Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: A third party tandem provider that intercepts and routes voice and data traffic between telecommunications carriers, e.g., wireless carriers, local exchange carriers, and long distance carriers, by dynamically determining the actual terminating switch for a call using a plurality of proprietary databases versus terminating calls merely based on the switch associated with the terminating telephone number. The tandem services provider Service Control Point (SCP) is arranged to maintain a carrier unit's status in a resident database or secure such information per call from the terminating carrier's database. When a call is placed to a telephone number associated with a carrier connected to the tandem, the tandem platform Service Switching Point (SSP) queries the SCP for availability and routing instructions. In response, the SCP accesses its database and/or the terminating carrier's database to determine the status of the unit.

Abstract: A transmitted signal's higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms are exploited to geolocate low power signals. The geolocation is independent of the characteristics or encoded data of the transmitted waveform. The method uses spatial fourth order cumulants or spatial second order moments in a Blind Source Separation and generalized eigenvalue decomposition to determine unique matrix pencil eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The eigenvectors provide are orthogonal to the steering vector of the transmitted signal save one, which represents the steering vector. This property is used to determine Steering vectors, AoA or geolocation. The receiver includes a multi-element array and does not need a priori knowledge of the transmitted signal source to geolocate the target transmitter. The methods and apparatus for geolocation does not require typical demodulation.

Abstract: A transmitted signal's higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms are exploited to geolocate low power signals. The geolocation is independent of the characteristics or encoded data of the transmitted waveform. The method uses spatial fourth order cumulants or spatial second order moments in a Blind Source Separation and generalized eigenvalue decomposition to determine unique matrix pencil eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The eigenvectors provide are orthogonal to the steering vector of the transmitted signal save one, which represents the steering vector. This property is used to determine Steering vectors, AoA or geolocation. The receiver includes a multi-element array and does not need a priori knowledge of the transmitted signal source to geolocate the target transmitter. The methods and apparatus for geolocation does not require typical demodulation.

Abstract: A transmitted signal's higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms are exploited to geolocate low power signals. The geolocation is independent of the characteristics or encoded data of the transmitted waveform. The method uses spatial fourth order cumulants or spatial second order moments in a Blind Source Separation and generalized eigenvalue decomposition to determine unique matrix pencil eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The eigenvectors provide are orthogonal to the steering vector of the transmitted signal save one, which represents the steering vector. This property is used to determine Steering vectors, AoA or geolocation. The receiver includes a multi-element array and does not need a priori knowledge of the transmitted signal source to geolocate the target transmitter. The methods and apparatus for geolocation does not require typical demodulation.

Abstract: A receiver exploits unique higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms to classify, characterize, identify (fingerprint) and intercept a waveform within the field of view of the receiver. The method uses 4th-order non zero lag auto cumulants of the received waveform and 4th-order non zero lag auto cumulants of known waveforms to classify and characterize the signal. The receiver includes a multi-element array and does not need a priori knowledge of the transmitted signal source obtain a fingerprint.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed that exploit the unique higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms to detect and enumerate signals in a multi-signal and noise environment. The embodiments use spatial 4th-order cumulants or spatial 2nd-order moments in a Blind Source Separation operation and generalized eigenvalue decomposition to determine unique matrix pencil eigenvalues for a set of unknown signals. Sequential detection in the complex plane of the eigenvalues in associated tracks for successive blocks of sensor data serve as the basis of the detection decision. The embodiments may include a multi-element array and do not require a priori knowledge of the signal environment to detect and enumerate the signals.

Abstract: A receiver exploits unique higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms to classify, characterize, identify (fingerprint) and intercept a waveform within the field of view of the receiver. The method uses 4th-order non zero lag auto cumulants of the received waveform and 4th-order non zero lag auto cumulants of known waveforms to classify and characterize the signal. The receiver includes a multi-element array and does not need a priori knowledge of the transmitted signal source obtain a fingerprint.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed that exploit the unique higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms to detect and enumerate signals in a multi-signal and noise environment. The embodiments use spatial 4th-order cumulants or spatial 2nd-order moments in a Blind Source Separation operation and generalized eigenvalue decomposition to determine unique matrix pencil eigenvalues for a set of unknown signals. Sequential detection in the complex plane of the eigenvalues in associated tracks for successive blocks of sensor data serve as the basis of the detection decision. The embodiments may include a multi-element array and do not require a priori knowledge of the signal environment to detect and enumerate the signals.

