Abstract: An electric breast pump utilizes an electric motor to drive a piston vacuum pump to draw a negative pressure or suction up to 250 mm Hg at a flexible collapsible breast cup. The suction cycles between the set maximum and atmospheric under the control of a magnetic valve that is opened and closed by a vacuum sensor. The valve opens and closes a bypass to atmosphere. The speed of the electric motor can be selectively varied to increase the frequency of the suction cycles, which can vary between 20 to 44 cycles per minute. The breast cup collapses during a part of each cycle to simulate the peristaltic action of a suckling infant.

Abstract: A compression system and process employs a group of quantizers (or sets of predefined quantized values) and involes the selection of the quantizers for each video frame or frame portion. For each frame portion, a selection of the most appropriate quantizer is made. The selection of which quantizer from the selection group is most appropriate for coding of a video frame or frame portion is based on a formula which takes into account both the distortion (accuracy) and bit rate characteristics of each quantizer. The quantizer that exhibits the best combined distortion and bit rate characteristics is selected for coding the frame or frame portion. A similar formula, based on both distortion and bit rate characteristics, is used to select the particular quantization value within the quantizer set for each video signal value being coded.

Abstract: A light transmission powder and granular material measuring apparatus for a continuous production line assembly is provided. A conduit line is capable of being connected to the production line to provide an alternative flow path for the powder and/or granular material. A light transmission cell is mounted in the conduit and a measurement apparatus is provided for measuring the light as it passes through the light transmission cell. A valve member can interconnect the conduit to the production line to control the flow of powder and/or granular material, whereby a measurement can be made when the valve is activated to permit the flow of powder and/or granular material to provide an accurate measurement, and also a measurement can be made as a reference measurement during a calibration cycle when the valve is activated to stop the flow of powder and/or granular material.

Abstract: A "hybrid" ARQ system within a multiple access wireless communications environment is provided for-recombining ARQ retransmission signals with information obtained from corresponding previously failed transmissions of the same signal which had been sent and received within the air interface. Forward Error Correction (FEC) is implemented within an ARQ environment by using whatever acquired information has been previously obtained from RAKE processed transmitted and retransmitted signals and trying to correct the information by combining the signals and without retransmission.

Abstract: A coin storage and dispensing apparatus for storing and dispensing coins from a gaming machine includes a frame member for mounting in the gaming machine and for positioning a respective first container device and a second container device at a diagonal angle to support a surface. The first and second container devices store loose bulk coins with a coin transporting device rotably mounted in the second container device to pick up coins and to drop them in the first container device. A transitional groove structure is provided for aligning coins with the coin transporting device. A pivotable support plate is directly mounted to the first container device to support its weight and a sensor can monitor the presence of coins in the first container device and activate the coin transporting device when a predetermined presence of coins is sensed.

Abstract: On receiving a target address specification from a programmer, an execution code reconversion unit reconverts an operation code of an execution code loaded in the specified address to a mnemonic code. When the execution code includes a subconstant as an operand, a constant restoration unit detects constant division information that shows the subconstant included in the execution code in a debug information storage unit, in order to specify the long-word constant from which the subconstant has been generated. The constant restoration unit then replaces the subconstant with the long-word constant. As a result, the mnemonic code is displayed with the long-word constant.

Abstract: A multipurpose handpiece for use with an abrasive material delivery system is disclosed wherein the handpiece includes channels for delivery and removal of an abrasive material applied to a patient's skin. The invention includes a multi-port applicator for selectively applying the abrasive material, said application of abrasive material suited for different areas of tissue such as stomach versus eye lids. The present invention comprises a pair of tubings connected to a housing for delivery and vacuum removal of abrasive material, and a flow regulator disposed within the housing. Connected to the housing at an application end is a resurfacing applicator with a plurality of differing sized openings designed for different types of tissue. The present invention includes means for blocking the unused openings while permitting injection of the abrasive material through a selected opening. The blocking of the unused openings may be achieved by a shield or covers for each opening.

Abstract: A remote control device for providing air actuation of a hydraulic pump and having a remote control valve body with an air supply inlet at its bottom and first and second air ducts leading from the air supply inlet to respective first and second air valve chambers. First and second air outlets on opposite sides of the device communicate respectively with the first and second air valve chambers, and first and second air valves are positioned in the respective first and second air valve chambers to control air flow from a respective one of the first and second air ducts to a respective one of the air outlets. Additionally, a piston and cylinder device with an anti-vacuum vent is provided which is actuable in response to air pressure supplied through one of the air outlets to actuate a piston slideably mounted over a release button of a hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A "hybrid" ARQ system within a multiple access wireless communications environment is provided for recombining ARQ retransmission signals with information obtained from corresponding previously failed transmissions of the same signal which had been sent and received within the air interface. Forward Error Correction (FEC) is implemented within an ARQ environment by using whatever acquired information has been previously obtained from Rake processed transmitted and retransmitted signals and trying to correct the information by combining the signals and without retransmission. In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, Turbo encoded transmitted information is only partially re-transmitted by the transmitter in order to achieve a successful transmission.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for feeding electronic components are provided in which a group of electronic components joined to each other and stored in a stick are separated from each other before being supplied, regardless of the configuration at the joining ends of the electronic components as well as the presence of burrs developed during a molding process of the electronic components. In particular, a separating unit (6) comprises a step (20) which is dropped in level at the front end of a tilted chute (4) for receiving the forefront electronic component (2) and an arm (22) for holding down the succeeding electronic component (2) from above and causing the same to move backward along the tilted chute (4).

Abstract: A handle assembly mountable to a barbecue lid and which includes an integral light positioned to shine upon the cooking surface of the barbecue when the barbecue lid has been so positioned as to expose the cooking surface.

Abstract: A calibration technique for a signal processing system, wherein a digital down converter is selected by a system controller for calibration. The digital down converter's settings are copied into a calibration digital down converter which mimics the operation of the selected digital down converter. A best polarization diversity detector signal path, an optimal phase offset value for an in-phase data signal, an optimal phase offset value for a quadrature phase data signal, and a normalized gain value for the in-phase and quadrature phase signals of the selected digital down converter are determined. The system controller updates the selected digital down converter with the determined optimal settings. This procedure is repeated for each digital down converter in the signal processing system, while the signal processing occurs simultaneously.

Abstract: A binocular has a focusing mechanism and a convergence angle correction mechanism. Focusing is achieved by moving an objective optical system or eyepiece optical system along an optical axis. The convergence angle correction mechanism, which is interlocked with the focusing mechanism, decenters an element of the objective optical system translationally with respect to the optical axis. The translational decentering is achieved by moving the objective optical element in a direction at an angle to the optical axis.

Abstract: When gradation values of an original image are converted, a pixel data read unit reads out a piece of pixel data, and a pixel data conversion unit converts the gradation value of the piece of pixel data. A condition judging unit decides whether a pixel corresponding to the piece of pixel data satisfies a predetermined condition, and a data conversion correction unit corrects by a stochastic process the conversion performed by the pixel data conversion unit when the condition judging unit decides that the piece of pixel data satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: First and second light fixtures, each mounting a fluorescent lamp, are interconnected by a flexible conduit which conducts electrical interconnections between the lamps and a ballast located in one of the fixtures. The flexible conduit permits orienting the respective fixtures to accommodate positioning along a variety of curved paths at the installation site. A three-part lamp support structure featuring a pair of resiliently-biased receptacle arms for receiving a twin tube fluorescent lamp is also disclosed.