Abstract: A system for prevention of accidents by a hazardous machine. The system is comprised of a first subsystem on the machine, and a second subsystem wearable by a party to be protected. The first subsystem includes a base unit transceiver, and a processor in communication with the base unit transceiver, and in communication with a controller of the energy conversion device. The second subsystem includes a protected party remote transceiver in communication with the base unit transceiver. The processor executes an algorithm including detecting the location of the protected party remote transceiver relative to the base unit transceiver; determining if the location of the protected party remote transceiver relative to the base unit transceiver is less than a predetermined threshold distance; and halting operation of the energy conversion device of the protected party remote transceiver relative to the base unit transceiver is located at less than the threshold distance.

Abstract: A universal proximity wireless system for a potential victim to disengage a dangerous power device to inhibit accidental injury to a potential victim includes: a) a wireless transmitter to transmit a predetermined distance; b) a transmitter attachment mechanism adapted for attachment to the potential victim; c) a receiver and a dangerous power device shutdown mechanism. The shutdown mechanism is attached to said dangerous power device at an operation mechanism of said power device and said shutdown mechanism is adapted to shut down said operation mechanism when said receiver receives a signal from said transmitter.

Abstract: A universal proximity wireless system for a potential victim to disengage a dangerous power device to inhibit accidental injury to a potential victim includes: a) a wireless transmitter to transmit a predetermined distance ; b) a transmitter attachment mechanism adapted for attachment to the potential victim; c) a receiver and a dangerous power device shutdown mechanism. The shutdown mechanism is attached to said dangerous power device at an operation mechanism of said power device and said shutdown mechanism is adapted to shut down said operation mechanism when said receiver receives a signal from said transmitter.

Abstract: A speech recognition method and system for use in a vehicle navigation system utilize grammar weighted based upon geographical information regarding the locations corresponding to the tokens in the grammars and/or the location of the vehicle for which the vehicle navigation system is used, in order to enhance the performance of speech recognition. The geographical information includes the distances between the vehicle location and the locations corresponding to the tokens, as well as the size, population, and popularity of the locations corresponding to the tokens.

Abstract: A speech recognition system recognizes an input speech signal by using a first speech recognizer and a second speech recognizer each coupled to a decision module. Each of the first and second speech recognizers outputs first and second recognized speech texts and first and second associated confidence scores, respectively, and the decision module selects either the first or the second speech text depending upon which of the first or second confidence score is higher. The decision module may also adjust the first and second confidence scores to generate first and second adjusted confidence scores, respectively, and select either the first or second speech text depending upon which of the first or second adjusted confidence scores is higher. The first and second confidence scores may be adjusted based upon the location of a speaker, the identity or accent of the speaker, the context of the speech, and the like.

Abstract: A multiple pass speech recognition method includes a first pass and a second pass. The first pass recognizes an input speech signal to generate a first pass result. The second pass generates a first grammar having a portion set to match a first part of the input speech signal, based upon the context of the first pass result, and generate a second pass result. The method may further include a third pass grammar limiting the second part of the input speech signal to the second pass result. The third pass grammar includes a model corresponding to the first part of the input speech signal and varying within the second pass result. The third pass compares the first part of the input speech signal to the model while limiting the second part of the input speech signal to the second pass result.

Abstract: A multiple pass speech recognition method includes a first pass and a second pass. The first pass recognizes an input speech signal to generate a first pass result. The second pass generates a first grammar having a portion set to match a first part of the input speech signal, based upon the context of the first pass result, and generate a second pass result. The method may further include a third pass grammar limiting the second part of the input speech signal to the second pass result. The third pass grammar includes a model corresponding to the first part of the input speech signal and varying within the second pass result. The third pass compares the first part of the input speech signal to the model while limiting the second part of the input speech signal to the second pass result.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluid flow communication is disclosed which comprises a substantially tubular member having first and second opposite end portions; a first end wall secured to and closing the first end portion of said substantially tubular member wherein the first end wall has at least one first aperture extending therethrough; a second end wall secured to and closing the second end portion of the substantially tubular member wherein the second end wall has at least one second aperture extending therethrough; an intermediate wall disposed within the substantially tubular member intermediate the first and second end walls and having a circumferential outer edge; and support means disposed within the substantially tubular member for fixedly securing the intermediate wall relative to the inner surface of the substantially tubular member whereby the circumferential outer edge of the intermediate wall and the inner surface of the substantially tubular member define a substantially annular passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether the tack of a composite prepreg is within an appropriate range to adhere to a substrate when joined under predetermined conditions. The resulting tack measurement can be used as a measurement of quality control for prepreg's used in automated tape-laying machines, hand layup operations, or as a control variable in prepreg development. An embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention has the ability to simulate the prepreg layup of an automated tape-laying machine. This includes the ability to adjust the rate at which the prepreg is laid up, the force used layup the prepreg, the durometer of the material from which the application roller is formed, and the diameter of the application roller used to layup the prepreg. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a table with a movable platform capable of joining two strips of prepreg under conditions similar to an automated tape-laying machine by moving the prepreg between the platform and the application roller.

Abstract: An "open loop" programmable machine tool control system is provided for a microprocessor controlled machine (12). An operator control program is entered into the microprocessor from a control panel (10) by a machine operator standing along side the machine (12). The machine (12) is controlled by first setting motion limiter cams (82), and then entering the control program as a series of sequential steps. The program is entered by activating and/or deactivating certain machine function push buttons on the control panel. The microprocessor then executes the control program, displaying the program on the control panel during its execution. The control program is edited by displaying the control program step to be edited on the control panel, and then activating and/or deactivating machine function push buttons until only desired machine functions are displayed. The edited step is then reentered into the microprocessor.

Abstract: Apparatus for minimizing the transmission of long wave infrared energy without significantly affecting the transmission of solar energy to provide an energy efficient building component is disclosed. A flexible plastic substrate is used having a thickness of no more than approximately 20 mils. A long wave infrared radiation absorbing material is fixed to the plastic substrate. The substrate and the absorber in combination are at least 94% transmissive to visible solar radiation so that transmission of solar energy is substantially unaffected. However, the substrate and the absorber absorb sufficient long wave infrared radiation so that transmission of at least 80% of all incident long wave radiation is prevented, in large measure blocking the transmission of heat energy through the system.