Abstract: Apparatus for detecting an overheating condition at an electrical power device and automatically breaking the circuit when the temperature exceeds a setpoint value. In various configurations the device is a receptacle adapted to be used in a wall mounted box or a receptacle unit that is plugged into an existing receptacle. A temperature sensor is wired parallel to a normally open test switch on a ground fault circuit interrupter or other circuit interrupting device. The temperature switch is responsive to the temperature local to the receptacle, such as is caused by poor connections to or in the receptacle or a near-overload condition. The temperature setpoint is less than the melting temperature of the insulation of the electrical wiring. The temperature sensor is a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient that allows current to flow thereby latching the interrupting device in a tripped position until the device is reset for reuse.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting an overheating condition at an electrical power device and automatically breaking the circuit when the temperature exceeds a setpoint value. In various configurations the device is a receptacle adapted to be used in a wall mounted box or a receptacle unit that is plugged into an existing receptacle and supported in place by the existing receptacle. A temperature switch is wired parallel to a normally open test switch on a ground fault circuit interrupter or other circuit interrupting device. The temperature switch is responsive to the temperature local to the receptacle, such as is caused by poor connections to or in the receptacle. The temperature setpoint is less than the melting temperature of the insulation of the electrical wiring. Upon actuation of the temperature switch, the circuit interrupting device is latched in a tripped position until the device is reset for reuse.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a calf of a user may include a first calf support member to support the calf of the user, a second calf support member to support the calf of the user, shoe member to support the first and second calf support member. The first calf support member and the second calf support member may cooperate to form a substantially continuous inner surface to support the calf of the user. The first calf support member may include a slot to accept the leg of the user, and the second calf support member may include a slot to accept the leg of the user. The first calf support member and the second calf support member may be detachably connected with a strap, and he first calf support member and the second calf support member may be detachably connected with a latch.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for delivering messages and data to competing consumers. One aspect of the invention includes a message delivery system including a destination messaging engine, one or more receiver messaging engines, and a message pool. The destination messaging engine is configured to distribute data from one or more producers. The receiver messaging engines are configured to request data from the destination messaging engine and transmit the data to one or more consumers. The message pool is configured to store data from the producers, with the destination messaging engine arbitrating data in the message pool among the receiver messaging engines.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for determining, by a first communication device communicatively coupled with a second communication device by a first communication connection of a first communication network, whether to establish a second communication connection of a second communication network to the second communication device, are described herein. In some embodiments, the first and second communication networks may be different communication networks, and the determining may be based on a comparison of a first communication network signal strength to a threshold or on one or more user preferences of a user of the first communication device.

Abstract: A publish/subscribe system is non-disruptively reconfigured, such that messages are not lost during the reconfiguration. After reconfiguration is initiated, messages that are to be delivered within the publish/subscribe system are forwarded using either an old path or a new path. That is, until the reconfigured system is stabilized, some messages may be delivered using the old path, while other messages are delivered using a new path. After the system is stabilized, the new path is used for delivery of all the messages, until another reconfiguration is initiated.

Abstract: Provided are a message brokering systems, computer program products and methods for communication in a publish/subscribe environment in which publisher application programs send messages to subscriber application programs via one or more message brokers, the method comprising the following steps: responsive to receipt of a published message at a message broker, referring to characteristics of the received message and subscriber-specified quality of service requirements to determine an appropriate quality or service for onward transmission of the message; selecting a communication protocol in accordance with the determined quality of service; and transmitting the message using the selected communication protocol. Information relating to the quality of service requirements of a first message broker's subscribers is passed to other brokers and subsequently used for selection of an appropriate communication protocol for transmitting messages between the brokers.

Abstract: Inflatable device inflation assemblies wherein a gas source material is released from an inflator apparatus into an inflatable device wherein the gas source material may, such as upon actuation of an initiator device situated within the inflatable device, dissociate or otherwise form gaseous products for the inflation of the inflatable device. An inflatable restraint system is also provided which includes a plurality of inflatable devices each operatively joined with a chamber which contains a dissociative gas source material. The system includes at least one first initiator effective upon actuation to initiate dissociation of the gas source material within a selected one of the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: Inflatable device inflation assemblies wherein a gas source material is released from an inflator apparatus into an inflatable device wherein the gas source material may, such as upon actuation of an initiator device situated within the inflatable device, dissociate or otherwise form gaseous products for the inflation of the inflatable device. An inflatable restraint system is also provided which includes a plurality of inflatable devices each operatively joined with a chamber which contains a dissociative gas source material. The system includes at least one first initiator effective upon actuation to initiate dissociation of the gas source material within a selected one of the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for reproducing individual pages of a bound document without optical distortion or damage to the bound document, including a substantially flat sensor array which may be inserted between pages of a book. Sensors scan one or both opposed pages. Alternatively, the sensor array surfaces may be set at an angle, also creating a reproduction apparatus capable of insertion between pages of a bound document.

