Abstract: An indoor growing environment for growing plants wherein due to the nature of the growing conditions the area is wet. If a high voltage device is in the growing environment near the water ground-fault protection is needed.

Abstract: An HVAC system used in a growing room to grow plants, including lighting and other heat producing pieces of equipment, wherein operating parameters are modified over time in response to and anticipation of changes in heat production by the lighting and other heat-producing pieces of equipment and moisture production from the plants and plant growing systems located in or near the growing room. The operating parameters of the system are modified during the growth cycle of the plants to provide environmental conditions appropriate to each phase of the plant growth. Additionally, the system comprises components carrying a load such that energy use can be reduced during times when less than maximum load is required. Algorithms and tables to control airflow, heating, cooling, dehumidification, and chemical composition of the air are included to maximize plant growth. CO2 and other byproducts of heating, cooling, and cogeneration are recycled for use in connection with plant growth.

Abstract: An LED lighting system for use in an indoor growing system. The lighting system includes a lighting tray having a tube containing a printed circuit board therein. The circuit board has blue and red LED lights. The LEDs draw power and at least one of the LEDs draws power of less than 1 Watts and may draw less than ½ Watt. The dispersion angle of the LEDs is less than 40° degrees and may be less than 30° degrees. The heat-sinking capabilities of a standard circuit board are sufficient without special metalized layers or external heat sinks. Additionally, conversion to low voltage power is achieved remotely in an area away from the lights. In the lighting system, the ratio of red to blue LEDs is 15-24% red to 76-85% blue.

Abstract: A method of generating a gift card comprising: (a) receiving indicia corresponding to at least one of a product indicia representative of a particular product and a service indicia representative of a particular service; (b) making a gift card graphic available to the processing device that matches at least one of the product indicia and the service indicia; (c) merging the gift card graphics with a gift card template to create a virtual gift card; (d) recording the virtual gift card with a memory accessible by a kiosk that includes a gift card printer; and, (e) generating a receipt uniquely corresponding to at least one of the virtual gift card and a tangible gift card.

Abstract: A control system methodology that uses object-oriented software to integrate multiple control systems into a common object model. Object-oriented techniques are used to construct distributed applications in a multi-vendor open system environment for use in controlling and monitoring systems of varying size and configuration. Information is brought into a common object model and made available throughout the system. A custom programming language is included for object creation. Access to objects is controlled through a multi-level security protocol. Data flow is governed by a real-time information synchronization manager. Classes are used to implement the system in a platform independent way according to a “core class hierarchy” in which objects are organized to inherit behavior and perform predictably. A control engine allows the user to control the order of execution of objects. A script is provided for generating custom objects.

Abstract: A network management system includes an embedded node, having network database and communications elements, which is coupled locally on an ECHELON network. This local coupling provides a relatively high bandwidth connection to accommodate relatively high traffic volume between the network database and nodes for improved system performance relative to prior art configurations. Locally coupling the network database to the network eliminates the need to tunnel various messages needed to effect a network service when using a tiered architecture common in the HVAC industry. The communications elements include com ports adapted to couple the embedded node to a workstation via a conventional network, and to an ECHELON network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the non-uniformity of a positron emission tomography (“PET”) image is described. The event detector system comprises a detector having a plurality of zones, each zone comprising a plurality of detector devices. The event detector system also comprises a threshold circuit coupled to a detector device of the detector. Additionally, the event detector system comprises a summation circuit coupled to the threshold circuit.

Abstract: A network management system includes an embedded node, having network database and communications elements, which is coupled locally on an ECHELON network. This local coupling provides a relatively high bandwidth connection to accommodate relatively high traffic volume between the network database and nodes for improved system performance relative to prior art configurations. Locally coupling the network database to the network eliminates the need to tunnel various messages needed to effect a network service when using a tiered architecture common in the HVAC industry. The communications elements include com ports adapted to couple the embedded node to a workstation via a conventional network, and to an ECHELON network.

Abstract: An anticoagulant for blood contains sodium hydroxide, citric acid and sodium hexametaphosphate. A method of preventing the clotting of blood using the anticoagulant also is disclosed.

Abstract: In an improved system and method for simulating targets in which a target is moved across a background, background information and target information are stored in separate memories. Selected target information is supplied to selected background to create the simulation. The target memory contains two buffers which enables one frame of target information to be updated as a preceding frame is transmitted.

Abstract: Sections of pipe for an underwater pipeline are laid by first positioning a support frame on the underwater terrain generally about the position for a section of pipe and then lowering a longitudinal pipe support and a section of pipe into engagement with the support frame. The position of the longitudinal pipe support on the support frame can be adjusted for proper positioning of the section of pipe with previously laid pipe. After a section of pipe is laid and supported by backfill, the underwater support frame is moved to the position for the next section of pipe. The support frame includes first and second transverse members each having a saddle for receiving a seat portion of the longitudinal pipe support. The saddles are moveable along the transverse members for adjusting the position of a section of pipe, and one of the transverse members is moveable. The longitudinal pipe support is moveable on a roller in the saddle on the fixed transverse member.

Abstract: Modular constructional units are used to form a combined storage bin and display assembly for rolls of decorative paper such as wallpaper. The modular constructional units are vertically stacked and horizontally adjoined by interlocking surfaces while the units extend along an essentially straight-line path and form storage bins and displays disposed at an angle with respect to the straight-line path. Each constructional unit includes three mutually-adjoined side walls to a square prism which defines the shape of the bin. These side walls define a horizontal bin floor, a vertical bin rear end wall and a vertical longitudinal bin side wall. An outwardly-facing vertical display wall is projected from the bin side wall beyond the forward edge of the bin floor. The display wall and the bin side wall form a side wall for a horizontally-adjacent storage bin.

Abstract: A control system methodology that uses object-oriented software to integrate multiple control systems into a common object model. Object-oriented techniques are used to construct distributed applications in a multi-vendor open system environment for use in controlling and monitoring systems of varying size and configuration. Information is brought into a common object model and made available throughout the system. A custom programming language is included for object creation. Access to objects is controlled through a multi-level security protocol. Data flow is governed by a real-time information synchronization manager. Classes are used to implement the system in a platform independent way according to a “core class hierarchy” in which objects are organized to inherit behavior and perform predictably. A control engine allows the user to control the order of execution of objects. A script is provided for generating custom objects.