse value is in units of scheduling periods, the maximum number of access intervals that can be represented by the fine value. The extra-fine value is in units of a number that evenly divides the access interval. During each scheduling period all non-zero coarse values are decremented by one and then if zero, indicate that the next cell send time for that channel falls in the next scheduling period. Concurrently, a fine process executes repeatedly in which all fine values that had a zero coarse value at the end of the previous scheduling period are compared to find the smallest value.

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 and an aperture at the low point of the depression. A membrane covers the aperture. The membrane has at least two intersecting slits that allows a swab to be inserted into the reservoir by temporarily deforming the membrane. Preferably, the slits extend completely across the aperture. Preferably, the floor of the reservoir is concave with the low point directly below the aperture.

Abstract: A modular construction system and method of use for creating a concrete wall system which has a wall system which complies with a modular construction system. The system uses wall form panels having connectors and structural tie plates. The wall form panels have interlocking protrusions around the edges such that the panel is reversibly symmetric. The panels are specific lengths to minimize the number of panels required to achieve a set length. The structural tie plates have connectors to tie in with the wall form panels and in addition carry and position reinforcement bars with the wall. The modular wall system ensures ease and integrity of alignment of the wall form panels by the self-aligning structural tie elements. In a preferred embodiment, a footing is continuously integral with the wall. A heat retention cap form allows for a more uniform cure temperature in adverse temperatures.

Abstract: A removable security device for a portable article that includes an alarm housing with an audible electronic alarm circuit and a locking mechanism, a receiver that attaches to the portable article. The alarm housing has a pair of opposed rails that define a channel and the receiver has a pair of opposed flanges that mate with and that slide into the channel. A lock bolt, operated by the locking mechanism, extends from the alarm housing into a shaped depression in the receiver to secure the alarm housing to the receiver, and retracts from the depression to permit removal of the alarm housing from the receiver. The audible alarm is triggered by a motion detector or by cutting an attached cable.

Abstract: A method for performing dual-energy x-ray imaging of a human breast including separating the breast image into five basic first order approximation image components: a dual-energy scatter image pair, a lean tissue image, a fat tissue image, and a microcalcification image. In the second order approximation, lean tissue image and fat tissue image are adjusted to correct for the microcalcification component so that each contains only a single breast component. The method also includes a calibration method so that the materials used are the actual breast tissues, instead of merely equivalent materials.

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

Abstract: An instrument for measuring saliva viscoelasticity to determine a woman's fertile period comprised of a sheath, a cap, and an escapement. The includes a barrel with a pair of elongated slots, a piston within the barrel with protrusion that extend into and beyond the slots, and a sleeve over the barrel with a pair of spiral groove into which the protrusions fit. As the sleeve rotates about the barrel, the grooves spiral up or down, causing the piston to move axially within the barrel. A central cavity within the barrel includes a constricted throat near the top end. The escapement is a U-shaped strip of plastic that fits into the cavity and attaches at its cross portion to the piston. The ends of the escapement arms have mating surfaces that are roughened so that the saliva sample will fracture before it separates from the surfaces. As the escapement is pulled into the cavity, the throat operates to press the mating surfaces together.

Abstract: An anchored tie-down ring that mounts in or on a concrete surface to which a movable object can be secured. One embodiment includes a generally U-shaped ring with a hollow cylindrical crossbar that sits within a cavity in a block mounted flush with a concrete surface. One end of each of a pair of legs fits into the crossbar and acts as a bearing on which the ring pivots. The legs extend through the block into the concrete as an anchor. Another embodiment includes a generally U-shaped ring that is pivotally mounted in a block. Anchor bolts extend through holes in the block into the concrete surface. A rounded cover is secured to the block, denying access to the anchor bolts, and includes a cavity so that the ring lays horizontally within the cover when not in use.

