Abstract: A microphone shield system captures sound in adverse conditions. The system includes a microphone positioned within a membrane. The membrane is inflated around the microphone to form an enclosure. The inflated membrane passes signals within a selected frequency range. The membrane may block or attenuate signals above and/or below the frequency range to pass a desired sound with little surrounding interference.

Abstract: A portable air horn apparatus includes a housing, an air horn assembly for generating a warning sound, a switch for activating the air horn assembly and a power source. A microprocessor is provided in communication with the switch, the air horn assembly and the power source. The microprocessor includes at least one port for receiving an electronic component and is capable of automatically loading and executing software of the electronic component.

Abstract: A portable air horn apparatus includes a housing, an air horn assembly for generating a warning sound, a switch for activating the air horn assembly and a power source. A microprocessor is provided in communication with the switch, the air horn assembly and the power source. The microprocessor includes at least one port for receiving an electronic component and is capable of automatically loading and executing software of the electronic component.

Abstract: A microphone shield system captures sound in adverse conditions. The system includes a microphone positioned within a membrane. The membrane is inflated around the microphone to form an enclosure. The inflated membrane passes signals within a selected frequency range. The membrane may block or attenuate signals above and/or below the frequency range to pass a desired sound with little surrounding interference.

Abstract: A microphone shield system captures sound in adverse conditions. The system includes a microphone positioned within an enclosure. A membrane stretched across a portion of the enclosure passes signals within a selected frequency range. The membrane may block or attenuate signals above and/or below the frequency range to pass a desired sound with little surrounding interference.

Abstract: A mini-bar and a system and a method of monitoring activity of a mini-bar where the mini-bar includes radio frequency identification tags which communicate the status of inventory to a central system for billing and restocking purposes.

Abstract: A microphone shield system captures sound in adverse conditions. The system includes a microphone positioned within an enclosure. A membrane stretched across a portion of the enclosure passes signals within a selected frequency range. The membrane may block or attenuate signals above and/or below the frequency range to pass a desired sound with little surrounding interference.

Abstract: A microphone shield system is disclosed. The microphone shield system includes an impervious elastic membrane stretched over and covering a microphone on substantially all sides. The impervious elastic membrane is adapted to pass a selected acoustical frequency range. The selected acoustical frequency range excludes a frequency range of noise from environmental effects, such as wind and rain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for controlling hotel in-room safes. The invention comprises a control computer that controls the operation of each in-room safe by transmitting enable or disable commands over a wireless transmission link to a receiver-controller installed in each safe. The use of the safe is enabled or disabled when a guest calls a predetermined telephone number that is interpreted as a command to enable or disable the in-room safe. Each receiver-controller is battery-powered and a technique is employed by the system to conserve battery power by transmitting commands to safes at a predetermined time. Each safe turns on its wireless receiver only at the predetermined time and turns off its receiver after receiving the command thereby conserving the life of the battery.

Abstract: An antenna enhancement system for portable radio transceivers includes a radio conductive plate 10 held in proximity to the back of the transceiver 26. Attached to the plate is a dangling wire 18 whose length bears a relationship to the frequency of transmission. This length is determined experimentally. The system increases the effectiveness of the existing antenna by 6 to 12 decibels.

Abstract: A computerized monitoring system for animal feed ration processing mills equipped with proportioners including a console having a keypad and liquid crystal display screen, a processor board and a circuit board for monitoring proportioner flow rates. The system assists an operator in preparing precisely tailored animal feed rations by computing proportioner dial settings for a given ration, computing the analysis of a ration for % protein, % calcium, % phosphorous and % moisture, and tracking usage inventories of ration ingredients. Ration formulas may be interactively fine tuned by adjusting proportioner throughputs during ration preparation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing earthworms to come to the surface of soil in which electric pulses are applied to the soil. The pulses are characterized by high power during a brief burst followed by a relatively long rest period. The method requires a small power supply and may therefore be put into practice with portable equipment.