Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a graffiti-making act such as the spray of a spray paint can, the writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and the scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal representative of the graffiti-making act, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a graffiti-making act, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a graffiti-making act has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the graffiti-making act, and initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

Abstract: A method of sonically detecting a sonic act such as a graffiti-making act or firearm shot includes providing a sonic act detection system to sonically detect a sonic act and a camera to take an image of a perpetrator of the sonic act; locating the sonic act detection system and the camera near a location where the sonic act is prone to occur; sonically detecting with said sonic act detection system a sonic act; obtaining one or more images of the perpetrator of the sonic act with the camera; communicating to one or more entities that sonic act has been detected.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a graffiti-making act such as the spray of a spray paint can, the writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and the scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal representative of the graffiti-making act, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a graffiti-making act, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a graffiti-making act has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the graffiti-making act, and initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

Abstract: A method of sonically detecting a sonic act such as a graffiti-making act or firearm shot includes providing a sonic act detection system to sonically detect a sonic act and a camera to take an image of a perpetrator of the sonic act; locating the sonic act detection system and the camera near a location where the sonic act is prone to occur; sonically detecting with said sonic act detection system a sonic act; obtaining one or more images of the perpetrator of the sonic act with the camera; communicating to one or more entities that sonic act has been detected.

Abstract: A magnetic therapeutic device for application to a target pain or injury area under a user's skin includes a plurality of hook-like members for attaching to an inner surface of a user's clothing adjacent the target pain or injury. In an embodiment, the device further comprises a plastic member including a smooth surface for contacting the user's skin adjacent the target pain or injury area, a magnet sandwiched between the hook-like members and the plastic member for generating a magnetic field in the target pain or injury area under the user's skin, and a keeper for placing outside a user's clothing. In an embodiment, the device is held in place by the attractive force of the magnet to pinch the clothing between the magnet and the keeper.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a graffiti-making act such as the spray of a spray paint can, the writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and the scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal representative of the graffiti-making act, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a graffiti-making act, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a graffiti-making act has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the graffiti-making act, and initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

Abstract: A magnetic therapeutic device for application to a target pain or injury area under a user's skin includes a plurality of hook-like members adapted to be attached to an inner surface of a user's clothing adjacent the target pain or injury, a plastic member including a smooth surface adapted to contact the user's skin adjacent the target pain or injury area, a magnet sandwiched between the hook-like members and the plastic member and adapted to generate a magnetic field in the target pain or injury area under the user's skin, and a keeper adapted to be placed outside a user's clothing and held in place by the attractive force of the magnet to pinch the clothing between the magnet and the keeper to hold the device in place.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a graffiti-making act such as the spray of a spray paint can, the writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and the scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal representative of the graffiti-making act, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a graffiti-making act, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a graffiti-making act has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the graffiti-making act, and initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a graffiti-making act such as the spray of a spray paint can, the writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and the scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal representative of the graffiti-making act, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a graffiti-making act, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a graffiti-making act has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the graffiti-making act, and initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a firearm shot. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the firearm shot and transmit a signal representative of the firearm shot, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a firearm shot, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a firearm shot has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the firearm shot, and initiating an alarm indicating that the firearm shot took place.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a vehicle tire leak. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to detect the vehicle tire leak and transmit a signal representative of the vehicle tire leak, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a vehicle tire leak, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities such as a driver and/or dispatcher that a vehicle tire leak has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the vehicle tire leak, and initiating an alarm indicating that the vehicle tire leak took place.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco substances are provided by extracting tobacco with water, spray drying the resulting liquid tobacco extract, contacting the spray dried extract with a glycerine carrier, and subjecting the extract and carrier to a temperature above 150.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to eliminate the harsh or "green" taste provided by the extract. The flavorful tobacco substances are useful as forms of tobacco in smoking product manufacture.

Abstract: A variable ventilation mouthpiece for a smoking article includes first and second sets of vents, the first set serving to admit ambient air into the mouthpiece, and the second set adapted to variably introduce the admitted air into the smokestream for varying the level for dilution of the smokestream in relation to the suction applied by the smoker to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: Smoking articles employ an electrical resistance heating element and an electrical power source to provide a tobacco-flavored smoke or aerosol and other sensations of smoking. The smoking articles advantageously comprise a disposable portion and a reusable controller. The disposable portion, which may be a cigarette, normally includes (i) an air permeable resistance heating element having a surface area greater than 1 m.sup.2 /g, which usually carries an aerosol forming material, and (ii) a charge or roll of tobacco. The reusable controller normally includes a puff-actuated current actuation means, a time-based current regulating means to control the temperature of the heating element, and a battery power supply.

Abstract: Flavor delivery articles employ an electrical resistance heating element and an electrical power source to provide a flavored aerosol. The articles advantageously comprise a disposable portion and a reusable controller. The disposable portion normally includes a flavor substance and an air permeable resistance heating element having a surface area greater than 1 m.sup.2 /g, which usually carries an aerosol forming substance. The reusable controller normally includes a puff-actuated current actuation means, a time-based current regulating means to control the temperature of the heating element, and a battery power supply.

Abstract: Drug delivery articles employ an electrical resistance heating element and an electrical power source to provide a dose of a drug in aerosol form. The articles advantageously comprise a disposable portion and a reusable controller. The disposable portion, normally includes a drug and an air permeable resistance heating element having a surface area greater than 1 m.sup.2 /g, which usually carries an aerosol forming material. The reusable controller normally includes a puff-actuated current actuation means, a time-based current regulating means to control the temperature of the heating element, and a battery power supply.

Abstract: A smoking article having a valve system for closing off the flow of smoke to the user in response to an increase in temperature or humidity. The valve system includes a plastic body with a hollow valve chamber communicating with a smoke passage. A valve element is located in the chamber and is movable between a first position in which smoke from the smoking article is allowed to pass through the smoke passage and a second position in which the valve element closes the smoke passage thereby preventing smoke from passing therethrough. Expansion means are connected to the valve element and cause the valve to move between the first and second positions in response to the temperature or humidity of the smoke.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery article is capable of producing substantial quantities of smoke, both initially and over the useful lifetime of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke. The article also delivers very low levels of carbon monoxide. The article is able of providing the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without burning tobacco. The article includes a carbonaceous fuel element, an aerosol forming substance within a heat conductive container, an outer member surrounding the heat conductive container, and a mouthend piece. Upon draw on the mouthend piece air enters the peripheral region of the outer member and enters the heat conductive container. As the heat conductive container is in a heat exchange relationship with the fuel element, aerosol is thereby formed within the container and passed to the mouth of the user.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for the separation and collection of contaminants from combustion chamber flue gas by means of heterogeneous nucleation and droplet accretion. The embodiment of the invention is based on: (1) A means of saturating the flue gas proportional to the contaminant volume. (2) A conception of a nucleation chamber where cold gas is added to establish and maintain a continuous supersaturated state throughout its volume. (3) A cold heat exchanger which lowers the partial pressure of the nucleation chamber and assists in maintaining a state of supersaturation. (4) A turbulent and inertial means of collecting the large drops together with the contaminant particles.

Abstract: Flavor-carrying microporous polymer material is incorporated with a cigarette filter to release flavor into the smoke-stream during smoking of the cigarette.