Abstract: A device for assisting in anastomosis of tubular structures. The basic device has a generally cylindrical shape with a pair of insertion arms connected by a bridge and two or more depressions that provide space for the needle to move through within the tubular structures. The device aids in preventing the needle from inadvertent contact with the wall opposite that of the wall being sutured. The method includes an initial suture to join the structures, inserting the device into the openings of the two structures, placing sutures in the walls adjacent to a depression, optionally rotating the device so one of the depressions is aligned with each suture as it is being placed, removing the device, and tightening the sutures to complete the anastomosis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing scatter from x-ray images acquired by two-dimensional digital detectors. The apparatus consists of, in physical order, an x-ray source, a front two-dimensional x-ray detector, a beam selector, and a rear two-dimensional x-ray detector. The subject is located between the x-ray source and front detector. There two types of beam selectors, one allowing only primary x-rays to reach selected locations of the rear detector, and the other allowing primary x-rays and scatter to reach selected locations of the rear detector while allowing only scatter x-rays to reach shadowed locations of the rear detector. The method includes determining a low-resolution primary x-ray rear detector image, calculating an approximate low-resolution primary x-ray front detector image, calculating a high-resolution primary image at the front detector, and applying one or more of several correction procedures for achieving higher accuracy from the approximations.

Abstract: A reversible sweater has a pair of contiguous configurations, one composed of a knit fabric and the other composed of a micro-fiber fabric. A wearer may select which side of the reversible sweater to wear outside and/or inside. If the knit side is worn outside, the sweater (1) has a conventional appearance, but (2) provides warmth which is a function of the knit configuration, and wind resistance, water resistance and vapor permeability, all of which are functions of the micro-fiber configuration. If the micro-fiber configuration is worn outside, (1) the sweater has a fluorescent and retro-reflective appearance, but provides (2) warmth which is a function of the knit configuration, and (3) wind resistance, water resistance and vapor permeability, all of which are functions of the micro-fiber configuration.

Abstract: A security frame for securing a portable article to a stationary object. The body of the security frame has at least one central arm with two legs connected at the outer end by a cross piece, and a pair of outer arms, each having two legs connected at the outer end by a cross piece. A first joint attaches the inner end of one leg from each arm together and a second joint attaches the inner end of the other leg from each arm together. The joints are preferably pivoting to allow the arms to pivot between a collapsed state and an open state. Both joints have openings that are axially aligned. A locking shaft extends through the first opening and then the second opening, and has a stop to prevent it from going completely through the first opening. The portable article fits within the legs of the arms and is retained there by the locking shaft. The locking shaft includes a locking mechanism that is a component of a means by which the locking shaft is secured into said openings and to a stationary object.

Abstract: An electronic indicator that includes a means for a scaling the actual displacement of the spindle by a user-adjustable scale factor representing the ratio of the actual displacement of a spindle to the value displayed. The indicator includes a body, transducer assembly, controller, and display. The transducer outputs a value representing the spindle displacement to the controller. The controller converts the value to standard length units and scales the standard units by the desired ratio of the actual displacement to the displayed value, as set by the user prior to use of the indicator.

Abstract: A retroreflecting modulator including a lens, a light guide, a light modulator, and a reflective surface. Incident light falls on the lens, where it is focused as a spot on a focal surface. The light guide transmits the focused light to the light modulator, where it is modulated and reflected back, via the reflective surface and light guide, to the lens. The lens emits the modulated light in the opposite direction as the incident light. The preferred light-receiving and focusing device is a specialty sphere lens, the preferred light guide is a fiber optic plate, and the preferred light modulator is a liquid crystal modulator. The retroreflecting modulator may be spatially-unresolvable, where a single signal modulates the light, or spatially-resolvable, where the modulation signal depends upon the direction of the incident light.

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 device for assisting in anastomosis of tubular structures. The basic device has a generally cylindrical shape with a pair of insertion arms and a central depression that provides a space for the needle to move through within the tubular structures while simultaneously providing support so that the suture needle thrust does not collapse the tubular structure wall. The depression may be configured to guide the path of the needle. A bridge connects the arms and prevents the needle from inadvertently coming in contact with the wall opposite that of the wall being sutured. The method includes an initial suture to join the sutures, inserting the device into the openings of the two structures, placing sutures in the walls adjacent to the depression, optionally rotating the device so the depression is aligned with each suture as it is being placed, removing the device, and tightening the sutures to complete the anastomosis.