Abstract: A magnetic incremental motion detection system (110) for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target (120) of the system (110) is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications (121c, 121d) are adjoined to the target (120), and uniformly and serially disposed along an area (121a) of a surface (121) of the target (120). The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensors (80, 180) spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensors (80, 180) are operable to output an analog signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object, and one of two digital circuits (85, 185) output a digital signal in response to the analog signal.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and devices for detecting nucleic acids. The invention particularly regards composite arrays of immobilized amplification primers and hybridization probes. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for covalently immobilizing oligonucleotides and other biological molecules to glass and plastic surfaces.

Abstract: Unitary hybridization probes having stem-and-loop structures, wherein the stem portion of the structure comprises a pair of interactive arms that are substantially prevented from interacting with target polynucleotides. One arm of the invented parallel-stem hybridization probe has a backbone polarity opposite that of the target-complementary loop sequence of the probe. Rather than interacting in an antiparallel fashion, the arms of parallel-stem hybridization probes interact in a parallel fashion. The arms of the invented dual inversion probes interact in a conventional antiparallel fashion, but have backbone polarities opposite that of the target-complementary loop portion of the probe. Arm portions of the inversion probes do not substantially contribute to sequence-dependent stabilization of probe:target hybrids. Incorporating inversion linkages into the structures of these probes dramatically simplifies the process of designing stem-and-loop hybridization probes.

Abstract: Methods for upgrading the operating system of an appliance and/an one or more applications run by the appliance. The method can be used to reload existing software, to add an operating mode to the appliance, and/or to enable an existent but previously disabled operating mode of the appliance. Also disclosed are methods for making a laser readable disk which is used in the upgrading process and which also can be encoded with an operating system and/or application software.

Abstract: A magnetic incremental motion detection system (110) for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target (120) of the system (110) is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications (121c, 121d) are adjoined to the target (120), and uniformly and serially disposed along an area (121a) of a surface (121) of the target (120). The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensors (80, 180) spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensors (80, 180) are operable to output an analog signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object, and one of two digital circuits (85, 185) output a digital signal in response to the analog signal.

Abstract: A process of fragmenting and labeling a synthetic or natural nucleic acid, comprising the steps of providing a mixture containing a nucleic acid, a labeling agent containing a detectable label, and at least one multivalent metal cation in a substantially aqueous solution; chemically fragmenting the nucleic acid in the mixture to produce a multiplicity of nucleic acid fragments; and attaching at least one label to at least one of the nucleic acid fragments to produce a detectably labeled nucleic acid fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a triheterocyclic peptide having first, second, and third 5-member heterocyclic moieties having the following formula CR.sub.3 CONH--Q.sup.1 --CONH--Q.sup.2 --CONH--Q.sup.3 -CONH--(CR.sub.3).sub.S --B, wherein Q.sup.1 is selected from a group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein Q.sup.2 is selected from a group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein Q.sup.3 is selected from a group consisting of: ##STR3## wherein at least one of A and Z is other than C; wherein A is C, N, O, or S; wherein B is N(CR.sub.3).sub.n or C(NH.sub.2).sub.2 ; wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10; wherein P is H, a lower alkyl or a halogen; wherein Q1, Q2, and Q3 are the same or different; wherein R is H, a lower alkyl group; wherein S is an integer from 1 to 10; wherein X' represents CR.sub.3, (CR.sub.2).sub.n --NRY, or (CR.sub.2).sub.n --CR.sub.2 Y; wherein X" represents CR.sub.3, (CR.sub.2).sub.n --NRY, or (CR.sub.2).sub.n --CR.sub.2 Y; wherein X'" represents CR.sub.3, (CR.sub.2).sub.n --NRY, or (CR.sub.2).sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novelty toothbrush. The toothbrush has a plastic member with a plurality of aligned holes at one end, a head and face portion at a second end and an integral handle for grasping the toothbrush. The toothbrush further has a series of bristles positioned within the holes for brushing teeth and massaging gums, a sound generator housed within the plastic member and a push-button device for actuating the sound generator to play a musical tune for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube has a faceplate formed of optical material. The outer surface of the faceplate has light receiving and light transmitting surfaces and a layer of a reduced metal oxide material for reducing stray light which is transmitted into the faceplate and reflected off of internal surfaces thereof. The layer has a blackened appearance and is formed by reducing the metal oxide of the faceplate material with hydrogen at a predetermined pressure and temperature to cause the blackening to reach a depth sufficient to reduce transmission of stray light therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable crib formed by an inflatable base portion, a plurality of independently inflatable sidewalls, and a screen-like webbing connecting each sidewall to the base portion. The crib further includes a support frame and a sleeve attached to each sidewall for receiving a component of the frame.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device for computer data entry from the presentation on a scanned, thin-film, electroluminescent display. A transparent conductive film is suspended over the display face. Touching that film at a predetermined point in the display capacitively couples scanning voltages (which are time-base synchronous and related to the touched point) to an amplifier and then to a utilization device (computer, for example).

