Abstract: An improved personal noise attenuation system which attenuates both tonal and broadband sound and which includes a spatially adjustable acousto-electric sensor and attenuation means including both feedback and feed forward components so as to provide a heteronomous attenuation and more complete active noise attenuation and the adjustable acousto-electric sensor is moved to exploit the changing physical characteristics of spatial silent zones in different noise fields.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring patient variables in a wireless manner via a patient worn monitoring device is disclosed. The patient monitoring device is wearable and connects to a variety of sensors with at least one microphone for voice communications. The device connects to a wireless network and thence to the Internet for transmitting data to a Host for access by a medical care provider. The medical care provider communicates with the patient-wearable device via the Internet and the wireless network to send instructions to the patient-wearable monitoring unit and to communicate via voice with the patient. The medical care provider can also flexibly reconfigure the device to change collection parameters. When an alarm limit is exceeded as detected by the sensors, the data are transmitted to the Host computer for use by the medical care provider, thereby allowing full mobility to the patient wearing the device.

Abstract: Protocols for antitachycardial pacing including biphasic stimulation administered at, or just above, the diastolic depolarization threshold potential; biphasic or conventional stimulation initiated at, or just above, the diastolic depolarization threshold potential, reduced, upon capture, to below threshold; and biphasic or conventional stimulation administered at a level set just below the diastolic depolarization threshold potential. These protocols result in reliable cardiac capture with a lower stimulation level, thereby causing less damage to the heart, extending battery life, causing less pain to the patient and having greater therapeutic effectiveness. In those protocols using biphasic cardiac pacing, a first and second stimulation phase is administered. The first stimulation phase has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. The second stimulation phase also has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. The two phases are applied sequentially.

Abstract: An apparatus for three dimensional inspection of an electronic part which has a camera and illuminator for imaging a first view of the electronic part. An optical element is positioned to reflect a different view of the electronic part into the camera, and the camera thus provides an image of the electronic part having differing views of the electronic part. An image processor applies calculations on the differing views to calculate a three dimensional position of at least one portion of the electronic part.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a permeable mattress, or permeable pillow, which includes a base (1). Cushioning support (3) are attached to the top of the base in a distributed manner, to support a mesh (4) which supports a person, or person's head. Adjacent to the mesh there may be one or more layers of each, or any, of the following; permeable fabric, permeable foam, permeable fibres or perforated rubber. The mattress may be covered in a layer of permeable fabric (6). Any of the layers may be removably attached to the mattress assembly. In a further embodiment of the invention, beneath the base of the mattress, or integral with the base, there may be provided a spill tray that has a contoured structure, to guide fluids such that they flow under gravity into a collecting bowl.

Abstract: Measuring the required distance necessary for a first down in the sport of football. The apparatus includes a ten yard marker pole with an attached laser apparatus. The laser apparatus emits light in the blue-green wavelength and is capable of emitting laser beam across the entire width of the field onto a target, to aid an official in determining if a first down has occurred or not.

Abstract: The field of view of a sensor mounted on a satellite (or other spacecraft) is obscured by various objects, such as celestial bodies and the satellite's own solar panels. A method is disclosed for visualizing and quantifying, with respect to time, variations in the portions of the sensor's field of view that are obscured. The graphical output of a satellite systems analysis program, which features high-resolution, three-dimensional, animated images of spacecraft, celestial bodies and other objects in the space environment, is utilized. The graphical output is simplified to only a few colors to differentiate only background and irrelevant objects from relevant objects. Differentiation is also made, using different colors, in representation of those portions of the field of view that overlap relevant (obscuring) objects from the remainder of the field of view which is unobscured. By counting pixels of the respective colors, frame-by-frame during animation, the percentage of obscuration over time is quantified.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for sharing user event information (such as, and without limitation, presence on a network) among mobile (wireless) devices and those connected to fixed IP networks such as the Internet. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the system and method support instant messaging between wireless devices and fixed IP network devices and between wireless devices and other wireless devices. The term wireless device is used broadly to include cell phones, laptop computers with wireless modems, wireless PDAs, and any other remote wireless devices.

Abstract: A system and method for avoiding a single point of failure in the broadcast of streaming data. The system uses multiple redundant servers steaming the exactly same data to a failover device. The failover device buffers the steams into a primary and secondary data stream and automatically switches from the primary to the secondary data stream if it detects a corruption in the primary data stream. Since the buffered data packets of the two steams are identical and are synchronized, there is not outage for multicast receivers when the primary data source fails since there is a switch to exactly the same data in the next packet of the secondary data stream.

