Abstract: “Mouse-like” positional controls are implemented in a joystick-style human interface. Pan and tilt movements are sensed with electronic encoders, and coordinates are transmitted in wired or wireless fashion to aim a camera, light or other utilization device. A spring may be used to return the grip handle to center or neutral position with no “positive” center. Devices according to the invention are trigger-activated, enabling continued transmission positional information when the lever reaches physical limits. The handle is coupled to a lever arm, with pan-axis pivoting being sensed at its proximal end, with tilt-axis pivoting being detected where the handle couples to the lever at it distal end. Thumb buttons/controls may be provided on the grip handle, and an arm rest may be used as an arm rest over the pan-axis pivot. An alternative embodiment incorporates a hand grip attached to a base that slides on a surface to sense x-y motion.

Abstract: A touchpad useful in timing competitive sporting events such as swim meets includes a touch plate having a front surface and a back surface, one or more accelerometers coupled to the touch plate, electrical circuitry in communication with the accelerometers to detect motion indicative of a user's touch, and communications circuitry to transmit information indicative of a user's touch to a display, storage device or other remote unit. The back surface of the touch plate may have resilient ridges or a backing structure that more positively ensures contact recording. The circuitry may battery powered with rechargeable batteries. The communications circuitry may use wireless RF technology such as WiFi synchronized absolute time to transmit the touch information to a central timing system. In competitive swimming events, the communications circuitry utilizes a standard Colorado Timing systems banana plug.

Abstract: A motion platform/simulator uses pumps coupled to servo-controlled electric motors to pump fluid directly into and out of rubber bellows-type actuators. Peristaltic or gear pumps may be used in conjunction with linear transducers/encoders. The fluid can be a gas such as air or one of many non-toxic fluids, even water, as the pump or actuators require no lubrication from the working fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a mechanical pivot such as a U-joint is situated between the platform and the ground surface, and each transducer is located immediately adjacent an actuator. A reservoir or reservoirs may be provided to supply and receive fluid to and from the actuator(s) through the pump(s) or, alternatively, the pump(s) may be coupled between two actuators, thereby eliminating the need for a fluid reservoir. A pump may be coupled between two stacked actuators or different actuators located at different points on the platform.

Abstract: Cost-effective methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring both absolute position and fluctuations using a moving dielectric medium between fixed electrodes. A position sensor according to the invention includes a pair of spaced-apart electrodes, an elongated dielectric that moves between the electrodes, and electrical circuitry interconnected to the electrodes to determine the position of the dielectric relative to the electrodes. To realize a linear position sensor, the electrodes are electrically conductive rods or wires, and the dielectric is also an electrically non-conductive rod or wire. The dielectric may be flexible or stiff, in which case the dielectric and the electrodes are preferably substantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, the spaced-apart electrodes may be concentric tubes, with the dielectric being an electrically non-conductive tube slideably disposed between the electrodes. In different embodiments, the dielectric is a liquid-receiving tube.

Abstract: A complete hardware and software railroad training system gives the trainee a hands-on operators experience in a safe and productive classroom environment. The system and method combines a complete virtual simulation of a yard and the associated equipment with a cost-effective Operator Control Unit (OCU) to fully address Remote Control Operation (RCO), including equipment handing, yard familiarization, rules and safety training. A simulated locomotive training system according to the invention comprises a computer system generating a display of an avatar in a simulated railroad environment including a virtual locomotive and associated equipment. The OCU, a hand-held unit in communication with the computer system, includes one or more video-game or “game-pad” type controls, enabling a user to manipulate the avatar in the simulated railroad environment.

Abstract: A computer interface makes it easier to control a 3D virtual device on a display screen with a 2D pointing device such as a mouse. A virtual device having an associated movement and underlying function is rendered on a display screen. A cursor is moved to the device, and if it is selected, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed including a control icon with the cursor automatically pre-positioned in relation to the control icon. If the control icon is adjusted the virtual device is moved on the display screen and the function associated with the device is performed. Upon de-selection of the device the GUI disappears from the display screen. In the preferred embodiment, the cursor is moved with a mouse and the device is selected with a mouse button. The cursor is then automatically positioned in overlapping registration with the control icon upon the selection of the device. The control icon may be a slider, knob, switch or any other type of implement appropriate to the control of the virtual device.

