Abstract: A long range identification system is disclosed for utilizing a radio frequency (RF) signal sent by a calling location, such as a mass transit vehicle, as the energy source to power response apparatus at a responding location, such as a route stop of the transit vehicle. The responding signal is then broadcast within the transit vehicle as audio or as a video display of a signal from a character generator, or as both audio and video.

Abstract: A supporting assembly for a mixing bowl is provided including a support having first and second opposing edges and at least one open end defining an interior space. First and second holding members are provided, each holding member covering at least a portion of an associated edge of the support. The holding members are constructed and arranged such that when the supporting assembly is disposed with the first holding member in contact with a planar surface and a mixing bowl is at least partially disposed in the interior space with the second holding member contacting a peripheral surface of the mixing bowl, friction between the mixing bowl and the second holding member and between the planar surface and the first holding member holds the bowl stationary with respect to the planar surface when contents of the mixing bowl are mixed.

Abstract: A signal processing system and method for accomplishing signal processing using a neural network that incorporates adaptive weight updating and adaptive pruning for tracking non-stationary signal is presented. The method updates the structural parameters of the neural network in principal component space (eigenspace) for every new available input sample. The non-stationary signal is recursively transformed into a matrix of eigenvectors with a corresponding matrix of eigenvalues. The method applies principal component pruning consisting of deleting the eigenmodes corresponding to the smallest saliencies, where a sum of the smallest saliencies is less than a predefined threshold level. Removing eigenmodes with low saliencies reduces the effective number of parameters and generally improves generalization. The output is then computed by using the remaining eigenmodes and the weights of the neural network are updated using adaptive filtering techniques.

Abstract: A method and system for advertising that provides advertisers with a marketing database listing contact information for all potential consumers who received a promotional item from that advertiser and decided to retain the promotional item for future use. The promotional item is a tag bearing an advertisement, a contact identifier and a unique tag identifier. After receiving the tag from an advertiser, each recipient is instructed to attach the tag to a personal property item and to register the item with a processing facility that, with the use of an information storage and retrieval system, will create a master database comprising each recipient's contact information and tag identifier. The master database can be used to arrange for the return of a lost personal property item bearing a registered tag. The master database can also be sorted and contact information can be extracted therefrom to generate a marketing database for transmittal to advertisers.

Abstract: A rotary switch is mounted in a housing having a hollow interior. The rotary switch includes a shaft, which rotatably extends through a male threaded mounting. The rotatable shaft defines a bore which extends from an inlet defined on an exterior surface of the shaft, through a length of the shaft. The bore communicates with an outlet defined in the exterior surface of the shaft. The outlet is disposed within the hollow interior of the housing, while the inlet of the bore is positioned external to the housing. The bore defines a passageway within the body of the shaft through which a cleaning fluid may pass. The inlet of the bore is covered by a knob which is removably secured to the shaft. A first contact is connected to the rotatable shaft. A second contact is disposed within the interior of the housing for contacting the first contact. The first contact is also disposed within the interior of the housing. The bore may be used in cleaning the contacts positioned within the interior of the housing.

Abstract: Transmitting data includes grouping the data into one or more packets, constructing a segment of data packets, and transmitting the segment more than once. Control information indicating that the segment is about to commence may be transmitted prior to transmission of the segment. Similarly, control information indicating that the segment has ended may be transmitted after transmission of the segment. The transmission may be performed by superimposing the segment and control information onto a video signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode which emits radiation in the 2-5 micrometer wavelength range and operates at room temperature. The laser diode includes an active layer of an In.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As.sub.y Sb.sub.1-y alloy and a separate cladding layer on each side of the active layer. One of the cladding layers is of n-type conductivity and the other cladding layer is of p-type conductivity. At least the n-type cladding layer, and preferably both cladding layers, are of either an InAlPSb or an InGaPSb alloy.

Abstract: An improved device for identifying an individual pop-top can having a pull tab for levering open the can is provided. The device includes a flexible resilient sleeve of elastomeric plastic or rubber or the like which slides over and seats on the free end of the pop-top can tab. The sleeve has a distinctive color, design, texture, written indicia or any combination thereof, in order to identify the individual can. A kit is also provided which includes a number of the sleeves, all of which differ from each other in color, texture, written indicia and/or design. One embodiment of the sleeve includes an integral plug which extends upwardly from the top of the sleeve and is shaped and dimensioned to plug the can opening to preserve the contents thereof after opening. The sleeve is simple, inexpensive and attractive and enables users of similar cans to identify their own cans and thus not drink from another user's can.

