Abstract: An energy saving control 40 for a fluorescent light which is easily installed in an existing merchandising machine 10 and a method of retrofitting the energy saving control for a fluorescent light into an existing merchandising machine.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for database synchronization on a network are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for database synchronization on a network protected with firewalls are disclosed. Embodiments include an e-mail listener for receiving e-mails from a plurality of computer systems and modifying a central database based on the received e-mails. In one embodiment, the computers systems and central database are protected by a firewall. Other embodiments provide for a transaction log that includes information about received e-mails. In these embodiments, the transaction log may optionally be used to synchronize other databases, including local databases located at the computer systems.

Abstract: A grading implement including main body having a left end, a right end and a length that extends between the left and right ends. The main body also includes a front side and a back side. A claw-blade is positioned at the front side of the main body. Side blades are positioned at the left and right ends of the main body. The side blades include portions that extend rearwardly from the main body so as to define a volume located behind the back side of the main body between the side blades. The volume receives grading material when the implement is moved rearwardly.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for database synchronization on a network are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for database synchronization on a network protected with firewalls are disclosed. Embodiments include an e-mail listener for receiving e-mails from a plurality of computer systems and modifying a central database based on the received e-mails. In one embodiment, the computers systems and central database are protected by a firewall. Other embodiments provide for a transaction log that includes information about received e-mails. In these embodiments, the transaction log may optionally be used to synchronize other databases, including local databases located at the computer systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing materials according to various aspects of the present invention comprises an oven and a control system. The oven is configured to receive a test material for testing and expose the test material to heat to promote drying and/or ashing. The control system receives data, such as, temperature data from the oven and change of weight of the test material, and controls the temperature in the oven accordingly.

Abstract: A grading implement including main body having a left end, a right end and a length that extends between the left and right ends. The main body also includes a front side and a back side. A claw-blade is positioned at the front side of the main body. Side blades are positioned at the left and right ends of the main body. The side blades include portions that extend rearwardly from the main body so as to define a volume located behind the back side of the main body between the side blades. The volume receives grading material when the implement is moved rearwardly.

Abstract: In order to assist persons of limited skill or time to test electromechanical or other relays without the need for VOM testing and time-consuming test setup, switching circuits, current sources are used in an automated test set with a stored program which tests the impedance between each terminal of the relay and every other terminal of the relay, identifies the terminals for the relay coil and for the relay's contact terminals and whether the contacts are NO, NC, or double throw type. The test set notes the presence or absence of a coil-suppression device across the coil, repetitively tests operation of the contacts, and informs the human operator, in simple terms, if the relay is operable and safe for use with delicate drive circuits.

Abstract: In order to assist persons of limited skill or time to test electromechanical or other relays without the need for VOM testing and time-consuming test setup, switching circuits, current sources are used in an automated test set with a stored program which tests the impedance between each terminal of the relay and every other terminal of the relay, identifies the terminals for the relay coil and for the relay's contact terminals and whether the contacts are NO, NC, or double throw type. The test set notes the presence or absence of a coil-suppression device across the coil, repetitively tests operation of the contacts, and informs the human operator, in simple terms, if the relay is operable and safe for use with delicate drive circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for trimming semiconductor devices and circuits, such as pin electronics circuits used in automated test equipment (ATE) systems and the like, without requiring a laser trimming operation. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention addresses the need to precisely adjust a reference current and/or voltage by replacing a conventional current/voltage reference source with a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. A select switch or mechanism is preferably coupled to the input of the D/A converter and operatively presents a digital input word to the D/A converter by selectively reading the digital word from at least one of a data register and a fuse register. The data register is preferably used during testing of the overall current or voltage reference by iteratively trying various digital input codes while concurrently measuring the analog output signal from the D/A converter until the output signal sufficiently matches a predetermined output value.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for trimming semiconductor devices and circuits, such as pin electronics circuits used in automated test equipment (ATE) systems and the like, without requiring a laser trimming operation. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention addresses the need to precisely adjust a reference current and/or voltage by replacing a conventional current/voltage reference source with a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. A select switch or mechanism is preferably coupled to the input of the D/A converter and operatively presents a digital input word to the D/A converter by selectively reading the digital word from at least one of a data register and a fuse register. The data register is preferably used during testing of the overall current or voltage reference by iteratively trying various digital input codes while concurrently measuring the analog output signal from the D/A converter until the output signal sufficiently matches a predetermined output value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for testing digital logic circuitry to determine the rise and fall time associated with a particular circuit. The circuit is tested by sending a test signal to the input of the circuit and measuring the area under a waveform taken at the output of the circuit.

