Abstract: An animal training device for administering audio stimulus and physical encouragement to an animal. The trainer has a transmitter with variable signal strength. The animal worn device had a receiver that senses the signal strength. If the signal strength drops to a preset limit indicative of distance from the transmitter, a tone is sounded. Further signal drop results in a shock being delivered. Alternatively, a trainer module comprises an RFID poller and an animal module comprises an RFID tag. The poller sends a polling signal to the RFID tag. The polling signal is reflected back to the trainer module where the reflective signal is used to determine a separation distance. If the separation distance exceeds a preset threshold, an encouragement command is sent from the trainer module to the animal module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support apparatus or accessory capable of attaching to an article, such as a ladder via mating and locking of a primary attachment member connected to the support and a complementary secondary attachment member securable to the ladder. In a preferred form, the support is an adjustable length support for levelling a ladder on an uneven surface. The adjustable length support comprises a fixed component and a moveable component that moves relative to the fixed component to thereby adjust a length of the adjustable length support. The moveable member is securable at a desired length by a securing means.

Abstract: A status monitoring system utilizing an RFID tag. In an embodiment of the present invention, a status of a receiving device comprises a device address, whether the device is able to receive communications from a sending device, and a recipient list of users able to use the receiving device at any particular time. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the recipient list is created by the receiving device in response to the detection of a qualified user within a preset access distance of the receiving device. A sending device may access this status information and determine how to communicate with a user on the recipient list.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. Sensors are deployed at a theatrical event to detect a focusing signal and/or the RF signal of an unauthorized imaging device. De-focusing signals are used to disrupt the auto focus system of imaging devices that do not use IR focusing systems. A thwarting signal comprising invisible light frequencies may be combined to produce a thwarting signal that is received by the CCD of an imaging device as white light thereby rendering the recorded image unusable.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing an alarm when the separation distance between a monitoring module associated with an object (animate or inanimate) and an alert module exceeds a preset threshold distance thereby forming a leadless electronic tether between the object and the object owner. A monitoring module comprises a portable transmitter provides a signal to an alert module comprising a receiver and a processor. The alert module is adapted to determine a separation distance between the monitoring module and the alert module based on an attribute of the signal. When the separation distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the alert module issues an alert.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing an alarm when the separation distance between a monitoring module associated with an object (animate or inanimate) and an alert module exceeds a preset threshold distance thereby forming a leadless electronic tether between the object and the object owner. A monitoring module comprises a portable transmitter provides a signal to an alert module comprising a receiver and a processor. The alert module is adapted to determine a separation distance between the monitoring module and the alert module based on an attribute of the signal. When the separation distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the alert module issues an alert.

Abstract: A dough composition for making a high protein, low carbohydrate bread, the dough containing at least 5% vital wheat gluten, a hydrolyzed wheat protein having a degree of hydrolysis from about 0.5% to 50%, a moisture-managing agent, a fungal protease enzyme, a carbohydrate component consisting of digestible carbohydrate material and non-digestible carbohydrate material, and water. A milk protein or soy protein hydrocolloid can be used as the moisture-managing agent to improve the shelf life of the resulting bread. A dough conditioner is used to improve the machinability of the dough composition, especially at less intense mixing conditions. The invention also includes a process for making the dough composition using high shear mixing equipment. The invention includes also the bread made from the dough composition, and from the dough making process.

Abstract: A system and method employing at least one semiconductor device having at least one detecting region which can include, for example, a recess or opening therein, for detecting a charge representative of a component of a polymer, such as a nucleic acid strand, proximate to the detecting region, and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The system and method can thus be used for sequencing individual nucleotides or bases of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The semiconductor device includes at least two doped regions, such as two n-type regions implanted in a p-type semiconductor layer or two p-type regions implanted in an n-type semiconductor layer. The detecting region permits a current to pass between the two doped regions in response to the presence of the component of the polymer, such as a base of a DNA or RNA strand.

Abstract: A system and method for forming one or more nanometer sized openings in a detecting region of an object, such as a semiconductor device that is used for identifying the individual mers of long-chain polymers, such as carbohydrates and proteins, as well as individual bases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), to thus enable sequencing of the strand to be performed. The system and method employ the operations of positioning a mask pattern including a plurality of mask lines at a first orientation with respect to the mask on the semiconductor, and imposing the mask pattern on the mask to create first mask lines extending in a first direction along the mask.

