Abstract: A quick reliable power and data transfer system between tow vehicle and trailer via hitch and hitch receiver mechanical coupling. The hitch and hitch receiver couplings are mated for proper towing and are considered to be a physical connection. This system uses this physical connection between trailer and tow vehicle to transfer power and data. The system then eliminates the additional wiring harness interconnections between trailer and tow vehicle, thus increasing the speed of trailer hookup and enhancing the reliability of the power/data transfer. Typical additional wiring harnesses and plugs are often corroded, crushed, severed, difficult to locate and mate in low ambient lighting or are otherwise damaged. This system eliminates the negative effects of these wiring harnesses by using the tow vehicle's hitch to transmit power and data to the trailer.

Abstract: The prevent invention relates to a collective connection structure, optical connector arraying member, and adapter, which are suitable for application in the field of optical transmission, and which are able to collectively, easily and accurately connect a plurality of optical connectors with fewer number of parts. Optical connectors (3a) through (3f) and (4a) through (4f) corresponding to the first and second plugs (5) and (6) are arrayed and accommodated in a float-like state. The tip ends of the respective optical connectors protrude from the tip end of the first and second plugs (5) and (6) corresponding thereto. The connection end face (45) side of the respective optical connector groups (3) and (4) is inserted from both sides of the adapter (8) along guides (31) and (33) at both sides of the adapter (8).

Abstract: A system for the connection of any standard analog terminal subscriber telephone equipment, e.g. analog telephone, facsimile, and analog computer modem devices, to be utilized concurrently at a location interior to the building that is serviced by the single conventional two conductor telephone wire. The simple installation of the present invention's Master Subscriber Line Multiplexer Unit at the nearest interior or exterior location of the attachment of the telephone service provider's two conductor analog subscriber lines and the premise owned interior conventional two conductor analog telephone subscriber wire. The Master units input are two of the telephone service provider's two conductor analog subscriber lines. The control and voice and data signals are then multiplexed and transmitted over an interior conventional two conductor analog telephone subscriber wire to a remote location service by the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus that features an optical fiber with a core surrounded by a cladding, wherein at least one of the core and the cladding has a reduced thickness along an interval of the fiber to enlarge a modal field diameter of the guided mode in the fiber. A control layer is disposed on an external surface of the cladding along the interval. The control layer exhibits a strong change in its index of refraction as a function of temperature. The apparatus further includes a heating/cooling element and a controller to change the temperature of the control layer to more than two different levels, responsive to more than two different, corresponding attenuation settings for an optical signal to be guided by the fiber. In another embodiment of the invention, a coreless optical fiber is fused to the cladding of the optical fiber at the interval to achieve a flat wavelength response behavior.

Abstract: Hyperlinks within an application program interface enable selective, non-intrusive, recall of help functions, such as definitions of critical terms located within a textual or graphical interface panel. Elements of a user interface for an application program are predefined as help functions by the programmer or developer. These predefined help functions are then hyperlinked to the specified predefined element. When a user traverses the interface, highlighted elements corresponding to the predefined help functions may be selected by a mouse or mouse-type function. Upon selection of a highlighted hyperlinked element, a help window appears providing definitions, functional instructions, etc.

Abstract: A system to intelligently link a computer user to enormous databases of multi-media information. The system provides an automated facility to determine the value of information based on each user's subjective preferences. An execution is created by comparing these preferences with prior characterizations of information objects. Once the comparisons are made, an ordered list is compiled. The list provides a set of data sources starting with the most relevant and ending with the least relevant. By selecting and reviewing only the most significant references, the probability of locating a pertinent reference is increased dramatically while increasing the effectiveness of time spent reviewing results.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color background for an icon. As a user traverses related objects the color background is persistent throughout each of the related objects. In addition, iconic symbols present in the original icon will be retained through various stages of related object development. A graphical icon is also added to the related object which conveys the present status of a processing sequence. In Data Mining sequences a series of object development panels are created. Within panels of this series are the corresponding icon background colors, iconic symbols and a graphical icon. The specific graphical icon starts as a representation of a rough stone and ends as a polished diamond. The rough stone representing the starting point in the series and the polished diamond, the ending or completion of the series.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical switch matrix comprising n input channels, branching means for dividing the input channels up into p branched channels, merging means for merging the p branched channels into m output channels, and optical fibers for connecting the output channels of the branching means with the input channels of the merging means, wherein n, m, and p are natural numbers greater than or equal to 2, and wherein the branching means, the fibers, and the merging means are each attached to a separate substrate or a separate group of substrates. The optical switching matrix according to the invention is very compact and allows efficient use of the materials available for the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly incorporates a filter element and valve assembly within a filter housing and base plate. The filter element and valve assembly is a single pre-assembled unit which includes an anti-drainback valve seat and diaphragm, a by-pass valve assembly, a pleated paper filter element, and a spring endcap. The filter housing and base plate separably clamp together to enclose the filter element/valve cartridge which is replaceable, as a single assembly, once its filtering ability is degraded. The anti-drainback valve seat engages complementary features on the base plate to correctly align and position the filter/valve cartridge during assembly. Further, a recess within the top of the filter housing receives a protrusion on the filter element endcap to provide additional alignment and to provide pressure to seal the filter/valve cartridge to the base plate in a fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical reed relay in-circuit test fixture switch is inserted onto a wrapped wire pin extending from the bottom of a socket holding a spring-loaded nail inside a bed-of-nails or equivalent testing fixture. The switch is located at the circuit board being tested and is connected between the pin under test and a remote testing unit. Only the switches required to contact specific nodes for a specific test are actuated, i.e. moving the subject pin's reed relay switch to a closed position, during the actual test sequence. All remaining test wires are turned off, i.e. opened, releasing the electrical connection of long test wires from each of the nodes. Alternatively, all switches can be NC and individual switches, or groups of switches, can be opened to disconnect the electrical connections of the long test wires. Additional testing is performed in a similar method by repeating the steps above for various test sequences and nodes.

