Abstract: Systems and methods for making biometric data susceptible to use in locating individuals and tracking the location of individuals over time are provided. The system may involve the collection of initial biometric data, including iris scans, and corresponding identification information, the entry of such data into a database, and then the further collection of biometric data associated with locational information and entry of that data into a database correlating to the first database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making biometric data susceptible to use in locating individuals and tracking the location of individuals over time are provided. The system may involve the collection of initial biometric data, including iris scans, and corresponding identification information, the entry of such data into a database, and then the further collection of biometric data associated with locational information and entry of that data into a database correlating to the first database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for modulating a coherent light source with a digital) signal. The method includes the steps of splitting the digital signal into a first and a second copy and mixing the first copy with a clock signal to provide a first modulation component. The method further includes the steps of inverting the second copy and delaying the clock signal by one-hundred eighty degrees. The method also includes the steps of mixing the inverted second copy with the delayed clock signal to provide a second modulation component and summing the first and second modulation components.

Abstract: A rapid, sensitive method for the detection of M. tuberculosis. A sample suspected of containing M. tuberculosis is extracted, derivatized and analyzed for the presence of two particular characterizing compounds specific to M. tuberculosis. One preferred analytical method involves a fuzzy matching process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for monitoring, identifying, classifying and logging musical work performance broadcasts over the public airwaves. The system uses a neural network to classify specially-processed "retinal" signatures of the musical work performance. The neural network is trained for each musical work using a single noise-biased retinal sample of the spectral distribution of preselected dynamic features of the corresponding audio signal. A detection decision is made at the neural network output using fuzzy logic circuitry to compare results of predetermined thresholding. The system of this invention fully automates the real-time identification of broadcast musical work performances.

Abstract: A foreign object removal system is disclosed including a removal chamber projecting laterally from the combustion chamber of a fluid bed reactor and connected via a downwardly directed pipe to a material flow control plenum chamber, which includes means for fluidizing the mixture of inert bed particles and foreign objects at the bottom of the pipe for lateral movement into an air classifier, wherein the foreign objects are dropped to a collection tank and the fluid bed particles are carried upwardly by a stream of classifying air to a deentrainment chamber where their velocity is reduced and they are returned to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fluidized bed process and apparatus for uniformly drying particulized wet wood material or waste, commonly called hog fuel, from in excess of 50% moisture content to a 30% level suitable for burning as boiler fuel without generating "blue haze" air pollution typical of conventional rotary dryers. The fluidized bed of this invention is divided into treatment zones by a baffle arrangement. The hog fuel flows substantially horizontally along a circuitous path through the treatment zones. Hot flue gases fluidize the bed of hog fuel and provide necessary drying heat. Fines portions from each zone are entrained by the drying gases and blown out of the vessel just as they achieve the desired level of dryness and before significant blue haze is generated. A cyclone recovers these fines as product. Gas pressure to each treatment zone is adjusted so that only the desired amount of hog fuel is blown from the bed with the balance proceeding to subsequent zones.

Abstract: A fluidized bed process and apparatus for uniformly drying particulized wet wood material or waste, commonly called hog fuel, from in excess of 50% moisture content to a 30% level suitable for burning as boiler fuel without generating "blue haze" air pollution typical of conventional rotary dryers. The fluidized bed of this invention is divided into treatment zones by a baffle arrangement. The hog fuel flows substantially horizontally along a circuitous path through the treatment zones. Hot flue gases fluidize the bed of hog fuel and provide necessary drying heat. Fines portions from each zone are entrained by the drying gases and blown out of the vessel just as they achieve the desired level of dryness and before significant blue haze is generated. A cyclone recovers these fines as product. Gas pressure to each treatment zone is adjusted so that only the desired amount of hog fuel is blown from the bed with the balance proceeding to subsequent zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a vessel in distress and transmitting an auditory distress message containing the position of the vessel. The apparatus obtains the position of the vessel as determined by a LORAN-C type receiver from either a cassette or directly from the LORAN-C receiver and generates a "Mayday" message including the identification of a vessel, the position of the vessel and the nature of the emergency. The "Mayday" message is synthesized into an auditory human or Morse code message. The language of the auditory message is preferably chosen to correspond with the most likely language used by a possible receiver of the "Mayday" message. Also preferably, the apparatus determines whether the primary distress radio frequency is clear; should the primary distress frequency be in use, the apparatus automatically shifts to a secondary frequency and transmits the "Mayday" message.

Abstract: A foreign object removal system is disclosed including a removal chamber projecting laterally from the combustion chamber of a fluid bed reactor and connected via a downwardly directed pipe to a material flow control plenum chamber which includes means for fluidizing the mixture of inert fluid bed particles and foreign objects at the bottom of the pipe for lateral movement into an air classifier wherein the foreign objects are dropped to a collection tank and the fluid bed particles are carried upwardly by a stream of classifying air to a deentrainment chamber where their velocity is reduced and they are returned to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A microprocessor based system for both creating and emulating control read only memories (CROM) for use in conjunction with programmable calculators and the like. The development system operates as two independent yet integrated systems. The system generates programmable calculator key codes from source code entered via a system computer keyboard, then maps the code into the system's read/write random access memory in the proper CROM format, and generates a gate placement tape from data stored in that memory. Additionally, the system emulates a CROM for real time interconnection to the programmable calculator. Thus, actual in calculator testing of the generated key codes is made possible prior to commitment of the code to mask and permanent manufactured CROMS.

Abstract: A fluid bed combustion method and apparatus are disclosed utilizing an induced draft fan downstream of the exhaust port of the combustion chamber. Fluidizing air is given a velocity vector toward one side of the chamber for moving foreign objects to that side where the objects are removed and separated by air classification from bed particles which are returned to the fluid bed. Air classification is accomplished using a blower which is valved off during preheat operation to draw hot air from above the fluid bed down through the particle bed.