Abstract: A vestibular stimulation system and method that includes a housing, a power supply disposed in the housing, an electrode assembly adapted to be coupled to the housing, and a controller disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller controls the delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly. An input element is also disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The input element is manually manipulated to control the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A display disposed on an exterior surface of the housing provides visual information regarding the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A mounting assembly is coupled to the housing to mount the housing on such a user.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system configured to stimulate a vestibular system of a user while the user is in a sleeping position. The system comprises a housing; a power supply; an electrode assembly; a controller that controls stimulation of the vestibular system through delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly; an input element configured to control operation of the system; an auditory output device that provides auditory output to the user, wherein the auditory output is synchronized with the stimulation of the vestibular system to enhance an effect of the stimulation; a mounting assembly for mounting the housing on the user; and a sensor adapted to generate an output signal related to a physiological parameter of the user, wherein the controller controls the electrode assembly to cease delivery of the energy responsive to the output signal indicating that the user is leaving the sleeping position.

Abstract: A vestibular stimulation system and method that includes a housing, a power supply disposed in the housing, an electrode assembly adapted to be coupled to the housing, and a controller disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller controls the delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly. An input element is also disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The input element is manually manipulated to control the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A display disposed on an exterior surface of the housing provides visual information regarding the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A mounting assembly is coupled to the housing to mount the housing on such a user.

Abstract: Apparatus for the non-invasive and specific activation of the vestibular system in a patient. Preferred embodiments of the present invention allow for the placement of a stimulating electrode in the ear canal while providing a firm and comfortable coupling with the patient. The stimulating electrode is a deformable material that contacts the skin in the ear canal. A stimulating device operates in cooperation with the stimulating electrode to generate a stimulation waveform for the stimulation of the vestibular system.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting possible sleepwalking episodes that include generating one or more signals indicative of the movement of an individual while sleeping, determining whether the movement signals indicate a possible sleepwalking episode, causing one or more motion based alert signals to be emitted if the movement signals do indicate a possible episode, monitoring a proximity of the individual to a position within a sleeping environment, and causing one or more proximity based alert signals to be emitted when the individual is determined to be at least a certain distance away from the position.

Abstract: A vestibular stimulation system and method that includes a housing, a power supply disposed in the housing, an electrode assembly adapted to be coupled to the housing, and a controller disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller controls the delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly. An input element is also disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The input element is manually manipulated to control the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A display disposed on an exterior surface of the housing provides visual information regarding the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A mounting assembly is coupled to the housing to mount the housing on such a user.

Abstract: Two-wire signal transmitter and method in which a very low-level Alternating Circuit (AC) input signal sensed at a remote circuit at a first end of a signal path is added to a low-level Direct Current (DC) bias signal provided by a local circuit that is located at a second end of the signal path. In a preferred embodiment, the remote circuit is electrically coupled to and powered by the local circuit through a two-wire path interconnection, typically a shielded twisted-pair cable. The DC bias signal has sufficient level to overcome minimum ratings of electrical contacts, thereby to pass the sensed very low-level AC input signal reliably through the poor electrical contacts that are used, for instance, for connecting electronic circuits that run the length of a railway train.

Abstract: A hazard predictor that processes both rail and superstructure measurements to predict some potentially hazardous conditions on a railway structure. Measurement is collected in real time with the aid of fiber optic sensor based linear array mesh, and processed with a neural network. Sensors placed under the rail and sensors placed laterally of the rail provide data collection in real time both during occupied and unoccupied periods. In some embodiments the measurement data is compressed into two signatures which can be represented as two vectors. The collinearity of the vectors and the angle between the vectors are utilized to interpret the data as to track conditions. The angle between the descriptors can be used to predict the severity of degradation of the structure. The predictor can be used to manage maintenance of the structure and interface with existing railway signalling equipment to provide traffic management.

Abstract: A railway track circuit system utilizing an optical sensor which emits a vehicle detection light signal when a railway vehicle is present in a track section. A reference light signal is also generated by a light emission source. A detector in optical communication with the optical sensor receives the vehicle detection light signal. Information contained in the vehicle detection light signal is interpreted by a processor to detect the railway vehicle. In presently preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise an elongated optical fiber conductor extending along the track section or a plurality of cascaded localized sensors. The sensor may generally also be utilized as a communication medium to pass communication data between opposite ends of the track section. Depending on the exigencies of the particular application, the sensor may be located within the track section in a number of ways.

Abstract: A railway vehicle cab signalling system providing electrical signals to operate an aspect display unit or the like located on-board a railway vehicle based upon the track circuit signals typically used to operate wayside indicators. A sensor detects the track circuit current as it passes through at least one wheel and axle set on the vehicle. A processor receives an output signal from the sensor and produces a signal to operate the aspect display unit.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting defects in wire or cable insulation which is located in a vacuum without disconnecting the cable by synchronously detecting the current in a sense conductor with respect to the potential waveform existing or imposed on the cable under test. A sense conductor and a scanned extended electron source having a linear cathode array are both placed in close proximity to and along the cable under test. Only a small portion of the cathodes in the linear array are excited at any one time and by placing the proper signals on the excitation conductors of the electron source, the electron generation scans or propagates along the entire length of the extended electron source. The current flowing in the sense conductor due to the electrons from the electron source varies depending upon the presence of defects in the cable insulation.

Abstract: An axial alignment aid for remote control operations and related method are provided. A mirror located on a first movable member gathers light from its field of view in front of the first member and reflects it at right angles to a beam splitter which reflects the light at right angles to a video camera on the first member. A laser, also on the first member, projects a thin beam of light through a beam expander and a beam-expander lens template which gives the projected beam a pattern. The beam then reflects off another mirror, passes through the beam-splitter and is reflected off the original mirror. The beam is then projected on-axis with the first member (coincidentally on-axis with the video camera's field of view), and is inverted to match the original pattern. A reflective visual indicator or target is mounted on a second member so that its optical axis is collinear with the axis of the second member.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically dispensing and taking-up a flexible communications cable such as an optical fiber includes a motor-driven reel which is mounted on a movable member, such as a vehicle. The fiber passes through a pivotably mounted tension control arm, whose angular position is detected to control the motor. Depending on the position of the tension control arm, the reel may be rotated in one direction to relieve fiber tension, it may be rotated in the opposite direction to take-up slack, or it may remain quiescent. The reel is mounted on a pipe which channels the inner end of the fiber to a rotary optical coupler, thereby permitting the fiber to be used for optical communication as the vehicle moves. The level-winding mechanism similar to that in a fishing reel may be used to control the windings on the reel, and a pivotably mounted plate may be pressed against the upper layer of fiber on the reel in order to keep it from unraveling.

Abstract: Portable communication terminal composed of a headset to be worn on the head of a user and a portable transceiver set to be carried by the user.