Abstract: Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link.

Abstract: A virtual site survey method at a cell site utilizing three-dimensional (3D) models for remote performance includes obtaining a plurality of photographs of a cell site comprising one or more of a cell tower and one or more buildings and interiors thereof; subsequent to the obtaining, processing the plurality of photographs to define a three dimensional (3D) model of the cell site based on one or more objects of interest in the plurality of photographs; and remotely performing a site survey of the cell site utilizing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the 3D model to collect and obtain information about the cell site, the cell tower, the one or more buildings, and the interiors thereof.

Abstract: A synthetic underwater visualization system (SUVS) comprising a real-time graphics software engine, a sophisticated underwater environmental sensor, a fixed-base database, and a retrieval system designed to accept and assimilate into a common database bathymetric and environmental information acquired from around the world by components of other deployed SUVS sensing systems. SUVS is capable of sensing, modeling, and realistically displaying underwater environments in real-time, and will foster widespread utilization in the areas of homeland security, commercial and recreational maritime navigation, bathymetric data collection, and environmental analysis. The technology will also be readily adaptable and highly desirable in non-marine applications.

Abstract: A gas purging valve is operative to be connected to piping in a Fire Protection System (FPS) and to bleed gas at a predetermined rate. The valve includes an inlet in gas flow relationship with the FPS piping and a central passage in gas flow relationship with the inlet. The valve also includes a calibrated orifice removeably disposed in the central passage, in gas flow relationship with the passage and operative to allow a maximum predetermined gas flow rate therethrough. The valve further includes an outlet in gas flow relationship with the calibrated orifice. A ball is disposed upstream of the central passage. The ball is operative to allow gas flow through the gas purging valve but operative to impede the flow of water through the gas purging valve.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a compression cylinder configured to mount to a reciprocating compressor. The compression cylinder includes an intake port and a discharge port. The system also includes a piston assembly disposed within the compression cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston, and a flow control member extending from the piston. The flow control member is configured to selectively block the intake port and the discharge port upon movement of the piston assembly relative to the compression cylinder.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus can be used to modulate an apparent intensity of a vehicular braking indicator according to a specified pattern. When a duration of an initial brake application exceeds a specified initial modulation duration, the apparent intensity can continue to be modulated, but in a manner suppressing apparent variation in intensity until at least one of a release of brake application or until a specified timeout duration lapses. In an example, upon lapse of the timeout duration, modulation can be re-established to vary the apparent intensity of the vehicular braking indicator according to the specified pattern for another modulation duration corresponding to the initial modulation duration. The pattern can be customizable, such as provided to the electrical apparatus digitally, before installation. The customizability of the specified pattern can be inhibited, such as after installation by an installer or seller.

Abstract: A non-invasive ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment method and system are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a high-frequency ultrasound transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient such that the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of the patient can be treated. An exemplary high-frequency ultrasound transducer system comprises a control system and a transducer configured to provide treatment to the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of interest. The high-frequency ultrasound transducer may be configured to operate at higher frequencies and controlled power levels to provide treatment to the superficial and/or subcutaneous regions of interest. For example, higher frequencies within the range from approximately 20 MHz to 500 MHz or more may be utilized.

Abstract: A method for cleaning debris from a floor of a cooling tower collection basin can include expelling a fluid from a first side of the basin floor to a second and opposite side of the basin floor where the fluid and debris are removed. The fluid may be expelled through radial openings in sweeper headers and may be removed through openings in a suction manifold. The method may further include removing the debris from the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods to intelligently reduce the dynamic range of a signal. Using a histogram analysis of the signal, significant and insignificant portions of the original dynamic range can be identified. Compaction can then be focused on the insignificant portions of the dynamic range, resulting in significant dynamic range reduction with less signal loss. By compacting the little used portions of the original signal, the dynamic range of the rest of the signal can be largely maintained which results in little loss to signal fidelity, and thus mitigates saturation, quantization, signal mutual suppression, and other issues observed in prior art methods.

Abstract: A door security device and method for its use. The device includes a winch assembly disposed on a support bracket and with a cover that can be applied to enclose and secure the winch assembly. The device is mounted adjacent a door to be secured. The winch assembly includes a tether, a release lever, and a handle. The release lever provides a one-way ratcheting mechanism to restrict extension of the tether and is operable to release the tether. The handle is operable to retract the tether. A door loop installed on the door provides a secure feature for coupling with the tether. The handle and other safety implements may be stored within the cover. The device is deployable by coupling the tether to the door loop to secure a door against opening even when a door handle or lock on the door have been defeated.

Abstract: A trash rake system with an articulated rake head assembly is provided. The trash rake system includes a main unit, a telescoping boom attached to the main unit, and a rake head assembly attached to an end of the telescoping boom. The rake head assembly includes a base frame, a drive arrangement mounted to the base frame, and a rake head mounted to the drive arrangement. The drive arrangement includes at least one gear arranged to mesh with a rack gear mounted to a rack which is in turn mounted between a fixed member and a movable member of the telescoping boom.

Abstract: A polar boss suitable for use in pressurized-gas assemblies. The polar boss includes a longitudinally extending part with a top surface with a recessed opening and a planar bottom surface. A channel extends through the polar boss, communicates with the recessed opening, and terminates at the bottom planar surface to serve as a passageway through the polar boss. A circular groove is provided on the planar bottom surface with inner and outer side walls, with helical threading provided on the inner and outer side walls.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for providing temperature data in a video stream are provided. The method includes receiving a video stream having a plurality of video frames with a first frame rate and receiving temperature data including a temperature map associated with the video stream and having a plurality of temperature frames with a second frame rate, which can be slower than the first frame rate. To interlace the temperature data, a subset of temperature frames in the plurality of temperature frames can be extracted. The method further includes transmitting each temperature frame in the subset of temperature frames with the plurality of video frames in a data stream.

Abstract: A gaming table provides for use of RFID technology to track chip movement on a table game and to infer an association between a wager and a player position based on a chip identifier of a chip placed on a particular position of the table. In some embodiments, previous position history of the chip is also taken into account in determining a player position associated with a wager.

Abstract: A secondary parking apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system, components of an anti-lock brake system (ABS), and a manually-operable device. The secondary parking apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the manually-operable device to detect an operator intent signal to apply parking brakes of the parking brake system, (ii) receive a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle, and (iii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the ABS to selectively exhaust air pressure from components of the ABS to atmosphere so that parking brakes of the parking brake system are applied to park the vehicle when both the operator intent signal and the combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to achieve traffic flow control in accordance with traffic priority as well as service plan considerations. A weight for flow control and a per service plan minimum flow control meter (FCM) can be defined for different throttle rates for different service plans. An FCM value based upon traffic priority can be converted to a per service plan group FCM value so that each service plan can be assigned/configured with its own FCM for each uplink queue. An average throttled data rate is then calculated to determine whether the traffic in a particular gateway is under or over throttled based on the current per service plan FCM with current input data rates. The per service plan FCM can then be revised for use by an Internet Protocol Gateway sending traffic to a Satellite Gateway.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for assigning times of administration to patient medications are described. A GUI is displayed within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system. The GUI includes a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for the medication. One or more daily times of administration for the medication are assigned in response to user input via the one day time scale. A dose of the medication is packaged in each of a respective plurality of pouches according to the assigned daily times of administration via the pharmaceutical dispensing system. The one day time scale may include a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period and one or more time indicators that are positionable by a user. The one day time scale may include a plurality of food consumption times, each selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration.