Abstract: An apparatus and method for plumbing a conventional bathtub drain to a conventional shower drain. A wooden framework is used wherein a pipe is placed that has one end connected to a pre-existing bathtub drain and the other end connected to a shower stall drain. The framework requires a minimal height because the pipe is oval shaped, thus providing a large enough volume for fluid flow while limiting the height required for such a pipe.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for restoring a wrapped audio signal comprising a plurality of digitised signal samples at respective sample times, the method comprising: estimating a sequence of corrections comprising a sequence of numerical values the estimating comprising, for each signal sample: applying, at the sample time, a numerical filter to each of a set of potential corrections to determine a filtered value associated with each set of potential integer corrections wherein the filter enhances the filtered value at sample times when a change in a degree of wrapping occurs relative to sample times when a change in degree of wrapping does not occur; determining a cumulative objective over a plurality of signal samples by accumulating objective values and determining a sequence by selecting for each sample time a correction from the set of potential corrections wherein the correction for each sample time are selected to optimise the cumulative objective.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for restoring a wrapped audio signal comprising a plurality of digitised signal samples at respective sample times, the method comprising: estimating a sequence of corrections comprising a sequence of numerical values the estimating comprising, for each signal sample: applying, at the sample time, a numerical filter to each of a set of potential corrections to determine a filtered value associated with each set of potential integer corrections wherein the filter enhances the filtered value at sample times when a change in a degree of wrapping occurs relative to sample times when a change in degree of wrapping does not occur; determining a cumulative objective over a plurality of signal samples by accumulating objective values and determining a sequence by selecting for each sample time a correction from the set of potential corrections wherein the correction for each sample time are selected to optimise the cumulative objective.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for plumbing a conventional bathtub drain to a conventional shower drain. A wooden framework is used wherein a pipe is placed that has one end connected to a pre-existing bathtub drain and the other end connected to a shower stall drain. The framework requires a minimal height because the pipe is oval shaped, thus providing a large enough volume for fluid flow while limiting the height required for such a pipe.

Abstract: A sonar imaging system, that includes a control head with a user interface and a display unit for displaying a sonar-generated image, is provided. A sonar transducer assembly is coupled to the control head and configured to transmit sonar data to the control head. The sonar data is used to generate the sonar-generated image. The sonar transducer assembly includes a first side scan acoustic sonar element that transmits a sonar beam. The sonar transducer assembly further includes a plurality of sonar beam receiving elements. Each receiving element is arranged to receive a portion of the return beam from the first side scan acoustic sonar element. Each of the plurality of sonar beam receiving elements is configured to identify both a depth and a lateral distance of an underwater object relative to the position of the sonar transducer assembly.

Abstract: A 360-degree sonar imaging system and method are provided. The system includes a sonar transducer assembly pod with tilted mechanically scanning sonar (MSS) transducers that is deployed into the water below the bottom of the boat. The system provides photo-like imaging of an area surrounding a boat which does not require the boat to be in motion. The pod is deployed by a variety of manual, (trolling motor, transom) or powered mechanical (bow, transom, or fairing block) deployment mechanisms to allow for deployment and retraction of the sonar transducer assembly. In particular embodiments, the MSS system communicates with a side-scan-sonar-imaging-equipped control head unit to display the images generated therefrom. Various speeds and sector scans are provided, as well as a locked side-scan sonar mode. Waypoint navigation and split screen views are also provided.

Abstract: A sector-scanning sonar imaging system with at least one sonar imaging element housed within a transducer housing coupled to a self-reciprocating mechanism, and a drive mechanism housed within a waterproof housing. The oscillating motion of the transducer housing produces a highly-detailed, photo like sector scan sonar image of the bottom and other objects surrounding the boat on which it is mounted. The drive mechanism housing may be rigidly attached to either a boat hull or to a trolling motor. The sonar imaging element housing may be removably attached to the drive mechanism, and shielded by an acoustically transparent shroud to protect the elements from damage. The sector-scanning sonar imaging system connects to a control head with display either directly, or through some other communications protocol, such as a wireless protocol.

