Abstract: Herein is disclosed an admixture, for concrete, gypsum panels, and other cementitious products, derived from fermentation still bottoms. The admixture typically comprises protein, glycerol, and lactate, as well as smaller amounts of other alcohols, sugars, and other organic acids. The admixture may be present as a solution (typically comprising about 30-50 wt % solids) or as a dry mixture. The admixture allows increased flow and reduced water use in concrete and gypsum slurries used in gypsum panel production. Concrete, cement, and gypsum premixes, ready-mixes, and poured structures are disclosed.

Abstract: With interactive voice response services, it can be frustrating for a user to become stuck in a dialogue where the same question is asked repetitively. In his invention the wording of questions used by the system are varied throughout a dialogue depending upon how many times a user has visited a dialogue state ever in their call history. Furthermore the wording of the question is also varied in dependence upon the way in which the question was asked the last time the user was in a particular dialogue state.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to the approach of a train in a crossing. The system includes a plurality of surface mounted lights partially embedded in and placed across a roadway. Once activated, the flashing lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the train is approaching, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to an intersection stop requirement. The system includes a plurality of above-pavement, surface mounted lights, installed in a fashion similar to currently used road reflectors, and which are partially embedded in a roadway and placed across the roadway, e.g., adjacent to and parallel with the existing stripes or stop bars designating an intersection, and constructed so that they are impervious to vehicle traffic over them. Once activated, the lights flash in the direction of oncoming traffic, and emanate directly from the roadway, to warn drivers of approaching vehicles that a stop may be required at the intersection, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A retractable caster system comprises a rectangular, steel box defining a chamber, a plurality of which may be attached to the bottom of a storage container to elevate the container above a surface upon which it rests. Inside the chamber, a caster is mounted to a hinged plate which pivots near the bottom of one sidewall of the chamber. The plate articulates between a substantially vertical position, with the caster fully retracted into the chamber, and a horizontal position with the caster wheel protruding beneath the chamber. A coiled spring biases the plate toward a vertical position, and an automatic locking mechanism holds the caster in its extended position. The caster may be raised and lowered without separately supporting the weight of the container.

Abstract: Improved electrodes for transmission of electrical current through living tissue for various therapeutic, analgesic, muscle training, and recreational uses. These user manipulate-able electrodes permit the use of low voltage alternating current (AC) instead of direct current (DC). The electrodes are manufactured by overlaying a conductive material with nonconductive semi-porous material which, when wetted, becomes conductive and serves as a skin moistening vehicle. Electrical resistance is controlled by adding layers of semi-porous material as desired. A potentiometer is available to the user for major adjustments to the current flow. These electrodes are supplied power by means of less complex and cheaper Alternating Current power supplies. In addition to the handheld version, there are other configurations intended for various uses.

Abstract: A retractable caster system comprises a rectangular, steel box defining a chamber, a plurality of which may be attached to the bottom of a storage container to elevate the container above a surface upon which it rests. Inside the chamber, a caster is mounted to a hinged plate which pivots near the bottom of one sidewall of the chamber. The plate articulates between a substantially vertical position, with the caster fully retracted into the chamber, and a horizontal position with the caster wheel protruding beneath the chamber. A coiled spring biases the plate toward a vertical position, and an automatic locking mechanism holds the caster in its extended position. The caster may be raised and lowered without separately supporting the weight of the container.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to the presence of a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The system includes a plurality of surface mounted lights partially embedded in and placed across a roadway. The lights are activated by the pedestrian, either by manual switch or by a sensor, before he enters the crosswalk. Once activated, the flashing lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the pedestrian may have entered the crosswalk, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A multiple access and data channel scheme is presented for reducing network communication collisions and susceptibility to jamming signals in a distributed network to increase network connectivity and communication throughput. An order wire channel (202) is used to gain access to a data channel (204). To gain access to the data channel (204), a source radio sends a transmit probe (TXP) over the order wire channel (202) to the target radio. The target radio senses its environment and responds with a receive probe (RXP) which comprises data channel transmission parameters including the data channel frequency, transmit power, spread code, and transit timing to be used for the data transmission. Source radio moves to the data channel using the data channel transmission parameters specified by the receive probe (RXP) to communicate with the target radio. If a collision occurs of the order wire channel (202), the source radio retransmits the transmit probe after a random time period.

