Abstract: A detector for detecting vapors emitted from analytes includes a housing, a pump and a sensing assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and an enclosed sensing volume therebetween. The pump communicates with the housing for moving a carrier sequentially through the enclosed sensing volume at a predetermined flow rate. The sensing assembly senses the vapors of the analyte delivered by the carrier as the carrier passes through the housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensing unit constructed of an amplifying fluorescent polymer, a source of excitation, a detector, and a convertor assembly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cartographic computer user interface system for enhancing geo-spatial comprehension and geographic information system user interactivity is disclosed. The system has at least one computer and operating system, user input means, and at least one positionable projection display means, including storage, retrieval and playback control means for the projected content. The system has user input device software responsive to input from at least one user input device which is operable on a three-dimensional user interface surface of the system, and software for the display and control of cartographic-related projected imagery, and software for the display and control of three-dimensional user interface-related content superimposed within the cartographic-related projected imagery.

Abstract: A detector for detecting vapors emitted from analytes includes a housing, a pump and a sensing assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and an enclosed sensing volume therebetween. The pump communicates with the housing for moving a carrier sequentially through the enclosed sensing volume at a predetermined flow rate. The sensing assembly senses the vapors of the analyte delivered by the carrier as the carrier passes through the housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensing unit constructed of an amplifying fluorescent polymer, a source of excitation, a detector, and a convertor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automated system that includes a hi-resolution three-dimensional imaging apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The system incorporates one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of adjacent and parallel coloring-agent imaging paths or swaths (comprised of inks, dyes, paints, and/or pigments). The swaths are defined in simplified 2-axis surface contour-following printer-head movements by the system's CPU, printer driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry. This multi-axis control of the system assures that each of the swaths are seamlessly rendered next to one another while also maintaining an optimal proximity between the upper surface of the 3D model and the nozzle end of one or more hi-resolution printer.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The computer has a central processor that executes instructions, a memory for storing instructions to be executed, and non-volatile storage for storing the messages. The executable computer instructions of the system include one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of modeling material removal swaths defined in simplified 2-axis cross-sections that are cut adjacent and parallel to one another. The swaths are defined in a simplified 2-axis surface contour-following rotation cutting device moved by the system's CPU, driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry.

Abstract: A detector for detecting vapors emitted from analytes includes a housing, a pump and a sensing assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and an enclosed sensing volume therebetween. The pump communicates with the housing for moving a carrier sequentially through the enclosed sensing volume at a predetermined flow rate. The sensing assembly senses the vapors of the analyte delivered by the carrier as the carrier passes through the housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensing unit constructed of an amplifying fluorescent polymer, a source of excitation, a detector, and a convertor assembly.

Abstract: A detector for detecting vapors emitted from energetic compounds includes a housing, a pump and a sensing assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and an enclosed sensing volume there between. The pump communicates with the housing for moving a carrier gas sequentially through the enclosed sensing volume at a predetermined flow rate. The sensing assembly senses the vapors of the energetic compound delivered by the carrier gas as the carrier gas passes through the housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensing unit constructed of an amplifying fluorescent polymer, a source of excitation, a light detector, and a convertor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to A cutting apparatus that includes a hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The computer has a central processor that executes instructions, a memory for storing instructions to be executed, and non-volatile storage for storing the messages. The executable computer instructions of the system include one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of modeling material removal swaths defined in simplified 2-axis cross-sections that are cut adjacent and parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the swaths are defined in simplified 2-axis surface contour-following rotation cutting means moved by the system's CPU, driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automated system that includes a hi-resolution three-dimensional imaging apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The system incorporates one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of adjacent and parallel coloring-agent imaging paths or swaths (comprised of inks, dyes, paints, and/or pigments). The swaths are defined in simplified 2-axis surface contour-following printer-head movements by the system's CPU, printer driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry. This multi-axis control of the system assures that each of the swaths are seamlessly rendered next to one another while also maintaining an optimal proximity between the upper surface of the 3D model and the nozzle end of one or more hi-resolution printer.

Abstract: A former in the shape of a substantially V-shaped body having an apex and two legs depending from the apex for use in assembling an elongated V-shaped truss that has a plurality of the formers removably attached to a plurality of associated elongated support chords to form a truss that may be disassembled for shipping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a lightweight truss that can be used in temporary, demountable form for structures used in various constructions such as exhibitions, displays, and concerts and is formed of precut lengths of chords (tubes) and V-shaped members that can be detachably connected to each other to form an inverted V-shaped truss that can be stacked when stored and that can be disassembled into its component elements for shipping.

Abstract: A U-shaped stackable truss for use in temporary, demountable construction for exhibition, display, and concert staging.

Abstract: A V-shaped stackable truss that is selectively braceable by adding braces to strengthen the truss as needed.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the scroll rate of a scroll bar slider in a graphical user interface. The preferred embodiment uses a domain mechanism that divides large documents into multiple domains. The document is displayed in a viewing window with the slider moving the document from one of the current domain to the other end. Because the slider only moves within one domain, and not the whole document, the slider sensitivity is reduced such that it can be effectively used to scroll through documents. The document can be moved within the viewing window to other domains by activating one of a plurality of domain marks, where each domain mark represents a domain not currently scrollable with the slider. Thus, the entire document can be easily browsed while the scroll rate is maintained at an effective level. This provides a user with a high degree of control when viewing all sizes of documents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wide area network implemented on a circuit-switched public data network. Terminals have access to a plurality of data channels and a control channel into the network using a balanced protocol. The invention provides a method for reducing connect time between the terminals over the data channels. To do this a conversation is established between a transaction program on the local terminal and a transaction program on the remote terminal. Responsive to generation of a frame for transmission by the transaction program on the local terminal to the transaction program on the remote terminal, a channel connection between the local terminal and a remote terminal including a data channel connecting each terminal into the wide area network is established if no channel connection already exists.