Abstract: A situation-based monitoring system monitors various activities of persons in rooms of a home or residential care facility, determines when the person is in distress and communicates that fact to appropriate personnel. The system includes a programmable processor connected with sensors in the monitored area. The sensors detect various physical parameters associated with the monitored persons, such as motion or the identity of the persons themselves. From the sensed conditions, the processor determines when a distress situation or condition exists (e.g., a person has fallen) and communicates information about the distress condition to a notification device. Various situations may be configured differently for different people. The communication can either be an alarm indicating a condition requiring immediate attention, or may be information-only.

Abstract: A hinged photoimaging apparatus used in photoimaging processes including a pair of rigid plates joined by upper and lower hinge plates separated by a spacer plate, the upper and lower hinge plates joining a flexible polymeric hinge. The hinge and spacer plates are provided in various shapes to reinforce the rigid plates.

Abstract: A verification device for a security thread embedded within currency paper includes two or more sensor channels, each channel comprising a sensor plate and a guard plate disposed adjacent to one another. The sensor plate and guard plate of one channel are in a planar relationship with the sensor plate and guard plate of all other channels. A transistor has its base connected to the sensor plate and its emitter connected to the guard plate, thereby effectively removing any stray capacitance between the sensor and guard plates. The output of the transistor at its emitter is indicative of the amount of the electrical charge on the sensor plate. Signal processing electronics disposed after the transistor convert the sensor plate capacitance into an electrical signal whose pulse width is proportional to the amount of sensor plate capacitance. A valid currency having a security thread embedded therein passes by a sensor plate and varies the amount of capacitance of the plate.

Abstract: An aircraft propeller speed control defines values for propeller speed governing control law parameters, such as gains and dynamic compensations, based on known values of propeller and engine dynamic characteristics over the complete propeller operating envelope. Adjusting control law gains and dynamic compensations as functions of propeller and engine dynamic characteristics over the entire flight envelope provides for control of propeller speed to obtain optimum stability and consistent propulsion performance over the entire flight envelope.

Abstract: A shield for an engraving machine or the like is disclosed that prevents the machine operator from placing his or her fingers in the work area of the machine while the ram of the machine is traveling toward the work area. The shield includes a faceplate that is attached to a slide and slide holder configuration. The slide holder is attached to the machine, while the slide is adapted to travel with the slide holder. A plunger holder is affixed to the ram, while a plunger is spring loaded to travel within the plunger holder. As the ram travels upward away from the work area, a protrusion on the plunger interacts with the slide to force the slide and faceplate in an upward direction as well, thereby clearing the work area and allowing access thereto by the machine operator. The faceplate moves upward in unison with the ram until the plunger interfaces with the slide holder, at which time the plunger disengages from the slide.

Abstract: A golf club has a clubhead with a neck portion or hosel integrally formed therewith. The hosel has a generally cylindrical shape with a corresponding cylindrical concentric bore hole formed in a portion of the hosel. One or more depressions of a predetermined shape are formed in the outer surface of the hosel wall material by selectively removing portions of the hosel wall material. The depressions are formed to a depth that does not penetrate the entire thickness of the hosel wall material. This leaves the entire inner surface of the hosel wall material available for adhesion to a golf club shaft inserted into the hosel bore hole. The depressions may take various shapes, and may be disposed at predetermined locations around the circumference of the outer surface of the hosel wall material.

Abstract: A verification device for a security thread embedded within currency paper includes a pair of capacitive plates having applied thereto time-varying electronic signals that are 180.degree. out of phase. Disposed between the plates is a sensor element comprising a cylindrical wire dimensionally equal to the security thread. A guard electrode surrounds the sensor; the guard, sensor, and plates comprising a capacitance bridge. When the security thread in the currency is adjacent to the sensor and in proximity thereto, a capacitance imbalance occurs in the bridge. Electronic circuitry is responsive to this imbalance and provides an indication of a valid security thread embedded within the proffered currency paper.

Abstract: A silicon capacitive pressure sensor is disclosed having a silicon substrate and a silicon diaphragm separated by a glass dielectric spacer. The substrate has an upper surface formed as a mesa which is generally curved in shape, the curvature being concave. Due to manufacturing constraints the mesa upper surface comprises a series of concentric rings that approximate the desired concave shape. The step height and diameter of the rings are such that, at full deflection of the diaphragm, the diaphragm touches the center of the mesa, but not the edges of the individual steps. That is, letting the edges or corners of the steps define a curve, the radius of curvature of the diaphragm is smaller than the radius of curvature of the locus of the step corners.

Abstract: A silicon capacitive pressure sensor is disclosed having a silicon diaphragm and a silicon substrate arranged in parallel and separated by a glass dielectric spacer. The glass is deposited onto a surface of the substrate using an ion milling machine. The sensor further includes a transition piece attached to a second layer of glass insulator disposed between the silicon diaphragm and the transition piece. The transition piece has a throughbore formed therein for applying a fluid to a surface of the silicon diaphragm, the fluid having a pressure desired to be measured by the sensor. The glass disposed between the diaphragm and the transition piece is deposited onto the transition piece using the ion milling process.

Abstract: An electron multiplier is disclosed having separate detector and conversion dynode elements. A single power supply external to the electron multiplier is used to bias the detector element. A DC-to-DC voltage converter within the electron multiplier is responsive to the detector bias voltage for converting this voltage to a greater value that is used to bias the conversion dynode.

