Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing near-diffraction-limited laser light, or amplifying near-diffraction-limited light, in diode pumped alkali vapor photonic-band-gap fiber lasers or amplifiers. Laser light is both substantially generated and propagated in an alkali gas instead of a solid, allowing the nonlinear and damage limitations of conventional solid core fibers to be circumvented. Alkali vapor is introduced into the center hole of a photonic-band-gap fiber, which can then be pumped with light from a pump laser and operated as an oscillator with a seed beam, or can be configured as an amplifier.

Abstract: A facility for the purpose of entertainment, education, or monitoring wherein there is provided an acoustic sensor (24) mounted on the outside of a toilet bowl (30) and a simple, inexpensive target (22) mounted to the inside of the toilet (28) thereby keeping the sensitive acoustic sensor and other electronics in a dryer and cleaner location. The sound of a urine stream contacting the target (22) propagates through the toilet (26) and is detected by the acoustic sensor (24). An analysis and feedback unit (32) monitors the sound of the urine stream contacting the target (22) and provides a message to the user indicating their success in hitting the target (22) with the urine stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing near-diffraction-limited laser light, or amplifying near-diffraction-limited light, in diode pumped alkali vapor photonic-band-gap fiber lasers or amplifiers. Laser light is both substantially generated and propagated in an alkali gas instead of a solid, allowing the nonlinear and damage limitations of conventional solid core fibers to be circumvented. Alkali vapor is introduced into the center hole of a photonic-band-gap fiber, which can then be pumped with light from a pump laser and operated as an oscillator with a seed beam, or can be configured as an amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound rated floor system for inhibiting sound transmission between floors. The system includes a corrugated steel deck; a first layer of cementitious material or board or sheet applied over the corrugated steel deck; a sound insulation mat or board applied over the first layer; a second layer of cementitious material applied over the sound insulation mat or board. The floor system has an IIC rating of at least 25 and the corrugated steel deck provides at least 50 percent of the ultimate load carrying capacity under static and impact loading of the floor system with a floor deflection of at most 1/360 of the floor span.

Abstract: A method, and a system of using the method, of controlling a motor having a rated capacity. The method includes determining the motor has been started, determining a plurality of operating parameters of the motor after the motor has started, determining a threshold from a portion of the operating parameters, comparing one of the determined operating parameters with the threshold, and operating the motor at a level corresponding to below the rated capacity when one of the determined operating parameters is greater than the threshold. When an electric motor having a control system according to the present invention lifts a load, drives a machine, or starts other motions, the control system automatically adjusts to a power level that corresponds to the load. In this way, the motor will not be allowed to exert any power or force to the load in excess of what is necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing near-diffraction-limited laser light, or amplifying near-diffraction-limited light, in diode pumped alkali vapor photonic-band-gap fiber lasers or amplifiers. Laser light is both substantially generated and propagated in an alkali gas instead of a solid, allowing the nonlinear and damage limitations of conventional solid core fibers to be circumvented. Alkali vapor is introduced into the center hole of a photonic-band-gap fiber, which can then be pumped with light from a pump laser and operated as an oscillator with a seed beam, or can be configured as an amplifier.

Abstract: A vertical reciprocating conveyor includes a frame and a carrier movable up and down with respect to the frame to elevate and lower articles supported by the carrier. The conveyor also includes a prime mover and at least one sprocket rotating in response to operation of the prime mover. At least one flexible support member extends across the carrier from one side to an opposite side, and engages the at least one sprocket such that the at least one flexible support member is collected and let out in response to the direction of rotation of the sprocket to raise and lower the carrier with respect to the frame. The conveyor also includes brakes on the opposite sides of the carrier. The brakes are biased to engage the frame to prevent the carrier from free falling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing near-diffraction-limited laser light, or amplifying near-diffraction-limited light, in diode pumped alkali vapor photonic-band-gap fiber lasers or amplifiers. Laser light is both substantially generated and propagated in an alkali gas instead of a solid, allowing the nonlinear and damage limitations of conventional solid core fibers to be circumvented. Alkali vapor is introduced into the center hole of a photonic-band-gap fiber, which can then be pumped with light from a pump laser and operated as an oscillator with a seed beam, or can be configured as an amplifier.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier includes a length of silica optical fiber having a core doped with neodymium, a first cladding and a second cladding each with succeeding lower refractive indices, where the first cladding diameter is less than 10 times the diameter of the core. The doping concentration of the neodymium is chosen so that the small signal absorption for 816 nm light traveling within the core is less than 15 dB/m above the other fiber losses. The amplifier is optically pumped with one laser into the fiber core and with another laser into the first cladding.