Abstract: A series of taps are created within an acousto-optic cell by imaging an array of LEDs within the cell. The illuminated tap regions are selectively changed by energizing selected LEDs. The electrical input signal produces a travelling acoustic wave within the cell and when the wave crosses illuminated tap regions, electrical output signals are produced having delays proportional to the positions of illuminated LEDs in the array. The magnitude of the output signal is proportional to the LED light intensity which is varied to produce a weighted output signal.

Abstract: A multinode, multicast communications network has a distributed control for the creation, administration and operational mode selection operative in each of the nodes of the network. Each node is provided with a Set Manager for controlling either creation of, administration or access to a set of users to whom a multicast is to be directed. The Set Manager maintains a record of the local membership of all users associated with the node in which the Set Manager resides. A given Set Manager for each designated set of users is assigned the task of being the Set Leader to maintain membership information about the entire set of users in the multicast group. One of the Set Managers in the communications network is designated to be the Registrar which maintains a list of all the Set Leaders in the network. The Registrar insures that there is one and only one Set Leader for each set of users, answers inquiries about the membership of the sets and directs inquiries to appropriate Set Leaders if necessary.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflatable restraint system is a reaction canister assembly with a body part and frame structure that reduces and/or minimizes the number of component parts, including fasteners, incorporated therein.

Abstract: A guide device for directing the deployment of an automotive air bag cushion toward the torso of an occupant by means of a tether which is folded and attached to itself at a number of locations by rupturable seams. As the air bag cushion deploys the truncated tether or tethers cause the cushion to rotate about a point where the cushion is attached to the canister thereby moving the cushion in a downward direction. The cushion is thereby moved into position in front of the occupant's torso more quickly than an air bag cushion equipped with a tether without tearseams.

Abstract: The requirement for a hinge, tether, or other connection between the breakaway door of an automotive airbag installation and a fixed attachment point is eliminated. This is accomplished by substituting a pressure-sensitive material connecting the door with the material of the airbag itself.

Abstract: A first signal acousto-optic (AO) cell together with a first signal source for injecting a first signal therein is disclosed along with a second AO cell together with a second signal source for injecting a second signal therein, to be correlated with the first signal. A first plus one diffracted order beam emerges from the first cell and is directed at a second cell to produce second and third plus one diffracted order beams which overlap and which produce an interference pattern that is focused on a photodetector array which determines the degree of correlation between the first and second signals. A Dove prism is employed between the cells to cause the second and third beams at the array to be counter-propagating and to control the spatial frequency of the interference pattern produced by these beams.

Abstract: In a multicast network communication system, administration of the communication path making up the multicast tree itself has been separated from control and administration of the network. Creation of a multicast distribution tree and control over the membership thereof, is separately controlled independently from the creation and use of the tree transmission path used to communicate among the members of a multicast set. Transmission distribution trees are set up when a transmission request is received and the properties of the transmission path that is required are known. Transmission paths are created and controlled by all nodes in the communications system, each node having necessary control code and processors for responding to requests from set members to transmit a message to groups of users by creating and activating the necessary tree communication path distribution linkages. A distribution tree is created by the Tree Leader by generating a tree address using a random number generator.

Abstract: An optical information system which uses a liquid crystal television (LCTV) as a one dimensional spatial light modulator (SLM) is presented. An optical carrier wave is generated by polarizing and collimating the output of a laser. The liquid crystal television modulates the optical carrier wave with a digital modulating signal to output thereby a modulated optical signal: An array of photodetectors electroptically connects the modulated optical signal into a modulated electrical signal which is displayed on an oscilloscope. The use of an LCTV as a one dimensional SLM yields higher numerical accuracy and extended dynamic range than two dimensional SLM applications of the same equipment.

Abstract: A lightweight can assembly for housing and protecting the gas generator and inflatable bag of a passenger side restraint system includes a tether in the bag flush with the mouth of the can and at its center which retains the spreading forces at the mouth of the can upon bag deployment. This allows for a lighter section at the mouth of the can and eliminates the need for flanges along the sides of the can, which flanges would undesirably increase the envelope.

Abstract: A method of sampling accurately the instantaneous content of a high speed counter without interrupting the counting process is provided. The method is applicable even when the higher order digits of the counter are constructed by slower switching circuits configured in either a synchronous or ripple-through arrangement. The switching and carry propagation times of these higher order counters need not be shorter than the time between successive events being counted. Sampling of the contents may be made repeatedly in the interim without affecting the totality of the final count.