Abstract: A method and system for examining and safely evaluating process systems, including fluid pressure systems, to aid overpressure design and/or sizing of overpressure equipment. The system includes a server subsystem, a storage subsystem, an assessment subsystem, and optionally a report generation subsystem, including computer hardware and application software for supporting these subsystems.

Abstract: A method and system for examining and safely evaluating process systems, including fluid pressure systems, to aid overpressure design and/or sizing of overpressure equipment. The system includes a server subsystem, a storage subsystem, an assessment subsystem, and optionally a report generation subsystem, including computer hardware and application software for supporting these subsystems.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for tabulating votes and creating an audit trail is provided. A ballot processing device is integrated with a ballot box. The ballot processing device includes a paper feed mechanism, a computer, a ballot processing application loaded on the computer, and a digital scanning device linked to the computer. The ballot processing application provides instructions to the computer to initiate the digital scanning device to scan a paper ballot fed into the paper feed mechanism so as to create a digital image of the paper ballot. The ballot processing application also processes the digital image to establish a series of processing results defining one or more voting results for the paper ballot, and also an audit trail. The ballot processing application processes the digital image to define the voting results based on criteria established by election officials.

Abstract: A vehicle safety device designed to increase highway safety by alerting vehicle operators of initial braking of highway traffic with noticeable rapid blinks of the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL). This selective approach in alerting highway traffic of unexpected braking introduces a new realm of brake signaling. A recognizable and higher-plateau vehicular safety signal and it uses an existing brake lamp. Adding to the value of this new vehicle safety device is its unique design. The Automatic Brakes Initiated Annunciator is engineered to be a simple, reliable, and a practical device. It does not include or need; special power supplies or voltage regulators, adjustments, calibration, oscillators or counters, integrated circuits, complicated wiring installation, special installation space, ambient temperature considerations, vibration consideration, complex circuitry, sophisticated or expensive electronic components, and changes in vehicle operation or brake usage.

Abstract: A method for providing a mobile station user notification of the delay of requested teleservice transaction is disclosed. Upon receipt of a request at a mobile station for origination of a teleservice transaction, the mobile station determines whether the transaction may be immediately carried out or will be delayed. If the transaction is delayed, the time period for this delay is determined. The mobile station user is notified of the delay and time period until completion of the requested teleservice transaction may be achieved.

Abstract: An improved method is claimed for responding to channel pointers in a wireless communications system, such as a cellular telephone system, operating on a communications spectrum having channel bands. The method includes storing a band search list, receiving a channel to a pointer to a pointed-to control channel, and disregarding the channel pointer if the pointed-to is in a channel band not included on the band search list. The improved method improves system response time and more efficiently utilizes system resources.

Abstract: A changeable grid system kit for constructing three-dimensional toy and scale model designs, including a base component fabricated of a tough, resilient material, slots formed in the top face of the base, and slats which are insertable into the slots. The invention is designed to ensure that there is little or no loss in the tight fit between the slats and the base material after repeated insertion and removal of the slats. The base material is selected so as to avoid fracturing or splintering caused by repeated use or incidental contact. One such material is a closed-cell crosslinked polyethylene foam. In one embodiment of the invention, the base component is placed vertically such that the slats extend from the slots to form quasi-horizontal surfaces. In this orientation the present invention may be used as an educational tool to illustrate such physical principles as gravity, friction, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new polymers which can assume an accordion-like conformation of the backbone. These polymers are prepared by the copolymerization of two difuntional, chemically precoupled precursors to chromophoric units. The resulting polymers have a head-to-head, tail-to-tail topology (a syndioregic arrangement of rigid units along the polymer backbone), and the molecular units are designed to fold into an "accordion" conformation. This useful microstructure (a three-dimensional conformation) forms spontaneously (self-assembles); or, it can be brought about by field-assisted processing. Films and fibers of these polymers have useful second-order nonlinear optical properties, and may be used for the modulation and switching of optical communications signals.

Abstract: Processible chromophoric polymers having nonlinear optical properties and wherein the chromophore is present in and is a part of the polymer backbone, including substantially all of the monomer or repeat units, with the dipole moments pointing in the same direction (head-to-tail) along the polymer backbone. Such polymers include phenylene, phenylene vinylene, stilbenylene, phenyl piperdine, and coumarin polymers.