Abstract: The present document discloses water-treatment, descaling, and monitoring systems that include components selected from among: (1) water-treatment components; (2) a component that protects system components, plumbing, and appliances from limescale build-up by generation of a pure sine-wave descaling signal that passes FCC requirements; (3) a component that generates an electrolysis-inhibiting signal; (4) components that monitor propagation and the strength of the descaling signal within the plumbing system; (5) probe and sensor components that monitor water quality, the operational status of other components, and system characteristics; (6) components that prevent the descaling signal from interfering with probes, sensors, and water-treatment-system components; (7) a component that generates UV radiation for eliminating biological contaminants within water heaters and other appliances; and (8) wireless-communications components that facilitate transmission of alerts regarding operational status and water qual

Abstract: The present document discloses water-treatment, descaling, and monitoring systems that include components selected from among: (1) water-treatment components; (2) a component that protects system components, plumbing, and appliances from limescale build-up by generation of a pure sine-wave descaling signal that passes FCC requirements; (3) a component that generates an electrolysis-inhibiting signal; (4) components that monitor propagation and the strength of the descaling signal within the plumbing system; (5) probe and sensor components that monitor water quality, the operational status of other components, and system characteristics; (6) components that prevent the descaling signal from interfering with probes, sensors, and water-treatment-system components; (7) a component that generates UV radiation for eliminating biological contaminants within water heaters and other appliances; and (8) wireless-communications components that facilitate transmission of alerts regarding operational status and water qual

Abstract: The current document discloses a ground-detecting direct-wire descaler that detects and indicates whether or not a descaling signal with sufficient current and voltage is produced or, in other words, detects and indicates whether the pipe or other equipment to which the ground-detecting direct-wire descaler is coupled is isolated from AC ground. AC-ground detection occurs both on initial power on and at regular monitoring intervals. In certain implementations, ground-detecting direct-wire descaler additionally detects and indicates whether or not the three-pronged outlet, into which the power-cord plug of the ground-detecting direct-wire descaler is inserted, conforms to UBC standards and therefore has safety ground available for use as signal ground. The ground-detecting direct-wire descaler only attempts to produce a descaling signal when safety ground is detected.

Abstract: The present document discloses water-treatment, descaling, and monitoring systems that include components selected from among: (1) water-treatment components; (2) a component that protects system components, plumbing, and appliances from limescale build-up by generation of a pure sine-wave descaling signal that passes FCC requirements; (3) a component that generates an electrolysis-inhibiting signal; (4) components that monitor propagation and the strength of the descaling signal within the plumbing system; (5) probe and sensor components that monitor water quality, the operational status of other components, and system characteristics; (6) components that prevent the descaling signal from interfering with probes, sensors, and water-treatment-system components; (7) a component that generates UV radiation for eliminating biological contaminants within water heaters and other appliances; and (8) wireless-communications components that facilitate transmission of alerts regarding operational status and water qual

Abstract: The current document discloses a ground-detecting direct-wire descaler that detects and indicates whether or not a descaling signal with sufficient current and voltage is produced or, in other words, detects and indicates whether the pipe or other equipment to which the ground-detecting direct-wire descaler is coupled is isolated from AC ground. AC-ground detection occurs both on initial power on and at regular monitoring intervals. In certain implementations, ground-detecting direct-wire descaler additionally detects and indicates whether or not the three-pronged outlet, into which the power-cord plug of the ground-detecting direct-wire descaler is inserted, conforms to UBC standards and therefore has safety ground available for use as signal ground. The ground-detecting direct-wire descaler only attempts to produce a descaling signal when safety ground is detected.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods that ameliorate and/or reverse human hair-loss. The methods render hair follicles accessible to treatment agents that remove blocking oil and cell remnants to allow additional treatment agents to enter the pilosebaceous units to kill or control microbes that disrupt hair growth by changing, inhibiting, or interrupting one or more biological functions of the pilosebaceous units.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to hair-loss, and include treatments and preparations. Embodiments of the present invention include bactericides, combinations of bactericides and fungicides, combination of bactericides and vasodilators, and combinations of bactericides, fungicides, and vasodilators that are delivered topically to pilosebaceous units within the scalps of persons suffering from hair loss. The treatment kills or controls microbes that disrupt hair growth by changing, inhibiting, or interrupting one or more biological functions of the pilosebaceous units. Certain embodiments of the present invention contain additional active and inactive ingredients, including anti-inflammatory agents, carriers, emulsifiers, antioxidants, and other such substances.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device and method for inputting and sending requests and for receiving and outputting responses to the requests. The electronic hand-held device is a coupled to a telecommunications link over which requests are sent and responses are received. The electronic hand-held device can input request data in any number of different information media, including audio tones and voice signals, mechanical input to a keypad, printed bar codes, magnetic data stored in credit cards, and electronic data stored in electronic smart cards. The electronic hand-held device can output responses through an audio speaker, a visual LCD display device, and, optionally, through other output devices including printers. The electronic hand-held device is especially well suited for order entry and acquisition of product information.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device and method for inputting and sending requests and for receiving and outputting responses to the requests. The electronic hand-held device is a coupled to a telecommunications link over which requests are sent and responses are received. The electronic hand-held device can input request data in any number of different information media, including audio tones and voice signals, mechanical input to a keypad, printed bar codes, magnetic data stored in credit cards, and electronic data stored in electronic smart cards. The electronic hand-held device can output responses through an audio speaker, a visual LCD display device, and, optionally, through other output devices including printers. The electronic hand-held device is especially well suited for order entry and acquisition of product information.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device and method for inputting and sending requests and for receiving and outputting responses to the requests. The electronic hand-held device is a coupled to a telecommunications link over which requests are sent and responses are received. The electronic hand-held device can input request data in any number of different information media, including audio tones and voice signals, mechanical input to a keypad, printed bar codes, magnetic data stored in credit cards, and electronic data stored in electronic smart cards. The electronic hand-held device can output responses through an audio speaker, a visual LCD display device, and, optionally, through other output devices including printers. The electronic hand-held device is especially well suited for order entry and acquisition of product information.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device and method for inputting and sending requests and for receiving and outputting responses to the requests. The electronic hand-held device is a coupled to a telecommunications link over which requests are sent and responses are received. The electronic hand-held device can input request data in any number of different information media, including audio tones and voice signals, mechanical input to a keypad, printed bar codes, magnetic data stored in credit cards, and electronic data stored in electronic smart cards. The electronic hand-held device can output responses through an audio speaker, a visual LCD display device, and, optionally, through other output devices including printers. The electronic hand-held device is especially well suited for order entry and acquisition of product information.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device and method for inputting and sending requests and for receiving and outputting responses to the requests. The electronic hand-held device is a coupled to a telecommunications link over which requests are sent and responses are received. The electronic hand-held device can input request data in any number of different information media, including audio tones and voice signals, mechanical input to a keypad, printed bar codes, magnetic data stored in credit cards, and electronic data stored in electronic smart cards. The electronic hand-held device can output responses through an audio speaker, a visual LCD display device, and, optionally, through other output devices including printers. The electronic hand-held device is especially well suited for order entry and acquisition of product information.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device and method for inputting and sending requests and for receiving and outputting responses to the requests. The electronic hand-held device is a coupled to a telecommunications link over which requests are sent and responses are received. The electronic hand-held device derives sufficient electrical power from the telecommunications link in order to power the internal components of the electronic hand-held device that input request data, format requests, send requests, receive responses, and output responses. The electronic hand-held device can input request data in any number of different information media, including audio tones and voice signals, mechanical input to a keypad, printed barcodes, magnetic data stored in credit cards, and electronic data stored in electronic smart cards. The electronic hand-held device can output responses through an audio speaker, a visual LCD display device, and, optionally, through other output devices including printers.