Abstract: A cost-effective and accurate model train position transponding arrangement deploys inexpensive CCD cameras to “watch” the layout and determine the locations of trains and landmarks. Each item of interest features an optical beacon, preferably an infrared LED, which can be “seen” by the cameras. Filtering out other light and using color cameras these bright spots can easily be tracked by software. These beacons can be stationary, embedded in the track or mobile, mounted on the trains. Certain LEDs can be controlled to simply flash at a certain frequency if more accuracy is needed to determine the source of the bright spot. The cameras are preferably mounted more or less overhead, but any angle with sufficient visibility of the layout will work because the image will be calibrated to the actual layout. In cases where the LED beacon is blocked from the camera's vision the software may interpolate the position of the beacon based on the last known position and velocity.

Abstract: A cost-effective and accurate model train position transponding arrangement deploys inexpensive CCD cameras to “watch” the layout and determine the locations of trains and landmarks. Each item of interest features an optical beacon, preferably an infrared LED, which can be “seen” by the cameras. Filtering out other light and using color cameras these bright spots can easily be tracked by software. These beacons can be stationary, embedded in the track or mobile, mounted on the trains. Certain LEDs can be controlled to simply flash at a certain frequency if more accuracy is needed to determine the source of the bright spot. The cameras are preferably mounted more or less overhead, but any angle with sufficient visibility of the layout will work because the image will be calibrated to the actual layout. In cases where the LED beacon is blocked from the camera's vision the software may interpolate the position of the beacon based on the last known position and velocity.

Abstract: A motion platform/simulator uses pumps coupled to servo-controlled electric motors to pump fluid directly into and out of rubber bellows-type actuators. Peristaltic or gear pumps may be used in conjunction with linear transducers/encoders. The fluid can be a gas such as air or one of many non-toxic fluids, even water, as the pump or actuators require no lubrication from the working fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a mechanical pivot such as a U-joint is situated between the platform and the ground surface, and each transducer is located immediately adjacent an actuator. A reservoir or reservoirs may be provided to supply and receive fluid to and from the actuator(s) through the pump(s) or, alternatively, the pump(s) may be coupled between two actuators, thereby eliminating the need for a fluid reservoir. A pump may be coupled between two stacked actuators or different actuators located at different points on the platform.

Abstract: Cost-effective methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring both absolute position and fluctuations using a moving dielectric medium between fixed electrodes. A position sensor according to the invention includes a pair of spaced-apart electrodes, an elongated dielectric that moves between the electrodes, and electrical circuitry interconnected to the electrodes to determine the position of the dielectric relative to the electrodes. To realize a linear position sensor, the electrodes are electrically conductive rods or wires, and the dielectric is also an electrically non-conductive rod or wire. The dielectric may be flexible or stiff, in which case the dielectric and the electrodes are preferably substantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, the spaced-apart electrodes may be concentric tubes, with the dielectric being an electrically non-conductive tube slideably disposed between the electrodes. In different embodiments, the dielectric is a liquid-receiving tube.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method for locked spill-free transfer of liquid and dry materials. The dispensing assembly attached to the material holding container has a bottle cap with a slotted spring housing, small notch, spring-biased valve closure member with activation pin, and spring nut with cutout. The paired docking station receptacle includes a housing having an upper flange, bottom discharge opening, interior protrusion, and upwardly tapering spring nut engagement member with spaced-apart radially-extending flukes positioned within the discharge opening, the upper surface of which are configured for partial insertion through the spring nut cutout. Thus, when the protrusion is aligned with the notch and a bayonet turn is applied to the bottle cap, the spring nut engagement member unseats the valve closure member and allows material transfer. The dispensing system herein can be used by manufacturers of equipment requiring periodic renewal of dry and liquid materials to limit their source.

Abstract: A capsule filling device includes a manually operated system of dispensing specific quantities of pharmaceutical or other suitable substance into capsules. A desired quantity of pharmaceutical is placed in a capsule by using interchangeable plates with set volumes of wells to measure specific quantities of pharmaceutical.