Abstract: A transmitted signal's higher order statistics of temporally dependent waveforms are exploited to geolocate low power signals. The geolocation is independent of the characteristics or encoded data of the transmitted waveform. The method uses spatial fourth order cumulants or spatial second order moments in a Blind Source Separation and generalized eigenvalue decomposition to determine unique matrix pencil eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The eigenvectors provide are orthogonal to the steering vector of the transmitted signal save one, which represents the steering vector. This property is used to determine Steering vectors, AoA or geolocation. The receiver includes a multi-element array and does not need a priori knowledge of the transmitted signal source to geolocate the target transmitter. The methods and apparatus for geolocation does not require typical demodulation.

Abstract: An activity toy for allowing the user to form artworks from a plastic material such as modeling clay, PLAY-DOH, or plasticene has hand-held extruder for dispensing the plastic material, a first plate upon which the plastic material is disposed so as to form the artwork, and a transparent second plate disposable in laminar juxtaposition to the first plate so as to capture the artwork therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hollow globe including a plurality of apertures which are formed substantially throughout the entire surface of the globe. Formed within the globe and disposed in laminar juxtaposition to the interior surface of the globe's sphere, a bladder means is formed of an opaque flexible material. A plurality of cross slits are formed on the bladder in substantial alignment with the globe's surface. An internal light source is disposed within said bladder at approximately the midpoint of the globe's sphere, and a plurality of luminescent pegs are provided for insertion into the apertures formed in the globe's surface. The present invention provides the user with the plurality of luminescent, differently colored pegs to design a picture or art form. The present invention may additionally serve as a night light and the luminescent pegs may be specially adapted to project light from the interior of the globe's surface to the exterior of the globe and onto surrounding walls and ceilings.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device comprising a transparent hollow globe, a powder material disposed within the globe which adheres to the inner surface of the globe, a scribe disposed within the globe which can be used to draw upon the inner surface of the globe by scraping off the powder material, and controls for manipulating the scribe. The device can be used to form three-dimensional sketches and is primarily intended for use as a teaching aid and toy.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device comprising a transparent hollow globe, a powder material disposed within the globe which adheres to the inner surface of the globe, a scribe disposed within the globe which can be used to draw upon the inner surface of the globe by scraping off the powder material, and controls for manipulating the scribe. The device can be used to form three-dimensional sketches and is primarily intended for use as a teaching aid and toy.

Abstract: A drawing template for facilitating the formation of images upon a spherical surface is disclosed. In a first embodiment the template comprises first and second transparent hollow hemispheres having indicia formed upon their surfaces such that the two hemispheres may be disposed about a spherical drawing surface and the indicia may then be used as a guide to form corresponding images upon the drawing surface. In a second embodiment, a planar sheet of flexible material is configured such that it will conform substantially to the shape of a sphere when placed in laminar juxtaposition therewith. Indicia formed upon the sheet of flexible material provide a guide by which images may be formed upon the drawing surface. Both embodiments of the drawing template of the present invention are particularly applicable for use with a three-dimensional drawing device which forms images upon the inner surface of a transparent sphere.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device comprising a transparent hollow globe, a powder material disposed within the globe which adheres to the inner surface of the globe, a scribe disposed within the globe which can be used to draw upon the inner surface of the globe by scraping off the powder material, and controls for manipulating the scribe. The device can be used to form three-dimensional sketches and is primarily intended for use as a teaching aid and toy.

Abstract: A Y-shaped sealing ring gasket for use in sealing the coupled ends of pipe lengths is disclosed wherein the sealing ring gasket is secured within a bell end or coupling collar on one end of a pipe and is adapted to be deformed by the spigot end of a pipe received within the bell or collar to form a seal affording increased sealing pressure when the sealing ring is subjected to hydrostatic pressure.