Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an active mobile communication device, including the following steps: performing a first determination of whether the device is in a moving vehicle at a relevant location; performing a second determination of whether the user of the device is the vehicle operator; and producing a risk indication signal as a function of the first and second determinations.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an active mobile communication device, including the following steps: performing a first determination of whether the device is in a moving vehicle at a relevant location; performing a second determination of whether the user of the device is the vehicle operator; and producing a risk indication signal as a function of the first and second determinations

Abstract: An electric power generating plant using nuclear or fossil fuel to produce steam in a boiler which powers a turbine to generate electricity is disposed adjacent to a body of sea water or fresh water. Spent steam from the turbine is cooled in a primary heat exchanger with water from the body. The heated water from the heat exchanger is cooled in a near-vacuum chamber at the upper end of a column having its lower end in the body of water. The vapor produced in the evaporator is fed to a near-vacuum space in a second condenser supported below the sea level so as to be cooled by the sea water. The condenser has its lower end disposed in a sump of fresh water which is vented to atmosphere or sealed and pressurized, to provide support for the column. Fresh water produced by the condensation may be used for drinking water or other purposes and is pumped for utilization.

Abstract: A subatmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water. A degasser for the water to be distilled prevents the accumulation of gases dissolved in the seawater or the like in the subatmospheric volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing the surface, i.e the third dimension, of a three-dimensional object from two-dimemsional information includes projecting radiant energy, such as light, from a substantially parallel ray source at said object at a number of different angles relative to a reference surface with respect to which the object is placed. The lengths and locations of shadows cast by the object are measured as a function of the angle of the light rays. The location of the surface of the object relative to the reference surface is determined from the shadow lengths and locations from the angles at which the respective shadow lengths are created. Preferably, the shadow lengths and locations are measured by an electronic camera that generates electrical signals indicative of the shadow image. These signals are preferably received by a computer that determines the location of the surface of the object relative to the reference surface.