Abstract: A method and system for bidirectional data, power transmission, electrical/electronic fault isolation, and system recovery is shown and described. An exemplary embodiment includes a DC power source, a main power controller (“MPC”) with a MPC microprocessor and an MPC power switcher driver and fault switching control circuit, and a plurality of Nodes connected to the DC power source through conductors that allow both power to be supplied and bidirectional data transfer between a data receiver and the plurality of Nodes. The fault switching control circuit can provide for short detection and isolation (or other fault detection and isolation) without the direct involvement of the MPC microcontroller. The combined use of the conductors for power, data transmission, and fault detection and isolation offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of weight reduction, system modularity, and complexity, as well as system protection and survivability.

Abstract: A method and system for bidirectional data, power transmission, electrical/electronic fault isolation, and system recovery is shown and described. An exemplary embodiment includes a DC power source, a main power controller (“MPC”) with a MPC microprocessor and an MPC power switcher driver and fault switching control circuit, and a plurality of Nodes connected to the DC power source through conductors that allow both power to be supplied and bidirectional data transfer between a data receiver and the plurality of Nodes. The fault switching control circuit can provide for short detection and isolation (or other fault detection and isolation) without the direct involvement of the MPC microcontroller. The combined use of the conductors for power, data transmission, and fault detection and isolation offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of weight reduction, system modularity, and complexity, as well as system protection and survivability.

Abstract: Hydrogen-containing fuel/oxidizer combinations, such as aqueous ammonia and aqueous hydrogen peroxide, are disclosed. Systems and methods using such fuel for generation of energy are also disclosed. The reaction products of the fuels are environmentally benign chemicals such as nitrogen gas and water.

Abstract: An apparatus for fish-luring use with a separate fishing line includes a fishing-line-attachable shaft (e.g., a straight length of rigid wire) on which are mounted first and second rotator members. At least the first rotator is mounted rotatably and slideably for rotation and axially movement relative to the second rotator in response to water pressure when the shaft is moved forwardly in a body of water. The interaction of an irregular non-planar rearwardly facing end on the first rotator with an irregular non-planar forwardly facing end on the second rotator produces fish-luring vibrations. In one embodiment, the second rotator is also mounted rotatably and slideably, with the first rotator rotating clockwise, the second rotator rotating counterclockwise, and circumferentially spaced apart protrusions on the rearwardly facing end of the first rotator interacting with circumferentially spaced apart indentations on the forwardly facing end of the second rotator to produce the fish-luring vibrations.

Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide-fueled engine system is provided. Embodiments of the system include: a source outputting liquid hydrogen peroxide; a decomposition chamber including an inlet in fluid communication with the source for receiving the liquid hydrogen peroxide, an outlet, and a catalyst interposed between the inlet and the outlet; and a rotary expansion engine including a gas outlet, a gas inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the decomposition chamber, a generally lobe-shaped expansion chamber in fluid communication with the gas inlet and the gas outlet, and a rotor contacting a surface of the lobe-shaped expansion chamber between the gas outlet and the gas inlet, the rotor including an output shaft and diametrically-opposed first and second sealing arms that pivot outwardly to contact the surface. In another aspect, a method of producing rotational energy from decomposition of liquid hydrogen peroxide is provided.

Abstract: A system for bidirectional data and power transmission is shown and described. In an embodiment, a network power controller provides power to a node and communicates bidirectionally with the node. In an embodiment, the network power controller is coupled to an AC power source and provides both AC and DC power to the node. In an embodiment, the network power controller and node are coupled via a conduit comprising three wires, wherein the first wire carries DC power and communications, the second wire carries AC power, and the third wire is the neutral/ground line. In another embodiment, the network power controller and node are coupled via a conduit comprising two wires, wherein the first wire carries AC power and communications and the second wire is the neutral/ground line. In an embodiment, AC power having one phase or more can be controlled at the network power controller and the node.

