Abstract: A hybrid film-forming composition is prepared by forming an aqueous mixture including an organofunctional silane, a metal chloride, and an acid. A base is added to the aqueous mixture to substantially neutralize the mixture and to form a hydroxide of the metal. A colloidal suspension including the metal hydroxide and a siloxy compound is formed. A peroxide-based solution is added to the suspension to form a suspension including a peroxide of the metal. The suspension is allowed to equilibrate at room temperature. The suspension is boiled at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to form a hybrid film-forming composition including the condensation product of a siloxy compound and a metal peroxide.

Abstract: A hybrid film-forming composition is prepared by forming an aqueous mixture including an organofunctional silane, a metal chloride, and an acid, and boiling the mixture. A base is added to the aqueous mixture to substantially neutralize the mixture and to form a hydroxide of the metal. A colloidal suspension including the metal hydroxide and a siloxy compound is formed. A peroxide-based solution is added to the suspension to form a suspension including a peroxide of the metal. The suspension is allowed to equilibrate at room temperature. The suspension is boiled at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to form a hybrid film-forming composition including the condensation product of a siloxy compound and a metal peroxide. A coating formed from the hybrid film-forming composition may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

Abstract: A matchmaking ring and method of communicating personal status to another person is provided. The matchmaking ring of the present invention includes means for identifying personal characteristics of the ring wearer. The matchmaking ring further includes means for identifying desired personal characteristics of a potential partner of the ring wearer. When one matchmaking ring is compared or abutted to another matchmaking ring, the engagement or non-engagement between the two rings determines if two people are compatible. Further, the ring itself acts as an indicator to other people that the ring wearer may be a potential partner. Thus, the invention provides a method of wearing the matchmaking ring and identifying others that are wearing a similar matchmaking ring as a potential partner. The ring may be worn as a wedding ring to stave off unwanted advances from individuals who do not know of the ring's significance.

Abstract: A life safety alarm, for example a smoke alarm, that is battery powered, has an extended life, and is less prone to user mistakes. The batteries are sealed inside the alarm portion so that the batteries cannot be accessed by the user. As a result, the batteries are not replaceable. Rather, the alarm portion is replaced at the end of the alarm life, for example after expiration of a predetermined time period, such as ten years. The alarm is designed to be automatically activated upon initial attachment of the alarm portion to the bracket. The alarm can be manually deactivated, but once deactivated, the alarm cannot be reactivated and the alarm portion cannot be reattached to the bracket.

Abstract: A detector assembly is adapted to be removably secured to a female electrical receptacle connected to a power supply where the female receptacle is mounted at a surface of a structure. The detector apparatus includes a housing and an electrically powered circuit mounted in the housing. The circuit includes components operable to detect an alarm condition (such as carbon monoxide or smoke) and to provide an alarm in response to the detection. A primary power source includes a male electrical connector secured to the housing and extending outwardly there from. A secondary power source includes a battery connector mounted within the housing and adapted to removably receive a battery contained within the housing. The circuit is adapted to draw power from the secondary source in the event of a detected loss of power from the primary source. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing displacement of the housing from the female electrical receptacle.

Abstract: A life safety alarm, for example a smoke alarm, that is battery powered, has an extended life, and is less prone to user mistakes. The batteries are sealed inside the alarm portion so that the batteries cannot be accessed by the user. As a result, the batteries are not replaceable. Rather, the alarm portion is replaced at the end of the alarm life, for example after expiration of a predetermined time period, such as ten years. The alarm is designed to be automatically activated upon initial attachment of the alarm portion to the bracket. The alarm can be manually deactivated, but once deactivated, the alarm cannot be reactivated and the alarm portion cannot be reattached to the bracket.

Abstract: Presented is a communications protocol for use by interconnected hazardous condition detectors, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for use in dwellings and other structures. This communications protocol provides conventional signaling to indicate the presence of a smoke condition necessitating the generation of a smoke temporal pattern by all interconnected detectors. The protocol further defines a signaling method by which conventional smoke detectors that are incapable of providing temporal patterns other than that required for a smoke alarm condition will not be sent into an alarm mode of operation upon receipt of a signal other than the conventional smoke alarm signal. This communications protocol defines a pulsed signal to indicate a non-smoke alarm condition that is of a duration that will not trigger the conventional smoke alarms.

