Abstract: A method for making a personal gastronomic decision or receiving instruction involving price, availability, safety and convenience information for food, such as for dining. The method involves sending an inquiry from a display device to a central server and transmitting the inquiry from the server to an information source. On receiving an action from the source to the server, the method involves personalizing the action for a particular user, interfacing the action with the display device from the server, and displaying the action. The display device may be a mobile device such as a Palm Pilot or a cell phone. The display device may have a tactile, audible, or visual interface. Any language may be translated, and any of the steps may be performed at a desired time.

Abstract: A fluorescing molecule is bound to an microscopic slide (24). The microscopic slide (24) is coupled to a first end face of an optical waveguide (1) by means of an immersion oil. The optical waveguide also possesses a shell surface (3) having the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, and a second end face (4). The molecule is located at the focal point of the paraboloid of revolution. Essentially the entire light of the molecule radiated into the half-space facing the optical waveguide (1) enters the optical waveguide (1). In particular, evanescent radiation (7) also enters the optical waveguide (1). This is totally internally reflected at the shell surface (3) having the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, emerges collimated from the second end face (4), and reaches a detector (30). In this way, essentially the entire evanescent radiation of the molecule can be registered.

Abstract: An electronic surface mount package provides a one piece construction package (with an open bottom) with one or more terminal pins molded into the package. Each of the pins have a notched post upon which a wire is wound which is from a toroid transformer carried within the package. Each of the posts are notched so their respective wires are separate from one another so as to prevent arcing. The case is opened at the bottom which prevents harm from expansion or cracking.

Abstract: Roofing tiles, sheet rubber, and other rubber-based articles are formed from devulcanized crumb rubber by compounding the rubber with sulfur, a compound containing bound water, and a flame retardant. The articles have a high rubber content and are moldable and formable without the need for added polymeric binders, and are self-extinguishing upon exposure to flame.

Abstract: The breakdown of crosslinked elastomers, including the devulcanization of crumb rubber, is achieved by exposing the elastomers to ultrasonic vibrations induced by magnetostriction transducers. The transducers are capable of a higher power output than ultrasound produced by piezoelectric transducers, and are able to withstand high temperatures and high-frequency vibrations to a significantly better degree.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the relative proportions of gases in a mixture, such that the relative proportions of N gases are determined using N-1 sensors, not all of which are specific to a particular gas. In the preferred embodiment, oxygen and carbon dioxide are measured in the presence of nitrogen by measuring magnetic susceptibility and speed of sound. The described method of gas analysis leads to very fast response times and exceptional stability, making the technology suitable for breath-by-breath analysis of respired air. Notably, the method does not require high-temperature components, electrochemical cells, or consumable components.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for programming a stack of segments wherein each segment includes a plurality of die which are interconnected through metal interconnects patterned on the surface of each segment. Once the segments are arranged into a stack, the stack is connected to external circuits and each segment is addressed through control lines. Electrically conductive fuses on the segments are used as an interface between the control lines and the die. Segment level programming is performed on each segment by opening the conductive fuses on the segments in a predetermined pattern in order to route the control lines to each segment such that segments are uniquely addressed. After segment level programming, circuit board programming is performed so that any defective die found in the stack is logically replaced with replacement die in the stack.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a system level scheme utilizing an intelligent keyboard, hereafter called an Intellikeyboard, which can operate as a universal compute, command, and control module that interfaces either through wired or wireless means with a number of intelligent appliances, personal computers, work-stations, servers, televisions, printers, smart devices, intelligent devices, telephones, or other devices. The Intellikeyboard has the ability to transmit and receive voice, text, graphics, and other data through either wired or wireless means. The Intellikeyboard may work in tandem with a local or network server to perform standard computing functions, serve as a command and control unit, perform standard telephony functions, transmit and receive electronic mail, voice mail, video, and audio. The invention also anticipates the need for multichannel and sequential/simultaneous tasking and interfaces with numerous intelligent appliances and devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bake carbon flue straightener for straightening a flue wall of an anode baking surface from a deformed or bowed position to a straight or normal position. The flue straightener includes a plurality of remotely controlled and independently actuated hydraulic cylinders mounted on a plurality of elevations space apart at equal distances from each other, a steel frame for supporting hydraulic cylinders, such that each of the elevations of the hydraulic cylinders are coupled to a continuous length of extendable solid push plates for extending the push plates to the deformed or bowed flue wall so as to push or straighten with equally distributed forces the deformed or bowed flue wall back to the straight or normal position.

Abstract: A network of localizers determines relative locations in three-dimensional space to within 1 cm by measuring propagation times of pseudorandom sequences of electromagnetic impulses. The propagation time is determined from a correlator which provides an analog pseudo-autocorrelation function sampled at discrete time bins. The correlator has a number of integrators, each integrator providing a signal proportional to the time integral of the product of the expected pulse sequence delayed by one of the discrete time bins, and the non-delayed received antenna signal. Using pattern recognition the arrival time of the received signal can be determined to within a time much smaller than the separation between bins. Because operation of standard CMOS circuitry generates noise over a large frequency range, only low-noise circuitry operates during transmission and reception. A stage in the low-frequency clock uses low-noise circuitry during transmissions and receptions, and standard circuitry at other times.

Abstract: A network of localizers determines relative locations in three-dimensional space to within 1 cm by cooperatively measuring propagation times of pseudorandom sequences of electromagnetic impulses. Ranging transmissions may include encoded digital information to increase accuracy. The propagation time is determined from a correlator circuit which provides an analog pseudo-autocorrelation function sampled at discrete time bins. The correlator has a number of integrators, each integrator providing a signal proportional to the time integral of the product of the expected pulse sequence delayed by one of the discrete time bins, and the non-delayed received antenna signal. With the impulses organized as doublets the sampled correlator output can vary considerably in shape depending on where the autocorrelation function peak falls in relation to the nearest bin. Using pattern recognition the time of arrival of the received signal can be determined to within a time much smaller than the separation between bins.

Abstract: An electronic surface mount package provides a one piece construction package (with an open bottom) with one or more terminal pins molded into the package. Each of the pins have a notched post upon which a wire is wound which is from a toroid transformer carried within the package. Each of the posts are notched so their respective wires are separate from one another so as to prevent arcing. The case is opened at the bottom which prevents harm from expansion or cracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlled droplet atomization and controlled projection of atomization droplets. More particularly, the present invention is a spray apparatus that produces uniform sized atomized droplets controllable from fog size to larger for spraying fungicides, bactericides, pesticides, insecticides, plant nutrients and other materials applied to crop, ground, and foliage for agricultural and horticultural benefaction. The apparatus generates laminar airflow in a vortex or cyclone pattern functioning to project and distribute spray droplets evenly and more completely on the sprayed surfaces. The resulting vortex or cyclone spray and airflow serves to lift, turn, and flutter plant leaves, exposing all sides to be coated with spray droplets.

Abstract: An optical reticle inspection system and method employing a photolithographic projection optical system. The present invention provides for imaging a reticle pattern to be inspected onto a complementary reticle pattern and directly viewing the obscured image pattern to provide a measure of the fidelity of the reticle patterns.

Abstract: An output stage for a multitimbral electronic musical instrument providing automatic detection of the use of submix outputs is provided. The present invention allows the use of effects processors on selected timbres without the need for user intervention when the effects are connected or removed. The present invention also allows for use of such processors without an external mixboard.