Abstract: A method for determining a grouping of segments within a market. The method includes forming a bias mitigated square matrix from a square matrix populated with second choice data, and forming a compressed matrix from the bias mitigated square matrix. Each different segment is initially associated with a row of the square matrix and a column of the square matrix. The method also includes determining a matrix consistency score for the compressed matrix, forming at least one additional compressed matrix from the bias mitigated square matrix, and determining matrix consistency scores for each additional compressed matrix. The method further includes determining which matrix consistency score is best.

Abstract: A method of measuring the sales performance of a dealer may include determining a propensity to buy score associated with each lead received by a dealer and determining an expected close rate associated with the dealer that may be based on the determined propensity to buy scores. The method may also include determining, by a computing device, an effectiveness rate associated with the dealer that may be based on at least the expected close rate and an actual close rate.

Abstract: A method for determining a grouping of segments within a market. The method includes forming a bias mitigated square matrix from a square matrix populated with second choice data, and forming a compressed matrix from the bias mitigated square matrix. Each different segment is initially associated with a row of the square matrix and a column of the square matrix. The method also includes determining a matrix consistency score for the compressed matrix, forming at least one additional compressed matrix from the bias mitigated square matrix, and determining matrix consistency scores for each additional compressed matrix. The method further includes determining which matrix consistency score is best.

Abstract: A method of measuring the sales performance of a dealer may include determining a propensity to buy score associated with each lead received by a dealer and determining an expected close rate associated with the dealer that may be based on the determined propensity to buy scores. The method may also include determining, by a computing device, an effectiveness rate associated with the dealer that may be based on at least the expected close rate and an actual close rate.

Abstract: A complete and versatile solution that offers a comprehensive suite of integral products for electrical coupling and electronic communication and data-transfer between GPS receivers and portable electronic devices such as PDA device, cellular phones, notebook or laptop computers, etc., that utilizes various interfacing devices and technologies including USB ports, Compact/Flash cards, PC cards, and BlueTooth enabled wireless capacities, etc.

Abstract: An integrated connection assembly for a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a personal digital assistance (PDA) device or cellular phone. The integrated connection assembly includes a power adapter, an interface circuitry, a filter circuitry, and cable links. The power adapter has an external power connector adapted to be connected to an external power source for obtaining an external power, and an internal transformer and charger for converting the external power to an internal power suitable for the GPS receiver and the PDA device or cellular phone. The interface circuitry converts different interfaces of the GPS receiver and the PDA device or cellular phone. The filter circuitry prevents interferences between the GPS receiver and the PDA device or cellular phone. The integrated connection assembly also includes component parts for providing connection to the GPS receiver and the PDA device or cellular phone.

Abstract: An improved system for recovering CO.sub.2 from flue gases containing SO.sub.2 at low CO.sub.2 partial pressure. The system includes the use of K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 as the solvent, regeneration of the solvent, and removal of SO.sub.2 and SO.sub.4.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa, which advantageously utilizes the phenomenon known as contact charging. A metallic first member is urged into intimate abutting contact along a surface thereof with a surface of a second member formed from semiconductor material. The abutting surfaces of the members are each divided into a plurality of segments such that relative movement between the members, while the members are retained in abutting contact, results in the capacitance of the device varying within predetermined limits. Four preferred embodiments of the device are contemplated. In the first embodiment the area of contact between the abutting surfaces is caused to synchronously vary between predetermined limits. In the second, third, and fourth embodiments the contact area remains constant and, instead, the surface characteristics of the second member are controllably varied to thereby cause the variance in capacitance.

Abstract: A polycrystalline sample is irradiated with a collimated beam of substantially monochromatic X-ray radiation to form a diffraction come which extends and expands outwardly from the sample. A substantially planar, two-dimensional, position sensitive detector is disposed across the cone to intercept and thereby form a two-dimensional image of at least a substantial portion of the cone's cross-sectional periphery. A theoretical relationship exists between the shape of the cone's image and the residual stress in the sample such that the image can be analyzed to quantitatively determine the residual stress.

Abstract: Optical elements for vessel navigation lights, providing improved and inexpensive means for achieving uniform, luminous intensity over a sharply bounded horizontal arc of visibility, and also for achieving a desired vertical arc of visibility, comprise means for projecting light from a diffuse source or an array or mosaic of point sources into a field the horizontal and vertical arcs of which can be precisely defined. The disclosure encompasses two geometric configurations for projecting light, symmetrical and asymmetrical, compound parabolic concentrators, each of which may be constructed as either a reflective cavity or a refractive dielectric, thereby to provide four basic designs for achieving uniform illumination over various horizontal arcs of visibility. In addition, the disclosure encompasses three modes of diffuse light projection to achieve uniform illumination over various vertical arcs of visibility.

Abstract: A process for effecting flame retardation of fibrous structures, such as fabrics, particularly fabrics made from mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers, such as cotton and nylon. The process includes the steps of contacting the fabric to be treated with halomonomers and/or inorganic salts, followed by fluorocarbon grafting, and then by photohalogenation. The aforesaid treatment results in fabrics which are not only flame resistant but also have improved hand, manifested by softness, silkiness, and unwettability of the resulting fabric.

Abstract: Optical elements for vessel navigation lights, providing improved and inexpensive means for achieving uniform, luminous intensity over a sharply bounded horizontal arc of visibility, and also for achieving a desired vertical arc of visibility, comprise means for projecting light from a diffuse source or an array or mosaic of point sources into a field the horizontal and vertical arcs of which can be precisely defined. The disclosure encompasses two geometric configurations for projecting light, symmetrical and asymmetrical, compound parabolic concentrators, each of which may be constructed as either a reflective cavity or a refractive dielectric, thereby to provide four basic designs for achieving uniform illumination over various horizontal arcs of visibility. In addition, the disclosure encompasses three modes of diffuse light projection to achieve uniform illumination over various vertical arcs of visibility.

Abstract: An improved laser apparatus is provided wherein a laser and a pump source comprising an array of GaAs or GaAlAs light emitting laser diodes or of excimer fluorescors or lasers which emits a large cross section beam of generally collimated pumping radiation are coupled by flux concentrating means comprising a compound parabolic concentrator.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus is provided for imparting chemically bonded fluorocarbon finishes to textiles. In the process, the textiles are contacted with a gaseous mixture of fluoroolefins in an inert diluent gas in the presence of ultraviolet light under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: An improved method for the fabrication of a reinforced composite. The method includes assembling rigid rods into a geometric structure such that all interstitial voids are interconnected, infiltrating the geometric structure with particles, impregnating the infiltrated geometric structure with an appropriate liquid matrix binder or precursor, and treating the impregnated geometric structure such that the binder solidifies to form the reinforced composite.

Abstract: An apparatus for the concentration of solar energy upon a fixed array of solar cells. A transparent material is overlayed upon the cell array, and a diffuse reflective coating is applied to the surface area of the transparent medium in between cells. Radiant light, which reflects through the transparent layer and does not fall directly incident to a cell surface is reflected by the coating layer in an approximate cosine pattern. Thereafter, such light undergoes internal reflection and rediffusion until subsequently it either strikes a solar cell surface or is lost through the upper surface of the transparent material.

Abstract: The present method involves the initial mining of horizontally extending layers of oil-rich or "kerogen phase continuous" shale. The oil-rich shale is brought to the surface where it is retorted in above-ground retorts of one of the known types. The leaner oil shale which is still "in situ" is then explosively fragmented into the voids created when the oil-rich shale was mined, and oil is obtained as the fragmented shale is ignited, in accordance with known horizontal type modified in situ oil shale retorting techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating the perceptible intensity of the presentation of a light emitting display which light emitting display emits light by gas discharge and recombination of ions and free electrons of a display medium; includes a system clock, the interruption of which causes the interruption of the presentation of the light emitting display; and is capable of retaining display information upon the interruption of a light sustaining signal or the electrical power as a result of an accumulation and retention of electrical charge across the display medium.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring the concentration of a particular gas species in a gaseous mixture. The remote detection of pollutants emitted in source effluents, e.g., gas from a smokestack, involves specific spectral measurements of infrared radiation and, in this method, includes ratioing the signals from two gas-reference cell pairs to eliminate dependencies upon the inlowering atmosphere and source effluent temperature. An instrument cell construction and assembly using a unique cells-within-a cell permits use of a single lens that insures common fields-of-view for both cell pairs; a triple chopping system uses tuning forks to alternately pass the incoming energy through the gas and reference cells eliminating the need for separate sync signal generators, and provides a high carrier frequency improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensor.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind-driven rotor which combines effective utilization of the energy in a strong wind with maintenance of effective torque at low wind speeds. In one embodiment, the rotor has a reservoir of liquid located near its base. A plurality of tubes radiate outwardly from the reservoir along the base, then rise upwardly along the outer edges of the rotor vanes. In another embodiment, a Savonius type rotor is modified so that the vanes are hinged, and the trailing edge of each vane weighted, whereby in a wind the rotor starts in a fully open condition and automatically feathers itself at high wind speeds.