Abstract: One or more friction enhancing elements for use with game controllers to reduce slippage of a user's hand and digits when operating the controller over a period of time. The invention includes a flexible sheet of material wherein at least an upper surface thereof has friction enhancing properties and a lower surface thereof has adhesive properties. A release sheet is removably associated with the lower surface of the flexible sheet, thereby preserving the adhesive nature of the lower surface until removed by a user. The flexible sheet preferably has one or more geometric forms substantially corresponding to active elements or input portions of the game controller, although the sheet may consist of only a single geometric form. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more geometric forms may correspond to a non-active gripping portion of the controller.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus determines the fluid depth, volume, and temperature in a storage tank. A system description for monitoring an underground storage tank containing gasoline is described. The system determines the water's and gasoline's depth, volume, and temperature. The apparatus consists of a remote console, ultrasonic probe, and interconnecting cable. The remote console contains a display to report tank information and a computer to operate the probe. The probe consists of an ultrasonic transducer above the bottom of the probe facing upwards to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, vertically spaced reflectors and a temperature sensor to measure fluid temperature.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus determines the fluid depth, volume, and temperature in a storage tank. A system description for monitoring an underground storage tank containing gasoline is described. The system determines the water's and gasoline's depth, volume, and temperature. The apparatus consists of a remote console, ultrasonic probe, and interconnecting cable. The remote console contains a display to report tank information and a computer to operate the probe. The probe consists of an ultrasonic transducer above the bottom of the probe facing upwards to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, vertically spaced reflectors and a temperature sensor to measure fluid temperature.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus determines the fluid depth, volume, and temperature in a storage tank. A system description for monitoring an underground storage tank containing gasoline is described. The system determines the water's and gasoline's depth, volume, and temperature. The apparatus consists of a remote console, ultrasonic probe, and interconnecting cable. The remote console contains a display to report tank information and a computer to operate the probe. The probe consists of an ultrasonic transducer above the bottom of the probe facing upwards to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, vertically spaced reflectors and a temperature sensor to measure fluid temperature.

Abstract: A circuit for use with an ultrasonic transducer utilized to measure depths of liquids in tanks is described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer numerical control (CNC) machine tool system having a novel terminal controller and system therefor to control a machine tool generally with at least two axes and more probably three, with stepping motor controls for point-to-point positioning of the machine tool to an almost infinite variety of steps (generally not more than 200). The novelty resides in the ease of programming directly on the terminal controller of the CNC machine tool system. Generally at least some editing and offsets will be programmed from the machine tool.The terminal controller consists of a microprocessor with some RAM and ROM, together with address and data bus plus I/O for magnetic tape handling and display for 6 to 8 digits in each of the X and Y positions, together with numeric keyboard for data input to the program steps and functional keys to control operation-automatic, manual and step-by-step, as well as controls for program input from tape to memory and memory to tape.

Abstract: A high frequency variable oscillator has its frequency grossly set by a bandswitch and an uncalibrated coarse tuning control and finely tuned by an uncalibrated incremental control. The oscillator includes a broad band buffer circuit and a push-pull output circuit to provide an amplified isolated output having attenuated even harmonics. The oscillator includes a user programmable digital counter element connected to count the output of the oscillator. The counter includes timing circuitry and a multiple stage programmable ripple counter timed thereby. Each stage of the counter is connected to a latch decoder which is in turn connected to a digit display element. The latch decoders are connected to be controlled by the timing circuitry.