Abstract: A group conferencing arrangement for a counseling service permits the simultaneous connection of two or more service representatives to a call-in caller, i.e. without the need for one service representative to add-on the second service representative conferee. The call-in caller signifies their wishing to partake in a plural service representative call by dialing a special 800 or 900 telephone number or signifying the same via entering an appropriate response to an audio response unit. Each service representative may have a terminal equipped with a display or other means for receiving the identity of the call-in caller and the other service representative connected to the group conference call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and using an encoded bitstream to evaluate a video decoder. The bitstream contains a sequence of pictures or frames such that when a video decoder decodes the bitstream correctly, a desired visible pattern is produced on a video display. Specifically, various display parameters or flags are varied in the bitstream to test the video decoder's ability to implement display features such as "3:2 pulldown". For example, the bitstream is capable of demonstrating incorrect decoding of the top.sub.-- field.sub.-- first and repeat.sub.-- first.sub.-- field flags by a MPEG compliant video decoder.

Abstract: A receiver for demodulating multiple digital modulation formats including vestigial sideband (VSB), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), and offset QAM (OQAM). The receiver includes a timing recovery circuit that produces accurate timing information for each modulation format and a signal processor for adaptive equalization and quantization of each modulation format. The adaptive equalizer is a passband equalizer that performs blind equalization using a feed forward equalizer and a decision feedback equalizer.

Abstract: A surgical screwdriver for inserting bone screws in bone tunnels in ligament reconstruction has, in a preferred embodiment, a cannulated flexible shaft portion. The flexible shaft portion is formed by a plurality of linkage members disposed in series. Each linkage member is joined to an adjacent linkage member so as to permit adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis. The screwdriver is used in methods of arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction including the steps of introducing the screwdriver along a guide wire through a portal that is offset from the longitudinal axis of a bone tunnel and driving an interference screw mounted on the driver in the bone tunnel to fixate a bone block in the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A cutting head (20) is mounted on the outer end of a boom structure of a self-propelled machine, such as an excavator. The cutting head housing has a vertically oriented rotary cutter wheel (48) mounted on a side portion thereof. Side and top portions of the wheel (48) are protected by a shroud (56), which has generally conical side members (72, 80). The members (72, 80) strengthen the shroud (56), provide cutting depth control, and assist the operator in positioning the cutter wheel (48) on a stump. The wheel (48) and shroud (56) are laterally offset from a rearward projection (88) of the housing. A double heel rack (92, 94) is formed on the free outer end of the projection (88). The upper leg (92) of the rack cooperates with a thumb (28) to grip objects. The lower leg is used for stabilizing the vehicle. The rack (92, 94) also functions as a rake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chucks and methods for positioning multiple objects, optionally for transport onto a recipient substrate. Instead of using conventional clamps that employ mechanical force, the present invention is directed to the use of a non-mechanical force such as negative pressure in a vacuum chuck, or static electricity in an electrostatic chuck as the force applied to the objects held by the chuck. Further, the chuck has a layer for holding the objects which are optionally subsequently transferred to a recipient substrate, the layer having a configuration substantially corresponding to the configuration of the recipient substrate. In certain aspects, the present invention is directed to a chuck for positioning objects with an average width or diameter less than or equal to one millimeter, and a thickness preferably less than about 3 millimeters, such as beads used in the chemical industry.

Abstract: In a computer system containing at least one processor subsystems, an apparatus and a method for selective disabling processor subsystems using functional segmentation of the input/output circuitry. Each processor subsystem has a processor unit that is connected to an input/output unit. The input/output unit is partitioned into functional elements which are connected to other input/output units of other processor subsystems in the plurality of processor subsystems or to data sources and data sinks. The I/O unit further contains a functional element controller for selectively disabling and enabling the functional elements.

Abstract: A dental matrix retention apparatus which comprises a longitudinally extending frame member, and two laterally extending fingers at an end of the frame member, the fingers being integral with the frame member, each finger having longitudinally spaced primary and secondary sides, there being a finger slot between the fingers and communicating with the primary and secondary sides of the fingers, the fingers projecting in laterally offset relation to a plane defined by the frame member; a holder carried by the longitudinally extending frame member for adjustable longitudinal movement therealong, the holder defining a holder slot, openingly facing the finger secondary sides; a band having a looping section to loop about a tooth, and overlapping sections, the band overlapping sections extending through the finger slot and then directly to the holder slot for retention therein, the band-looping sections extending adjacent the finger primary sides to be tightened toward the primary sides as the holder is adjustably

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant having a unique combination of full, peachy-pink flowers with rosette formation; disease resistance; attractive shrubby growth; and repeat flowering.

Abstract: A shrub rose plant having no observed disease susceptibility; excellent repeat flowering; attractive; strong pink, small flowers held in large bunches; and attractive shrubby growth.

Abstract: A shrub rose plant having the unique combination of its dark pink flowers, attractive rounded flower which opens to show stamens, strong fragrance, repeat flowers, and attractive shrubby, arching growth.