Abstract: A short range peer-to-peer communications system for communicating between mobile machines includes a first machine having a first prime mover, a first ground engaging drive mechanism operatively connected to the first prime mover to propel the first machine about a work site, and a first peer-to-peer transmitter system on the first machine for transmitting a first signal indicative of a characteristic associated with operating of the first machine. A second machine has a second prime mover, a second ground engaging drive mechanism operatively connected to the second prime mover to propel the second machine about the work site, and a second peer-to-peer receiver system for receiving the first signal directly from the first peer-to-peer transmitter system.

Abstract: A short range peer-to-peer communications system for communicating between mobile machines includes a first machine having a first prime mover, a first ground engaging drive mechanism operatively connected to the first prime mover to propel the first machine about a work site, and a first peer-to-peer transmitter system on the first machine for transmitting a first signal indicative of a characteristic associated with operating of the first machine. A second machine has a second prime mover, a second ground engaging drive mechanism operatively connected to the second prime mover to propel the second machine about the work site, and a second peer-to-peer receiver system for receiving the first signal directly from the first peer-to-peer transmitter system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a peripheral backlighting system for keyboards are shown and described, which include one or more light-emitting panels exterior to the keyswitches of the keyboard. The panels are preferably electroluminescent material or light-emitting chemical cells and surround at least two sides, and preferably all sides, of the actuation portion of a keyswitch or the space in which the actuation portion slides up and down during use. Alternatively, the panel(s) may extend substantially continuously between and underneath a plurality of keyswitches. The panels extend closely adjacent to the actuation portion or actuation path, or under the keyswitch, to be as far under the key cap as possible without extending into the keyswitch. Preferably, the keyswitch is translucent or partially translucent, and the housing plate over the light-radiant panels, if any, is at least partially translucent or transparent.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring an input device. The input device includes a first housing, and a moveable member disposed within the first housing and extending a predetermined distance from the housing. A shaft is disposed in part within the first housing and is coupled with the moveable member. The shaft has a first portion extending a distance from the first housing, and the shaft moves as a function of movement of the moveable member. An interchangeable performance pack is coupled with the first housing and with the first portion of the shaft. The interchangeable performance pack includes a second housing and exerts one of several influences on the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for restricting movement of a device. The detent device includes a housing, and a magnetic device, the magnetic device exerting a magnetic force and including a body and one of a recess defined therein and a protrusion. A magnetic body is located at least partially within the housing and is biased towards the magnetic device as a function of the magnetic force. The magnetic body includes a magnetic mass and the other of the recess defined therein and the protrusion, the other of the protrusion and the recess receiving the one of the protrusion and the recess of the magnetic device when the magnetic body is in a first predetermined position relative to the magnetic device.

Abstract: Characterizing the value of a particular property, for example, seismic velocity, of a subsurface region of ground is described. In one aspect, the value of the particular property is represented using at least one continuous analytic function such as a Chebychev polynomial. The seismic data may include data derived from at least one crosswell dataset for the subsurface region of interest and may also include other data. In either instance, data may simultaneously be used from a first crosswell dataset in conjunction with one or more other crosswell datasets and/or with the other data. In another aspect, the value of the property is characterized in three dimensions throughout the region of interest using crosswell and/or other data. In still another aspect, crosswell datasets for highly deviated or horizontal boreholes are inherently useful.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetically activating an output signal from a keyswitch. The rotation of a keyswitch rotates a magnetic device into a first position. A magnetic sensing device detects the magnetic field created by the magnetic device, and transmits a flag signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for retaining a printed circuit board includes a hollow shell structure having an aperture and an inner slot for receiving the printed circuit board and a mounting bracket including a frame portion for receiving the shell structure. A rim extends around the perimeter of the aperture and flexible flanges extend from at least a portion of the rim. The flexible flanges include a neck portion and a lower tab that provide means to retain the shell structure in the mounting bracket. The inner slot is sized to fit snugly around the perimeter of the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is inserted in the shell structure. The shell structure is constructed of a dielectric material that substantially insulates the printed circuit board from electro-static discharge and/or other types of electrical damage or interference, as well as shock and vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure sensing device for sensing pressure which is adapted to provide an electrical indication of a sensed pressure. The pressure sensing device has a top lamination, a middle lamination, and a bottom lamination. A pressure sensor is located within an aperture defined in the middle lamination. First and a second electrical connectors, being exposed by the aperture, make electrical connection with the pressure sensor when pressure or compression is applied to the pressure sensing device. An output electrical signal indicative of the applied pressure is produced when the pressure sensor has electrical contact with the electrical conductors.