Abstract: A 360-degree sonar imaging system and method are provided. The system includes a sonar transducer assembly pod with tilted mechanically scanning sonar (MSS) transducers that is deployed into the water below the bottom of the boat. The system provides photo-like imaging of an area surrounding a boat which does not require the boat to be in motion. The pod is deployed by a variety of manual, (trolling motor, transom) or powered mechanical (bow, transom, or fairing block) deployment mechanisms to allow for deployment and retraction of the sonar transducer assembly. In particular embodiments, the MSS system communicates with a side-scan-sonar-imaging-equipped control head unit to display the images generated therefrom. Various speeds and sector scans are provided, as well as a locked side-scan sonar mode. Waypoint navigation and split screen views are also provided.

Abstract: A 360-degree sonar imaging system and method are provided. The system includes a sonar transducer assembly pod with tilted mechanically scanning sonar (MSS) transducers that is deployed into the water below the bottom of the boat. The system provides photo-like imaging of an area surrounding a boat which does not require the boat to be in motion. The pod is deployed by a variety of manual, (trolling motor, transom) or powered mechanical (bow, transom, or fairing block) deployment mechanisms to allow for deployment and retraction of the sonar transducer assembly. In particular embodiments, the MSS system communicates with a side-scan-sonar-imaging-equipped control head unit to display the images generated therefrom. Various speeds and sector scans are provided, as well as a locked side-scan sonar mode. Waypoint navigation and split screen views are also provided.

Abstract: A sector-scanning sonar imaging system with at least one sonar imaging element housed within a transducer housing coupled to a self-reciprocating mechanism, and a drive mechanism housed within a waterproof housing. The oscillating motion of the transducer housing produces a highly-detailed, photo like sector scan sonar image of the bottom and other objects surrounding the boat on which it is mounted. The drive mechanism housing may be rigidly attached to either a boat hull or to a trolling motor. The sonar imaging element housing may be removably attached to the drive mechanism, and shielded by an acoustically transparent shroud to protect the elements from damage. The sector-scanning sonar imaging system connects to a control head with display either directly, or through some other communications protocol, such as a wireless protocol.

Abstract: A closure device which a consumer or bag manufacturer may affix to most any bag comprises an elongated first strip of flexible material and a thin bendable wire and second strip of material of substantially the same length as the first strip and longitudinally aligned with and affixed to the first strip. The first strip includes an opposite adhesive surface which is covered by a protective strip of release paper at the time of manufacture. A plurality of individual closure devices may be manufactured in sheet form with perforations extending between each adjacent closure device on the sheet. When needed, the consumer tears a closure device from the sheet. The consumer peels away the release paper revealing the adhesive surface and affixes the closure device to the outer surface of a bag. In one preferred method, the consumer affixes the closure device in a traversing manner with the closure device extending between the opposite closed and open ends of the bag.

Abstract: LED lamps having a high color rendering index are disclosed. In some embodiments, such lamps also exhibit high lumen maintenance and low color drift during lamp warm-up. The lamps may include, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) kernel having a mixture of red and blue LEDs, and a converter including a red phosphor in an amount ranging from greater than 0 to about 10 weight % of a total phosphor content of the converter.

Abstract: There is herein described a lamp for providing white light comprising a plurality of light sources positioned on a substrate. Each of said light sources comprises a blue light emitting diode (LED) and a dome that substantially covers said LED. A first portion of said blue light from said LEDs is transmitted through said domes and a second portion of said blue light is converted into a red light by a first phosphor contained in said domes. A cover is disposed over all of said light sources that transmits at least a portion of said red and blue light emitted by said light sources. The cover contains a second phosphor that emits a yellow light in response to said blue light. The red, blue and yellow light combining to form the white light and the white light having a color rendering index (CRI) of at least about 80.

