Abstract: Camouflaged apparel for use by a hunter in pursuing waterfowl, in which the apparel is designed to be observed by the pursued waterfowl, includes apparel that resembles the coloration of a selected species of waterfowl. The apparel conceals the hunter that is wearing the apparel and has an exterior appearance that visibly resembles the appearance features of the selected species of waterfowl in order to entice the waterfowl to approach the concealed hunter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coding to improve the minimum distance properties of sequence detectors operating at high densities in storage systems is presented. The coding scheme of the present invention is referred to as maximum transition run (MTR) code and eliminates data patterns producing long runs of consecutive transitions while imposing the usual k constraint necessary for timing recovery. The code has a distance gaining property similar to an existing (1,k) runlength-limited (RLL) code, but can be implemented with considerably higher code rates. When the MTR code is used with fixed delay tree search (FDTS) or high order partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) detectors, the bit error rate performance improves significantly over existing combinations of codes and detectors.

Abstract: A method for sizing a source capture system for an air cleaning system involves a determination of the maximum dissipated heat energy of an industrial process based upon a horsepower output of any motors used by the process, and a determination of the characteristics and maximum coolant pressure of any liquid coolant and the maximum terminal velocity of the ambient air surrounding the source capture system if the source capture system is at least partially open to ambient air. Using these factors, a minimum air flow velocity of air entering the source capture system is established. This minimum air flow velocity is then used to determine an effective cross-sectional size of the opening of the source capture system based upon a given air velocity volume within the source capture system. By utilizing this method with a preferred embodiment of a structure for the source capture system, it is possible to optimize the size of the openings in the source capture system.

Abstract: The invention provides a sealed package system for housing at least one medical electrode apparatus and for enabling the periodic testing thereof, comprising a thin, generally flat flexible envelope constructed and arranged to form an interior cavity for enclosing a conductive gel contact surface of an electrode apparatus, the envelope having at least one continuous layer of a homogeneous, non-conductive, polymeric material, the envelope further having first and second sides; and a structure for conducting current across the envelope to the interior cavity, the conductive structure being electrically connectible to the electrode conductive contact surface.

Abstract: A rotor position encoder for an electric motor includes a discate member mounted to rotate with the rotor shaft. The encoder has a set of radially extending features formed with angularly evenly spaced leading edges and unevenly spaced trailing edges. The leading edges induce a signal in a sensor that corresponds to the relative timing of power switches for each motor phase. The trailing edges define a cyclical code by which motor controlling circuitry is able to determine the phase of rotation of the rotor and thus establish the correct power switch actuation sequence. An electric motor control system and methods of starting electric motors are also shown.

Abstract: A micromechanical structure or microactuator based upon the piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and electrostrictive properties of ferroelectric thin film ceramic materials such as PZT with a thickness between 0.1 and 10 micrometers. The thin film ceramic material is sandwiched between first and second electrodes and may contain an intermediate electrically insulating thin film. This structure with electrodes is formed on a deformable or movable structure integral to a semiconductor or bulk ceramic substrate. Electrical connection is established between the upper and lower electrodes. A potential difference or voltage is established between the electrical interconnection points to produce a force, movement, or mechanical deformation. The invention also relates to a method for making such micromechanical structures or microactuators.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator having programmable shock waveforms and paths where each successive waveform may be of a different shape and form, and delivered to and through an area of the human heart in a desired sequence. The shock waveforms can be delivered independently through certain areas of the heart or through different areas of the heart to the can electrode or to a patch electrode at a computed common time. Alternatively, a first shock waveform or set of shock waveforms can be delivered through one or more areas of the heart followed by a delivery of time sequenced delayed shock waveform or forms through specific areas of the heart to the can electrode or patch electrode.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrode apparatus which provides defibrillating, pacing, and sensing functions with the use of fewer conductors. Conductor requirements are minimized by solid-state multiplexing that is accomplished at the distal end of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises:a. a body structure;b. a number "X", wherein X is at least 3, of electrode members disposed on the body structure for electrical communication with the exterior environment;c. a number "X-Y", wherein Y is a number between 1 and X-2, of conductive lead members, each lead member being communicatively connected to at least one electrode member and extending therefrom to a predetermined point on the body structure, and wherein each electrode member is connected to one lead member and at least one lead member is connected to more than one electrode member; andd. a rectifier connected between at least one lead member and at least one electrode member.

Abstract: An electrode system for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The electrode system includes a conductive structure which is physically and electrically connected to the housing or can of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator and is used as an electrode in combination with an existing implantable cardioverter defibrillator electrode or electrodes. The electrode system provides a therapeutically significant increase in the effective surface area of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator's electrodes without requiring an additional header connection, feedthru, or cable.

