Abstract: A communication system and method including displaying a request screen, the request screen including an area for selecting one or more diagnoses or entering a name of an illness and a submit indicator; generating a request in response to a requestor selecting the submit indicator on the request screen; identifying one or more other users as eligible users eligible to provide content in response to the request, the identifying including matching respective records of the one or more other users to the request; sending out invitations to one or more of the eligible users; and displaying a session screen, the session screen corresponding to a communication session and including an indicator for each of one or more participants in the communication session, wherein the one or more participants includes the requestor and one or more eligible users who have accepted an invitation.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, provided is a hand-held printer system and method for printing on a target. The system includes a hand-held printer, a target position sensing system which senses a position of the target, and a hand-held printer position sensing system which senses a position of the hand-held printer relative to a printing surface of the target. A control mechanism actuates the printing of the hand-held printer based on the sensed positions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for signaling an event using fragrance are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device is activated to a low battery voltage indicator in an electronic device, serving as a warning to replace the battery, either in place of or complimentary to conventional indicators such as warning lights or audible signals. The fragrance emitting system can be integrated into the electronic device itself or can be part of the battery.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for signaling an event using fragrance are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device is activated to a low battery voltage indicator in an electronic device, serving as a warning to replace the battery, either in place of or complimentary to conventional indicators such as warning lights or audible signals. The fragrance emitting system can be integrated into the electronic device itself or can be part of the battery.

Abstract: A stereo headphone employing a standard stereo headphone plug is adapted for automatically hearing a monaural signal at both earpieces, when accessing a typical monaural source. In the first embodiment of the invention, an impedance element couples the signal from a first acoustical driver that receives the monaural signal from the stereo plug tip, to a second acoustical driver that is connected to the stereo plug ring and normally receives no signal when plugged into a conventional monaural audio source output jack. The magnitude of the coupling impedance is selected with respect to the impedance of the acoustical driver so that the reduction in loudness at the second earpiece due to the signal voltage drop across the coupling impedance is not perceptible to the listener. This will occur when the reduction in loudness at the second earpiece is less than the threshold of perceivable loudness reduction at one ear when there is no reduction in loudness at the other ear.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for signaling an event using fragrance are disclosed. A fragrance emitting device is activated to a low battery voltage indicator in an electronic device, serving as a warning to replace the battery, either in place of or complimentary to conventional indicators such as warning lights or audible signals. The fragrance emitting system can be integrated into the electronic device itself or can be part of the battery.

Abstract: The invention noninvasively provides information relating to memory space allocation. Memory space allocation information is maintained in a location that is known or identifiable outside of the process for which the memory space has, been allocated. A memory space allocator maintains the information in a descriptor block. The descriptor block is updated with every allocation or deallocation of memory space. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the descriptor block exists on a page of memory having a size equal to the native page size of the machine on which it is, operating. The memory allocator allocates memory space in units referred to as buckets that exist within a memory block. The descriptor block contains an identifier that identifies the memory space allocation information stored in that descriptor block as being controlled by a particular memory space allocator. The descriptor block also contains information that indicates how many pages are used and how many pages are free.

Abstract: A stereo headphone employing a standard stereo headphone plug is adapted for automatically hearing a monaural signal at both earpieces, when accessing a typical monaural source. In the first embodiment of the invention, an impedance element couples the signal from a first acoustical driver that receives the monaural signal from the stereo plug tip, to a second acoustical driver that is connected to the stereo plug ring and normally receives no signal when plugged into a conventional monaural audio source output jack. The magnitude of the coupling impedance is selected with respect to the impedance of the acoustical driver so that the reduction in loudness at the second earpiece due to the signal voltage drop across the coupling impedance is not perceptible to the listener. This will occur when the reduction in loudness at the second earpiece is less than the threshold of perceivable loudness reduction at one ear when there is no reduction in loudness at the other ear.

Abstract: The invention noninvasively provides information relating to memory space allocation. Memory space allocation information is maintained in a location that is known or identifiable outside of the process for which the memory space has been allocated. A memory space allocator maintains the information in a descriptor block. The descriptor block is updated with every allocation or deallocation of memory space. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the descriptor block exists on a page of memory having a size equal to the native page size of the machine on which it is operating. The memory allocator allocates memory space in units referred to as buckets that exist within a memory block. The descriptor block contains an identifier that identifies the memory space allocation information stored in that descriptor block as being controlled by a particular memory space allocator. The descriptor block also contains information that indicates how many pages are used and how many pages are free.

Abstract: The invention noninvasively provides information relating to memory space allocation. Memory space allocation information is maintained in a location that is known or identifiable outside of the process for which the memory space has been allocated. A memory space allocator maintains the information in a descriptor block. The descriptor block is updated with every allocation or deallocation of memory space. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the descriptor block exists on a page of memory having a size equal to the native page size of the machine on which it is operating. The memory allocator allocates memory space in units referred to as buckets that exist within a memory block. The descriptor block contains an identifier that identifies the memory space allocation information stored in that descriptor block as being controlled by a particular memory space allocator. The descriptor block also contains information that indicates how many pages are used and how many pages are free.

Abstract: A fast acting disconnect system is incorporated with a transient voltage surge suppressor to protect the surge suppressor and the connected utilization equipment from power frequency overvoltages. A resettable circuit breaker permits reconnection after disconnecting the AC voltage source due to a power frequency overvoltage. The system is applicable to protect equipment connected to an AC source of voltage that has a phase conductor, a neutral conductor and a grounding conductor with surge suppressors connected to protect against transient voltage surges from phase-to-neutral, phase-to-ground and neutral-to-ground. The system protects against damage of the surge suppressor and the connected equipment from power frequency overvoltages as specified for testing by a recognized testing agency. A transient voltage surge of the greatest magnitude anticipated in the environment for which the system is designed will not cause a false disconnect operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for continuously monitoring the resistance of a grounding conductor to neutral conductor circuit of a power distribution system. The apparatus compares a parameter of a damped sinusoidal waveform from a shock excited resonant circuit coupled to the grounding conductor and neutral conductor at a branch circuit outlet of the power distribution system with a predetermined parameter from the same resonant circuit discharging into an external circuit having a predetermined resistance. The apparatus indicates an undesired grounding conductor resistance.

