Abstract: A portable data collection terminal system has a housing having a display screen with coincident graphic data input and a keyboard on the frontal side thereof. An accessory pod, having a width less than the width of the display screen and a handgrip extension adapted to hold a selected accessory device, such as a laser scanner, is disposed on the housing, opposite said frontal side. The accessory pod has one or two activation, diaphragm-type switches disposed in a pod wall disposed transversely to the handgrip extension and extending outwardly from, opposite the frontal side, the housing. The switch or switches are connected in parallel, if more than one, and are disposed near an end of the pod wall such that they are operable by either a user's thumb or finger.

Abstract: An efficient electrolumiescent light source for backlighting an LCD panel increases the intensity of light passing through the panel by concentrating light within that volume wherein the LCD panel is readable.

Abstract: An adaptive rechargeable battery system capable of utilizing battery packs of a variety of electrochemical cells includes a portable electronic battery powered device for operating from battery power, a rechargeable battery pack, and means for determining characteristic battery information and parameters of the rechargeable battery pack such that the portable electronic battery powered device may adapt to optimally utilize the rechargeable battery pack in accordance with the characteristic battery information and parameters. The adaptive rechargeable battery system includes a method for adaptively utilizing a rechargeable battery pack by reading the characteristic battery parameter data from electronic storage means contained within the battery pack or by determining the characteristic battery parameter data and subsequently configuring and operating the portable battery powered electronic device to optimally utilize the rechargeable battery pack according to the characteristic battery parameter data.

Abstract: die based phased array laser scanner which utilizes electronically steerable beams. Beam steering may be utilized to control the scanner such that a phased delay in laser output produces an electronically steerable laser light source. It is possible to then preferentially control the laser light output spatial location since an an array driven at differing phases would constructively interact so as to provide a location of maximum intensity. The phased array laser light may then be utilized to read and decode indicia via a standard laser scanner means.

Abstract: A battery pack is comprised of multiple lithium cells electrically connected in series. The voltage mismatch between the multiple lithium cells of the battery pack is balanced by utilization of an operational amplifier in conjunction with multiple series resistors having equal resistance values. The problems inherent with utilizing multiple lithium type cells in a series configuration is thereby eliminated. The multicelled battery pack may be charged in any desired fashion.

Abstract: A self-tapping, blind setting bolt rivet assembly capable of permanently fastening one or more sheet metal work pieces or the like together while also providing a hollow cylindrical threaded bolt head onto which a nut may be affixed to a means to removably attach other work pieces, components or the like. The rivet assembly comprises a rivet body having a hollow tubular sleeve and a threaded stud separated by an enlarged flattened head. The rivet body surrounds a mandrel comprising a shank which is terminated in a screw tip. This screw tip punctures, spreads, and self-taps an aperture in the work pieces through which the rivet sleeve passes. The mandrel's shank may have a weakened area of reduced diameter adjacent to the screw tip which allows detachment of shaft following application of sufficient axial force to the shank. This application of force sets the rivet by causing a tapered shoulder section of the mandrel to deform the rivet sleeve.

Abstract: Silicalite, silicalite filled polymer membrane, and process for the selective adsorption of acetone and butanol from aqueous solutions thereof. The silicalite, silicalite filled polymer membrane, and process are particularly suited to the removal of acetone and butanol from Clostridium acetobutylicum fermentation media in that the membrane is not fouled by the fermentation media and may be used without removing the cells from the fermentation media. The silicalite and silicalite filled polymer membrane show excellent selectivity to the adsorption of acetone and butanol relative to the ethanol, acetic acid, and butyric acid components of the fermentation media.

Abstract: An electroluminescent backlight panel for a video display system is automatically controlled by the varying ambient light levels. A light detector receives the ambient light level and sends a corresponding electrical signal to a microcontroller. The microcontroller controls the driving of the eletroluminescent backlight power supply according to varying ambient light levels until an optimum backlight output is reached. The automatic electroluminescent backlight control system is combined with an efficient power supply unit in order to further reduce battery energy consumption.

