Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that collects information from suppliers/distributors into a relational database on one or more servers and delivers that information to resellers/distributors. The present invention resides upon one or more computer servers hosting a web server for user interface and/or an application server for business logic and/or a database server for persistent storage. A supplier introduces product and supplier information consisting of text, digitized images, digitized audio or similar multimedia formats into the system using an Internet browser or a web services client. Resellers use an Internet browser or web services client to retrieve supplier information. The suppliers may define product groups and reseller groups in order to efficiently manage its products and resellers. The supplier may define distribution rules to limit to which resellers specific product information is available.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus provide an interface between two software products, i.e., data structures, to produce an effective enterprise architecture (EA) tool set. The software products may be, for example, System Architect® (SA) software product and Network Modeling and Simulation software product, referred to as OPNET. The interface translates extensible markup language (XML) files of, for example, network diagrams between the two software products, such as SA and OPNET. Specifically, the interface allows transfer of network diagrams from OPNET software data structure into SA software data structure to expedite the creation of enterprise architectures within SA. The interface further allows transfer of network diagrams from SA software data structure into OPNET software data structure, expediting the simulation of network diagrams within OPNET.

Abstract: A railway car for a model railroad train system has a low-power laser for providing entertainment, for example, by simulating a laser "death ray" or by producing a laser light show. When an operator activates a switch on the transformer of the model railroad train system, an electronics module on the car receives the signal and turns on the laser source. A scanning mirror system receives and deflects the laser beam to provide the laser light show or other entertaining laser pattern. The car can carry a scattering medium to make the laser beam visible on the car. The car can also produce sound effects to accompany the laser light show or other entertaining laser pattern.

Abstract: A sector-scan period computer comprising a pulse-width discriminator and a ulse-interval filter to allow only pulses falling into a predetermined width range and with a given time interval between them to pass. These pulses are fed to an integrator which provides an integrated signal for each group (burst) of pulses, the bursts being periodic. The integrated signals are divided by two and a pulse is produced for each signal that remains. Extraneous non-periodic signals are filtered out by a period filter and the time between successive pulses is counted by a BCD counter. The counter output is stored in a memory and displayed by a decimal number display.

Abstract: An acoustic coupling system for use with an audio entertainment installation aboard a commercial transportation vehicle, such as a commercial passenger aircraft, is disclosed. The system includes a plug-in terminal for acoustically coupling a pair of earphone transducers to the conventional acoustic piping outlets located at a passenger seat. A small, pocket-size housing encloses an amplifier connected to the summed outputs of the transducers. The amplifier output is variable for volume control and may be fed either to a small speaker also mounted in the housing or to a headphone set so that a passenger may listen to the audio entertainment without the need to use the acoustic headset normally provided by the commercial carrier. An alternate embodiment of the acoustic coupling system of the invention provides for two-channel stereophonic listening.