Abstract: A method for rapidly and accurately determining defibrillation thresholds. The method comprises the steps of delivering an initial shock series to a patient, the shock series comprising at least two shocks of differing energy levels, determining an estimated shock level adjustment based on the initial shock series, and delivering at least one adjusted shock of a predetermined energy level based on the estimated shock level adjustment. The technique uses optimized search criteria as opposed to the conventional step-wise decrease and increase techniques. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor controller derives an error signal from the difference between a phase winding current reference and the phase winding current. The error signal is applied to a pair of hysteresis circuits which define adjacent hysteresis bands above and below the reference current. The outputs of the hysteresis circuits are received by control logic which permits current to be applied to the phase winding when the current is below the hysteresis bands, removes current from the phase winding when the current is above the hysteresis bands and allows the phase winding current to freewheel when the current is between the upper and lower hysteresis limits.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system employs polymer film capacitor technology for the capacitor system. Unlike existing ICD systems which utilize electrolytic capacitors, the ICD system of the present invention utilizes polymer thin film capacitors to deliver an electrical countershock having an effective pulse duration of greater than the chronaxie duration of the human heart from a maximum stored energy of less than about 35 joules when charged to a maximum charging voltage of at least about 800 volts. Preferably, the polymer thin film capacitors having a dielectric thickness of between about 1,000 nm and 10,000 nm and an effective capacitance of the less than about 80 .mu.F with a maximum charging voltage of less than about 1500 volts or a maximum peak current of less than about 30 amperes.

Abstract: A rehearsal room especially adapted to produce the auralization effect of different acoustical environments. The rehearsal room broadly includes a performance space defined by a plurality of walls, each of the walls including a plurality of acoustical absorption panels, a floor and a ceiling, a plurality of microphones operably coupled to the ceiling at predetermined locations, a plurality of acoustical speakers operably coupled to the ceiling at predetermined locations relative to the position of the microphones and speakers; and an electroacoustic system connected to the microphones and speakers for recording, broadcasting and simulating sound.

Abstract: Adjacent backdrop panels and a suspended canopy comprising a stage shell, wherein the backdrop panels include angular alignment devices for readily and accurately aligning adjacent panels to present a pleasing, uniform appearance and tilt aligning devices to readily align the angle of tilt of the backdrop panels. The suspended canopy formed of individual canopy panels having rotatable hinge devices for storing the canopy panels in a substantially vertical position and having a readily engageable stay assembly for accurately fixing the relative angle of the canopy panels when deployed in a performance position above the backdrop panels.

Abstract: An integrated portable phone and personal computing device has a hand-held body structure that allows the device to be comfortably held as a telephone receiver, yet is configured in such a way as not to decrease the computing capabilities of the device. The body structure provides for a display screen and input unit on a front surface of the device with a speaker and a microphone located on a side surface of the device. The arrangement for the body structure increases the useable surface area for both the display screen and input unit by providing for a combined display screen and input unit on the front surface. An activation key on the side of the unit inhibits data entry on the input unit when the device is being held as a telephone receiver without the need for a cover over the input unit.

Abstract: The present invention is an on-line manufacturing process control system and method using a twin or dual beam heterodyned optical interferometer as the monitor of changes in the surface characteristics of an object while the object is being manufactured. The changes in the surface characteristics can then be used as data by automated equipment either to determine whether the manufactured object monitored at a given time meets predetermined quality standards or to automatically alter various individual phases of the manufacturing process in order for the surface characteristics of the manufactured object to conform to predetermined quality standards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for progressive recruitment of cardiac fibrillation uses an implantable defibrillator to deliver a multiple, discontinuous pulse waveform that is comprised of a series of smaller recruitment pulses delivered prior to delivery of a larger defibrillating pulse. Instead of using multiple identical pulses to accomplish defibrillation, the present invention decreases the overall energy required for effective defibrillation with a single, larger defibrillation pulse by using multiple, smaller recruitment pulses to recruit or capture as many heart cells as possible into a primary one of the many activation wavefronts in a fibrillating heart. By synchronizing the heart cells recruited in this manner, the effectiveness of the single, larger defibrillation pulse is increased, thereby decreasing the maximum stored energy required for defibrillation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nearly instantaneous and wide dynamic range exposure control in light-based measurement instruments. The excess charge drained from a CCD array by anti-blooming circuitry is effectively monitored and distinguished from leakage current. Detection of the drained charge generates a signal to deactivate the light source exposing the CCD array. The exposure control device includes a unique circuit for detecting the operating state of an anti-blooming circuit associated with a CCD array, and a unique laser light driver that ramps up the light intensity of the laser light source in an approximately exponential manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides for perineal and sacral padding of a patient undergoing surgical procedures using manipulation or traction of the patient's lower extremities.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator derives a rectangular current waveform from a capacitor discharge by using a current limiter. This pulse-shaping method is equally applicable to single-path and multiple-path situations. A rectangular pulse delivers a maximum of energy for a given peak-field value with a particular electrode combination and pulse duration. Peak field is a measure of the tissue-damage potentiality of a particular discharge.