Abstract: A device for viewing a projected image includes an input coupling grating operable to receive light related to the projected image from a light source and an expansion grating having a first grating structure characterized by a first set of grating parameters varying in one or more dimensions. The expansion grating structure is operable to receive light from the input coupling grating and to multiply the light related to the projected image. The device also includes an output coupling grating having a second grating structure characterized by a second set of grating parameters and operable to output the multiplied light in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system for monitoring phone numbers includes a computing device having at least one processor and memory associated with the processor. A telephone network supports a plurality of telephone numbers. For each of the phone numbers, the computing device is configured to detect call activity involving the phone number during a detection period having a preselected duration, determine an answer seizure ratio (ASR) for the phone number during the detection period from the call activity, determine a difference between the ASR during the detection period and an ASR from at least one previous detection period for the phone number, and determine whether the difference satisfies at least one preselected criterion. When the criterion is satisfied, the computing device instigates a procedure to investigate or repair the phone number.

Abstract: A method of optimizing acoustic transducer performance, and corresponding system, can include mechanically coupling a transducer to a fluid barrier, calibrating the acoustic transducer by measuring response as a function of drive frequency to determine one or more optimum drive frequencies, optimized for the transducer actually coupled to the fluid barrier, and storing the one or more optimum drive frequencies for use in operating the acoustic transducer. Shims may also be used between the transducer and fluid barrier, such as a boat hull, to optimize transducer performance. Embodiments can enable improved in-hull transducer depth sounding, as well as improved fluid level measurements in tanks.

Abstract: A method of optimizing acoustic transducer performance, and corresponding system, can include mechanically coupling a transducer to a fluid barrier, calibrating the acoustic transducer by measuring response as a function of drive frequency to determine one or more optimum drive frequencies, optimized for the transducer actually coupled to the fluid barrier, and storing the one or more optimum drive frequencies for use in operating the acoustic transducer. Shims may also be used between the transducer and fluid barrier, such as a boat hull, to optimize transducer performance. Embodiments can enable improved in-hull transducer depth sounding, as well as improved fluid level measurements in tanks.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing a radio frequency integrated device (RFID) transponder. The enclosure includes a front surface comprising a non-shielding material, a top surface, a bottom surface, a right-side surface, a left-side surface and a rear surface. The top surface, the bottom surface, the right-side surface, the left-side surface and the rear surface include a shielding material. The enclosure selectively enables and disables communication between the RFID transponder and toll collection units relative to a position of the front surface of the enclosure within a vehicle.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing a radio frequency integrated device (RFID) transponder. The enclosure includes a front surface comprising a non-shielding material, a top surface, a bottom surface, a right-side surface, a left-side surface and a rear surface. The top surface, the bottom surface, the right-side surface, the left-side surface and the rear surface include a shielding material. The enclosure selectively enables and disables communication between the RFID transponder and toll collection units relative to a position of the front surface of the enclosure within a vehicle.

Abstract: A linear actuator system is described that includes a linear actuator, a first motor, and a second motor. The linear actuator is configured to transmit rotational motion to linear motion. The first motor is operatively connected to the linear actuator. The second motor is also operatively connected to the linear actuator. The first motor is configured to provide a different amount of force and a different speed to the linear actuator than the second motor. Methods of operating a linear actuator are also disclosed.

Abstract: An upright hunting blind that is positioned partially underground and has viewing means mounted on its walls such that the viewing means are adjacent or near the ground level when the blind is positioned partially underground. Viewing means provide an opening for viewing and for extending an arrow, a gun barrel, or a camera through said opening while concealing the arrow, gun barrel, or camera. An upright blind having a height sufficient for more than one average hunter to stand upright in the blind, and a width sufficient for more than one average hunter to sit comfortably in the blind and move between the viewing means.

Abstract: A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element is disclosed. The control system includes a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state and a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature and select an energy savings mode for the electric water heater. The control module regularly monitors hot water usage and adjusts the set point temperature by a predetermined setback amount until a capacity of the water heater matches consumer usage.

