Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining certain characteristics of an article (60, 62), the apparatus including an electromagnet inductor (10, 30) with a first end (20, 54) and a second end (20, 54) with an air gap (24, 58) therebetween, there being at least one arm (12, 32, 34) joining the first end (20) and the second end (20) having electrical windings (14, 52) to generate a magnetic flux in the air gap (24, 58), the arm (12, 32, 34) being a fixed return path for the magnetic flux.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an N-port automatic calibration device comprising N-ports, wherein each port is adapted to be coupled to a port of an N-port multiport test set. The N-port automatic calibration device comprises a single-pole, N−1 throw switch having a single-pole coupled to a first port of the automatic calibration device and having each throw of the N−1 throws coupled to a corresponding port of the automatic calibration device. In addition, the N-port automatic calibration device comprises at least one single-pole, double-throw switch, having a single-pole coupled to a second port of the N-ports of the automatic calibration device, having a first throw coupled to a first load impedance, and having a second throw coupled to a throw of the N−1 throws of the single-pole, N−1 throw switch.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a multiport test set that characterizes a multiterminal DUT. The multiport test set comprises a plurality of ports, a signal generator that provides a test signal over a frequency range, a reference receiver coupled to the signal generator that measures the test signal to determine a reference value, and at least one test channel receiver that measures the test signal at each port of the multiport test set. The multiport test set further comprises a switching device, coupled between the signal generator, the plurality of ports of the multiport test set and the at least one test channel receiver, that couples the test signal to any port of the multiport test set and to the at least one test channel receiver.

Abstract: A fuel delivery control system suitable for use with internal combustion engines fueled by liquid propane gas or the like. A stepper motor actuated control valve 52, under the control of a closed-loop fuel control logic routine, meters the desired fuel delivery rate. The stepper motor 50 is initially positioned based on an open-loop value related to the given engine speed and load. The stepper motor position is thereafter controlled by a calibrateable function having engine speed as its input.

Abstract: An educational aid and a method for using it to teach students to read by facilitating the rapid development of extensive sight-word vocabularies in an interesting and challenging manner through the utilization of a student's natural ability to learn and memorize a text. The educational aid includes a notation system for a readable format text, reinforcement aids for the key words of the text, and a system for teaching phonetic structure and pronunciation. The method for using the educational aid accomplishes the rapid development of sight-word vocabularies and phonetic understanding while requiring only a minimum of instruction and supervision from an educator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a golf shoe having a plurality of first and second traction projections extending out from the outsole to define a ground engaging surface. The first traction projections are arranged around a first pivot point located in the forefoot portion and a second pivot point located in the rearfoot portion of the outsole. The first traction projections have a body orientated lengthwise toward the pivot points. The second traction projections extend out from the outsole along the periphery of the outsole. The first and second traction projections define a ground engaging surface which, in use, enhance the traction of the outsole during the full golf swing motion.

Abstract: An educational aid and a method for using it to teach students to read by facilitating the rapid development of extensive sight-word vocabularies in an interesting and challenging manner through the utilization of a student's natural ability to learn and memorize a text. The educational aid includes a notation system for a readable format text and reinforcement aids for the key words of the text. The method for using the educational aid accomplishes the rapid development of sight-word vocabularies, and requires a minimum of instruction and supervision from an educator.

Abstract: A method of categorizing coins/tokens by energizing detect coils with a single pulse detecting the back EMF curve of the decaying pulse information, analyzing the unmodified back EMF curve to extract therefrom a number of variables and processing those variables to provide values proportional to the variables, and comparing the values of the coin/token to at least one of a number of reference values to determine into which of a number of predetermined categories the coin/token falls.

Abstract: An educational aid and a method for using it to teach students to read by facilitating the rapid development of extensive sight-word vocabularies in an interesting and challenging manner through the utilization of a student's natural ability to learn and memorize a text. The educational aid includes a notation system for a readable format text and reinforcement aids for the key words of the text. The method for using the educational aid accomplishes the rapid development of sight-word vocabularies, and requires a minimum of instruction and supervision from an educator.

Abstract: A digital video network comprises a controller and network sites each coupled to the controller via communication paths. The network sites and controller include codecs for converting between encoded signals on the communications paths and video and audio signals in the network sites and in the controller. The controller also includes at least one unit for producing a quad split video signal from four video signals supplied thereto. The coders encode four audio signal channels and audio mixing control signals in each encoded signal. The decoder in each network site decodes the audio signal channels from the encoded signal which it receives, and is responsive to the control signal in the encoded signal to mix the decoded audio signal channels in a predetermined manner to provide a continuous audio presence at the network site, independently of whether or not the video signal in the encoded signal comprises the quad split video signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically merging multiple image portions to produce a single image. Image portions are produced, such as by a hand-held scanner, with overlapping areas. The overlapping area of a first image portion is examined to determine a distinguishing feature. The overlapping area of the second image portion is then searched to locate the corresponding feature. The differences in alignment of the two features, such as rotation, expansion or compression, are then determined. One of the image portions is then rotated, compressed or expanded in the amount necessary to align the two images. The two images are then merged by eliminating the overlapping portion of one of the images.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having a plurality of strings stretched over the sounding board of a sounding box includes a corresponding bridge for each string. Each bridge rests on the sounding board and may be translated along the corresponding string to thereby change the functional vibrating length of the string and hence change the pitch of the musical tone produced when the string is set into vibration. Each string passes through a bore extending through the corresponding bridge so that the bridge does not disengage from the corresponding string (and possibly become misplaced or lost) when the bridge is translated, when the string is in a non-stretched condition, or when the instrument is jolted.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement wherein difficulties associated with breakage of a conveyor chain are overcome by providing hydraulic rams mounted between conveyor parts which are urged together in operation. The pressure in the hydraulic rams is monitored and when the chain breaks, the change in pressure or hydraulic ram extension is detected by switches which switch off the conveyor motor. A computer means is notified of the monitored pressure of the hydraulic ram.