Abstract: An adapter for receiving a surplus optical storage media drive capable of stand-alone playing of optical storage media is described. The adapter provides at least the minimum level of functionality required, together with the surplus optical storage media drive, to play optical storage media in order to extend the useful life of the surplus drive. The optical storage media may include compact disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or the like type of storage media. The adapter provides the capability of connecting with external devices that improve the functionality and usefulness of the drive-adapter system.

Abstract: An aqueous hard surface cleaning composition contains anionic and nonionic surfactants, an enzyme mixture such as lipase/alpha-amylase for breaking down organic compounds; an activator for rendering the enzyme more active; a nonpathogenic bacteria such as a culture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens for degrading and assimilating organic compounds; and water.

Abstract: A method for separating contaminants from a aqueous source containing contaminants. In one embodiment, the method involves the use of a high powdered oxidant dissolved within the aqueous system. The gas is dissolved within a reservoir in the aqueous solution and the pressure within the reservoir is controllable. This allows maximum contact of the oxidizing dissolved gas with the contaminant material. Once oxidized, the outlet of the reservoir is adapted to permit hydraulic cavitation. The net effect of the cavitation is to induce a foam formation which foam transports a floc into a separate phase from the aqueous solution. In this manner, the process is effectively a dissolved oxidizing gas mass transfer process. In another embodiment, the process may be augmented by electrocoagulation. This involves the use of an electric cell which is disposed within the reservoir containing the oxidant material.

Abstract: A shipping method which reduces the potential hazards during shipment of manganese dioxide. The manganese dioxide is transported in suspension in a liquid contained in a container. The manganese dioxide is maintained in suspension by continuously agitating the manganese dioxide slurry in the container during shipment.

Abstract: A method for separating contaminants from a aqueous source containing contaminants. In one embodiment, the method involves the use of a high powdered oxidant dissolved within the aqueous system. The gas is dissolved within a reservoir in the aqueous solution and the pressure within the reservoir is controllable. This allows maximum contact of the oxidizing dissolved gas with the contaminant material. Once oxidized, the outlet of the reservoir is adapted to permit hydraulic cavitation. The net effect of the cavitation is to induce a foam formation which foam transports a floc into a separate phase from the aqueous solution. In this manner, the process is effectively a dissolved oxidizing gas mass transfer process. In another embodiment, the process may be augmented by electrocoagulation. This involves the use of an electric cell which is disposed within the reservoir containing the oxidant material.

Abstract: Scale buildup on the heating element of an electric water heater or industrial process boiler is minimized by directing one or more jets of incoming water or other fluid onto the heating element. Optionally the fluid is pretreated by the induced electric field of an electronic descaling unit. The pretreated water produces soft scale that can easily be removed by a jet of fluid. Preferably a series of fluid jets, from a perforated pipe, are directed at the electric heating element. Also provided is a deflection panel to redirect the jets of water back toward the heating element, thus improving the scrubbing action for removing accumulating scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting an electric field to water travelling within a pipe. The apparatus includes a plurality of rectangularly-shaped coils of electric wire connected in an electrically parallel arrangement. Each coil is sandwiched between flexible cover sheets. The resulting assembly is applied to the outer circumference of the pipe, with the lengthwise dimension of the coil extending perpendicularly to the flow inside the pipe. A time-varying electric current is applied to the coil to produce a corresponding electric field. This, in turn, produces controlled precipitation of mineral ions from the water.

Abstract: A holder for a cordless power tool having a battery pack, the holder arranged and constructed to receive and retain the cordless power tool in an upright orientation, the holder comprising a plate member having a periphery, a top side, and a bottom side, means for attaching the plate member to a supporting surface, and at least one side wall joined to the periphery of the plate member, the at least one side wall extending upwardly from the periphery and having a top edge, the top edge having at least one notch, such that when the cordless power tool is placed battery pack first into the cordless power tool holder, the at least one notch aligns with the cordless power tool's battery pack release and the cordless power tool is positioned an upright orientation with the cordless power tool battery pack resting on the plate member's top side and being surrounded and gripped by the at least one side wall.

Abstract: A 70 mm motion picture film (80 in FIG. 3) is provided which can be projected by a standard 70 mm motion picture projector onto widely available theater projection screens, where the film results in a projected image (90) having a width-to-height (E/F) aspect ratio of 2.4 to 1, instead of the previous 2.2 to 1 aspect ratio, with the projected image having the same height as previously. The new 70 mm film has film frames (82) that each occupies over 95% of the horizontal distance (M) between the two rows of perforations (60, 62), and preferably 99% of the distance between the rows of perforations. Sound is produced by a disk controlled by a timing track (96) that lies between one row of perforations (60) and an edge (106) of the film strip.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. An applet running on the personal computer receives power commands from the remote control devices and issues power mode commands to video and audio cards to emulate on/off functions of standard televisions. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification.

