Abstract: An object locator system includes a transmitter unit which sends one of a plurality of RF signals upon actuating a first pushbutton, and a receiver unit attached to or incorporated into an object for detecting the RF signals and illuminating a light element and/or activating a sound speaker in response to the detected RF signal. The user may program the receiver unit by using the transmitter unit to select a specific melody or song stored in the receiver unit. The transmitter unit may be used at one time with a plurality of receiver units by programming the transmitter unit to send a unique coded signal corresponding to each receiver unit. The object locator system may also be set in a protection mode which continuously transmits an RF signal but activates the light element and/or the sound speaker only when the receiver unit no longer detects the RF signal.

Abstract: Improvements in hydroenhancement efficiency are obtained by operating a manifold in relative movement to fabric transported under the manifold so as to deliver a low energy to the fabric per pass in multiple passes on the fabric. This results in greater enhancement efficiency and reduction in wasted energy, and also improves fabric coverage and reduces fabric shrinkage. The low-energy-per-pass, multiple-pass approach can be implemented with improved hydroenhancing equipment of reduced equipment size and cost which simulate multiple passes on the fabric. In one embodiment, a jigging hydroenhancing equipment transports the fabric back and forth under a stationary manifold between a pair of unwind/windup reels to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other embodiments employ a manifold or manifold system that is reciprocated, oscillated, or rotated to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other variations for improving hydroenhancement are disclosed.

Abstract: Improvements in hydroenhancement efficiency are obtained by operating a manifold in relative movement to fabric transported under the manifold so as to deliver a low energy to the fabric per pass in multiple passes on the fabric. This results in greater enhancement efficiency and reduction in wasted energy, and also improves fabric coverage and reduces fabric shrinkage. The low-energy-per-pass, multiple-pass approach can be implemented with improved hydroenhancing equipment of reduced equipment size and cost which simulate multiple passes on the fabric. In one embodiment, a jigging hydroenhancing equipment transports the fabric back and forth under a stationary manifold between a pair of unwind/windup reels to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other embodiments employ a manifold or manifold system that is reciprocated, oscillated, or rotated to simulate multiple passes on the fabric.

Abstract: A battery separator material comprising a nonwoven web of a wettable fiber matrix, wherein the wettable fiber matrix are thermoplastic polymeric fibers blended with at least one. hydrophilic melt additive. In alternate embodiments, the nonwoven web further includes binder fibers which may be wettable or non-wettable or combinations of both.

Abstract: A jet-powered watercraft has a water jet propulsion unit driven by a powerhead and a rudder pivotably mounted to the water jet propulsion unit. The rudder is pivotable between a retracted position, where the rudder extends out of the water, and a down position, where the rudder extends in the water. Means are provided for changing the position of the rudder when the revolutions per unit time of the powerhead reaches a predetermined threshold, e.g., pivoting the rudder from the down position to the retracted position when the powerhead rpm level exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the revolutions per unit time of the drive shaft are detected. In another embodiment, the control position of the operator throttle control device is detected. Pivoting of the rudder may be actuated by a solenoid, a hydraulic cylinder or any other functionally equivalent electrical, mechanical or electromechanical device.

Abstract: A water jet apparatus for a boat has a reverse gate optimized for braking. The reverse gate has a pair of flow-reversing passages for providing reverse thrust when the reverse gate is deployed and a lateral steering passage for directing flow, discharged to one side by the steering nozzle, to the opposite side. The flow-reversing passages start on opposite sides of a deflector body and curve outward and forward. The lateral steering passage is located aft of the deflector body and reversing passages and has discharge openings on opposite ends thereof, i.e., on the port and starboard sides of the reverse gate. The center of the aft wall of the reversing passages has an aperture, which allows water discharged from the steering nozzle to enter the steering passages. The deflector is situated in front of the aperture to deflect the pump discharge to the sides. The deflector takes the form of a flat body having an oval cross section with rounded side edges and having an hourglass shape when viewed from the front.

Abstract: An improved paperboard beverage carrier, made from a unitary blank, is disclosed having an improved carrying handle. The carrying handle comprises a longitudinal strap having three plies of paperboard material extending longitudinally across the top of the carrier and downward over and affixed to the carrier end walls. Hand hold apertures are provided either side of the three ply strap and include tear directing cuts whereby inadvertent tear lines from the hand hold apertures are directed into the three ply strap.

Abstract: A method of producing dimensionally stable paper and/or paperboard products by treating a hygroreactive cellulosic fiber matrix with a hydrophobic sizing agent solution; and drying the treated fibers using heat and/or pressure so that the hydrophobic sizing agent penetrates the fiber matrix making it hydrophobic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring an ultrasound imaging system at a remote location by obtaining an encrypted feature key from a central location (e.g., via telephone) and then inputting that feature key into the ultrasound imaging system using an operator interface (e.g., a keyboard). To validate the feature key, the ultrasound imaging system decrypts the encrypted data and then compares the decrypted data to validation data pre-stored in the system. If the decrypted data matches the validation data, then the optional feature identified by the feature key will be enabled each time the system is booted or initialized. Optionally, an expiration date can be associated with the activated option, after which date the feature will be disabled when the system is initialized. Similarly, an activated optional feature can be disabled at a remote location by the input of an encrypted key obtained from a central location.