Abstract: An automated business card locator comprises two components: 1) a software program that creates an index making the cards easy to locate, and 2) a loose-leaf binder which retains clear plastic business cardholder sheets and index sheet protectors. Business card information is entered, by template, into the software program, sorted, printed and retained within the loose-leaf binder.

Abstract: A computer graphics system and method for automatically defining a multi-block grid in a three dimensional space region which has a plurality of finite 4-sided surfaces arranged so that the space region is divided into a plurality of substantially hexahedral adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A system to intelligently link a computer user to enormous databases of multi-media information. The system provides an automated facility to determine the value of information based on each user's subjective preferences. An execution is created by comparing these preferences with prior characterizations of information objects. Once the comparisons are made, an ordered list is compiled. The list provides a set of data sources starting with the most relevant and ending with the least relevant. By selecting and reviewing only the most significant references, the probability of locating a pertinent reference is increased dramatically while increasing the effectiveness of time spent reviewing results.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop implemented in all-digital components uses a stochastic approach to detect errors in phase position and relative velocity. Using a history circuit and an adjustment-intensity selection circuit appropriate corrections in phase and frequency are made. The history circuit keeps a running record of a series of binary results (0 or 1) as received from a phase comparator. History components collected include the number of consecutive oscillator periods in which the phase offset (0 or 1) has remained the same and the number of oscillator periods in which the phase offset count has not exceeded 1.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing communication of a large number of parameters from a computer user to an application program with a relatively small amount of interaction. The system uses a plurality of graphical metaphors to represent a collection of known personality or collective knowledge representations to extract a computer user's preferences. A computer user expresses how much likeness exists between themselves and a set of metaphoric graphical objects which is translated into an intermediary format which enables the computer to provide a higher quality of pattern matching and differentiation.

Abstract: A display such as an advertisement or selection of art is enhanced by the addition of a random movement bubble device. The bubble device includes a sealed, optically clear cavity containing a clear, slightly viscous fluid, which coacts with a bubble wand assembly to produce eye-catching random bubble configurations. Lighting and/or sound can be added to the bubble device to further attract a viewer's attention to the display and ultimately the product advertisement, etc.

Abstract: IMS Web provides for a method and apparatus which enables a user to communicate with IMS-based applications using a Web Browser. An input HTML form is used to associate IMS transaction data which is then supplied to a CGI-BIN program which uses IMS Web generated C++ class definitions to determine classes for each logical page. The CGI-BIN program interacts with the IMS database through an TCP/IP OTMA adapter and an output HTML communicates with the Web client.

Abstract: A stand or platform is integrated directly within the profile of a collapsed tripod riser for easy transport of the device. The tripod riser uses a single center post configuration, with a first support leg rigidly attached thereto and second and third support legs rotatable around the center post support. A unique center post locking system allows multiple-height single-plane nesting of the legs. In addition, the integrated stand is retained within the same plane of the nested support legs and within a cavity created by the interior profile cavity created by the support legs during a collapsed and transport position.

Abstract: An amusement ride for catapulting a human rider, enclosed within a capsule, into the air in much the same fashion as ancient armies would hurl large boulders over the walls of castles. The ride provides many of the sensations and thrills encountered by fighter pilots launching from the decks of aircraft carriers without the requirement for flight training or the associated dangers. The ride essentially consists of a siege type catapult and a releasably connected launch pod. When in the launch position, a release mechanism is triggered by the operator and the rider is catapulted into the air at a physiologically safe rate of acceleration along a predictable free-flight arc. When an acceptable elevation is reached, the rider is separated from the capsule and gently brought back to earth using an automatically deploying parachute or similar device. An alternate embodiment envisions the use of a similar device to project a conveyance vehicle along a horizontal track similar to a stone skipping across the water.