Abstract: This invention extends the range of optical data of mobile device by trading speed for distance as well as integrating a plurality of pulses over time to define a single bit of information. The present invention uses a number of integrated pulses to represent a single bit instead of utilizing a one to one correspondence between pulses and bits. The present invention executes a range extender application which executes on the mobile device without any hardware modification to the mobile device. The range extender application causes the optical transmitter to “stutter” or repetitively emanate the identical pulse representing a bit of information. Sufficient photons are thereby gathered at a receiver to reach a predetermined threshold. A tradeoff of the data transmission frequency in this invention is that a signal intensity drops by a factor of 100 when distance increases by a factor of 10 yielding a distance/intensity ratio of {fraction (1/10)}.

Abstract: A method of removing a virgin metal oxide coating from the surface of a superalloy gas turbine engine component. The component bearing the applied metal oxide coating is contacted with an aqueous coating-removal solution, typically containing by weight about 10-25% alkali hydroxide, about 1-8% alkanolamine, and about 0.5-5% gluconate salt at a temperature of from about 170° F. (67° C.) to about 210° F. (99° C.), for a time sufficient to remove the metal oxide coating from the superalloy blade by gentle mechanical means. The metal oxide coating can comprise one or more metal oxide layers, such as a chromium oxide layer and an aluminum oxide layer.

Abstract: A livestock weighing and sorting apparatus includes a frame, a weighing station supported by the frame and defining inlet and outlet openings and a passageway extending therebetween for permitting an animal to go through the weighing station and be weighed while therein, dual inlet gates mounted to the frame side-by-side one another adjacent to the inlet opening and movable toward and away from each other between opened and closed positions, a first actuator mechanism actuatable to move the dual inlet gates between the opened and closed positions, an outlet sort gate mounted to the frame adjacent to the outlet opening and movable between a centered closed position and either a first opened position or a second opened position, and a second actuator mechanism actuatable to move the outlet sort gate between the centered closed position and either the first or second opened positions.

Abstract: A gutter hanging bracket device includes an elongated body portion adapted to span an open top of a gutter between front and rear sides thereof, a forward attachment portion merging from a front end of the body portion for engaging the front side of the gutter, a rearward attachment portion merging from a rear end of the body portion and adapted to cooperate with a fastener for securing the rear side of the gutter to an adjacent external structure so as to hang the gutter in a cantilevered fashion adjacent to the external structure, and a fastener retaining guide structure integrally formed in a rearward section of the body portion extending between a middle section and rear end thereof.

Abstract: A livestock weighing and sorting apparatus includes a frame, a weighing station supported by the frame and defining inlet and outlet openings and a passageway extending therebetween for permitting an animal to go through the weighing station and be weighed while therein, dual inlet gates mounted to the frame side-by-side one another adjacent to the inlet opening and movable toward and away from each other between opened and closed positions, a first actuator mechanism actuatable to move the dual inlet gates between the opened and closed positions, an outlet sort gate mounted to the frame adjacent to the outlet opening and movable between a centered closed position and either a first opened position or a second opened position, and a second actuator mechanism actuatable to move the outlet sort gate between the centered closed position and either the first or second opened positions.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for generating control signals for the manipulation of virtual objects in a computer system according to the gestures and positions of an operator's hand or other body part. The apparatus includes a glove worn on the hand which includes sensors for detecting the gestures of the hand, as well as hand position sensing means coupled to the glove and to the computer system for detecting the position of the hand with respect to the system. The computer system includes circuitry connected to receive the gesture signals and the hand position signals for generating control signals in response thereto. Typically, the control signals are used to manipulate a graphical representation of the operator's hand which is displayed on a monitor coupled to the computer system, and the graphical representations of the operator's hand manipulates virtual objects or tools also displayed by the computer.