Abstract: The invention comprises a staple gun with highly compact accessory apparatus for attaching a planar tab or label to a fixing surface. The accessory has a housing and a positioning and indexing assembly associated with the housing which is operable to feed and hold a tab or label between the staple gun head and fixing surface, thereby allowing single-handed fixing of a label or tab to a fixing surface. The apparatus can include a roller assembly, staple gun and accessory apparatus or have all components integrated into the construction of a staple gun apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus is mated with a tab or label holding magazine. Some exemplary embodiments of the invention are suitable for securing protective covering to lumber product and may be configured for rectangular polyolefin tabs measuring approximately 0.035 inch thick and 1.0 inches by 2.0 inches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus tests CDMA signal propagation and coverage. A pn scan is first made of the pilot channel to be measured. The signal to total power ratio, Ec/Io is calculated. A frequency scan is made of the reception frequency close in time to the pn scan. The frequency scan results are used to identify and quantify any interference adjacent and coincident with the CDMA channel of interest. The power of the interfering transmissions are weighted, interfering signals with frequencies close or within the CDMA channel of interest are given heavier weights. Removing weighted value of the interfering signals modifies and reduces the value of Io. An adjusted Ec/Io is calculated to reflect the modified Io value, thus resulting in an approximation of the Ec/Io value at the transmission site. The sources of interference can be reported to the CDMA carrier for remedial attention.

Abstract: A novel aspect of the invention is a structural arrangement to widen a Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e. many more WDM channels) across the device response range, which is expanded to ITU standards by use of a twin etalon configuration. A liquid crystal optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e. digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber.

Abstract: A method and system for electronic messaging in which a sender of an electronic message receives a return receipt, without having to send the message contents to a third party. The sender contacts a server to obtain an encryption key to encrypt the message. The server returns an encryption key along with key retrieval information to the sender. The key retrieval information can be used to obtain from the server the decryption key corresponding to the returned encryption key. The sender encrypts the message using the encryption key and sends the message, along with the key retrieval information, to the recipient. The recipient sends the key retrieval information to the server to retrieve the corresponding decryption key. The recipient then decrypts the encrypted message received from the sender using the decryption key. When the recipient sends a request to obtain the decryption key, the server notifies the sender when the key has been successfully retrieved.

Abstract: A system and method for providing continuous expert network critical care services from a remote location. A plurality of intensive care units (ICU's) with associated patient monitoring instrumentation is connected over a network to a command center which is manned by intensivists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The intensivists are prompted to provide critical care by a standardized series of guideline algorithms for treating a variety of critical care conditions. Intensivists monitor the progress of individual patients at remote intensive care units. A smart alarm system provides alarms to the intensivists to alert the intensivists to potential patient problems so that intervention can occur in a timely fashion. A data storage/data warehouse function analyzes individual patient information from a plurality of command centers and provides updated algorithms and critical care support to the command centers.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning an optical device in a hostile environment. A camera system is mounted in a protective mounting structure which may be unitary or comprise layers of material. The camera lens is covered by a scratch resistant cover and is cleaned by user operated bursts of air when debris obstructs the view of the camera. Debris is blown out of the aperture of the unit. When water collects on the lens cover, it is drained by a channel that also provides air via a venturi effect when air is blasted over the lens cover during cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing live display of aircraft flight information collects airline flight information from an airline reservation system and obtains aircraft location information based on secondary surveillance radar interrogation using dual frequencies. A central server integrates the airline flight information with the aircraft location information to produce aircraft flight information and provides live display of the aircraft flight information at an airline terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a splint that may be telescopically extendable, coarsely and finely adjustable, and providing a mechanical advantage while being readily transportable. The splint may have two to three telescoping members that nest inside one another when not in use, and may be triangular, rectangular, or circular in cross section. The present invention also provides a single member adjustable splint.

Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.

Abstract: A coin-sorting machine with a coin assortment box structure is disclosed. A plurality of coin guides are formed at front and rear of upper openings of coin receiver-accommodating containers, each having a certain length and height, for guiding the sorted coins. A stray coin-recovering drawer with an inclined structure integrally formed with it is disposed under the coin assortment box. A coin receiver-lifting device consists of a support and a plurality of pushrods. The support is mounted upon an inclined structure of the stray coin-recovering drawer. The plurality of pushrods are inserted into slits of the coin receiver-accommodating containers so as to push up the coin receivers of the coin receiver-accommodating containers.

Abstract: An animal training device for administering audio and physical encouragement to an animal. An animal worn device comprising sod and shock producing elements is attached to a leash or lead. A transducer or similar strength measuring means is connected to the shock and sound producers of the animal worn device. The leash or lead is connected to the transducer. As the animal pulls of the lead, the transducer measures the strength of the pull. When the pull strength of the naimal reaches a first level, an audio tone is sounded. If the strength of pull exceeds a second level a shock is administered to the animal. In this fashion the animal learns not to pull to hard on a lead. In an alternate embodiment, the trainer has a transmitter with variable signal strength. The animal worn device had a receiver that senses the signal strength. IF the signal strength drops to a preset limit indicative of distance from the transmitter, a tone is sounded. Further signal drop results in the a shock being delivered.