Abstract: An expansion device is provided having two expansion cards interconnected. While the first expansion card of the expansion device conforms to the footprint requirements of the PCMCIA, the second expansion card ranges in size. The expansion device integrates into the overall configuration that conforms with PCMCIA card architecture. A connector releasably attaches the two expansion cards together. Once attached, the expansion card acts as a slave card to the master PC card. Alternatively, the first expansion card can be used by itself as an expansion device. Guide pins are provided for guiding the attachment of the expansion cards. The guide pins, in addition, provide an electrical ground from the PC card to the expansion card. An adaptor is also provided with the expansion device for providing an electronic interface between a host computer and a transmission media line.

Abstract: The automatic detection of plain-old telephone system (POTS) lines. A line-type detector detects the particular type of communications line and preferably correspondingly configures a communications device, depending on whether POTS was detected or not. The detection is preferably accomplished by detecting the two dial tone frequencies present in a POTS line.

Abstract: A computer component, such as a hard disk drive, is provided with a spring clip assembly. The spring clip has a spring bracket and a plurality of tabs for engaging with a divider panel disposed within a chassis of a computer. The plurality of tabs guide the hard disk drive into place as the hard disk drive is installed. A support bracket coupled with the hard disk drive couples with slots on a power supply housing, and anchors the hard disk drive as the spring bracket assembly engages with the divider panel. A release mechanism is provided with the spring clip assembly, thereby allowing for easy removal and installation of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: Computer systems provide separate ports for USB (Universal Serial Bus) and PS2 peripherals. Unfortunately, this arrangement requires the computer to have two separate wireless transmitters to communicate with wireless USB and PS2 peripherals. Accordingly, the present invention provides a device, a method, and a system for combining PS2 data and USB data into one serial data stream, thereby enabling one wireless transmitter to serve both a PS2 and a USB peripheral. Specifically, one embodiment includes a PS2 port for receiving PS2 data; a USB port for receiving USB data; a data combiner, coupled to the PS2 and USB ports, for combining the PS2 and the USB data; and a wireless transmitter, coupled to the data combiner, for broadcasting a wireless signal carrying combined PS2 and USB data. In one embodiment, the data combiner includes a processor and a memory that stores unique data-combining software.

Abstract: A device is provided for coupling a graphical pointing device with a data input device. A sheath having a cavity therein couples with the data input device, where the sheath has an arm coupled with the sheath. The sheath has a cut out in the top surface so that a user has access to selection devices of the data input device. In addition, the sheath can have at least one cut out in the bottom surface to allow for actuation of an elevation foot coupled with the data input device. The arm has a holding structure which can frictionally engage the graphical pointing device therein. The data input device can alternatively have a recess in which a support arm is received. The support arm is removably disposed within the recess of the data input device and is adapted to couple with the graphical pointing device.

Abstract: A portable tote container is provided with an open box configuration. Divider panels and a work surface are disposed within the container. The divider panels allow for parts to be organized within the tote container. The work surface has an outer layer of anti-static material and is configured to couple with the divider panels. The work surface has an inner layer of alternative, less expensive material, which has a cavity formed inside. The cavity houses complete or partially complete components and creates an additional storage space within the container. The work surface is also movable in that it slides over the divider panel to cover the divider panels and to create additional work surface area.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for reducing and minimizing Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) leakage from electrical devices or assemblies contained in a cabinet or other similar enclosure such as a computer system unit. Spring fingers or arms contained in the enclosure force two adjacent faces of the enclosure components together to create an EMI minimizing seal.

Abstract: An insulated receptacle for receiving a container which is formed of a laminate of paper and foam. The receptacle is foldable and thus can be readily compressed and stored for future use. Opposite side walls of the receptacle include cut-out portions for readily gripping a container for inserting into and removing from the receptacle.

Abstract: A dual modem automatically switches between a wireless and wire-based communication modes using mode selection circuitry that detects when a wire-based communications network, such as a standard land-line telephone network, is coupled to the modem. When the modem selection circuitry detects the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples modem processing circuitry to a wire-based interface. When the modem selection circuitry fails to detect the presence of the wire-based communications network, it couples the modem processing circuitry to a wireless interface and the wireless interface is also powered for coupling to a wireless communications network, such as a cellular phone network. The wireless interface is not powered when the modem is coupled to the wire-based communications network.

Abstract: A data transfer system that relieves the central processing unit of a personal computer of the burden of controlling data transfers between mass storage devices coupled to a single device controller without utilizing main memory and which also increases the speed of such transfers. The data transfer system works with a computer having a DMA chip by causing the data to be stored in a transfer buffer instead of main memory when the device controller transfers data between the mass storage devices. The data transfer system also enables a data mirroring system for a personal computer by writing the data to the transfer buffer and also to a third mass storage device acting as a backup device. Another aspect of the data transfer system operates in computers having a local bus that couples peripherals to a central processing unit/main memory subsystem through a system controller.