Abstract: An emergency electrical power generating apparatus for use with a turbofan engine comprises an electrical generator and a clutch assembly. The clutch connects the generator with a fan assembly of the engine only during a windmill action of the fan assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to treat fibrotic conditions, to increase lymphocyte production in vivo, and to improve and/or normalize lung function, pulmonary compliance, blood oxygenation, and blood pH to inhibit inflammatory processes to stimulate or inhibit pro-inflammatory and immune cells, and to inhibit migration of vascular endothelial cells. The invention contemplates the administration of human uteroglobin, native or recombinant, as a means of achieving these ends. Specifically, it has been found that uteroglobin inhibits cell adhesion to fibronectin, increases lymphocyte production in vivo, and improves and/or normalizes lung function, pulmonary compliance, blood oxygenation, and blood pH, and inhibits inflammatory process. In addition it has been found that uteroglobin can stimulate or inhibit pro-inflammatory and immune cells and inhibitor migration of vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: An upright hunting blind that is positioned partially underground and has viewing means mounted on its walls such that the viewing means are adjacent or near the ground level when the blind is positioned partially underground. Viewing means provide an opening for viewing and for extending an arrow, a gun barrel, or a camera through said opening while concealing the arrow, gun barrel, or camera. An upright blind having a height sufficient for more than one average hunter to stand upright in the blind, and a width sufficient for more than one average hunter to sit comfortably in the blind and move between the viewing means.

Abstract: A particular healthcare provider's medico-legal risk relative to other healthcare providers practicing in the same field as the particular healthcare provider is determined by: acquiring information about the particular healthcare provider; and processing the acquired information to generate a medico-legal risk score for the particular healthcare provider. The medico-legal risk score generated for the particular healthcare provider may be used by an insurance company to determine whether to provide a malpractice insurance policy to the healthcare provider and/or to determine the amount of a premium for a malpractice insurance policy for the particular healthcare provider. Calculation of the particular healthcare provider's medico-legal risk score is performed using a computer program-implemented algorithm that automatically generates the medical-legal risk score in response to input of information about the particular healthcare provider.

Abstract: The invention in one embodiment is an improved variable speed engine/generator set with an integrated power conditioning system and control method including load shedding to generate high quality AC power with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The variable speed generator control scheme allows for load adaptive speed control of engine and generator field. The transformerless power inverter topology and control method provides the necessary output frequency, voltage and/or current waveform regulation, harmonic distortion rejection, and provides for single phase, or unbalanced loading.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated enviromental control system for an aircraft. The system uses bleed air from a propulsion engine to drive an air turbine which provides power to at least one aircraft component such as an aircraft mounted accessory drive. The system uses the bleed air exiting the air turbine as an air source for the cabin and/or flight deck enviromental control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated air turbine driving system for providing aircraft environmental control. The system has at least one air driven turbine for providing power to an aircraft mounted accessory drive and for providing heated air to an aircraft anti-ice system. The system further has a subsystem for supplying cooled pressurized air to a flight deck and/or cabin and to aircraft avionics. Still further, the subsystem provides cooling air to other aircraft components such as a generator and/or an aircraft mounted accessory drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vapor compression cycle environmental control system for use on aircraft. The system includes an environmental control subsystem which supplies pressurized ram air at a desired temperature to the aircraft's flight deck and/or cabin. The environmental control subsystem uses a vapor compression cycle subsystem to provide the ram air at the desired temperature. The system further includes an air turbine driven by engine bleed air to provide power to an aircraft mounted accessory drive and to provide heated air to an anti-ice system. The aircraft mounted accessory drive provides power to an air compressor which forms part of the environmental control subsystem and to a working fluid compressor which forms part of the vapor compression cycle subsystem.

Abstract: A new packet filtering system associates domain identifiers with respective sets of addresses. A set of domain prefixes defines the set of addresses associated with a given domain identifier. Domain prefixes are found matching the source address and destination address of each received packet. These prefixes are associated with a source domain identifier and destination domain identifier respectively. The system similarly associates sets of one or more protocol types and port ranges with respective protocol domain identifiers. The protocol type, source port and destination port of the received packet determine source and destination protocol domain identifiers for the received packet. The system includes a filtering matrix including one or more entries, each indicating whether an associated received packed should be filtered.

Abstract: A wiring arrangement for providing communications channels to a plurality workstations having at least one communications connector provided at each workstation is disclosed. The workstations are linked by a plurality of modular assemblies comprising a pair of connectors joined by connecting cables. Each connector includes data transmission, data reception and phone terminals. The connecting cables connect the terminals of the first connector to the terminals of the second connector of the modular assembly such that corresponding types of terminals are connected in inverted order. The connectors are electrically coupled to ports at each workstation. One end of one modular assembly is used to link the workstations to a communications center. Interconnection modules at each workstation connect the ports, and therefore the modular assemblies, in a predetermined wiring pattern, depending on the desired configuration of the workstations.