Abstract: A structure is provided for a user-manipulable input device, such as an in-keyboard, joystick-type device, for allowing a user to provide input to a computer graphical user interface (GUI). The structure includes a user-manipulable, articulating member, and a plurality of stationary, electrically conductive sensors. The articulating member also has an electrically conductive member. The physical disposition of the articulating member and the sensors provides narrow gaps, across which are measurable capacitances. As the user manipulates the articulating member, the capacitances change in value. Circuitry produces signals related to the capacitances, and the signals are processed, according to a transfer function, to generate GUI input signals. The sensors are preferably sensing electrodes, incorporated into a circuit board. The articulating member is preferably a cone-shaped member, having a conductive surface which faces the sensors.

Abstract: This invention extends the range of optical data communication systems by trading speed for distance as well as integrating a plurality of pulses overtime to define a single bit of information. Its goal is to increase current IRDA ranges from 1 m to 10 meters as this enables much more interactivity between an individual and a point of sale; this implementation also reduces the amount of wiring required for communication since RF transmission requires less wiring than an ac modem. The extended range of optical data communication is enabled through the use of intermediary relay stations spaced fairly far apart. IRDA communication, as is well known, uses very short duration optical pulses to send data up to 1 Mbit/sec; this has the concomitant effect of minimizing LED duty cycle and preventing excessive heating. As stated previously, this invention uses a number of integrated pulses to represent a single bit instead of utilizing a one to one correspondence between pulses and bits.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for generating control signals for the manipulation of virtual objects in a computer system according to the gestures and positions of an operator's hand or other body part. The apparatus includes a glove worn on the hand which includes sensors for detecting the gestures of the hand, as well as hand position sensing means coupled to the glove and to the computer system for detecting the position of the hand with respect to the system. The computer system includes circuitry connected to receive the gesture signals and the hand position signals for generating control signals in response thereto. Typically, the control signals are used to manipulate a graphical representation of the operator's hand which is displayed on a monitor coupled to the computer system, and the graphical representations of the operator's hand manipulates virtual objects or tools also displayed by the computer.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate and an outer metallic layer, such as a coating, is provided with augmented heat transfer from the substrate through the combination of a layer thickness of about 0.003″ to about 0.017″, a layer surface roughness of at least about 500 micro inches Ra, a layer tensile bond strength of at least about 5 ksi, and a heat transfer augmentation of at least about 1.1. A method of making the article uses an electric arc wire thermal spray process in which the atomizing gas pressure is maintained within the range of about 20-80 psi.

Abstract: A gutter hanging bracket device includes an elongated body portion adapted to span an open top of a gutter between front and rear sides of the gutter and having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional channel construction, a forward attachment portion merging from a front end of the body portion and adapted to engage with the front side of the gutter, and a rearward attachment portion merging from a rear end of the body portion and adapted for attaching the rear side of the gutter to an adjacent external structure so as to support the body portion in a cantilevered fashion from the external structure and thereby hang the gutter adjacent to the external structure. The forward and rearward attachment portions form extensions of the body member such that the forward and rearward attachment portions both have generally U-shaped cross-sectional channel constructions continuous with that of the body portion.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate and an outer metallic layer, such as a coating, is provided with augmented heat transfer from the substrate through the combination of a layer thickness of about 0.003″ to about 0.017″, a layer surface roughness of at least about 500 micro inches Ra, a layer tensile bond strength of at least about 5 ksi, and a heat transfer augmentation of at least about 1.1. A method of making the article uses an electric arc wire thermal spray process in which the atomizing gas pressure is maintained within the range of about 20-80 psi.

Abstract: A structure is provided for a user-manipulable input device, such as an in-keyboard, joystick-type device, for allowing a user to provide input to a computer graphical user interface (GUI). The structure includes a user-manipulable, articulating member, and a plurality of stationary, electrically conductive sensors. The articulating member also has an electrically conductive member. The physical disposition of the articulating member and the sensors provides narrow gaps, across which are measurable capacitances. As the user manipulates the articulating member, the capacitances change in value. Circuitry produces signals related to the capacitances, and the signals are processed, according to a transfer function, to generate GUI input signals. The sensors are preferably sensing electrodes, incorporated into a circuit board. The articulating member is preferably a cone-shaped member, having a conductive surface which faces the sensors.

