Abstract: A modular portable motion control camera system includes one or more motion control blocks that are connected together directly to each other, connected together with connecting hardware, or connected to other equipment to be moved by the motion control block to create robotic camera control systems. Each motion control block has its own mechanics, servo motor, control circuitry, and interface connections. The motion control blocks are networked together and controlled with a computer running custom motion control software to allow complex individual or synchronous control. Each motion control block includes a body with a rotating motorized plate. Inside the body each motion control block has its own motor control circuitry, servo motor, and gears to bring motion from the motor to the rotating motorized plate. Electrical connectors are inserted into the body to provide all the necessary electrical connections.

Abstract: A cut-off valve assembly for use with a toilet tank, includes a float within the toilet tank, a water retaining float guide within the toilet tank which allows the vertical travel of the float, the water retaining float guide having weep holes below the lowest travel of the float. The weep holes slowly release the retained water when the water in the tank is below the weep holes, a magnet within the toilet tank, affixed to the bottom of the float, and a magnetically activated cut-off valve for cutting off the water flow to the toilet tank when activated by the magnet. The magnet will activate the magnetically activated cut-off valve when the float is at the lowest travel. A preferred form of the cut-off valve assembly also includes a stem affixed to the float and extending downward from the float. The magnet is affixed to the bottom of the stem, and the magnet is affixed to the float through the stem. In a preferred form, a magnet housing is affixed to the bottom of the stem.

Abstract: A magnetic fuel conditioner according to the present invention includes an inner pipe, an outer pipe surrounding the inner pipe with sufficient clearance that fuel can pass between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, a plurality of magnets placed inside the inner pipe with like magnetic poles facing each other, and a plurality of mild steel disks placed between each pair of magnets. In a preferred form, the inner pipe and the outer pipe are made of stainless steel. An outer sleeve of mild steel surrounds the outer pipe. In a preferred arrangement, each of the plurality of magnets is cylindrically shaped to tightly fit into the inner pipe and is in the range of from about 9000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss. Typically, the plurality of magnets comprise neodymium. In such an arrangement, each disk of mild steel is approximately one quarter inch thick and approximately the same diameter as the magnets in the plurality of magnets.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes a casing through which fluid flows, an array of magnets in the casing, arranged substantially perpendicular to the side of the casing and therefore substantially perpendicular to the main flow of fluid through the casing, wherein the magnets within the array which lie substantially within the same perpendicular plane are spaced apart and arranged in alternating polarity, and means to support the array of magnets such that the space between the magnets within the array which lie substantially within the same perpendicular plane are substantially equal distances from the adjacent magnets to permit flow of fluid therethrough. In a one arrangement, the casing includes an outer casing made from a material which substantially restricts the magnetic field within the casing. An inner casing is made from a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A supplemental fill valve for use in a toilet tank, to work in conjunction with a flapper and a typical fill valve having a float cup and a valve body, includes a supplemental float cup forming a recess and at least one opening in the bottom thereof, a vertical member installed through the recess, on which the supplemental float cup freely moves up and down, and a coil spring placed between the top of the vertical member and the top inside of the supplemental float cup. A lifting member extending from the supplemental float cup to the float cup, preferably under the float cup, lifts the float cup. An alternative supplemental fill valve includes a weighted supplemental float cup, and a lifting cam activated by the weighted supplemental float cup, extending from the supplemental float cup to the float cup for lifting the float cup, wherein when water flows out of the tank, the weighted float cup activates the cam, lifting the float cup.

Abstract: A method for making a dental appliance is disclosed, including affixing a first blank piece of material to a second blank piece of material forming a combined blank. The first blank piece of material is substantially softer than the second blank piece of material. The combined blank is then placed over a dental cast with the first blank piece of material faces the dental cast, and a dental appliance is formed by using a thermal form suck-down of the combined blank over the dental cast with the first blank piece of material in contact with the teeth of the dental cast. Finally, the dental appliance is removed from the dental cast. The dental appliance can be trimmed while it is on the dental cast or after it is removed.

Abstract: A method for transferring an image onto a non-planar surface in which an image transfer sheet comprising a shape memory polymer or like substance is used to transfer said image.