Abstract: A 360-degree sonar imaging system and method are provided. The system includes a sonar transducer assembly pod with tilted mechanically scanning sonar (MSS) transducers that is deployed into the water below the bottom of the boat. The system provides photo-like imaging of an area surrounding a boat which does not require the boat to be in motion. The pod is deployed by a variety of manual, (trolling motor, transom) or powered mechanical (bow, transom, or fairing block) deployment mechanisms to allow for deployment and retraction of the sonar transducer assembly. In particular embodiments, the MSS system communicates with a side-scan-sonar-imaging-equipped control head unit to display the images generated therefrom. Various speeds and sector scans are provided, as well as a locked side-scan sonar mode. Waypoint navigation and split screen views are also provided.

Abstract: A flasher sonar device includes a flasher that produces light output pulses along a flasher ring display based upon sonar returns. A user interface selects between a normal mode and a zoom mode. When the normal mode is selected, a controller drives the flasher to display a normal range. When the zoom mode is selected, the controller divides the normal range into a first range and a second range, compresses the first range into a compressed range, enlarges the second range into an enlarged range, and drives the flasher to display the enlarged range interleaved with the compressed range.

Abstract: There is herein described a lamp for providing white light comprising a plurality of light sources positioned on a substrate. Each of said light sources comprises a blue light emitting diode (LED) and a dome that substantially covers said LED. A first portion of said blue light from said LEDs is transmitted through said domes and a second portion of said blue light is converted into a red light by a first phosphor contained in said domes. A cover is disposed over all of said light sources that transmits at least a portion of said red and blue light emitted by said light sources. The cover contains a second phosphor that emits a yellow light in response to said blue light. The red, blue and yellow light combining to form the white light and the white light having a color rendering index (CRI) of at least about 80.

Abstract: A method of generating a view of a computer-generated environment using a location in a real-world environment, comprising receiving real-time data regarding the location of a device in the real-world environment; mapping the real-time data regarding the device into a virtual camera within a directly-correlating volume of space in the computer-generated environment; updating the virtual camera location using the real-time data, such that the virtual camera is assigned a location in the computer-generated environment which corresponds to the location of the device in the real-world environment; and using the virtual camera to generate a view of the computer-generated environment from the assigned location in the computer-generated environment.

Abstract: Solid state light source driving and dimming systems are provided that enable a plurality of solid state light source (e.g., LED) driver circuits to be coupled to a single AC voltage source. The driver circuits may include constant current circuitry configured to generate a constant AC current from the AC voltage source, and rectifier circuitry configured to generate a DC current to drive the solid state light source (e.g., LEDs). Dimming control includes shunt circuitry operable with a PWM switch to shunt the AC voltage source during certain portions of a PWM signal and to decouple the shunt circuitry from the AC voltage source during other portions of the PWM signal. Shunting the AC voltage source causes the interruption of the DC current to effectively turn off the LEDs. Decoupling the shunt circuitry may improve overall efficiency of power transfer to the LEDs.

Abstract: Solid state light source driving and dimming systems are provided that enable a plurality of solid state light source (e.g., LED) driver circuits to be coupled to a single AC voltage source. The driver circuits may include constant current circuitry configured to generate a constant AC current from the AC voltage source, and rectifier circuitry configured to generate a DC current to drive the solid state light source (e.g., LEDs). Dimming control includes shunt circuitry operable with a PWM switch to shunt the AC voltage source during certain portions of a PWM signal and to decouple the shunt circuitry from the AC voltage source during other portions of the PWM signal. Shunting the AC voltage source causes the interruption of the DC current to effectively turn off the LEDs. Decoupling the shunt circuitry may improve overall efficiency of power transfer to the LEDs.

Abstract: A sonar device includes a light source, a rotatable element, a motor for rotating the rotatable element, and a display. A light guide mounted on the rotatable element has an inlet end aligned with the light source and an outlet end aligned with the display. Light emitted from the light source enters the inlet end of the light guide, is directed from the inlet end to the outlet end in a beam, and is emitted out the outlet end of the light guide.