Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the visibility of differences between two input image sequences for improving image fidelity and visual task applications. The apparatus comprises a visual discrimination measure having a retinal sampling section, a plurality of temporal filters and a spatial discrimination section. The retinal sampling section applies a plurality of transformations to the input image sequences for simulating the image-processing properties of human vision. The temporal filters separate the sequences of retinal images into two temporal channels producing a lowpass temporal response and a bandpass temporal response. The spatial discrimination section applies spatial processing to the temporal responses to produce an image metric which is used to assess the visibility of differences between the two input image sequences.

Abstract: An assembly for drivably connecting a shaft to a bore includes a member having a bore, wherein a keyway is included in the bore having a semi-circular cross section. A shaft is provided which is configured to have a non-interference fit in the bore, and a surface of the shaft is formed with a keyway having a rectangular cross-section. A unitary component is provided, and is adapted to connect the shaft to the bore of the member and to allow driving forces to be transmitted between the shaft and the bore. The unitary component includes engagement means formed on an inner surface thereof which enables the component to be coupled to the keyway in the shaft. The unitary component also includes an integral key having a semi-circular outer surface corresponding to and adapted to engage the semi-circular keyway formed in the bore.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing honey frames from their box, in which the frames first are raised with the box and then the frames are pushed out of the box onto supporting brackets.

Abstract: An extendable support foot for an ironing board is disclosed. The ironing board includes an ironing table with at least one support leg extending therefrom. The support foot includes an outer tubular member attached to the support leg and an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member. A guide is attached to the outer tubular member and has a bearing portion disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The bearing portion includes an inner race diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner tubular member so as to permit sliding and rotation of the inner tubular member within the guide and with respect to the outer tubular member. A rotatably engagable locking mechanism is located between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of tests or syntheses in parallel comprising a sample channel for moving samples into a microlaboratory array of a plurality of wells connected by one or more channels for the testing-or synthesis of samples, a station for housing the array and an optical system comprising at least one light source and at least one light detector for measuring the samples in the array, and a means of electrically connecting said array to an apparatus capable of monitoring and controlling the flow of fluids into the array. Samples are loaded from a common loading channel into the array, processed in the wells and measurements taken by the optical system. The array can process many samples, or synthesize many compounds in parallel, reducing the time required for such processes. Etching from both sides of a substrate using patterned photoresist and metal layers to form a network of capillary channels for separately transporting a plurality of different liquids.

Abstract: Electrical feedthroughs in printed circuit board support substrates for use in making double sided ceramic multilayer printed circuit boards are made by insulating the feedthrough openings with a first layer of nickel oxide and one or more layers of glass, and then filling the remainder of the feedthroughs with a conductive metal via fill ink. After firing, the resultant structure provides insulated electrical feedthroughs through the support substrate.

Abstract: A full N-key rollover capability information entry device includes first and second sets of intersecting light guides oriented at an angle to one another which may comprise a mesh of waveguides that together form a self-supporting planar sheet of a substantially transparent material at the wavelength of light introduced into one end of at least one of the first and second sets of light guides. This permits each intersection to comprise a common portion of both a light guide of the first set and a light guide of the second set that intersect at that intersection. Detection of changes in the intensity of the light in at least one of the sets of light guides in response to key actuation that blocks a portion of the light at a certain intersection is indicative of that actuated key.

Abstract: A tamper detection device can determine whether a housing containing a device has been tampered with either by having the housing penetrated or by an attempt to remove a cover from the housing. The tamper detection device may be a capacitor which is placed across a portion of the housing and whose capacitance changes if it is penetrated. The temper detection device may also be a flexible circuit having conductive strips thereon forming a circuit with means to cause an open circuit if the housing is penetrated or the cover removed from the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum plate system comprises a support plate (310) formed of a plurality of support plate modules (320-380) that are supported on a base plate, and serve to transfer vacuum between vacuum apertures in the base plate and a workpiece held on the support plate (310). The support plate module (340) is formed with a plurality of circular lip seals (341) of larger size, and disposed therebetween, a plurality of lip seals (349) of smaller size. The area within each of the lip seals (341, 349) has a small hole extending through the respective support plate module, to transfer vacuum in a restricted manner. The remaining support plate modules are of a similar configuration, but with variations. In machining of a workpiece held on the support plate modules (320-280), the modules may be cut into, without risk of losing the vacuum overall holding effect on the workpiece. The specification discloses various other support plates.

Abstract: An insert for a collapsible container having an opening. The insert includes a first fluid passage defining member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section. This member extends from the opening inwardly of the container and is in fluid communication with the opening. The insert also includes a second fluid passage defining member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section. The second member extends transversely from the first member and is in fluid communication therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus having a substrate having a planar conductive plating located on a first surface of a dielectric layer and having a conductive trace (a collection trace) located on a second surface of the dielectric layer such that the conducting plating and the conductive trace have a parallel, spaced-apart relation. The conductive trace is charged by supplying a voltage to the plating and the trace to establish a voltage differential across the dielectric layer. As such, depending upon the magnitude of the voltage, polarity of the voltage and the duration for which the voltage is applied to the trace, a certain quantity and polarity of charge accumulates on the trace. The material to be deposited is charged to an opposite polarity than that of the trace and then the deposition material is applied to the trace. Consequently, the substrate electrostatically retains the deposition material on the collection trace.