Abstract: An apparatus for fish-luring use with a separate fishing line includes a fishing-line-attachable shaft (e.g., a straight length of rigid wire) on which are mounted first and second rotator members. At least the first rotator is mounted rotatably and slideably for rotation and axially movement relative to the second rotator in response to water pressure when the shaft is moved forwardly in a body of water. The interaction of an irregular non-planar rearwardly facing end on the first rotator with an irregular non-planar forwardly facing end on the second rotator produces fish-luring vibrations. In one embodiment, the second rotator is also mounted rotatably and slideably, with the first rotator rotating clockwise, the second rotator rotating counterclockwise, and circumferentially spaced apart protrusions on the rearwardly facing end of the first rotator interacting with circumferentially spaced apart indentations on the forwardly facing end of the second rotator to produce the fish-luring vibrations.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a telephony interface device with a modular protocol stack. The interface device downloads protocol modules from a system controller and processes received signals using a core signal handler in combination with the appropriate protocol module for the received signal.

Abstract: A method and system for bidirectional data and power transmission are shown and described. An exemplary embodiment comprises a current receiver, including a microprocessor and a driver, and a plurality of nodes connected to the current receiver through a plurality of wires that allow both power supply and bidirectional data transfer between the current receiver and the plurality of nodes. The use of the plurality of wires for both power and data transmission offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of weight reduction and system modularity.

Abstract: A method and system for bidirectional data and power transmission are shown and described. An exemplary embodiment comprises a current receiver, including a microprocessor and a driver, and a plurality of nodes connected to the current receiver through a plurality of wires that allow both power supply and bidirectional data transfer between the current receiver and the plurality of nodes. The use of the plurality of wires for both power and data transmission offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of weight reduction and system modularity.

Abstract: A method and system for bidirectional data and power transmission are shown and described. An exemplary embodiment comprises a current receiver, including a microprocessor and a driver, and a plurality of nodes connected to the current receiver through a plurality of wires that allow both power supply and bidirectional data transfer between the current receiver and the plurality of nodes. The use of the plurality of wires for both power and data transmission offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of weight reduction and system modularity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for exchanging control information between a automatic call distributor and a public switched telephone network. The method includes the steps of identifying a subscriber channel between the automatic call distributor and public switched telephone network for use during a communication transaction and exchanging control information regarding the identified data channel over any of a plurality of available control channel between the public switch telephone network and automatic call distributor using nonassociative signaling.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a shaft having a first end for connection to a line and a second end for connection to a hook. An outer body is provided on the shaft to conduct water through its hollow interior during retrieval while an inner body gating component rotatably mounted on the shaft within the hollow interior repetitively interrupts or gates the flow of water in a way that produces low frequency vibrations. As an angler retrieves a line attached to the shaft, water flows into an outer body input port, through the hollow interior, and then out a plurality of outer body output ports located at a rearward end of the outer body.

Abstract: A lighting string includes LEDs at spaced-apart locations within the hollow interior of a length of clear plastic or vinyl tubing or other flexible tube of light-transmitting material. The LEDs are connected in an LED circuit. An input connector attached to a first end portion of the flexible tube connects the LED circuit to a separate source of electric power. An output connector may be included on a second end portion of the flexible tube for connecting the lighting string to a second similar lighting string. One lighting string embodiment includes multiple colors of LEDs within the flexible tube that are arranged in series-connected single-color groupings so that adjacent LEDs are of different color and LEDs of the same color are energized together. A second type lighting string includes shift registers and other circuit components within the flexible tube for sequentially energizing the individual LEDs according to a data signal and a clock signal to produce the appearance of movement along the tube.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a shaft having a first end for connection to a line and a second end for connection to a hook. An outer body is provided on the shaft to conduct water through its hollow interior during retrieval while a gating component rotatably mounted on the shaft within the hollow interior repetitively interrupts or gates the flow of water in a way that produces low frequency vibrations. As an angler retrieves a line attached to the shaft, water flows into an outer body input port, through the hollow interior, and then out a plurality of outer body output ports located at a rearward end of the outer body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transferring a call on a call channel of a voice response unit of an automatic call distributor to a call destination. The method includes the steps of transferring a request for placing the call on hold to a switch controller of the automatic call distributor over a signalling channel associated with the call channel and transferring an identifier of the call destination over the call channel to the switch controller. The method further includes the step of connecting the call to the call destination.

Abstract: A call overflow system 10 and method for overflowing telephone calls from an originating telephonic switch 12A and a destination telephonic switch 12B is provided. An information element data packet 34 containing information relating to the telephone calls is transmitted between the originating telephonic switch 12A and the destination telephonic switch 12B. The data packet 34 comprises information provided by a caller in byte (20b) 80, designated switch status data. The information is thereafter utilized by the destination telephonic switch 12B to route the telephone calls to internal telephonic units 20B for service.