Abstract: A method of simulating a terrain view from the point of view of an airborne object and a terrain view simulation system which obtain a geo-referenced terrain to the airborne object, correlate in a computer the position and orientation information with the geo-referenced view of the terrain as seen from the airborne object, and display this simulated view.

Abstract: A reversible cymbal includes a central cup surrounded by a remainder of the cymbal. The cymbal is repeatedly reversible between a first configuration, in which curvatures of the cup and the remainder of the cymbal are in the same direction, and a second configuration, in which the curvatures are opposite, without damage to the cymbal. The cymbal can be played in both first and second configurations.

Abstract: A method of simulating a terrain view from the point of view of an airborne object and a terrain view simulation system which obtain a geo-referenced terrain to the airborne object, correlate in a computer the position and orientation information with the geo-referenced view of the terrain as seen from the airborne object, and display this simulated view.

Abstract: A technique for the creation of novel sounds in cymbals and resultant cymbals through the use of multiple and/or off center cups.

Abstract: A hybrid percussion instrument which is suspendable and can be used as a quick change rattle instrument in combination with other percussion instruments such as a cymbal.

Abstract: A percussion instrument that produces a vibrato which is the most noticeable characteristic of the instrument. In one embodiment, the instrument is configured as a single two-dimensional curve, or a primary curve which is deeper or more pronounced than secondary curves along the surface of said instrument, and wherein said primary curve facilitates an oscillating flexing motion which produces an increase in the amplitude of the lowest frequency mode of vibration, the low pitch frequency modulates the whole of the spectrum of a musical sound by repeatedly raising and lowering said spectrum of sound in a periodic or oscillating manner, this effect being defined here as “vibrato”. The instrument is suspended from one or more points, by means of an instrument supporting member or mounting device, rigid or flexible. The suspension or mounting points approximate the nodal area of the instrument.

Abstract: The inventive system uses a trust network rating system to target advertisements thereby increasing the effectiveness as well as the palatability of the advertisement. A user of an online system sets up a trust network by indicating criteria whereby the user trusts other users. Ratings made by the other users of goods or services are evaluated according to the particular trust network the user has set up. The user receives advertisements only from those vendors who have met thresholds based on the evaluated ratings. This ensures that the user receives only pertinent and interesting advertisements so that the user is more likely to respond positively to the advertisements.

Abstract: An improved rating system allows users to give anonymous ratings of any item such as devices, compositions and services including personal services (i.e., individuals). The system is based on degrees of behavioral similarity between raters. The highest degree of behavioral similarity is established between raters who have rated the same item identically or similarly. The system allows a user to view ratings or anonymous raters who have a high degree of behavioral similarity to the user. The system allows users to control the various ‘degrees’ or levels of behavioral linkage to gather meaningful data in a way that greatly extends the potential usefulness and applicability of the rating filtering system while preserving the anonymity of raters and their individual ratings.

Abstract: Cymbals and generally flat sheet instruments, as well as compound instruments, are formed using welding process and metal melting processes to form holes and edges with thickened edges from the melting processes, to join sections of metal, to add metal by creating beads at desired locations, to join sections with differing hardness and/or thickness, to create compound cymbals and compound flat sheet instruments by joint welding cymbals or sheet instruments together. The invention also includes cymbals and bells and various combinations and shapes thereof and the unique overtones attained thereby.

Abstract: A pair of hi-hat cymbals each featuring respective inverted center cups which place the respective center holes in close enough proximity to allow mounting in a closed position on a standard cymbal stand and the cymbals can be adjusted in tightness by a standard cymbal wing nut. In another embodiment, the invention is a pair of hi-hat cymbals featuring respective inverted center cups which place the center holes in close enough proximity to allow mounting on a standard cymbal stand, and the cymbals can be adjusted in tightness by a standard cymbal wing nut. This latter cymbal assembly can be divided by one or more standard cymbal felts or other dividers on a standard cymbal stand or arm to create a pair of independently ringing cymbals with a resonant air cavity.

Abstract: A cymbal where the lowest frequency mode of vibration in the cymbal is less than 20 cycles per second, and where the lowest mode is of a great enough amplitude to be capable of producing a prominent vibrato effect and a prominent phase shifting effect when said cymbal is struck, the cymbal being made by hammering a concave underside of a pre-formed cymbal in a manner which forms dents in a surface of said cymbal.

Abstract: A percussion instrument, which includes a cymbal, wherein the instrument is formed with a bent or folded area along one or more lines, planes, or curves of the instrument resulting in the creation of equal or unequal distinct sections.

Abstract: A technique for the creation of novel sounds in cymbals and resultant cymbals through the use of multiple and/or off center cups.

Abstract: A trust-based communication and information filtering system having rating features is user customizable. It is a system in which the raters remain anonymous. The anonymous ratings mimic real life person-to-person recommendation methods wherein recommendations are personal and cannot be controlled by persons or items being rated. The system uses contextually meaningful rating which are filtered explicitly by the end-user or implicitly based upon the environment of the end-user to facilitate discovery and minimize the potential for fraud and deception. Trust networks are constructed between the participants and the rating or information filtered or weighted according to the user's relative trust of the raters in the system. Ratings made by the inventive system can be for goods, services, people, businesses or virtually any item that can be rated and/or recommended.

Abstract: A percussion instrument, which includes a cymbal, wherein the instrument is formed with a bent or folded area along one or more lines, planes, or curves of the instrument resulting in the creation of equal or unequal distinct sections.

Abstract: A hybrid percussion instrument which is suspendable and can be used as a quick change rattle instrument in combination with other percussion instruments such as a cymbal.

Abstract: A metal percussion instrument, which includes a cymbal that is formed with open or closed slots or grooves. In one embodiment, the invention can have formed cantilevers or internally formed cantilevers. Typically, the main vibrating section is composed of a metal alloy of a specific gravity greater than 6. Weights may be added to desired locations on the instrument. These weights may be pieces of metal including bells, domes, and other vibrating metal shapes. The instrument is configured so that one or more slots are located to create multiple modes of vibration which affect an entire frequency response of the instrument and create one or more fundamental frequencies with a greater number of audible overtones thereby building a complex overall sound.

Abstract: A percussion instrument that produces a vibrato which is the most noticeable characteristic of the instrument. In one embodiment, the instrument is configured as a single two-dimensional curve, or a primary curve which is deeper or more pronounced than secondary curves along the surface of said instrument, and wherein said primary curve facilitates an oscillating flexing motion which produces an increase in the amplitude of the lowest frequency mode of vibration, the low pitch frequency modulates the whole of the spectrum of a musical sound by repeatedly raising and lowering said spectrum of sound in a periodic or oscillating manner, this effect being defined here as “vibrato”. The instrument is suspended from one or more points, by means of an instrument supporting member or mounting device, rigid or flexible. The suspension or mounting points approximate the nodal area of the instrument.

Abstract: Cymbals and generally flat sheet instruments, as well as compound instruments, are formed using welding process and metal melting processes to form holes and edges with thickened edges from the melting processes, to join sections of metal, to add metal by creating beads at desired locations, to join sections with differing hardness and/or thickness, to create compound cymbals and compound flat sheet instruments by joint welding cymbals or sheet instruments together. The invention also includes cymbals and bells and various combinations and shapes thereof and the unique overtones attained thereby.