Abstract: A multiple user data storage, retrieval and distribution system containing a parallel processing computer system that forms a digital information server. The server contains a plurality of parallel processors each connected to a information storage device. The user data is stored in a distributed manner amongst the information storage devices. The distribution system dynamically allocates the users to the system based upon the user's requested operating mode. As such, during successive user service periods, all the users are supplied their requested data. The system also provides error detection and correction for the data requested by the users. Furthermore, additional data can be added to the information storage devices during each service period and select information storage devices can be recalibrated without affecting system operation.

Abstract: A swing arm assembly is used as an adjustable balancing mechanism for the foldable telescope golf cart. The swing arm assembly adjusts the inclined position of the golf bag on the cart, and thus adjusts the center gravity location of the golf clubs. By selecting a proper length and rotational angle of the swing arm, it is possible to position the center gravity of the entire cart assembly in line with the center line of the wheels. As a result, the golf cart is maintained in a balanced position without imposing its weight upon the golfer, which reduces the effort and stress in pulling the cart, and makes the golf game more enjoyable.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing emergency information. This emergency information device is a portable unit which may be carried to an emergency site. It is operative in response to parameter entries by the rescuer according to the victim's condition to provide sequential procedural displays of medical standard rescue steps for assisting the rescuer in carrying out the correct rescue operation. The standard rescue procedure is stored in a microprocessor which, if necessary, can be re-programmed to update to a new rescue standard procedure. It includes a recall feature operative for reverse searching of any desired step in the display if the condition of the victim changes during the rescue operation. Additionally, distinct tone signals are emitted at selected steps of the rescue operation procedure to assist the rescuer in memorizing and conducting such steps in the rescue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for carrying in-line skates. The in-line skates have blades that include at least two adjacent wheels. The apparatus comprises a base member having a front, back and bottom. The base member defines first and second slots, each open to the bottom and extending from the front to the back. The first and second slots are each sized to receive the blade of an in-line skate so that the base member is substantially perpendicular to the in-line skate blades.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding honey frames into a Cook & Beals automatic rotary cutter uncapping machine, the apparatus providing a pair of spaced horizontal conveyors from which are suspended honey frames to be fed into a Cook & Beals machine. The horizontal conveyors are arranged to feed the frames one by one onto spaced parallel vertical conveyors which carry the frames singly into the Cook & Beals machine. The apparatus provides a picker for pulling frames one by one from the horizontal to the vertical conveyors and a stop which acts to prevent frames on the horizontal conveyors from being transferred to the vertical conveyors except at the correct position of the vertical conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for combining the characteristics of both single instruction, multiple data stream (SIMD) and multiple instruction, multiple data stream (MIMD) computer architectures into a single parallel processing computer for performing multiple instruction stream processing. Such a parallel processing computer simultaneously performs both MIMD and SIMD operations on various processors within the computer. Additionally, at specified points during program execution, certain processors, i.e., a subset of all the processors, are synchronized. Once synchronized, the processors can exchange data. Moreover, the processors that do not take part in the synchronization continue executing instructions without interruption. The apparatus and method disclosed find applicability in video servers, medical imaging, special effects and animation and location based entertainment systems among other applications.

Abstract: The disclosed document feeder apparatus includes a document drive that comprises only a single line of feed rollers with a simple skew adjustment system. This drive is shown incorporated in a cassette-loaded automatic document feeder ("ADF") that is attachable to an existing independent engineering document copier in a non-intrusive manner. The cassette can be loaded, either when positioned in the ADF or at a location remote from the ADF, with a stack of large engineering documents of mixed media and varying sizes; and it is even possible for the cassette to carry a document several yards (meters) long. Documents are fed serially from the top of the stack through the ADF's document flow path by the document drive which is centered for alignment along a line positioned parallel to the document flow path.

Abstract: The system includes a sensor for each junction box in the building to be guarded, i.e., the residence, and a display panel showing the temperature of any junction box that is heated above the danger point. Another display panel shows the name of the resident and address of the residence, and the location of the heated junction box by room number and junction box number and the shape of the junction box. A plurality of residences are connected with a central station, such as a fire station, by single telephone line to each residence. A single processing unit is located in each residence, and a single such unit in the central display station. A display panel is located in the central station identical with each display in a residence.

Abstract: An automated balloon inflation device which has a supply of pressurized gas, a nozzle for receiving a balloon, and an actuator for sequentially closing a clamp on the balloon and the nozzle and subsequently supplying the pressurized gas to the balloon for the inflation thereof. Furthermore, a key-weight device may be employed for the dual purpose of controlling the supply of pressurized gas to the nozzle and to prevent the inadvertent loss of an inflated balloon which is secured to the key-weight. Additionally, the automated balloon inflation device is constructed so that any consumer may inflate a balloon with pressurized gas.