Abstract: An emergency light and smoke alarm system comprises a smoke detector mounted in a housing for detecting smoke and producing an audible and visual signal in response to the detected smoke. A flashlight is mounted on a bracket provided on the housing such that a portion of the bracket physically and electrically separates the battery terminals of the flashlight at their normal interface. When the flashlight is removed from the bracket the battery terminals are pushed into contact by a spring which turns on the flashlight.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the insertion of a cylindrical frame into a filter bag used for collecting airborne particulate matter is disclosed. A cylindrical member is provided which has an axial discontinuity in its sidewalls. The outer diameter of the cylindrical member is at least equal to the inner diameter of the mouth of the bag. The inner diameter of the cylindrical member is no less than the outer diameter of the frame. A device is provided for drawing the sidewalls of the cylindrical member together at the discontinuity so that the outer diameter of the cylindrical member is decreased to slightly less than the inner diameter of the mouth of the bag. The mouth of the bag is then inserted over the end of the cylindrical member, which is released to capture the mouth of the bag. With the mouth of the bag held open by the apparatus of the present invention, the frame can readily be inserted through the other end of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A coupler to connect convertible rail-highway vehicles end to end to achieve train configuration to carry vertical loads of about 25,000 pounds and at the same time provide limited rolling, pitching and yaw actions between the coupled vehicles. The coupler includes a male member extending from the front of a rear vehicle and a female member in the rear sill structure of a forward vehicle receiving the male member and a releasable locking means comprised of a vertical hole through the male member, a bushing in the vertical hole, the outer surface of which bushing is spherical, a spherical seat in the rear sill structure upon which the male member rests, a vertical locking pin, the vertical axis of the hole, spherical seat and locking pin being the same, and linkage means to selectively extend the locking pin through the vertical hole in the male member to effect coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: A self-steering wheel set for a railway vehicle, particularly a convertible rail-highway semi-trailer, wherein an arcuate member is secured transversely beneath the vehicle body and a wheel-set unit or bogie is provided comprising a yoke to which a tongue is fixedly secured at its rear end, the front end of the tongue having means slidably mounting the tongue on and capturing the arcuate member, an axle and flanged wheels mounted on the yoke and air spring means supporting the vehicle on the yoke, whereby the tongue acts as a tow bar, the connection between the free end of the tongue and the arcuate member is such that it is capable of taking torque reactions, the tongue and its connection to the yoke is such that it is capable of taking longitudinal brake reaction and the bogie follows the curvature of the rails.

Abstract: A convertible semi-trailer having over-the-road or highway running gear with rubber tired wheels and a flanged rail wheel-set and bogie, the body being supported upon said highway running gear and upon said railroad bogie independently by air spring means associated with the rail wheel-set axle unit and with the highway running gear and means to alternately raise and lower the highway running gear and railroad bogie for selective use in the railroad mode or highway mode of travel, the semi-trailers being couplable end-to-end to form a train of multiple semi-trailers in the railroad mode of travel. The highway running gear may be of the single axle or the tandem axle type, in each case each axle carrying dual sets of tires of conventional size allowing loads as high as legally permitted to be carried over the road in the highway mode of travel, the railroad bogie having a single axle wheel set of approximately 60,000 lb. capacity.