Abstract: A strap is disclosed for a human user. The strap includes a support for the chin of the user, a first support for a first mandible of the user, a second support for the second mandible of the user, and means for securing the strap to the head of the user. The first mandible support is affixed to one side of the chin support and the second mandible support is affixed to the opposite side of the chin support. In a preferred form, the first mandible support and the second mandible support are each from about 1.5 inches wide to about 3 inches wide, and in a preferred range, the first mandible support and the second mandible support are each from about 1.75 inches wide to about 2.25 inches wide. In a preferred embodiment of a strap according to the present invention, the first mandible support is at an angle to the second mandible support of from about 90 degrees to about 140 degrees when the strap is opened flat, as it would be before it is place on the user.

Abstract: A relationship building method for automated services is disclosed, which includes the steps of receiving a contact from a client such as by telephone or over the Internet or other computer network, looking for the client in a client data base, and if the client is in the client data base, then welcoming the client. If the client is calling by telephone and does not like auto attendant, then the client is transferred to a customer service representative. The client is presented with an option of one or more services or goods that are usual for the client as determined by the client data base. If the client selects one of the usual services or goods, then the client request is processed, but if the client does not select one of the usual services or goods, then the client is presented with a list of services or goods from which to select, the new request is entered into the client data base, and the client request is processed.

Abstract: A tool for removing gypsum board according to the present invention includes an elongated handle, a substantially flat extension extending from and attached to one end of the elongated handle, a hinge having a first side and a second side, affixed on the first side to the substantially flat extension and a pry flap affixed to the second side of the hinge. The pry flap will fold against the substantially flat extension when the tool is being pushed through the gypsum board, and a stop for holding the pry flap away from the substantially flat extension when the tool is being pulled back through the gypsum board. The stop holds the pry flap at approximately 80 degrees or substantially a right angle to the substantially flat extension and the pry flap is substantially the same width as the substantially flat extension. In one form, the stop forms a sharp angle with the end of the substantially flat extension opposite the elongated handle, forming a wedge for breaking through the gypsum board.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator is disclosed which includes a hub, a plurality of wind driven blades arranged around the hub, a drive belt or drive chain or other mechanical drive driven by the plurality of blades, an electric generator driven by the mechanical drive; and a boxlike frame forming a wind blocking wall for blocking wind from blowing against any of the plurality of wind driven blades in the reverse direction. In one arrangement, the wind turbine generator further includes two oil or gas tanks, and the boxlike frame is placed between the tanks to take advantage of the natural wind channeling between the two tanks. In another arrangement, the wind turbine generator further includes a house or building and the boxlike frame is built into the side of the house or building. The boxlike frame is also built into the top of a roof or the middle of a roof in other arrangements.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining computer network security allows for changeable encryption keys used by each individual work station to be looked up by a server. The server will have numerous logical interfaces corresponding to the active encryption keys, and information is routed through the appropriate interface depending upon which work station is communicating with the server. Each encryption key is encrypted into a transport key for transmission as part of each information packet.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a field of view for visible changes is disclosed. A first image is taken in a predetermined manner of the field of view to be monitored, and then an array divides the first image into a plurality of cells. A second image is taken in the predetermined manner of the field of view to be monitored. The array is also applied to the second image, dividing the second image into the plurality of cells. Predetermined groups of cells of the second image are then compared to the same groups of cells of the first image, and the number of the groups of cells that changed from the first image to the second image is computed. In some situations only certain groups of cells are compared. In one form of the method, each cell of the first image is given a numerical value based upon the information in each cell, and each cell of the second image is also given a numerical value based upon the information in each cell.

Abstract: A digital communications path-controller for auto switching and controlling the transmission and receiving of analog and error-free transmission of standard digital signals, fax digital signals and analog communications over telephone line service, radio frequency networks, satellite systems, as well as wireless telephone systems includes switches that receive control signals from the micro-controller for controlling and switching the analog or digital path of an internal analog board and the signals from a digital communications path to and from a radio frequency transceiver via a radio frequency transceiver interface/logic board, a wireless telephone transceiver via a wireless telephone transceiver interface, a telephone landline via a telephone line interface, a satellite system via a telephone landline through the telephone line interface.

Abstract: A dispenser from which flexible liner bags within a refuse receptacle can be dispensed seriatim and is comprised of an anchor adapted for secured mounting onto the floor of the receptacle with which the dispenser is to be utilized and an elongated housing for removable attachment to the anchor and defining an open cavity into which a supply of conventional pre-wound liner bags in a roll format can be received and dispensed.