Abstract: A patient positioning device for restoring a patient to a desired position in a hospital bed. An example patient positioning device may include a flexible track positioned along each of the lateral edges of a sleep surface and extending substantially the entire length of the sleep surface, a sheet including beaded edges for slidably engaging the tracks such that the sheet spans between the first track and the second track on the sleep surface, and/or a drive mechanism located proximate a head end of the sleep surface and configured to pull the sheet towards the head end of the bed.

Abstract: There is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor memory wherein a normal mode voltage is provided to a selected word line when a normal mode is selected, and a test mode voltage lower than the normal mode voltage is provided to the selected word line when a test mode is selected, thus leakage current is detected by selecting the test mode.

Abstract: Attachments for adjusting optical properties of image forming optical systems. An example refocus flip optic adaptor for a night vision goggle may include an adaptor housing for detachably mounting to an objective lens assembly of the night vision goggle and an optical element holder pivotably mounted to the adaptor housing such that a refocus lens (or other optical element) mounted to the optical element holder is selectively positionable in an operative position in which the refocus lens is axially aligned with the objective lens of the night vision goggle and an inoperative position in which the refocus lens and the optical element holder do not affect an image viewable through the night vision goggle. In some example embodiments, the optical element viewing diameter may be substantially the same as objective lens viewing diameter. Example optical elements may affect optical properties such as objective lens focus, optical filtering, and magnification.

Abstract: A building security arrangement includes a sensor for emitting an audible alarm signal. A security system installed in the building detects the audible alarm signal and transmits an electrical alarm signal over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal. A central monitoring station receives the electrical alarm signal over the public switched telephone network and notifies an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

Abstract: An energy transfer circuit for connecting a load to multiple energy sources that can have different voltages. The energy transfer circuit connects the load and at least two energy sources, and has a control unit. The energy transfer circuit can transfer energy from at least one energy source to the load in response to the load's power demand; transfer energy from the load to at least one energy source in response to the load's charging current, and transfer energy between the energy sources. The energy transfer circuit also includes a first capacitor in parallel with the primary source and the load; a second capacitor in parallel with the secondary source, an inductor, a first switch between the inductor and the first capacitor, a second switch between the inductor and the second capacitor. The control unit opens and closes the first and second switches in response to the load and sources.

Abstract: A testing apparatus comprising a chamber having an inlet and an outlet (16); a measuring device, at least a part of which is provided within the chamber; where the inlet is arranged to direct fluid onto the part of the measuring device within the chamber in order to clean the measuring device during start up. Thus the density or viscosity of drilling mud may be continuously monitored. Some exemplary embodiments include an outlet valve such as a ball valve with a bore defined therein. The bore allows fluid to flow therethrough even in a valve “closed” position and generates the preferred back pressure whilst minimizing the risk that the valve will block. A pressure activated drain valve may also be provided to substantially empty the chamber when not in use.

Abstract: A multi-input operational amplifier circuit operable with a high degree of accuracy and in a small area, a D/A converter using the multi-input operational amplifier circuit, and a drive circuit or driver for a display device, using the D/A converter. In embodiments of the multi-input operational amplifier circuit, a constant current source of a third differential amplifier circuit that causes a doubled constant current i×2 to flow with respect to constant current sources of first and second differential amplifier circuits by application of two types of bias voltages thereto is configured using PMOS of the same number and size. Therefore, operations equivalent to those of a conventional circuit may be realized by the three constant current source PMOSs, and a smaller chip size may be required.

Abstract: A method of selectively closing off a loading dock opening defined by a loading dock pit recessed within a floor of a building and a doorway into the building, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a pit seal panel having a substantially incompressible height and width to a barrier position where the pit seal panel closes off a rectangular area substantially spanning an entire vertical dimension and an entire widthwise dimension of the loading dock pit; and (b) lowering an overhead door to concurrently contact the pit seal panel and the floor of the building to close off the loading dock opening.

Abstract: A method of identifying a living being includes using a time-of-flight sensor to determine a location of a face of the living being. An image of an iris of the living being is produced dependent upon the location of the face as determined by the time-of-flight sensor. The produced image is processed to determine an identity of the living being.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing wireless devices includes establishing a recurring sequence of frequency channels at which the wireless devices are to communicate. The frequency channels are divided into a plurality of groups. Synchronization information is transmitted at a respective first frequency channel in each of the groups of frequency channels during a first sampling time period. One of the groups of frequency channels is selected. A wireless device is used to sample each of the frequency channels in the selected group during the first sampling time period. Non-synchronization information is transmitted after the first sampling time period. Synchronization information is transmitted at a next respective frequency channel in each of the groups of frequency channels during a next sampling time period. The next sampling time period occurs after the transmitting of the non-synchronization information.

Abstract: A method of identifying motion within a field of view includes capturing at least two sequential images within the field of view. Each of the images includes a respective array of pixel values. An array of difference values between corresponding ones of the pixel values in the sequential images is calculated. A sensitivity region map corresponding to the field of view is provided. The sensitivity region map includes a plurality of regions having different threshold values. A presence of motion is determined by comparing the difference values to corresponding ones of the threshold values.

Abstract: A coating applicator comprising a substrate removably mounted to a frame, where the frame includes an actuator repositionable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, where the engaging position is operative to maintain the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, where the disengaging position is operative to discontinue the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, and where the substrate includes a receptor for retaining a coating composition for application.

Abstract: Methods of using microchannel separation systems including absorbents to improve thermal efficiency and reduce parasitic power loss. Energy is typically added to desorb methane and then energy or heat is removed to absorb methane using a working solution. The working solution or absorbent may comprise an ionic liquid, or other fluids that demonstrate a difference in affinity between methane and nitrogen in a solution.