Abstract: A leather having durable antimicrobial efficacy after at least 5 washing is disclosed. The leather is treated in-situ with an antimicrobial composition containing both a bactericide and a fungicide. The bactericide and the fungicide are exhausted into the leather thereby providing durable antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A wheel securing means (10) for securing a wheel (12) comprising a rim (14) and a tire (16). The wheel securing means (10) comprises first and second arm members (18,20). Each of the first and second arm members (18,20) has a first end arranged to engage with the rim (14) on a first side thereof and extends from the first end to a second end adjacent a point on the outer circumference of the tire (16). A locking means (28) is provided to secure the second end of the first arm member (18) to the second end of the second arm member (20) and the first and second arm members (18,20) are shaped to engage with the outer surface of the tire (16) in use such that rotation of the wheel (12) causes rotation of the wheel securing means (10).

Abstract: A configurable printer is provided which includes a first memory for storing multiple firmware application programs. Each of the firmware application programs enables respectively different printer functionalities. A switch mechanism, such as a DIP switch, is provided that has multiple settings for selecting a respective firmware application program from the multiple firmware application programs in the first memory. The printer also includes a second memory for storing a boot program. A processor is provided for executing the boot program upon startup of the printer. During execution, the boot program reads a current setting of the switch mechanism and executes a selected firmware application program corresponding to the current setting, thereby providing the desired printed functionality.

Abstract: By tapering the diameter of a flanged barrel laser rod over its length, the maximum trapped path length of a barrel mode can be dramatically reduced, thereby reducing the ability of the trapped spontaneous emission to negatively impact laser performance through amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). Laser rods with polished barrels and flanged end caps have found increasing application in diode array end-pumped laser systems. The polished barrel of the rod serves to confine diode array pump light within the rod. In systems utilizing an end-pumping geometry and such polished barrel laser rods, the pump light that is introduced into one or both ends of the laser rod, is ducted down the length of the rod via the total internal reflections (TIRs) that occur when the light strikes the rod's barrel. A disadvantage of using polished barrel laser rods is that such rods are very susceptible to barrel mode paths that can trap spontaneous emission over long path lengths.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition imparts antimicrobial characteristics to numerous products. The antimicrobial composition comprises an emulsion, wherein the emulsion comprises a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent, an alkyl phenol, a styrenated phenol and water. A method for producing this composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier includes a length of silica optical fiber having a core doped with neodymium, a first cladding and a second cladding each with succeeding lower refractive indices, where the first cladding diameter is less than 10 times the diameter of the core. The doping concentration of the neodymium is chosen so that the small signal absorption for 816 nm light traveling within the core is less than 15 dB/m above the other fiber losses. The amplifier is optically pumped with one laser into the fiber core and with another laser into the first cladding.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising a microemulsion for imparting antimicrobial characteristics to numerous products. The microemulsion can be aqueous or non-aqueous. A method of making the antimicrobial composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining print progress of a document being printed are provided. The print progress of a document is monitored during printing by monitoring means included in the printer. The percentage of the printing which has been completed is then computed in real time based on information received from the monitoring means. The computed percentage may be used to determine the print completion status of each print field of a document having a plurality of print fields. The computed percentage may be reported to a host device associated with the printer. The computed percentage may be stored in non-volatile memory of the printer and/or of the host device so that the computed percentage of completed printing is maintained during a power failure. The computed percentage of printing completed can be recovered from non-volatile memory upon power recovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for configuring a printer template and a ticket printer having a configurable template. Template attributes are received at the printer and stored in printer memory. A processor at the printer creates a template from the template attributes. Print data is provided to the printer memory. The print data is merged into the template to create a composite image. The composite image can then be printed on a substrate. The substrate may comprise a receipt, a lottery ticket, a coupon, a bus ticket, an airplane ticket, a train ticket, a gaming voucher, a slot machine voucher, or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for converting a full color image to a two-color image for printing at a two-color printer capable of printing black pixels and alternate color pixels. Black pixels and alternate color pixels of the full color image will be printed as corresponding black and alternate color pixels in the two-color image. Printing in pixel areas of the two-color image which correspond to white pixels of the full color image will be inhibited, such that the white pixels of the full color image appear as corresponding background colored pixel areas of the substrate in the two-color image. A dithering algorithm is used for converting other color pixels of the full color image into the two-color image by utilizing either a combination of corresponding background colored pixel areas of the substrate and printed alternate color pixels or a combination of corresponding printed black and alternate color pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for providing periodic status updates from a printer to a host system, and a printer capable of providing such status updates. A printer in accordance with the present invention includes means for generating printer status information and means for automatically sending the printer status information to the host system at periodic time intervals, without the need for a status request from the host system or a status change at the printer. The time interval and/or the status information may be configured via the host system.