Abstract: A system and method employing at least one semiconductor device having at least one detecting region which can include, for example, a recess or opening therein, for detecting a charge representative of a component of a polymer, such as a nucleic acid strand, proximate to the detecting region, and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The system and method can thus be used for sequencing individual nucleotides or bases of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The semiconductor device includes at least two doped regions, such as two n-type regions implanted in a p-type semiconductor layer or two p-type regions implanted in an n-type semiconductor layer. The detecting region permits a current to pass between the two doped regions in response to the presence of the component of the polymer, such as a base of a DNA or RNA strand.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning apparatus with an elastomeric biasing means. Some given number of the apparatus are seated on a horizontal mount which spans the width of a conveyor belt. Each unit is hollow. This void is loaded with filler material. A metallic blade seat is integral with the elastomeric material and configured to accept a blade.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for protecting an engine of a vehicle driving a load from overheating. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to provide a temperature signal representative of a temperature of the engine of the vehicle, a controller responsive to the temperature signal and configured to provide a control signal, and an instrumentation system responsive to the control signal and configured to provide a warning signal. The warning signal is provided when the temperature of the engine is within a warning range, and the load is disengaged when the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range.

Abstract: An insulation system is described which includes a containment wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface at least in part defining a volume for containment of fluids or solids, an absorbent material which releases absorbed material when heated, the absorbent being in thermal contact with the outer surface of the containment wall, a structural wall contiguous to the outer surface of the containment wall, and an interior surface of the structural wall and the outer surface of the containment wall defining a volume of space where a vacuum can be maintained.

Abstract: A receptacle for maintaining perishables, such as food, at a reduced temperature features an exterior shell joined to an interior shell so that a space occupied by a vacuum exists between them. The junction of the inner and outer shells is located on the exterior of the receptacle. Phase change material is disposed within compartments in the bottom of the receptacle and is covered by a false bottom. A cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, is poured down the interior walls of the receptacle and into the compartments containing the phase change material so that the phase change material is frozen in situs. A liquid absorbing material may be substituted for the phase change material.

Abstract: An outdoor shower and spigot apparatus is primarily contained within a post. A hose connector is positioned on the lower end of the post and water is supplied to a spigot and shower through a water feed pipe which is positioned within the post and connected to the hose connector. A garden hose provides water to the hose coupling and a second garden hose may be connected to the spigot. In a preferred embodiment, the post is temporarily mounted in position such that it may be easily relocated.

Abstract: A delivery and storage system for cryogenic fluids features a vehicle mounted dispensing system including a bulk storage tank that feeds cryogenic liquid to a sump containing a pump to pre-cool the pump. The pump feeds cryogenic liquid to another sump containing a meter so as to cool the meter. A valve selectively routes the cryogenic liquid from the meter sump to the bulk storage tank as the meter cools down. When the meter reaches operating temperature, cryogenic liquid is directed through the meter to a dispensing hose. The cryogenic liquid is dispensed into a liquid cylinder. The liquid cylinder features an automatic shut-off device to reduce the flow of the cryogenic liquid into the cylinder when the cylinder is full. The inner shell is held to the outer shell at the top by a combination stainless steel hose and composite cylinder neck. The bottom of the inner shell features a pair of pins which are supported by a strap across the bottom portion of the outer shell interior.

Abstract: An insulated container that is open on top and contains phase change material travels along a conveyor. The container initially stops under an infrared sensor whereat its initial interior temperature is determined. A microprocessor uses the temperature data to determine the amount of cryogenic liquid that must be added to the container so that its phase change material will be frozen to a predetermined temperature. A cryogenic liquid dispenser charges the container with an amount of cryogenic liquid determined by the microprocessor. The cryogenic liquid dispenser includes a phase separator which depressurizes cryogenic fluid received from a bulk storage tank. Once the container is charged, it may be loaded with perishables, examples of which include food, blood or chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair shampoo compositions which have improved cleansing, lathering, and styling benefits=. These shampoo compositions comprise an alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate surfactant, a hair styling polymer, a non-polar volatile solvent, and water. These compositions are useful for cleansing the hair and for providing a hair styling benefit.

Abstract: A messaging system implements a group call in a controller (110, 120) by receiving (306) first and second messages intended for first and second recipients and determining (416) that the first and second messages are identical to one another. In response to making that determination, the controller transmits (522) the first and second messages as a single group call message.

Abstract: An optical receiver suitable for use in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system is able to tolerate shifts in the transmitting lasers' wavelength. During a periodically repeated wavelength synchronization phase, only a single transmitter laser is operating, and a peak finder locks onto the wavelength having greatest power and notes the corresponding detector pixel's position. Thus, the receiver knows the relative wavelength of the transmitting laser in terms of the detector pixel illuminated with the brightest light, and can store this information for later reference. The active transmitter lasers take turns synchronizing their wavelengths during successive synchronization phases. During the multi-wavelength data transmission phase, many lasers in the system transmit information at the same time, at different wavelengths.