Abstract: A surge protection circuit for insertion into a coaxial cable system is configured as a coaxial structure of given characteristic impedance extending between matching input and output connection. A surge suppression network is built into the coaxial housing, and includes a shunt inductor shunting the center conductor at an intermediate point to the housing. A capacity is series-inserted into the output section of the center conductor beyond the inductor. The capacitor is a plate-shaped element metalized on both faces and edge-inserted into the confronting line sections of the center conductor and soldered thereto, so that capacitor lead inductance is incorporated into the center conductor. At the passband frequency of cable television communications the reactance of the inductor is high compared to the characteristic impedance, and similarly the reactnace of the capacitor is low, resulting in negligible insertion loss to the system.

Abstract: An insulating battery cover is configured to be locked into place by insertion of either one of a pair of connectors making contact with the battery. The cover is designed for use with batteries having insertion-type terminals configured to accept inserted connectors. A pair of shell-forming projections are provided integral with the housing and configured to accommodate the battery terminals when the cover is in place. An aperture in each projection is configured to allow insertion of the associated connector. Portions of the cover local to the projections are provided, and arrestingly engage exterior insulating portions of the connectors to hinder removal of the cover unless both connectors have been removed.

Abstract: A color converter circuit particularly suited for use with computer-steered multi-color display units accepts at its input terminals a plurality of color commands from the associated computer or other signal source, and includes manual selection means for selecting a corresponding plurality of different output color commands to be actuated selectively upon response of each different input color command to provide manual control of the colors of the generated pattern, without requiring software modification. Associated indicator lights adjacent each of the color-selecting switches indicate which colors in the form of color commands are being sent from the computer. A simplified version of the converter accepts monochrome commands capable of giving only dark and bright commands from the computer, and selectively provides optionally chosen different color commands to the display unit to correspond to each of the two input signal conditions.

Abstract: A power line transient surge suppressor circuit features a nonlinear surge-bypassing network connected to bypass line surges around electrical loads connected to circuit output terminals. A fuse is inserted in series with the network, and blows in the event of short-circuit failure of a regulator device in the network. A thermal cut-out preferably of the irreversibly actuated type is inserted in series with the suppressor circuit input. A current-limiting heater resistor connected in parallel with the fuse supplies heat to trip the cut-out after the fuse blows, thereby permanently terminating power output to the loads. A similar suppression network is provided for the earth lead in three-wire systems.

Abstract: A manually operable pulse generating apparatus comprises a dial knob assembly having a outer grippable knob member rotatably mounted around an inner knob member connected to an operating shaft carrying a ratchet wheel-forming cam having saw-toothed ratchet teeth-forming lobes. Each lobe has a gradually rising leading side and a sharply dropping trailing side. The outer knob member is connected to the inner knob member through a one-way clutch so that the outer knob member can be rotated in one direction without rotating the inner knob member, the inner knob member rotating with the outer knob member when rotated in the opposite direction. Where the outer knob member is opaque, it contains numbered markings for identifying the degree of rotation imparted thereto relative to a stationary index mark on a control panel over which the dial knob assembly is mounted. For some applications, the outer knob member may be transparent in which case the numbered markings referred to are on the inner knob member.

Abstract: The controller comprises a rear sub-assembly to be mounted in a conventional toggle wall switch opening, a conventional toggle switch cover plate with a vertical toggle switch operating arm-receiving slot, the plate to extend over the rear sub-assembly and being of a size to overlap the wall switch opening, and a front sub-assembly to be mounted over the cover plate. An anchoring screw-receiving opening in the rear of sub-assembly is accessible from the front of the front sub-assembly through the cover plate slot. A screw passing through an opening in the front sub-assembly and cover plate slot anchors at least partially the front sub-assembly and the cover plate to the rear sub-assembly. A rotatable and depressible shaft extends from the rear-sub-assembly and passes through the cover plate slot and the front sub-assembly. A timer and on-off switch operating knob removably fits over the shaft to expose the screw when the knob is removed from the shaft.

Abstract: A timer system includes a power switch operable to power circuit closing and opening conditions, timing means for identifying various timing segments over a 24-hour period and marker storage means having respective power turn on and off marker storage locations assigned to the time intervals encompassing a 24-hour period. An on-off push button or other on-off control operates the power switch and may act as an aid in setting the markers in the storage means. The timer system may also include a rotatable present time setting dial, also adjustable to different positions representing the different time intervals, and a manually operable timer on-off setting member. For real time programming, control means respond to normal operation of the on-off control during a first 24-hour period, initially to set said markers in the storage locations.

Abstract: One form of the timer is designed to be mounted over and behind a conventional wall switch cover plate and includes a two position timer condition-setting arm, a rotatable and depressible time setting dial knob and an indicator on the front of the cover plate. When the arm is moved to a timer-on position, the indicator flashes to indicate that timer programming is needed. This may be achieved in real time over the first twenty-four hours after a 30 minute play period by depressing the knob acting as an on and off power switch control push button to turn the light circuit on and off in a normal manner. Fast normal programming is achieved by rotating the knob to various time settings and depressing the knob to set ON or OFF markers in timer memory.