Abstract: A computer-executed method for managing a group of entities includes receiving an indication from a first user indicating a desire to add members to the group based on proximity to a target, such as a point of interest (POI) or a location of a person. The method also includes sending an invitation to a prospective group member based on a location of the prospective group member during a time window associated with the target. In response to the invitation, an indication is received from the prospective group member as to whether the prospective group member desires to join the group.

Abstract: A computer-executed method for managing a group of entities includes receiving an indication from a first user indicating a desire to add members to the group based on proximity to a target, such as a point of interest (POI) or a location of a person. The method also includes sending an invitation to a prospective group member based on a location of the prospective group member during a time window associated with the target. In response to the invitation, an indication is received from the prospective group member as to whether the prospective group member desires to join the group.

Abstract: Described are systems, devices and methods for providing a facility for water sports such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, kneeboarding and the like in a controlled environment without the concomitant risks inherent in natural environments. Water is circulated by effluents from water pumps in an open air channel or pool and returned in a submerged closed channel. A participant controls velocity of water flowing from effluents and an amount of wake. Circulating water is rapidly decelerated by a second set of water pumps upon detecting participant falling or losing contact from a ski rope.

Abstract: Described are systems, devices and methods for providing a motorized retractable line or ski rope for a facility in which to practice water sports such as wakeboarding, wake surfing, wake skating, waterskiing, kneeboarding and the like. A motorized retractable line may operate by manual control or preferably by automation. Operation is in response to one or more detectable events or one or more controls. When a water sport participant loses contact with a handle of the ski rope, the motorized retractable line extends by unwinding from a winch or by another mechanism. The motorized retractable line is carried in the flow of water until it reaches a designated length or a maximal length (e.g., to a downstream side of the water sports facility), or until a participant re-connects with the handle of the ski rope. A participant may re-engage in a water sport from any position in the water sports facility after losing contact with the ski rope. A participant is returned to a designated participation area.

Abstract: A driver circuit suitable for use in automatic test equipment includes a driver input for receiving an input signal and a driver output for producing an output signal. The driver input is coupled to respective inputs of first and second amplifiers. The first amplifier has an output that can substantially source current only, and the second amplifier has an output that can substantially sink current only. The outputs of the first and second amplifiers are coupled to the driver output, for producing the driver output signal. The driver circuit further includes a disable circuit having an input for receiving a drive disable signal and at least one output coupled to the first and second amplifiers. The driver circuit is constructed and arranged so that the disable circuit drives the first amplifier low and the second amplifier high in response to an activation of the drive disable signal. These actions cut off output current and effectively tristate the driver circuit.

Abstract: Analog test instrument architecture for performing functional testing of electronic circuit assemblies is disclosed. The analog test instrument includes a plurality of identical channels, each channel including circuitry for driving test stimuli and measuring responses at one node of a circuit assembly under test. The driver and measurement circuitry in each channel implement functions that traditionally have been implemented in a test system using discrete instruments. The analog test instrument further includes a master clock reference, which is used for synchronizing the operation of the driver and measurement circuits. Each channel further includes triggering circuitry for distributing trigger events within the channel and to the other channels; and, an input buffer, which is shared by the measurement circuits in the channel. The synchronized operation, distributed trigger events, and shared input buffers are used to improve the correlation of measurements made during functional testing.

Abstract: A tester that is capable of performing voltage measurements on electronic circuits is disclosed. The tester includes voltage measurement circuitry with an input, a plurality of gain stages, and switching circuitry coupled between the input and the gain stages. The switching circuitry includes a plurality of diodes, and a portion of the gain stages includes current-to-voltage converters. Each diode is coupled to a respective current-to-voltage converter. By applying different bias voltages to the respective current-to-voltage converters, the diodes can be made to conduct current for different ranges of voltages at the input. The output of each current-to-voltage converter is proportional to a respective voltage range.

Abstract: A personal support device adapted for permitting a pregnant woman to lie on her stomach or abdomen even during the third trimester of pregnancy is formed of an inflatable mattress with an isolated section defined by a cylindrical wall. A portion of the outer membranae of the mattress extends into the isolated section to form a cavity for receiving and supporting the abdomen. Clearance holes in the cylindrical wall permit the isolated section to breathe, thereby permitting the cavity to expand and contract to maximize both the support and the comfort of the woman.

Abstract: A footwear device for reducing noise caused when an outdoorsman walks over leaves, twigs, and other ground objects and additionally serves to conceal an outdoorsman's feet from visual detection. The footwear device can be slipped on over an outdoorsman's shoes or can be worn over the bare or socked feet as a moccasin. The footwear device comprises a camouflaged cloth upper body portion for covering and concealing the shoe or foot, an adjustable opening for receiving the shoe or foot into the footwear device, a means for securing which firmly holds the device in place around the shoe or foot, and a bottom sole comprised of a synthetic fur material that reduces noise occurring when the outdoorsman steps on ground objects. In addition to suppressing walking related noise and concealing the feet, the present invention is supple to facilitate carrying, easy to put on, and to remove.

Abstract: A device intended to be mounted on a vehicle and used for breaking up ice and compacted snow on road surfaces or similar surfaces. A number of breaker disks are mounted side by side on a common shaft which is supported cross-wise on the vehicle. The disks are rotatable and roll in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The shaft is movable up and down and can also tilt from side to side to some extent. Yielding down pressure is applied to the shaft by a hydraulic cylinder. In one form of the device, stationary clean out fingers are mounted between the disks. The disks are spaced apart by gaps of from one to four times the thickness of the disks.

Abstract: Analyzing electrical circuit boards by providing a probe having at least two contact tips close enough to each other to simultaneously contact a lead of a mounted integrated circuit element, but spaced apart from each other sufficiently to permit measurement of electrical activity in the lead segment between the tips; and measuring the voltage drop between the tips resulting from the flow of test current through the resistance of the lead segment. In preferred embodiments the test current is injected directly into the lead through a third tip of the probe while the third tip is in contact with the lead at a point farther from the IC than the other two tips.

Abstract: A die for performing the ironing process in the manufacture of drawn and ironed food or beverage cans. A number of rollers are mounted in a carriage to form a ring of suitable inner diameter to perform the desired amount of reduction in the thickness of a can mounted on a mating punch. Each roller has a concave peripheral surface which forms a small segment of the ring. The rollers have conical end surfaces which butt together closely at the inner diameter. On the outer side of the ring, the rollers bear on backer members. In one form of the invention the backer members are stationary strips and the carriage moves in the same direction as the can when the can passes through the die. In another form the carriage is stationary and the backer strips move in the opposite direction. In another form, the backer members are additional rollers mounted on bearings. In all cases the friction between the rollers and the can and the rollers and the backer members is primarily rolling friction.