Abstract: An imaging system which constructs multiple DICOM objects substantially simultaneously for image transfer to multiple remotely located devices via a network. The imager is programmed with multiple DICOM tasks, each task constructing DICOM-formatted data objects using image data and attribute data. In response to pressing of an image transfer button which is configured for multiple remote devices, a corresponding multiplicity of DICOM tasks will be started substantially simultaneously. These concurrently running tasks are performed using conventional multi-tasking principles.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for restricting the areas of contact between components to be plated or coated and liquid solutions containing plating or coating agents, without the use of masking tape. Components made of electrically conductive material are suspended underneath a hood or bell housing which is sized and shaped to receive those portions of the components that should not be plated (or coated). Then the suspended components and the hood or bell housing are fully immersed in a bath of plating (or coating) solution, forming an air pocket under the hood or bell housing. This air pocket surrounds those portions of the components which are not to be plated (or coated) and prevents the liquid solution in the bath from touching those portions. The air acts as a mask that prevents paint or metal from contacting or adhering to surfaces not to be plated (or coated).

Abstract: A transfer sheet is used for transferring an image formed by electrostatic copying to a backing of textile fabric or other porous material. The transfer sheet is composed of a plain paper substrate having no release treatment or coating applied thereto, and a transfer coating of thermoplastic polymeric film material bonded to the substrate. Transfer of the image is accomplished using only the single transfer sheet. The plain paper substrate securely retains the polymeric film coating during electrostatic imprinting and avoids contamination of the copier/printer. The image can be transferred to a textile backing by applying heat of about 160° C. and 200° C. and pressure of about 50 psi for a duration of about 5 to 10 seconds, and results in a high-quality image transfer that leaves the fabric weave open to breathe. The plain paper substrate is removed after image transfer by peeling it away from the backing while still hot.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically maintaining the Doppler sample gate position at a preselected vessel position in B-mode or color flow images during tissue or probe motion. The sample gate is locked onto the selected vessel automatically when the vessel position has changed. Optionally, the vessel slope cursor is automatically updated when the vessel position has changed. The method employs pattern matching of images from successive frames to determine how much a vessel in the image frame has been translated and rotated from one frame to the next. Preferably, either a cross-correlation method is applied to the imaging data in the spatial domain to determine the relative object translation and/or rotation between image frames, or a matched filtering method is applied to the imaging data in the frequency (i.e., Fourier) domain to determine the relative object translation and/or rotation between image frames.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring the wall signal input to the wall filter of a spectral Doppler processor to check for probe-motion-induced clutter. This clutter is typically of higher frequency and amplitude than that due to normal vessel wall motion. Some additional threshold logic is used to check for energy within a frequency band greater than the normal wall signal frequencies. If significant energy above some “rattle” threshold is detected for a predefined time interval, the Doppler audio is automatically muted. This can be effected at one or more points within the normal Doppler audio signal path in a conventional scanner. If the rattling clutter is no longer detected, the Doppler audio is re-activated or ramped up smoothly.

Abstract: A computerized imager is programmed with software that allows properly formatted image frames (objects) to be sent to one or more remotely located devices selected from a list of configured devices. For each job selected for transfer to a remote device, an element is added to a linked list which forms a virtual queue, each element incorporating a respective pointer (i.e., the file name) identifying each stored image to be included in that particular job. Each element identifies the image frames included in the job and the destination remote device for that job. An interactive display menu enables the operator to easily redirect queued jobs from one destination remote device to another.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making least-cost non-local telephone calls. In accordance with this method, an identification code of a customer and a plurality of carrier codes associated with the identification code are stored in a memory which is accessible by a computer at a universal exchange. Each carrier code identifies a respective one of a plurality of telephone call carriers. Subsequent to the storing step, the universal exchange receives the customer identification code and a destination telephone number by means of a telephone call from the customer. The computer at the universal exchange processes the destination telephone number and the plurality of carrier codes corresponding to the customer identification code in accordance with respective rate schedules for those carriers and a least-cost routing algorithm, thereby determining a least-cost carrier for connecting the customer to the station identified by the destination telephone number.

Abstract: An antenna is integrated into the handle of a portable patient monitor or other portable medical diagnostic instrument to enable wireless communication with a central station. The handle is made of a rugged plastic material, e.g., polycarbonate, which protects the antennae against damage. In addition, the plastic material used in the handle does not negatively impact RF transmissions to and from the antenna. The antenna is supported in a pair of slots formed in respective ribs of a molded piece forming a part of the handle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for registering frames of imaging data using Fourier phase matching. Successive image frames of pixel data are processed using an image registration algorithm. Either image frames or the frames after edge detection are transformed into polar-logarithmic coordinates in the frequency domain and the phases of the Fourier transform of the resulting image representations, after inverse Fast Fourier transformation, are matched. The coordinates at the maximum phase difference are used to determine the scaling and rotation parameters needed for image frame registration. The frequency domain representation of one of the image frames is then scaled and rotated using an anti-aliasing algorithm in accordance with those parameters. The phase of the result is matched with the phase of the frequency domain representation of the other image frame to determine the translation parameters needed for image frame registration.

Abstract: A filtration fabric which is composed of 15.0 to 100.0% binder fiber, 0.0 to 85.0% pulp portion, 0.0% to 15.0% latex binder or other stiffening agent. A filter media made of the fabric has an improved flow rate averaging no more than 21 seconds, while maintaining an average sediment retention of 70% and minimum wet burst strength of about 40 psi to about 50 psi, preferably about 50 psi.

Abstract: A climate controlled, universally positionable enclosure having a clear glass projection window which may be used both indoors and outdoors to contain commercially available lighting fixtures which are not normally intended for outdoor use. The enclosure comprises a central light fixture/electronic component housing compartment, and means for directing and controlling the flow of air and moisture through the enclosure to prevent moisture from entering the housing compartment. The enclosure further comprises an electronic, multi-function climate control unit comprising heating and cooling devices which maintain the temperature and condensation inside the housing compartment within the light fixture's preferred operating range. The outside surface of the enclosure comprises a plurality of mounting channels to which brackets or bolts may be attached for universal mounting.