Abstract: There is provided a trocar button having an enlarged flat head at the larger exterior end connecting with a conical body and a pointed bulbous end. The large part of the conical body connects with the enlarged flat head. Between the small part of the conical body and the pointed bulbous end there is a neck. In the body of the trocar button including the enlarged flat head, the conical body, the neck, and part of the pointed bulbous end, there is a cavity. With the removal of the pointed bulbous end at the neck, there is created a through passageway in the trocar button. A needle attached to a syringe, can be inserted in the through passageway and into the interior of the cadaver. Then, an embalming fluid can be forced through the needle and into the interior of the cadaver. Also, the through passageway allows gas in the cadaver to escape. Further, if there be a liquid in the cadaver some of that liquid can collect in the passageway. On the exterior of the conical body there is a thread.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a frenum lock, also know as a natural expression former, for use by morticians. The improvement of this invention is the increased thickness of the central area or the medial area of the frenum lock and the decreased thickness of the peripheral areas, i.e., spaced end or wing area, of the frenum lock. As a result, there is more rigidity in the medial area of the subject frenum lock and more flexibility in the peripheral areas or wing ends of the frenum lock. This makes it easier for the mortician to insert and to position the frenum lock between the lips and the gums of the cadaver for the cadaver to have a natural appearance.

Abstract: An electrical transmission control mechanism for shifting a transmission of a machine is provided. The control mechanism includes a control assembly that has rotational motion. A plurality of contactless sensors detect the amount of rotational movement of the control assembly and responsively produce signals that are indicative of a desired speed and/or direction of the transmission. A coupling arrangement couples the rotational motion of the control assembly to the contactless sensors to isolate the contactless sensors from mechanical loading that is imposed on the control assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ride control 100 for a machine having an implement and a hydraulic lift cylinder. The hydraulic lift cylinder is adapted for moving the implement to and between a plurality of positions. The ride control is controllable between a RIDE CONTROL ON mode, a RIDE CONTROL OFF mode and a RIDE CONTROL PROGRAM mode. In the RIDE CONTROL ON mode, the ride control connects and disconnects an accumulator from the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit as a function of machine velocity. In the RIDE CONTROL OFF mode, the ride control disconnects the accumulator from the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit. In the RIDE CONTROL PROGRAM mode, the ride control sets the threshold for activation of the ride control to the current machine velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a variable displacement motor of a hydrostatic transmission is provided. The apparatus includes an engine, and a hydraulic pump mechanically coupled to the engine. The variable hydraulic motor includes an output shaft. The apparatus monitors rotational speed of the output shaft. The apparatus and method control motor displacement and detect and/or predict the occurrence of an overspeed condition. The displacement of the motor is modified if an overspeed condition is predicted and/or detected.

Abstract: A drill string in a fluid-filled borehole acts as a waveguide for an extensional wavefield that is generated in the drill string when it is excited by the vibrations of a drill bit secured to the lower end of the drill string. The waveguide acts as a distributed acoustic energy source which initiates head waves in the surrounding formation. The head waves are detected at one or more discrete locations near the surface of the earth. The extensional wavefield is detected by a sensing means mounted at the top of the drill string. The detected head waves are cross-correlated with the detected extensional waves to create a cross-correlogram which may be displayed.

Abstract: Implement draft control devices are typically utilized on agricultural vehicles such as tractors and on other earthworking type vehicles. Advantageously, such control systems should respond quickly to changing soil conditions, while remaining stable so that the hitch and implement systems do not oscillate or are not changed in a rapid or erratic fashion. The instant embodiment of a draft control system includes a control system that receives hitch position control signals and engine acceleration signals, and controllably modifies the hitch position control signals in response to the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the engine. By utilizing engine acceleration and deceleration rates as opposed to mere changes in engine speed, the system is able to respond quickly to needed changes in implement depth while remaining stable during operation.

Abstract: The invention is a method for improving quality of seismic data generatd with a source positioned substantially at the lower end of a drill string within a wellbore. A pilot signal is detected at the upper end of the drill string for cross-correlation with signals detected by field sensors positioned at the earth's surface displaced from the wellbore. Noise is reduced in the pilot signal by detecting the noise wih a sensor positioned to be sensitive to the noise but substantially insensitive to the acoustic signal transmitted up the drill string from the source. The frequency band within which there is high coherence between the energy in the noise signal and the pilot signal is determined. The noise signal is then amplified by a factor equal to the average ratio of the energy amplitude of the pilot signal to the noise signal within this frequency band, and this weighted noise signal is substracted from the pilot signal to reduce the noise in the pilot signal.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of geophysical exploration wherein a signal is generated at the lower end of a drill string and propagates into the earth and up said drill string. The signal is detected at the top of said drill string and at other locations substantially at the earth's surface. The signal detected at the top of the drill string is utilized to develop an operator to reduce the magnitude of drill string multiples in the signal detected by the field sensors.

Abstract: The invention is a method of determining the acoustic velocity of a drill string in a borehole. An acoustic signal is generated at a first location along the drill string, and detected at a second location. The detected signal is autocorrelated and the time of occurrence of multipath reflections on the autocorrelation record is utilized to determine acoustic velocity.

Abstract: A magnetic shunt device for use in a Hall effect sensor application wherein the shunt device is positioned and located relative to the Hall effect element and is shaped and dimensioned so as to shield and null the influence of the magnetic field when such field is substantially parallel to the sensitive plane of the Hall effect element. The present shunt device ensures that the null output voltage of the Hall effect element in a particular sensor application is consistent for a large number of such sensors despite misalignment problems and mechanical uncertainties in accurately arranging the magnetic devices that generate the magnetic field relative to the Hall effect element at the null or “no action” position of the sensor. The present device also obviates the requirement to use additional electronic circuitry to adjust the output voltage of the Hall effect element at the null or “no action” position.