Abstract: The present invention includes a light communication method and system wherein messages are transmitted via color code flashes. The light communication includes code colors that may be framed with calibration elements.

Abstract: A brake actuator is provided, in which a diaphragm, used in conjunction with a piston which compresses a parking brake-actuating spring, is arranged such that its outer peripheral region is captured between opposing housing flange portions such that a seal between the interior and exterior of the brake actuator housing is provided in a radially-oriented region of the diaphragm and the housing flange portions away from housing portion jointing components such as a clamp ring or individual fasteners. The diaphragm may also be provided with a wedge-shaped portion at its outer periphery which is axially oriented and configured to reside in a corresponding annular gap between the opposing housing flange portions.

Abstract: A seat for use in a passenger vehicle, e.g. for prisoner transport, comprises a molded piece having at least one first contact zone at a periphery of the molded piece and at least second contact zone located inward of the periphery of molded piece. The second contact zone may comprise a multi-surface formation that is configured to engage a multi-surface formation of a vehicle body. The molded piece may comprise one or more recesses designed to accommodate the body of a passenger. The at least one second contact zone may be disposed in an area of the seat that receives the buttocks of a passenger, thereby providing additional support in a load bearing area of the seat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a menu is semi-transparently overlaid upon a portion of a video being shown on a television coupled to a programmable multimedia controller. The menu has a plurality of selectable options and a selection cursor disposed on one of the plurality of selectable options. Input is received from a user on the remote control unit indicating a direction. In response to the input indicating the direction, the selection cursor is moved in a corresponding direction within the semi-transparently overlaid menu to bring the selection cursor to be disposed on a designated selectable option to permit selection of the designated selectable option. In response to selection of the designated selectable option, the programmable multimedia controller issues one or more control commands to a lighting system, a heating ventilation and air/conditioning (HVAC) system, and/or to an automatic shade system, to control operation of lighting, HVAC or window shades.

Abstract: A rack includes a base resting on a horizontal surface, a top and four elongated legs. Each leg includes a bottom portion pivotally connected to the base and a top portion pivotally connected to the top. The rack is movable between a flat position, wherein the legs are substantially parallel to the horizontal surface, and an upright position, wherein the legs are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a trash rake system for use in clearing debris from an intake screen of an intake trash rack of a water intake port of a water use facility. The intake screen is configured to collect debris transported by water, for example, a river, to prevent the debris from entering the intake port of the water use facility. The trash rake system includes a track system, a movable support structure, a rack and pinion drive mechanism, and a controller configured to receive signals from an encoder on a drive motor and a proximity sensor system.

Abstract: A radiation detector is provided that includes a photodiode having a radiation absorber with a graded multilayer structure. Each layer of the absorber is formed from a semiconductor material, such as HgCdTe. A first of the layers is formed to have a first predetermined wavelength cutoff. A second of the layers is disposed over the first layer and beneath the first surface of the absorber through which radiation is received. The second layer has a graded composition structure of the semiconductor material such that the wavelength cutoff of the second layer varies from a second predetermined wavelength cutoff to the first predetermined wavelength cutoff such that the second layer has a progressively smaller bandgap than the first bandgap of the first layer. The graded multilayer radiation absorber structure enables carriers to flow toward a conductor that is used for measuring the radiation being sensed by the radiation absorber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time data and performing network transactions via a GUI over a network using computer-based storage and retrieval schemes including real-time lookup tables and databases and updating the real-time lookup tables and databases in real-time, with the network including but not limited to Internet, phone, wireless communications, and other channels.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasive fat reduction can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a thermal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a fat cell. The lesion can create an opening in the surface of the fat cell, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat cell and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

Abstract: Photocontrol apparatus that controls a luminaire or other load such that the luminaire is switched on during nighttime hours and off during the daytime. The photocontrol consumes only microwatts of power in either the ON or the OFF state, unlike traditional relay- or triac-based photocontrols. The photocontrol does not require a voltage generating photo sensor to generate power for the photocontrol. A solar cell, semiconductor photo diode or photo diode string, cadmium sulfide cell, semiconductor ambient light sensor, etc., may be used as the sensor element. The photocontrol switches power to the load at the zero-crossing of an AC input voltage, which reduces inrush current and the switching currents caused by traditional photocontrols which may switch at any point on the AC input voltage waveform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device, system and methods for tracking conductive composite pressurized gaseous storage tanks. The system including anchoring an RFID device in a non-conductive blind boss. Wherein the anchor material has a low dielectric and has minimal reflection if RF energy.