Abstract: An interactive bi-directional telecommunication method using a handheld low power user device to access a host computer server along a telecommunication path, and to command the host computer server to transmit audio and/or visual reports to the user device. A system for host computer ordering of consumer products and services using the telecommunications method and handheld low power user device.

Abstract: A handheld low power user device for accessing and controlling interactive bidirectional real time telecommunications with a host server over a telecommunication path, the handheld low power user device having a low power sleep mode and components including a communication transceiver, a microprocessor, a power supply interface and an operator interface selected from among a keypad, a bar code reader, an audio system comprising a speaker, a display screen and a microphone; wherein, the communication transceiver includes a low power voice and data modem, and a DTMF or an MF tone generator; the audio system includes a dual power system; the bar code reader includes a bar code media proximity detector; the microprocessor includes less than about 128 Kbytes of PROM, a protected memory, and RAM; the power supply interface is connected with a telephone line, a cellular or wireless telephone battery, or a PBX line; and the handheld low power user device operates on less than about 300 milliwatts of power when off ho

Abstract: A dual time base, zero dead zone time domain reflectometer repetitively launches a predetermined number of stimulus pulses into a transmission system in synchronism with clock signals from a first time base, providing a measurement cycle. The duration of the launched stimulus pulses, determined by a predetermined number clock cycles from the first time base, exceeds the total propagation time of the system to be measured so that a time interval between a launch and a reflection may be measured within the launched pulse. A second time base, which has a predetermined period that differs from the period of the first time base and defines a measurement period divided into equal sub-periods, continuously produces clock signals, one or more of which may be counted during the time interval.

Abstract: A dual time base, zero dead zone time domain reflectometer repetitively launches a predetermined number of stimulus pulses into a transmission system in synchronism with clock signals from a first time base, providing a measurement cycle. The duration of the launched stimulus pulses, determined by a predetermined number clock cycles from the first time base, exceeds the total propagation time of the system to be measured so that a time interval between a launch and a reflection may be measured within the launched pulse. A second time base, which has a predetermined period that differs from the period of the first time base and defines a measurement period divided into equal sub-periods, continuously produces clock signals, one or more of which may be counted during the time interval.

Abstract: An interface apparatus for interconnecting signal lines of a computer connector and a peripheral device connector with non-matching interconnect patterns having mismatched data lines or open inputs on handshake or control lines. A pair of conductive paths extend between the connectors, with each path interconnecting one data line of the computer connector with one data line of the peripheral connector. Lights indicate mismatched interconnection of the data lines, and a switch selectively reverses the interconnection of the data lines. Additional conductive paths extend between the connectors, each path interconnecting at least one handshake or control line of each connector with at least one handshake or control line of the other connector. Two pairs of interconnecting handshake lines are each provided with a switch in gang with the data line switch for selectively reversing their electrical interconnection.

Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon resin dispersion-containing coatings for glass fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polytetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon resin dispersion-containing composition also comprises a lubricant and is suitable for use as a padding composition for glass fiber fabric. In another embodiment, the polytetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon resin dispersion-containing composition also comprises a film-forming polymer, a thixotropic gelling agent, a silane coupling agent and, optionally, a lubricant and is suitable for use as a size composition for glass fibers.