Abstract: A structure is provided for a user-manipulable input device, such as an in-keyboard, joystick-type device, for allowing a user to provide input to a computer graphical user interface (GUI). The structure includes a user-manipulable, articulating member, and a plurality of stationary, electrically conductive sensors. The articulating member also has an electrically conductive member. The physical disposition of the articulating member and the sensors provides narrow gaps, across which are measurable capacitances. As the user manipulates the articulating member, the capacitances change in value. Circuitry produces signals related to the capacitances, and the signals are processed, according to a transfer function, to generate GU I input signals. The sensors are preferably sensing electrodes, incorporated into a circuit board. The articulating member is preferably a cone-shaped member, having a conductive surface which faces the sensors.

Abstract: A storage page for a three-ring binder or the like has a plurality of three-dimensional cavities for storing and displaying three-dimensional objects. The storage page is constructed of a clear plastic material sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape. In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional cavities are defined by raised sections in the front sheet of the storage page, the raised sections generally defined by a planar wall parallel to the front sheet, and one or more walls normal thereto to form a three-dimensional pocket. The back sheet of the storage page includes identically shaped and mating indentations that cooperate with the three-dimensional pockets of the front sheet of the storage page to define the three-dimensional cavity. An opaque matte may be sandwiched between the front and back sheets of the storage page, the matte being used for backing or contrast, and also in a writing surface for labeling and other indicia the contents of the individual three-dimensional cavities.

Abstract: Sag of a power signal delivered to of an amplifier is controlled. The maximum amount of sag is limited to limit crossover distortion. A measuring circuit monitors an observed signal to generate a measured signal. A sag control circuit receives the measured signal and one or more input control signals, and in response generates a sag control signal. A regulator circuit receives the sag control signal and a raw power supply signal and in response generates a regulated DC power supply signal for the amplifier. The regulator circuit decreases the maximum power available to the amplifier as the sag control signal magnitude increases, so as to increase distortion and compression in the output signal (e.g., and achieve a "warm", "airy" or "forgiving" sound quality resembling or improving the sound of a vacuum tube amplifier).

Abstract: Solute polymers in solvent monomers form a coatable syrup that can be cured to a viscoelastomeric material when radiation-sensitive .alpha.-cleaving groups in either the polymer or one of the monomers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The solute polymers can be formed from the solvent monomers in situ or be added thereto to form the syrup.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding and transferring data from a transmitter to a receiver, using the human body as a transmission medium. The transmitter includes an electric field generator, a data encoder which operates by modulating the electric field, and electrodes to couple the electric field through the human body. The receiver includes electrodes, in physical contact with, or close proximity to, a part of the human body, for detecting an electric field carried through the body, and a demodulator for extracting the data from the modulated electric field. An authenticator, connected to the receiver, processes the encoded data and validates the authenticity of the transmission. The apparatus and method are used to identify and authorize a possessor of the transmitter. The possessor then has secure access to, and can obtain delivery of, goods and services such as the distribution of money, phone privileges, building access, and commodities.

Abstract: A regulated power supply control system with adjustable operating point and adjustable dynamic behavior for use with electronic power supply circuits, such as musical instrument amplifiers. The control system includes a measurement circuit (20) that generates a measured signal (22) based on an observed signal (18) in an amplifier (10); a sag control circuit (24) that generates a sag signal (32) based on the measured signal (22); a referenced circuit (34) that generates a static reference signal (38); and a regulator (44) that uses the static reference signal (38) and sag signal (32) to generate a regulated power supply output (14) that is used by the amplifier (10). The sag control circuit (24) permits adjustment of the sag signal 32 by a user-operated sag magnitude control (26), sag rate control (28), and sag recovery rate control (30).

Abstract: A container top including cover with rotatable member, the rotatable member supporting a sealing member for the opening in the cover, the cover having camming member for engaging said rotatable member as the rotatable member is rotated from a sealing to an open position.