Abstract: Concentrations of N gas species can be detected from a single beam NDIR gas sensor having a differential infrared source and an (N+1)-passband filter (having a neutral passband and N absorption passbands for N gases) mounted at a single infrared detector by driving the infrared source with N input power levels to render the source into emitting at N distinct temperatures whose radiation outputs are characterized by N corresponding Planck curves which are dependent only upon the respective source temperatures and which link a Spectral Radiant Emittance MsubLamba with wavelength, measuring N detector outputs at the single infrared detector and detecting the concentrations of N different gas species, each of the N gas species having its own unique infrared absorption passband, by (a) setting up N causality relationship equations linking outputs of the detector respectively for N different source temperatures and a set of relevant parameters of the sensor components, (b) determining the values of all of the param

Abstract: A removable sun shade insert for a vehicle that is a substantially planar sun block with an insertion slot for holding the sun block in place in which the sun block and the insertion slot are sized so that the sun block is held in place against a windshield by a rear view mirror when the insertion slot is engaged with the rear view mirror. The insert can be detachably connected to a bound magazine and contain customizable advertisements. The insert can provide shade for either the driver's or a passenger's side of the vehicle, or even a side window.

Abstract: A fresh air controller interfaces directly with the electromechanical circuit of an air-conditioner to control its operating settings based upon detected Carbon Dioxide (CO2) level in Parts-Per-Million (PPM) using a “Capno-Switch” which is in essence a specially designed single-beam NDIR CO2 sensor enhanced with features and specifications to render it rugged, compact and very low-cost; unlike conventional single-beam NDIR CO2 sensors, the “Capno-Switch” is capable of providing long-term stability and accuracy in CO2 measurements.

Abstract: A system and components for interconnecting low power-to-power consuming electrical systems, such as emergency communications equipment, is disclosed. The system includes polarized, genderless, and color-coded connections for cabling, power splitting to sub cables, adapt between connector families, as well as inline fusing integrated into various power connectors. The connectors include cable and connectors, multi-port connectors as well as inline-fused cables. The system and cables are virtually universally connectable in any variation of fixed or temporary power distribution layouts or control signals distribution. It may be easily assembled and disassembled for transportation and storage or change of configuration. The system also can be configured to provide adapters for between different families of connectors.

Abstract: A method for detecting the concentration of one or more gas species by using infrared radiation emitted from one or more sources into a sample cell which is a hollow waveguide with multiple bends collectively greater than 180 degrees in three dimensions, the infrared radiation being quasi-focused into a beam with an angle of incidence between greater than approximately 0° and approximately 10° relative to a longitudinal axis of a first linear segment of the sample cell proximate the source, then detecting two or more signals in which one of the signals is used to compensate for water vapor. The methods can detect gas concentrations down to 1 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method for reducing the cost of demand control ventilation applications deploys wireless CO2 sensors inclusive of relative humidity and temperature throughout an indoor space without the need for wiring while utilizing the license-free 902-908 MHz ISM band by use of a Sequential Transmission Asynchronous Reception System (“STARS”) that is software controlled.

Abstract: A fire detector and method for generating an alarm signal in response to a fire uses an NDIR CO2 sensor to generate a detector signal based upon a 15? absorption band of CO2 and generates an alarm signal when a signal processor receives the detector signal and a preselected criterion is met that is indicative of the onset of a fire based upon an analysis of the detector signal using a detection algorithm that relies upon a trending pattern of the detector signal such as recognizing a substantial drop in the detector signal strength. The NDIR CO2 sensor can also generate a reference detector signal based upon a 9.0? neutral band with a FWHM=0.5? while the signal processor utilizes a detection algorithm that is based upon a synchronized output signal representative of CO2 concentration to generate an alarm signal when a preselected criterion indicative of the onset of a fire is met.

Abstract: An anti-telemarketing program uses the calling party identification of an incoming call to determine if the call is a telemarketing call by accessing a telemarketing database. The incoming call can be identified as a telemarketing call by direct correlation with a known telemarketing number or by indirect correlation by not being included within a list of known non-telemarketing numbers. If an incoming call is identified as a telemarketing call, and no override condition is set, the call will not be allowed to ring through to the desired phone line; instead, it will be terminated by a call progress tone or by a notification that the desired phone line does not accept calls from telemarketers. If an incoming call is not identified as a telemarketing call, it will be completed, and if it is from a telemarketer, the party receiving the call can designate the calling party identification from the call as belonging to a telemarketer.

Abstract: A method of making an artificial tooth for a denture and the tooth so made, the method including making a form tooth of a plastic tooth or an existing denture tooth, using the form tooth to make a mold form, placing a thin layer (1 mm) of polycarbonate incisal material in the bottom of the mold form and conforming the material to the mold form, subjecting the layer of incisal and body material to a vacuum and then to a curing light in an oxygen-free atmosphere, adding additional layers of approximately 2 mm of the incisal and body material and exposing each layer to a vacuum and light curing step as described above until the mold form is full. The tooth is then removed from the mold form and again exposed to a vacuum and light curing step.

Abstract: A fire detector with a passive CO2 sensor generates a detector signal based upon a 15? absorption band of CO2 and a signal processor generates an alarm signal when a preselected criterion is met. The passive CO2 sensor has a passive infrared source with a source temperature, a waveguide sample chamber with a gas medium temperature (which is less than the source temperature), a heat exchanger (that reduces the temperature of CO2 gas as it passes into the waveguide sample chamber and may be thermally coupled to the sample chamber) and an infrared detector assembly with a detector temperature (which is less than the source temperature). An exterior surface of the passive infrared source has a high emissivity while the detector assembly and the sample chamber (which can be thermally coupled to each other but not the passive infrared source) have a low emissivity.

Abstract: A fire detector and method for detecting fires uses a passive NDIR sensor that generates a detector signal based upon either a 15? absorption band of CO2 or a 6.27? absorption band of H2O and a signal processor which receives the detector signal and generates an alarm signal when a preselected criterion is met. The NDIR sensor relies upon a passive infrared source (such as a very thin film of black plastic material) with a high emissivity (e.g., approximately 1.0), a sample chamber with a low emissivity (e.g., approximately 0.03) thermally decoupled from the passive infrared source and an infrared detector located in a detector assembly thermally coupled to the sample chamber while a heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the sample chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and positioning a work piece in a desired position includes a hand-operated clamp for securing the apparatus to a fixed support, such as a table or workbench, a flexible, multi-segmented arm having one end secured to the hand-operated clamp and the opposite end pivotally secured to a vise. The vise includes a pair of jaws, a pair of essentially parallel tracks, and a screw mounted substantially parallel to said tracks. A small platform having resilient flanges snaps over and secures itself to the tracks. A number of configurations of the platform are possible depending upon the support structure of the electrical connectors or other assemblies which are being soldered or assembled. Work pieces of various shapes and sizes may be secured either to the platform or by the jaws of the vise.