Abstract: Systems and devices may receive an ambient noise signal and use that ambient noise signal to generate a distorted ambient noise signal that may be provided to a speaker that is proximate to a microphone of the audio-activated device so that the speaker may project sound corresponding to the distorted ambient noise into the microphone of the audio-activated device so that, for example, that the audio-activated device cannot decipher speech and other sounds in the ambient noise of an environment. While the distorted ambient noise is being projected into the microphone of the audio-activated device, it may be scanned and/or analyzed to determine whether an audio trigger (e.g., an audio trigger or phrase) is included therein and, if so, an undistorted ambient noise signal may be communicated to the speaker of the audio-activated device so that the audio-activated device may respond to a command included in the ambient noise.

Abstract: A reinforcing vibration-damping material that includes a reinforcing material and a vibration-damping material disposed on the reinforcing material in a thickness direction of the reinforcing material. The vibration-damping material has a first portion that overlaps the reinforcing material in the thickness direction and a second portion that does not overlap the reinforcing material in the thickness direction. When the reinforcing vibration-damping material is attached to the object, the reinforcing material is adhered to the object and the second portion of the vibration-damping material is also adhered to the object so that the vibration-damping material suppresses the downward displacement of the reinforcing material.

Abstract: A decorative tree protector which is positioned on the ground around a tree trunk to prevent grass from growing close to the tree trunk. The tree protector includes a round hollow body having a top wall, downwardly dependent sidewall, and a radially extending lower rim for ease of mowing around. A central hole through the top wall and a radial slit from the central hole allow the tree protector to be fit around the trunk of a tree. Opposing portions of the protector body at the slit are retained together after fitting around the tree by retaining screws and nuts. The tree protector can include a built-in seat formed into the top wall and sidewall thereof, being coverable by a pivoting seat cover. The tree protector can further include a decorative device such as a flower trough, a plurality of battery-powered light bulbs extending from the sidewall, a decorative metallic band, or external decorations such as bark, mulch, stones, bricks, sand, or plants, affixed to the protector body.

Abstract: A decorative tree protector which is positioned on the ground around a tree trunk to prevent grass from growing close to the tree trunk. The tree protector includes a round hollow body having a top wall, downwardly dependent sidewall, and a radially extending lower rim for ease of mowing around. A central hole through the top wall and a radial slit from the central hole allow the tree protector to be fit around the trunk of a tree. Opposing portions of the protector body at the slit are retained together after fitting around the tree by retaining screws and nuts. The tree protector can include a built-in seat formed into the top wall and sidewall thereof, being coverable by a pivoting seat cover. The tree protector can further include a decorative device such as a flower trough, a plurality of battery-powered light bulbs extending from the sidewall, a decorative metallic band, or external decorations such as bark, mulch, stones, bricks, sand, or plants, affixed to the protector body.

Abstract: An alarm system for detecting attempted theft of an article includes means incorporated in the article itself and arranged to transmit and to continuing transmitting an alarm signal when the article is removed from its original location. An example of the alarm system provides an audible alarm, or transmitted alarm, and is arranged to be operated when a thief removes or attempts to remove a car radio, cassette player, compact disc player or the like from a car. Unauthorized removal of the unit from a car is detected by the consequent breaking of an electrical circuit which may be the power supply connections to the radio from the car electrical system or may be the connections to the loudspeakers or the radio aerial.

Abstract: A mechanism for raising a toilet seat includes a foot pedal that operates or controls a slotted lifting lever located below a pneumatic cylinder assembly. Upward arcuate motion of the lever exerts a lifting force on the lower end of the cylinder portion of the cylinder assembly, such that the toilet seat is swung upwardly to a generally vertical position controlled by the seat hinge adjacent the top end of the cylinder. When foot pressure is removed from the pedal, the toilet seat returns to its lowered position. During this time, the pneumatic cylinder assembly acts as a shock absorber to prevent the seat from forcibly impacting against the toilet bowl as it reaches the lowered position. The foot pedal can be mechanically connected to the lifting lever. In an alternative arrangement, the foot pedal actuates an electric switch, that energizes an electric motor. The motor provides the motive power for moving the lifting lever.

Abstract: A mammalian monoclonal receptor is produced by a hybridoma formed by fusion of cells from a myeloma cell line and lymphocytes that produce antibodies that react with a viral antigen from a mammal immunized with cytomegalovirus-infected cells. The monoclonal receptor reacts with the viral antigen in a diagnostic system to detect the presence of cytomegalovirus in a biological sample.

Abstract: A mammalian monoclonal receptor is produced by a hybridoma formed by fusion of cells from a myeloma cell line and lymphocytes that produce antibodies that react with a viral antigen from a mammal immunized with cytomegalovirus-infected cells. The monoclonal receptor reacts with the viral antigen in a diagnostic system to detect the presence of cytomegalovirus in a biological sample.

Abstract: A tool for locating an accessory with respect to a vertical wall stud so that an opening can be cut in a panel or sheet of dry wall to accommodate the accessory before the panel is attached to the wall. The method includes tacking a vertical arm to a wall stud adjacent the side edge and either the top or bottom edge of a previously mounted wall panel, and connecting to the vertical arm a horizontal arm with a template located according to the position of the accessory, such as an electrical outlet.

Abstract: A voltage sensitive switch is provided characterized by an irreversible change in resistance from a high resistance state greater than one megohm to a low resistance state less than one thousand ohms and comprising a mixture of substantially pure grade copper powder with copper oxide powder which further contains a binder. Said switch interconnects a pair of spaced electrodes for use in sequentially firing a plurality of flash lamps.

Abstract: An improved high dielectric constant ink useful in making thick film capacitors is disclosed in which a dielectric material is combined with a glass bonding agent having at least one electropositive element therein which is common with the powdered, high dielectric material which is one selected from the group consisting of chemically pure barium titanate and chemically pure barium titanate modified with from about 0.125% to about 5.0% by weight of a metal oxide additive. The glass bonding agent is an alkali-free binder comprising from 3 percent to 7 percent by total weight of the dielectric and binder materials.

Abstract: A method and means for shade marking a fabric web as it is machine spread on a cutting table wherein identifying marks are applied by intermittent stamping action while uniform web discharge speed and tension are maintained by a variable length web feeding path on the machine. Stamping of the web and variation of the feed path length are accomplished by power actuator means controlled by means responsive to pattern coordinating means arranged along a work area on the cutting table to ensure marking of the areas of substantially all of the pattern pieces to be cut without unnecessary multiple marking of such pieces.

Abstract: A method of making a voltage sensitive switch characterized by an irreversible change in resistance from a high resistance state greater than one megohm to a low resistance state less than one thousand ohms is described as comprising mixing substantially pure grade copper powder with copper oxide powder, adding a binder to the mixture and applying the resulting mixture to a pair of spaced electrodes.

Abstract: A thick film capacitor is mounted on a substrate. The dielectric of the capacitor is barium titante which is combined with an alkali free barium zinc glass bonding agent having an electropositive element common with dielectric.

Abstract: A method and means for shade marking a fabric web as it is machine spread on a cutting table wherein identifying marks are applied by intermittent stamping action while uniform web discharge speed and tension are maintained by a variable length web feeding path on the machine. Stamping of the web and variation of the feed path length are accomplished by power actuator means controlled by means responsive to pattern coordinating means arranged along a work area on the cutting table to ensure marking of the areas of substantially all of the pattern pieces to be cut without unnecessary multiple marking of such pieces.