Abstract: An apparatus and method to enable investigators of medical and insurance fraud to quickly and reliably determine whether a plurality of signatures affixed to a series of documents were made with the same pen and/or at the same time. According to a first embodiment, a series of indentations are formed around the periphery of the rim at the forward end of a conventional ballpoint pen. The indentations produce radially inward extending projections which are aligned with the rolling ball of the pen to induce scratches or micro-striations in the ink lines applied to the paper from the ball. By analyzing the scratch patterns of different signatures applied by the same maker to different documents, an indication can be provided whether the signatures were all made with the same pen.

Abstract: A device for use in preventing theft of an item from a building and for use in identification of the item is disclosed.

Abstract: A limb supporter apparatus supports a patient's elbow on support pegs that extend under the condyles of the humerus bone for positioning the ulna bone for bone testing. The ulna extends over the humerus and is positioned close to the skin for testing. The wrist is supported in the apparatus of the present invention between two vertical support pegs to secure the wrist in a vertical position and to prevent radial movement of the wrist. This apparatus properly positions the ulna above the humerus and allows for consistent, reproducible results during testing performed on a bone. The elbow and wrist supports extend from horizontal members which are supported by vertical support members. The vertical support members are positioned on a horizontal support member which is pivotally connected to a base member. The base member may be secured to a table by attachment bolts.

Abstract: The search position encoder includes a generally planar medium, a search probe and a device for moving the probe generally parallel to the surface of the planar medium, and indexing device for locating the actual position of the probe relative to a fixed location on the generally planar medium. A plurality of gratings consisting of alternating strips of conducting and non-conducting materials are arranged on or adjacent to the medium parallel to orthogonal axes of the medium, and a device for sensing the movement of the probe in a plane parallel to the gratings. The location of the probe may then be determined based upon the sensing of the passage of the probe relative to the gratings.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a grounding system is permanently installed in, for example, a telephone switching office. The system operates to scan a large number of ground conductors at the master ground bar by using amplified Hall effect sensors to monitor AC and DC current on the conductors. If a surge enters the telephone switching office, the surge is coupled to ground. The system monitors these ground conductors to insure that the ground system is operating properly. The microprocessor continuously insures that readings are taken of the current on each of the ground conductors. The microprocessor compares the current readings with preset parameters. If a reading exceeds the predetermined parameter threshold, an alarm report is generated. The report lists not only the current on the conductor which was the source of the surge, but also shows any current increase on the other ground conductors that are monitored.

Abstract: A disposable, self-contained, light weight integral device for detecting, by means of activating an indicator, the presence of a predetermined substance in a sample fluid which is introduced into a test chamber. The device has a deformable housing which forms a test chamber for interacting the indicator material with the sample fluid, wherein a rupturable vessel of reagent is contained adjacent the test chamber, which vessel can be ruptured by application of a predetermined pressure through the walls of the deformable housing. Upon rupturing the vessel, the contents thereof are exposed to the sample fluid introduced into the chamber. In the presence of the predetermined substance in the sample fluid, the indicator undergoes the indicated change. The device can contain more than one vessel and a receptacle. One or more of the vessels can contain more than one indicator substance.

Abstract: Intracellular mineral concentrations are obtained from very small tissue samples, such as sublingual tissue smears. The tissue smears are subjected to excitation radiation, typically a scanning electron beam, and mineral analyses may be based on the profile of emitted x-ray fluorescence. A number of correlations are made between various diseased states, susceptibility to diseased states, metabolic status based on the elevated and depressed levels of some or all of the mineral concentrations.

Abstract: Electroencephalography electrodes are attached to the surface of the scalp at predetermined points and are connected to relatively long lead wires which are anchored to the patient's skin at a short distance from the electrode itself to provide a strain relief on the lead wire and to minimize signal interference or artifacts associated with movement of the lead wire and the electrode. The arrangement provides for placing a preamplifier unit in a position on the patient's body which is more comfortable and less cumbersome than if mounted directly adjacent the electrodes themselves. The electrode and lead assembly may be provided with a thickened portion of the lead insulation to increase the surface area available for anchoring the lead by tape or other adhesive.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a detailed plan to a known scale showing an optimized fit of material of predetermined dimensional characteristics into a given area. The invention finds utility in the field of carpet installation. After the perimeter of the area to be carpeted is measured, an array of signals is produced and stored to identify the coordinates of the area. A detailed plan, which is produced by interaction between an operator and the plotting system, shows the area outline, all seam locations, and the length of each strip needed to cover the given area.

Abstract: A method for producing images on radiation sensitive recording mediums. The method comprises the steps of providing radiation means 20 operable to produce radiation 30 at a predetermined location from the radiation means 20, and mounting a radiation sensitive recording medium 12 and the radiation means 20 to provide relative movement between the recording medium 12 and the radiation means 20 so that respective portions of the recording medium 12 are presented at the predetermined location from the radiation means 20.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing images on radiation sensitive recording mediums. The apparatus includes a plurality of radiation sources which are independently selectively operable to produce a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location from the radiation sources. The plurality of radiation signals are arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and the matrix of signals is of a predetermined size at the predetermined location. A radiation sensitive recording medium is mounted for relative movement relative to the radiation sources so that respective portions of the recording medium are presented at the predetermined location from the radiation sources. The radiation sources are selectively operated at selected intervals as the radiation sources and recording medium move relative to one another to thereby produce one or more radiation signals to thereby expose a series of dot areas on the recording medium to produce a desired image.

Abstract: Ultrasonic directional guidance apparatus for use by divers underwater includes a pair of compact, self-contained units -- a pinger for generating omnidirectional signal bursts, and a unidirectionally sensitive hydrophone for use in locating the pinger. For economy of manufacture, the units ae structurally similar and have substantially identical watertight housings. A significant feature shared by the units is an easily operated switching arrangement for turning the units off and on, or for changing operating modes, i.e., hydrophone sensitivity or pinger signal transmission rate. The disclosed switching arrangement includes a collar carrying a magnet and mounted on the housing for rotation relative to it. Magnetic field-actuated switches inside the housing are selectively actuated to energize the units or change operating modes by rotating the collar to different detented positions, one for each switch, in which the magnet is sufficiently close for its field to actuate the switch.