Abstract: A thermal signal generating device, including at least two parallel buss bars operable for carrying a current and a heating element having at least a first region and a second region. The heating element includes a plurality of horizontal traces and a plurality of vertical traces. Widths of each of the plurality of horizontal and vertical traces may be greater in a first region of the heating element than in a second region of the heating element, allowing for a gradient heat differential to be emitted by the heating element.

Abstract: A method for determining and retrieving positional information includes forming a grid by locating a plurality of first conductive elements on a surface and a plurality of second conductive elements on the surface. A second grid is coupled to the surface and electrically isolated from the grid. The surface is penetrated with a projectile and a first location of a first penetration of the surface is electronically determined based on a first change in a first electrical measurement. A plurality of third and fourth electrical measurements are performed in a second plurality of locations of the second grid and the location impact is electronically determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include light detection elements or impact sensing circuits.

Abstract: A target system includes a mannequin target and a mechanism coupled to the target which is moveable to allow the mannequin target to move between a retracted position and an upright position. A projectile impact detection system is coupled to the mannequin target to determine an impact of a projectile onto the mannequin target. The projectile impact detection system is configured to produce a signal as a result of a projectile impacting the mannequin target to allow the mechanism to position the mannequin target in the retracted position wherein the mannequin falls into the retracted position upon impact of the projectile on the mannequin target to simulate a fallen target. A controller that will move the mannequin target from the retracted position to the upright position when receiving a command from a remotely controlled host computer. Impact detectors that will detect and locate impacts from 360 degrees. Thermal signature generators that will produce human thermal signatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include pulse detection elements or current sensing circuits. The plurality of first elements and the plurality of second elements may include conductive and non-conductive threads, and the conductive threads may include piezoelectric crystals embedded within conductive plastic.

Abstract: A method for determining and retrieving positional information includes forming a grid by locating a plurality of first conductive elements on a surface and a plurality of second conductive elements on the surface. A second grid is coupled to the surface and electrically isolated from the grid. The surface is penetrated with a projectile and a first location of a first penetration of the surface is electronically determined based on a first change in a first electrical measurement. A plurality of third and fourth electric& measurements are performed in a second plurality of locations of the second grid and the location impact is electronically determined.

Abstract: A system for detecting the trajectory of a projectile includes at least one pulsed laser transmitter configured to transmit pulsed laser light beams over a three dimensional area. At least one sensor is configured to sense the pulsed laser light beams reflected off of the projectile. A microprocessor is coupled to the laser transmitter and laser sensor to calculate a first position of the projectile at a first time based upon the first pulsed laser light beam reflected off the projectile and sensed by the laser sensor. A microprocessor calculates a second position of the projectile at a second time based upon a second pulsed laser light beam reflected off the projectile and sensed by a laser sensor. A microprocessor calculates the trajectory of the projectile based upon the first projectile position and the second projectile position and the time differences between these positions.

Abstract: A target system includes a mannequin target and a mechanism coupled to the target which is moveable to allow the mannequin target to move between a retracted position and an upright position. A projectile impact detection system is coupled to the mannequin target to determine an impact of a projectile onto the mannequin target. The projectile impact detection system is configured to produce a signal as a result of a projectile impacting the mannequin target to allow the mechanism to position the mannequin target in the retracted position wherein the mannequin falls into the retracted position upon impact of the projectile on the mannequin target to simulate a fallen target. A controller that will move the mannequin target from the retracted position to the upright position when receiving a command from a remotely controlled host computer. Impact detectors that will detect and locate impacts from 360 degrees. Thermal signature generators that will produce human thermal signatures.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for modifying data packets being communicated between a client and a Web application to enhance the Web experience of a user. A system is disclosed for enhancing searches being performed by a search engine application, and monitoring data packets passing through a network node to identify a data packet containing an original search query; modifying the data packet containing the original search query to create a modified search query; and forwarding the modified search query to the search engine application in place of the original search query.

Abstract: A system for determining an impact of a target with a projectile includes a plurality of conductors defining a target area. The conductors are configured to allow at least one of the plurality of conductors to be disturbed upon impact by a projectile anywhere on the target area. A first bus is electrically connected to a first portion of a plurality of conductors. A second bus is electrically connected to a second portion of the plurality of conductors. A base resistance exists across the first and second bus. The system includes means for applying a voltage between a first bus and a second bus and means for determining a change in resistance across the first bus and the second bus in response to an impact of the target area by the projectile. A display is connected to the means for determining the change of resistance configured to display a message representative of an impact of the target area by the projectile.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include pulse detection elements or current sensing circuits. The plurality of first elements and the plurality of second elements may include conductive and non-conductive threads, and the conductive threads may include piezoelectric crystals embedded within conductive plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include pulse detection elements or current sensing circuits. The plurality of first elements and the plurality of second elements may include conductive and non-conductive threads, and the conductive threads may include piezoelectric crystals embedded within conductive plastic.

Abstract: A wire protection system includes a cover configured to enclosed a wire. The cover has a plurality of spikes extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cover. The plurality of spikes is configured and spaced relative to each other to deter an animal from chewing on the cover.

Abstract: A thermal signal generating device, including at least two parallel buss bars operable for carrying a current and a heating element having at least a first region and a second region. The heating element includes a plurality of horizontal traces and a plurality of vertical traces. Widths of each of the plurality of horizontal and vertical traces may be greater in a first region of the heating element than in a second region of the heating element, allowing for a gradient heat differential to be emitted by the heating element.

Abstract: A programming language syntax that embeds object type declaration in the object name. The objects are self-documenting because its object type is embedded in each object. In one embodiment, the object type-declaration prefix precedes the object name and explicitly declares the object type information. For example, a SQL object FirstName, may be implemented as SQL@FirstName, a URL object may be implemented as URL@FirstName, environment object from an environment table may be implemented as ENV@user.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for modifying data packets being communicated between a client and a Web application to enhance the Web experience of a user. A system is disclosed for enhancing searches being performed by a search engine application, and monitoring data packets passing through a network node to identify a data packet containing an original search query; modifying the data packet containing the original search query to create a modified search query; and forwarding the modified search query to the search engine application in place of the original search query.

Abstract: A force-bearing object or non-penetrating projectile's contact location can be determined and mapped by a computer using methods of pressure, penetration, or stress sensitivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include pulse detection elements or current sensing circuits. The plurality of first elements and the plurality of second elements may include conductive and non-conductive threads, and the conductive threads may include piezoelectric crystals embedded within conductive plastic.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for modifying data packets being communicated between a client and a Web application to enhance the Web experience of a user. A system is disclosed for enhancing searches being performed by a search engine application, and monitoring data packets passing through a network node to identify a data packet containing an original search query; modifying the data packet containing the original search query to create a modified search query; and forwarding the modified search query to the search engine application in place of the original search query.