Abstract: A device disposed on a subject for determining whether the subject is inside or outside of a containment zone, the containment zone having a portion of a structure intersecting the perimeter thereof. There is a positioning unit for generating position data, including satellite position data having a carrier to noise ratio. There is a processor unit configured to determine if the carrier to noise ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold indicating that the subject is not under the structure or less than a second predetermined threshold indicating that the subject is under the structure. If the carrier to noise ratio is greater than the first predetermined threshold, the processor unit determines from the position data if the subject is inside or outside of the containment zone and if less than the second predetermined threshold, the subject is assigned to a virtual position in the containment zone different.

Abstract: An automated system for monitoring and testing a sump pump installation includes an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid to the liquid container in response to a valve control signal. A test control module includes a test control circuit which when actuated supplies a valve control signal to initiate a test cycle during which liquid is admitted to the container to cause the liquid level in the container to rise, after which the sump pump discharges liquid from the container until a predetermined event terminates the test cycle. An indicator circuit indicates in response to completion of the test cycle whether the test was successful or unsuccessful. A communications circuit is included which receives and verifies control signals addressed to the system from an external originator to allow a test cycle to be remotely initiated in the event of impending severe weather or other threats.

Abstract: An automated system for testing and monitoring a sump pump installation includes an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid to the sump container in response to a valve control signal. A test control module actuates the valve to initiate a test cycle during which liquid is admitted to the sump container to cause the liquid level in the container to rise to a predetermined level, after which the pump, if functional, discharges liquid from the container until the liquid level falls to a lower level and the test cycle is terminated. The test control module includes an indicator circuit which indicates in response to completion of the test cycle whether the test was successful or unsuccessful. A processor circuit records the elapsed time of successive test cycles and the current supplied to the sump pump motor to identify trends or anomalies in the operation of the pump and provide an output signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A mist generator is used to deliver a high throughput extremely fine mist comprising a biocide. Flows of evaporating hot gas mix turbulently and enhance forced heat and mass transfer between the very fine droplets and the hot gas to form a well-mixed premixed evaporator, resulting in high humidity vapor formation well inside a tube. The high relative humidity vapor with elevated temperature is then condensed as it exits the tube and disperses into the volume to be decontaminated as a condensed vapor cloud, but neither as a mist nor as a pure vapor depending on temperature and humidity of room environment. The condensed vapor cloud may evaporate or settle on the volume surfaces and contents, whereby both dry vapor and condensed vapor are applied into the volume for the killing process.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method for an extended field of view treatment. The method can include the steps of imaging a region; targeting a region with directed ultrasound energy; monitoring the region; moving the imaging, treatment, and monitoring region while spatially correlating to one or more prior regions via imaging and/or position sensing; continuing the extended field of view treatment; and, achieving an ultrasound induced biological effect in the extended field of view treatment region.

Abstract: Systems and methods using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to perform physical functions on a cell tower at a cell site include flying the UAV at or near the cell site, wherein the UAV comprises one or more manipulable members; moving the one or more manipulable members when proximate to a location at the cell tower where the physical functions are performed to effectuate the physical functions; and utilizing one or more counterbalancing techniques during the moving ensuring a weight distribution of the UAV remains substantially the same.

Abstract: A trigger block and tamper notification system for use on a firearm includes the following: a. a main enclosure assembly comprising a housing and at least two protruding elements designed to position, respectively, in front of and in back of a firearm trigger, the protruding element in back of the firearm trigger comprising a circular base; b. a slide assembly comprising a slide housing and two channels to receive the two protruding elements; c. the protruding element in front of the trigger comprising a magnetic reed switch; d. the channel receiving the protruding element with the magnetic reed switch being adjacent to a magnet switch mounted in the slide assembly; e. a keypad on the main enclosure assembly, the keypad connecting to a control module and comprising at least four keys, the four keys enabling input of a secret four-digit number to arm or disarm at least one signaling element; and f.