Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.

Abstract: A network system for providing efficient transmission of real-time data and non-real-time data between a plurality of network devices, including an arbitration mechanism that provides a low cost and high performance mechanism for delivery of quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive data sharing a local area with non-time-sensitive data. Device adapters are placed at all access points to a local network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. An X-Hub placed at the center of the network provides for transparent, concurrent transport of signals transmitted by device adapters. Collisions may therefore be eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters and the X-Hub. The time reference defines a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases defines a state of the X-Hub, and a state for each of the device adapters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described whereby lightning within thunderheads and other cloud formations may be triggered in such a way as to minimize damage to surrounding structures and persons. The system consists of a high-pressure pump, accumulator, electrically actuated fast-valve and triggering system. In operation, through manual or automatic control, a high-pressure jet of water, which is rendered electrically conductive by traces of a solute such as salt or acid, is directed upward toward a threatening cloud. The high-conductivity swath of the water jet will act as a path for the discharge of lightning to the jet nozzle. In this method, lightning strikes may be diverted from sensitive areas to the apparatus.

Abstract: A handhold control unit (HCU) shaped like a gun includes a non volatile random access memory (RAM) for storing price information (e.g. price, price per ounce, sales discounts) for the items on the market shelves. The HCU receives such information from a central processing unit (CPU) in the market. When aimed at a stock keeping unit (SKU) tag adjacent a particular item on a shelf, the HCU interrogates the SKU tag to determine the item identity. The HCU may also provide photovoltaic energy to the SKU tag to provide for the SKU tag operation. The SKU tag responds with a code (preferably infra red) identifying the particular item and sends this code to the HCU as by infra red energy. The HCU then identifies the particular item in the RAM from the transmitted code and recovers from the RAM the price information relating to the particular item. The HCU then transmits to the SKU tag the code identifying the item and also the price information for the item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously displaying a plurality of time variables indicative of the condition of a dynamic system. The system is constructed and arranged to be coupled to an array of sensors each positioned for sensing a discreet signal functionally related to one of the variables and includes an acquisition module coupled to the sensors for generating time variable signals indicative of the variables, a sorter for sorting the data into rows, and a processor receiving the rows of data and for computing a function for each variable, and means for determining a color coded plot value for each computed function.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention an improved fenestration construction with an insulated glass pane construction. The fenestration can have a sash that includes an peripheral frame-like member which defines a central opening, an outer face and glazing engaging surfaces. A glazing engaging stop member constructed to cooperate with the peripheral frame-like member in forming the sash. A membrane which is gas and a moisture vapor flow resistant is applied to the glazing engaging surfaces. A primary and a secondary sealant is also applied to the membrane at the glazing engaging surfaces. The primary sealant is adjacent yet to-be-formed insulated space between the panes. The secondary seal is positioned outwardly thereof. An external pane is positioned in the sash and engages primary sealant and secondary sealant. A second pane is positioned in the sash space but generally parallel to the exterior pane and also engages sealant. The stop is then secured to the frame.

Abstract: The use of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to increase the levels of von Willebrand factor and/or Factor VIII in blood is disclosed. The use of PAF has particular application in the treatment of von Willebrand disease and haemophilia A.

Abstract: This invention provides an acoustic imaging device which utilizes scattered acoustic wave information to produce an image. The system consists of an array of acoustic transducers which at least partially encircle a medium to be imaged. The medium is sequentially insonified by each transducer with an acoustic signal comprised of at least one discrete frequency. The acoustic signal scatters from the medium and is detected by the remaining transducers. A data set representing the phase and amplitude of each discrete frequency at each transducer is acquired and used by a computer to calculate an image of the medium. Images acquired and calculated at each identifiable discrete frequency are combined in various ways in order to improve the quality of the final image of the medium.

Abstract: This invention provides an acoustic imaging device in which a large number of transducers are spaced less than a half acoustic wavelength apart on a circle surrounding an object to be imaged. A signal generator generates discrete acoustic frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 1.5 MHz. Multiplexer systems are provided to permit each transducer, one at a time, to broadcast a signal while the broadcast signal is detected by the other transducers. Electronic equipment records the detected signal and from the recorded information phase and amplitude data is calculated with respect to each transducer location. A computer programmed with an algorithm computes images of slices through the object using the phase and amplitude data. We utilize single frequency, steady-state acoustic signals which enables the accurate determination of the phase and amplitude of the acoustic signals at each receiver transducer.

Abstract: A device and method for producing an image of a fluid moving through a medium. An acoustic wave insonifies the medium to produce Doppler shifted scattering from randomly located scatterers in the moving fluid. At least eight channels of acoustic detectors detect signals reflected from the medium and the amplitudes of the scattered signal is determined at each channel for at least one Doppler shifted frequency. Time averaged channel-to-channel amplitude correlations are produced using the Doppler shifted amplitude data from which the image of the moving fluid is calculated.

Abstract: An acoustic imaging device is disclosed which utilizes mathematical inversion of scattered acoustic wave information to produce an image. A preferred embodiment of the device consists of a ring of acoustic transducers which encircle a medium to be imaged. The medium is sequentially insonified by each transducer with subsequent reception of the scattered waves by the remaining transducers. Explicit mathematical inversion of the scattered wave data using a remap algorithm results in a two-dimensional map of the scattering potential of the medium. Sound speed and density maps can be obtained from a map of the scattering potential. This device is utilizable for imaging of human tissue in vivo and in vitro, and for nondestructive evaluation of materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic censorship of audio-video programming at the receiver in accordance with a viewer-selected censorship mode and multivariate censorship classification data encoded in the audio-video programming signal. The censorship classification data comprise codes that classify the programming for several different subjects and several different censorship levels, including internal video frame coordinates that map the censorship classification data to every region within each frame. Censorship of the audio-video programming is accomplished by automatically obscuring the audio and/or video signal to prevent user discomfort. The viewer perceives this automatic obscuration as a fuzzy vagueness in the audio or video frame, which avoids viewer distraction of discomfort associated with abrupt blanking or programming substitution. The censorship method is readily applicable to cinema performances through the use of cinema film encoding and light-valve obscuration techniques.