Abstract: A self-tapping, blind setting rivet assembly to secure two or more work pieces together and suitable for power or hand tool application. The rivet assembly comprises a rivet body having a hollow tubular sleeve and an enlarged flattened head. The rivet body surrounds a mandrel comprising a shank which is terminated in a screw tip. This screw tip punctures, spreads, and self-taps an aperture in the work pieces through which the rivet sleeve passes. The mandrel's shank may have a weakened area of reduced diameter adjacent to the screw tip which allows detachment of shaft following application of sufficient axial force to the shank. This application of force causes the tapered shoulder section of the screw tip to compress and deform the rivet sleeve which sets the rivet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for producing and dispersing herbicidal foam within a sewer line in such a manner as to apply the foam to either the entire interior surface or a specific or a plurality of specific areas within a generally cylindrical line.

Abstract: A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist approaching a railroad crossing to the presence of an oncoming train. The system comprises a series of magnetometer sensor probes buried in the right-of way adjacent to a railroad track at predetermined distances from the railroad crossing. These sensors provide a signal to a controller unit when the presence of a train is sensed. The controller unit first determines the speed at which the oncoming train is traveling and the time it will take for the train to reach the crossing and then activates an improved warning apparatus at a predetermined amount of time before the train reaches the crossing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect the imminent removal of the battery from a portable electronic device and to automatically shut off said device before electrical power from the battery is lost.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic memory system having semipermanent memory storage, a memory device for rapid data transfer and temporary memory storage, and controller for monitoring and controlling writes to the semipermanent memory storage.

Abstract: A data terminal utilizes a rotating flywheel system for energy storage and storage and retrieval. Energy storage and data storage systems are combined into a single system.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel class of decarboxylase enzyme inhibitors consisting of .alpha.-oxiranyl amino acids and derivatives thereof and a method of synthesizing such compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of Serpulina hyodysenteriae in a biological sample, an oligonucleotide primer and an S. hyodysenteriae-specific oligonucleotide probe useful in that method, and an article of manufacture that contains the primers and/or probe. Also provided are an about 2.3-kb DNA fragment derived from genomic DNA of S. hyodysenteriae and encoding for an about 56 kDa polypeptide, a recombinant expression vector containing the DNA fragment, the 56 kDa polypeptide and a monoclonal antibody reactive with the peptide, and a method of assaying for antibodies reactive with the 56 kDa peptide.

Abstract: A volleyball player training device for teaching players to hit a volleyball to different zones on an opposing team's court area, to hit over or around an opposing team's blockers, and to cover a blocked attack is disclosed. The device preferably comprises a frame having an upper frame section extending above the volleyball net and a base section which may be fastened to the volleyball net. The frame may be made of polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") pipe or the like which may be connected together so that the upper frame comprises a rectangular opening across which a netting or the like may be stretched. An attachment means such as a belt having a hook-and-loop fastener material closure or the like may be provided to attach the base section to the volleyball net.

Abstract: A PCMCIA type module provides multiple grounding point to the internal circuit board. The internal circuit board is grounded to an electrically conductive outer housing at a plurality of contact points on the internal frame. The internal frame is electrically conductive and is specially constructed to have multiple ribs which provide multiple contacts from the circuit board to the outer housing.

Abstract: A portable data collection terminal has an elongate housing with a hand grip conforming rear surface. A front surface features a numerical keyboard adjacent a lower end of the housing and an LCD screen adjacent the keyboard toward an upper end of the housing. The display screen is of elongate rectangular shape, its length extending longitudinally of the housing of the data terminal. The active area of the display screen is covered by a touch sensitive overlay screen which is configured in one mode of operation of the data terminal into an alphabetical keyboard. The orientation of the display is switchable between orientations in which the line direction of the displayed data extends across or longitudinally of the data terminal. The keys of the numerical keyboard are identified by indicia disposed on a template. The orientation of the template may be sensed to switch the orientation of the displayed data and touch sensitive key identifiers to correspond to the orientation of the indicia on the template.