Abstract: A device generates a directional anti-sound beam by modulating an ultrasonic carrier with a sound canceling signal and exciting an ultrasonic transducer with the modulated signal. When the anti-sound beam is directed at a sound source, the level of sound from the sound source is reduced. A microphone monitors the resultant sound for adjusting the sound canceling signal. An alternate signal may be further modulated upon the anti-sound beam to provide a substitute sound at the sound source.

Abstract: A digital camera has an integral flash and stores and displays a digital image. Under certain conditions, a flash photograph taken with the camera may result in a red-eye phenomenon due to a reflection within an eye of a subject of the photograph. The digital camera has a red-eye filter which analyzes the stored image for the red-eye phenomenon and modifies the stored image to eliminate the red-eye phenomenon by changing the red area to black. The modification of the image is enabled when a photograph is taken under conditions indicative of the red-eye phenomenon. The modification is subject to anti-falsing analysis which further examines the area around the red-eye area for indicia of the eye of the subject.

Abstract: A system has an information display and a camera for visually observing an observer of the information display. The information display and camera may be part of personal computer equipped for video conferences. The observer controls movement of a pointer on the information display by changing positions. The pointer may be moved by corresponding rotation or movement of visually identifiable characteristic, such as a facial feature of the observer. The movement of the pointer may be independent of the area of the information display being viewed by the observer. Furthermore, the observer may control the information on the display by modifying a changeable visual characteristic. A closure of a left eye causes generation of a first control signal while closure of a right eye causes generation of a second control signal.

Abstract: A computer system stereoscopically projects a three dimensional object having an interface image in a space observable by a user. The user controls the movement of a physical object within the space while observing both the three dimensionally projected object and the physical object. The computer system monitors the position of the user to determine the position of the interface image within the space and further monitors the movement of the physical object to determine its position. A control signal is generated in response to the position of the physical object intersecting the position of the interface image. For example, a word processing program is indicated by an interface image such as an icon including the letter "W" three dimensionally projected within the space. The word processing program is activated when the user's finger moves within the space to touch the projected icon. The interface allows the user to observe the projected icon, physical finger and their intersection within the space.

Abstract: A subscriber's PMU (Personal Messaging Unit) (14) determines when the number of incoming messages is likely to be excessive by counting the incoming messages and comparing their number and rate of receipt to stored thresholds. The subscriber is alerted when an excess is detected, and he is given options such as: routing future messages to himself via alternate and less expensive communication links (34,38), or terminating messages sent to one of his PMU's addresses that has been receiving messages at a high rate. Similar control can be effected at the PMU's base station (12).

Abstract: A device contains a plurality of prestored program clips corresponding to portions of program information for presentation to a user. A comparator compares the program clips with with program information and causes selection of an alternate program in response to a match. In one embodiment, the program information corresponds to a television program and a program clip corresponds to a video frame at the beginning of an undesirable commercial, resulting in a television that automatically selects an alternate program in response an original program having an undesirable commercial. After a predetermined time associated with the video clip the television automatically returns to the original program. The invention also enables creation of new program clips based upon received program information.

Abstract: A method by which a data communication receiver may recognize a specific channel comprises the steps of receiving (1605) a data stream on a first channel for a first amount of time to determine (1680) whether network identification information is included in the data stream received on the first channel, wherein the network identification information comprises at least one address assigned to represent a network. If the network identification information is not included in the data stream received on the first channel within the first amount of time, reception is switched (1614) to receive (1605) a data stream on a second channel. The method further comprises the step of receiving (1605) the data stream on the second channel for a second amount of time to determine (1680) whether the network identification information is included in the data stream received on the second channel.

Abstract: A communications system (100) for transmission of a plurality of messages over a communications channel includes a terminal (105) for selectively transmitting each of the plurality of message, and data communication receivers (110) for receiving first and second messages about the same event. The first and second messages are compared in order to determine the status change of the event, and an alert priority is issued indicating that the event is at a critical stage, based on such comparison.

Abstract: A method of treating dredging spoils for salt contamination having the steps of passing the dredging spoils to a containment area, mixing a solution of calcium and nitrate ions with the dredging spoils, reacting the solution with the dredging spoils so as to form sodium chloride, and draining the liquid component and the sodium chloride from the containment area. The containment area is formed for the receipt of the dredging spoils and piping is extended from a dredge to the containment area so that the dredging spoils can be passed to the containment area. The solution of calcium and nitrate ions is pumped into the flow of dredging spoils toward the containment area. The step of draining includes installing a drainage tile into the containment area below a top surface of the containment area and passing the liquid component and the sodium chloride through the drainage tile to a liquid containment area. The liquid containment area may be the body of water from which the dredging spoils were taken.