Abstract: A biomedical monitoring or stimulating electrode that adheres to a person's skin is disclosed. The electrode is made of a thin, flat flexible material and includes a die-cut patch having a non-conductive adhesive coating applied on one side of the patch, a foundation component formed into four integral functional areas, a conductive component made up of an electrically conductive material with three contiguous portions, and a conductive media. Also disclosed is a connector that interfaces with a tab portion of the electrode. The connector includes an electrically conductive element having an inclined surface upon which the tab of the electrode rests. A slider is movable between two positions such that when in its closed position, the electrode neck and head is trapped in the connector and the slider exerts a force on the inclined surface of a cavity of the connector, providing electrical connection to electrode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit ("IC") interfaces a piece of communications equipment to a MIL-STD-1553 bus in accordance with the MIL-STD-1553 interface standards and operates in the MIL-STD-1553 defined bus controller mode of operation. The IC implements a command block configuration of data storage locations in an external memory. The command block includes a plurality of words arranged contiguously, a first word indicative of one of a plurality of different opcodes that define operation of the IC. The command block words include a MIL-STD-1553 defined command to be transmitted on the bus by the IC. A plurality of command blocks are arranged contiguously in a minor frame format. In order to sequentially execute a plurality of minor frames at different frequencies, the IC contains an internal timer that controls execution time of each minor frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting an air brake cylinder to a bolster casting of a railroad car includes an adaptor mounting plate disposed contiguous to the surface of the bolster casting. The plate has a plurality of holes formed therein. The bolts are inserted through holes in the bolster casting and through the corresponding holes in the plate. Nuts are torqued onto the bolt shaft to secure the plate to the casting. The adaptor mounting plate also includes a plurality of threaded studs welded thereto. A flange is welded to the cylinder housing at the rod end of the cylinder. The flange has holes formed at its four corners. The flange and cylinder mate with the adaptor mounting plate such that the threaded studs on the plate are inserted through the corresponding holes in the flange. Nuts secure the flange to the plate. Holes are formed in the interior of the cylinder to accommodate the bolts and associated nuts securing the bolster casting to the plate.

Abstract: An occlusive, pressure-reducing wound dressing with a multi-layer laminate construction providing one easy-to-apply dressing. The occlusive pressure-reducing dressing includes an occlusive, wound-contacting layer made of a biologically compatible polymer. A pressure-reducing layer is joined at a bottom surface to the occlusive layer. The pressure-reducing layer is comprised of a soft, air-containing material such as a foam or an air-entrapping film which has a top surface shaped to provide a progressive rate of resistance to compressive force applied to the pressure-reducing layer and which allows the pressure-reducing layer to conform to curved body surfaces. The occlusive portion of the dressing therefore provides a moist environment and a barrier against infection while the pressure-reducing portion or component minimizes interaction between the wound and any supporing surface in contact therewith.

Abstract: A hinge comprises two struts around which pass the two loops of a figure-of-eight of webbing material, the ends of the webbing material being secured to each other and/or to a strut by fixing means. A number of panels are secured together by such hinges to form a large structure such as a children's playhouse which can be folded when not in use. A separate roof also comprising similarly-hinged panels may be provided.

Abstract: A box for containing two or more vertically stacked products, such as pizzas, includes a plurality of vertical side panels, along with horizontal bottom and top panels. At selected corners where pairs of adjacent side panels come together there are formed knock-in tabs that act as shelf supports for an upper product. Each tab is formed by cutting two parallel slits through the box material. The tabs are pushed inwardly towards the inside of the box to provide shelf supports for a disk upon which a product is placed. The tabs provide for ventilation into the box. The top of the box has a pair of flaps and associated tuck tabs that cooperate with a locking roll-over on the front side panel of the box to provide for a quick and easy means of opening and closing the box.

Abstract: A novel biomedical electrode comprising 1) a non-conductive backing layer with instructions printed on one surface, 2) an ink layer having either a) an ink comprising silver and silver salt, or b) a blend of inks including a first ink comprising silver and silver salt and a second ink comprising an inert carbon based material printed in a pattern onto the second surface of the non-conductive backing layer, 3) a conductive-adhesive electrolyte layer coated directly onto the inked surface of the non-conductive backing layer, and 4) a protective release liner which covers the conductive adhesive layer. Certain preferred embodiments correspond to situation wherein the body parts being monitored display diverse impedances. In those embodiments, parameters such as ink blend, ink amount (i.e., ink thickness and ink pattern) are varied in order to vary the impedance of a given electrode.

Abstract: Sapphire, a highly stable oxide of aluminum having the chemical formula of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, is placed in a crucible. The crucible is heated to vaporize the sapphire therein. The sapphire vapor is ejected through a nozzle in the crucible and into a region having a vacuum pressure of approximately 10.sup.-5 Torr or less. As the vapor leaves the crucible through the nozzle, atom aggregates or clusters are formed through a supercooled phenomenon due to adiabatic expansion. The vacuum region has disposed therein a substrate comprised of one of various materials, including metals, oxides or silicon. The sapphire vapor is accelerated towards the substrate where it deposits on a surface of the substrate in a uniformly distributed thin layer.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed that removably attaches to the top platform of a stepladder, the apparatus includes a plate mounted to the stepladder, a bucket receptacle disposed on top of the plate, the bucket receptacle being used to hold items such as paint cans, nails or cleaning implements therein. The bucket receptacle is provided with tapered sides and a gasket to securely hold a paint can therewithin. The apparatus also includes one or more side attachments disposed on top of the plate integrally connected with the bucket receptacle. The side attachments are formed with various recesses or tool support shelves for securely holding various implements such as power tools, hand tools, paintbrushes or cleaning implements.