Abstract: A suspension assembly, including inner and outer tubes that are adapted to the telescope with respect to each other. A self-contained shock-damping cartridge is disposed in the tubes and is removable as a unit. The cartridge has first and second chambers, which contain hydraulic fluid. A shaft movably extends substantially completely through both chambers, and a piston is associated with the shaft and the chambers such that movement of the shaft within the chambers forces hydraulic fluid from one of the chambers to the other, thus damping telescoping movement between the tubes. The cartridge is sealed to substantially prevent the hydraulic fluid from entering and exiting therefrom during telescoping movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which is mounted via brackets to the steering tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which is mounted via brackets to the steering tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: A marital aid containing an elongated shaft which is transparent, and which has a vibrating motor which vibrates the shaft and an internal source of illumination which shines through the transparent shaft.

Abstract: A programmable crypto processing system (10) includes several processing resources (14, 16, 26) implemented on a single ULSI die. The processing system is both key and algorithm agile allowing for simultaneous execution of a variety of cryptographic programs through the use of background staging of the next program and context (key and state) during execution of a current program. The programmable crypto processing system includes a programmable crypto processor (17) for processing data units in accordance with a channel program, a crypto controller (11) for identifying a channel program, two interface processors (13, 15) for asynchronously receiving and transferring data units from and from an external host. Data units identify a particular channel program, and are processed in a selected processing engine in accordance the identified channel program.

Abstract: A cryptographic controller (100) installs and manages a channel for processing data units. The cryptographic controller (100) performs background staging of programs, context, and data units for the programmable crypto engine (14) and configurable crypto engine (16). The cryptographic controller (100) is a secure, hardware operating system capable of managing high performance crypto processing on the order of 1500 million instructions per second (MIPS).

Abstract: A programmable cryptographic system (100) provides high performance cryptographic processing support for cryptographic algorithms. Two or more independent cryptographic algorithms may be performed at the same time through the processes of background staging and algorithm multi-tasking. A four stage software instruction pipeline and dynamically programmable function units support high performance cryptographic processing performance on the order of 60 mega bits per second (Mbps) aggregate throughput.

Abstract: A processing system includes a control flow monitor (CFM) checker for verifying a sequence of instructions performed by a pipelined processor (101). The CFM checker provides fail safe assurance against run-time errors in the sequence of instructions performed by a processor. The CFM checker verifies instruction sequence during run-time within 32 instruction cycles. The processing system provides an improved system and method having a CFM checker which minimizes wasted instruction cycles when performing branch instructions in a software program. Using a prefetch capability of an instruction pipeline and storing fixwords sequentially in memory, eliminates unnecessary instructions to fetch fixword values from external tables, thereby saving instructions and instruction cycles.

Abstract: A configurable cryptographic processing engine (100) provides high performance cryptographic processing support for symmetric combiner type cryptographic algorithms. As many as two independent cryptographic algorithms may be performed at the same time through the processes of background staging and algorithm multi-tasking. A 3-stage instruction pipeline, dynamically configurable cryptographic co-processor (550), and 32-bit RISC based architecture support high performance cryptographic processing performance on the order of 60 Mbps aggregate throughput.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer steer tube which is adapted to be mounted in and extend through the head tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner steer tube telescopes within the outer steer tube. A shock absorbing system is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer steer tube and the outer surface of the inner steer tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to transmit the torsional steering force from the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: Interface processor (IP)(50) sends and receives data units to and from an external host and a processor. The IP is capable of simultaneous, full duplex operation via high speed serial and parallel interfaces. The IP provides a highly flexible and configurable interface which is capable of interfacing to a variety of systems with minimal external hardware. The IP also provides a method of converting received data into data packets. The IP provides buffering of multiple data packets for use in systems having "bursty" data traffic. The IP has a memory expansion capability allowing for changeable buffer capacities.