Abstract: The invention as disclosed is a method to identify and monitor/track ships as they traverse waterways. The earth's surface is partitioned into geospatial regions with attributes of each region being stored. A priority is assigned to each partitioned region. A variety of data sources are used to collect data about ships in the geospatial regions. The data is merged and presented in geospatial or tabular formats on a graphical user interface, where the data itself, the data accuracy, and the age of the data can be visually determined graphically and chromatically from the display.

Abstract: There is provided a computer software program and method for simultaneously playing a programmed sequence of graphics and sound files on each of a plurality of computers which may or may not be networked together, which may or may not be similar computers with similar clock times and processing speeds, and which does not require any hardware changes to any of the plurality of computers. Each computer may control a plurality of different monitors and the present invention permits different presentation displays (e.g., graphics) to be displayed on each of the computer monitors controlled by a particular computer. The present invention provides that a plurality of simultaneously running software control programs simultaneously supports, times, retrieves, and plays files for of the plurality of computer programs to thereby utilize the plurality of computers to produce a synchronized presentation.

Abstract: A network interface resident on one processor enables heterogenous processors interconnected by a common network to exchange control and data information via virtual circuits created and maintained by the network interface between sockets defined at the communicating processors. Different kinds of messages are discriminated and their length is determined to enable the same network virtual circuit to mulitplex data and control information in a manner that is message specific and conserves network resources. Data conversion is implemented to enable heterogeneous processors to communicate over the network virtual circuit. Asynchronous, bidirectional communication is provided by the network interface for tightly-coupled, moderately-coupled, and loosely-coupled hardware architecture conformance types.

Abstract: An improved parallel action die cutting hand tool having a pair of scissors-action handle levers pivoted on a transverse pivot axis, so that the handle levers operate in a plane. The hand tool includes first and second die cutting jaws connected to the handle levers for parallel movement toward and away from each other. The hand tool has a pair of guide pins extending between the die cutting jaws and slidable with respect to at least one of the jaws. Each pin lies outside of and parallel to the plane of the handle levers. A die plate, held on one of the jaws by a pair of ribs, has curved corners that meet the ribs at a tangent angle of substantially zero degrees. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the guide pins are spaced apart, lying in the plane of the handle levers, and located on opposite sides of the cutting edges.

Abstract: A flush capped bolt system for attaching a plastic liner to a substrate includes a cap with a radial sealing skirt that seals against the walls of a counterbored recess at the liner surface. In the preferred embodiment, a squared portion on the bolt shank deforms a liner opening to provide a nonrotatable engagement, and there is a plastic wear washer to accommodate lateral movement allowed by an oversized substrate opening. The system is readily adapted for field installation using conventional tools.