Abstract: A brick with, preferably, two or three cylindrical passageways running from top to bottom, a cylindrical passageway running from one end to the opposite end, two linear grooves at one end and two linear projections at the other end which are of identical shape, and annular projections centered around the bores at top and annular grooves centered around the bores at the other side which are of identical shape. These passageways intersect, the linear grooves are slightly larger than the linear projections, and the annular grooves are slightly larger than the annular projections. The linear projections and grooves are spaced apart from the end-to-end cylindrical passageway, run from top to bottom and are preferably designed with a break for ease of assembly. When a group of bricks of are assembled into a wall, they will interlock in two different planes and will include interconnecting passageways in two planes. The bricks of this invention can be reinforced with rods or posts or filled with concrete or both.

Abstract: A pecking bird toy comprising: a hollow paddle portion, a pecking bird portion and a ball. The hollow paddle portion has a handle and an interior circular raceway. The pecking bird portion is mounted on the top of the hollow handle portion. The pecking bird portion includes a fixed body with a cavity in its lower portion, a head and neck part and a mechanism which imparts a pecking motion to the head and neck part. The head and neck part is pivotally mounted within the cavity. The mechanism is pivotally attached to the end of the head and neck part and includes an actuating pin, with a shallow or truss head, extending through the top of the hollow handle portion into the raceway. The ball is trapped within the raceway as the hollow handle portion is assembled. The invention is designed so that the raceway has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the ball and the distance between the head and the bottom of the raceway is less than the diameter of the ball.

Abstract: The present invention is a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)/code division multiple access (CDMA) hybrid code fiber optic communication device. It provides multiple, concurrent, asynchronous, bursty communication at up to full data rate at each port. The invention includes a novel physical channel scrambling technique which allows coders and decoders to conveniently select any encoded channel and increases the communications throughput. This hybrid approach combines WDM with a form of space/time division multiplexing (matrix codes) applied to each data bit so that up to P channels can be defined and simultaneously used without having the stringent hardware requirements for P different wavelengths or P different time slots. To alleviate cross-channel interference that can produce an error rate limitation in both optical matrix CDMA and WDM/CDMA Hybrid codes, a modification of this invention has been designed.

Abstract: This invention is a system that monitors many performance parameters and many aircraft operational parameters, and broadcasts this information along with aircraft identification, audio, video, global positioning and altitude data, to a world wide two-way rf network. This information is monitored and recorded at a remote, centralized location. At this location, this information is combined with archived data, ATC data, weather data, topological data, map data, and manufacturers' data. Analysis of this combined data allows identification of problems and generation of advisories. Six types of advisories are generated: maintenance, safety of flight, flight efficiency, flight separation, safe to fly and safe to take off. In the event of a crash the remotely recorded data provides an instant indication of the cause of the crash as well as where the crashed plane can be found. Use of this invention allows replacement of the current, on-board flight data recorders thus saving costs and weight.

Abstract: A dedicated telephone dialer capable, in one embodiment, of automatically dialing a preprogrammed calling card abbreviated telephone number at one speed, waiting for a short period and then dialing a preprogrammed access number and, optionally, a preprogrammed personal identification number (PIN) at a slower speed. In second and third embodiments the dedicated telephone dialer is capable of automatically dialing a preprogrammed calling card abbreviated telephone number at one speed upon first activation and, dialing a preprogrammed access number and, optionally, a preprogrammed PIN at a slower speed, upon second activation. This invention comprises electrical circuitry for generating DTMF tones, logic for dialing the requisite numbers, and a switch, or switches in the case of the third embodiment, for initiating the dialing sequence or sequences. The electrical circuitry includes a replaceable power source, a number generating device, and a tone generating device.

Abstract: The present invention is a compact, quantized, photonic delay-line array based on nested, generalized, spirals. The array includes N optical waveguides and is quantized in that consecutive waveguides can have their delays differ by the same delay difference design constant, D. Thus the delay for the n.sup.th delay line can be expressed as D.sub.n =D.sub.0 +n*D where D.sub.0 is the delay through the first waveguide and n=0, 1, 2, . . . ,(N-1). The arrays can be formed on a suitable substrate by a process permitting crossovers such as silica-on-silicon or optical polymer planar lightwave circuits. The nested waveguides are applied as single turn or multiturn generalized spirals with either sharp (mirrored) or rounded corners. The approach is scalable because N may range from 2 to over 64, limited only by the wafer (substrate) material and size, or D may range from a picosecond to well over a nanosecond with currently available substrates.

Abstract: A bar end for the end of the type of bicycle handlebar which is generally straight and has ends projecting at right angles to the bicycle is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the bar end comprises a central clamp to which is affixed a generally forward sweeping tube and a generally rearward sweeping tube. The rearward sweeping tube has a downward portion extending downward and rearward from the clamp and a horizontal portion extending rearward, approximately horizontally, from the downward portion. The forward sweeping tube has an upper portion extending upwards and forwards at an angle from the clamp, and an inwards portion extending forwards and inwards at an angle from the upper portion. Variations of this embodiment are provided by varying the angular relationships, lengths and shapes of the segments and by providing a mechanism for vertical, angular adjustment of the forward sweeping tube. In another alternative, the bar end is permanently affixed to the termini thus creating a complete handlebar.

Abstract: This invention is a system that monitors many performance parameters and many aircraft operational parameters, and broadcasts this information along with aircraft identification, audio, video, global positioning and altitude data, to a world wide two-way rf network. This information is monitored and recorded at a remote, centralized location. At this location, this information is combined with archived data, ATC data, weather data, topological data, map data, and manufacturers' data. Analysis of this combined data allows identification of problems and generation of advisories. Six types of advisories are generated: maintenance, safety of flight, flight efficiency, flight separation, safe to fly and safe to take off. In the event of a crash the remotely recorded data provides an instant indication of the cause of the crash as well as where the crashed plane can be found. Use of this invention allows replacement of the current, on-board flight data recorders thus saving costs and weight.

Abstract: An improved support for a telescope mirror using a system of three bars which are joined at their ends to the back of the mirror with compliant adhesive pads. Preferably, one end is joined to the center of the mirror while the others are joined on the circumference of a circle centered on the center of the mirror. In this preferred embodiment, there is an approximately right triangular relationship between the centers of the bars. The backs of the bars are coupled at their centers to mirror adjusting mechanisms by further compliant pads. The numbers of support points can be increased by coupling further bars or triangles between the circumferential support points of the original three bars and the back of the mirror. Again coupling is provided by compliant adhesive pads. The thickness and size of all pads are controlled to provide stiff support in compression and shear along with resilient support in bending.