Abstract: A time-series signal input section 205 inputs a time-series signal whose on state and off state are repeated alternately. A similar rhythm search section 206 searches a plurality of pieces of rhythm data stored in a data storage section for rhythm data having the same fluctuation pattern as or a similar fluctuation pattern to the time-series signal input to the time-series signal input section 205. A music-associated information storage section 204 stores music-associated information associated with the piece of music corresponding to the rhythm data in association with the rhythm data. A search result generation section 207 generates the search result using the music-associated information (information of title, etc.,) stored in association with the found rhythm data and outputs the search result through a search result output section 208.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play). The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples.

Abstract: A piece of computer software that runs along-side a computer based music recording studio environment to assist a live performer. When this software receives a MIDI Controller Message sent by the performer, it instructs the computer based studio package to close the previous studio setup and load a different pre-saved studio setup as determined by the Controller message.

Abstract: An improved guitar and accompaniment apparatus featuring an electronic means configured to permit playback of a variety of accompaniment beats that may be selectively accessed and manipulated by the guitar player.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is fabricated on the basis of an acoustic piano, and an automatic player is expected to give rise to key motion for reenacting performance with solenoid-operated key actuators; since the hammers of acoustic piano are different in mass, the load against the key motion is also different among the keys; while the motion controller is forcing the keys to travel on reference key trajectories through a servo control loop, the motion controller takes the pitched part into account, and selectively accesses control parameter tables so as to read out the approximate control parameters for the individual keys, whereby the hammers surely reach the target final hammer velocity before striking the strings.

Abstract: A weapon system, especially for a ship, having a rocket launcher and an ammunition compartment for storing rocket containers designed to each accommodate at least one rocket. Disposed in the ammunition compartment is a guide mechanism on which at least two ammunition carriages, designed to accommodate the rocket containers, are displaceably disposed, whereby they can be shifted out of a parked position into a loading position in which the rocket container is disposed essentially below a slide-in structure of the rocket launcher. Securing mechanisms are provided for securing the ammunition carriages in place on the guide mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for easily, quickly and reliably attaching a noise suppressor or other auxiliary device to the muzzle end of a firearm barrel and for easily, quickly and reliably removing the noise suppressor or other auxiliary device there from through the novel ideal of providing two or more non equal relieved areas of thread. My invention also provides an internal o-ring to provide friction between the muzzle adaptor and the thread mount of a noise suppressor or other auxiliary device.

Abstract: A piston element, which has a piston element made of a single piece, one of the important parts of a gas operated shotgun enabling the shotgun to operate, and the piston rings assembled into the slots on the piston element. At least one female part connects with at least one male part, forming the piston element, in order to provide the piston element to be formed by screwing two parts to each other and positioning the piston ring between the same, and at least one sealing member positioned between the male and the female part.

Abstract: A piston pin for connecting the small connecting rod eye of a connecting rod to a piston of a combustion engine and a method for manufacturing the piston pin. The piston has boss bores aligned with the small connecting rod eye for receiving the piston pin. The surface of the piston pin is provided with a coating comprising a resin containing suspended solid lubricant particles.

Abstract: A dual-filter electrically enhanced air-filtration apparatus and method are described. One embodiment includes an upstream electrically enhanced filter; a downstream electrically enhanced filter; a first control electrode adjacent to an upstream side of the upstream electrically enhanced filter; a second control electrode adjacent to a downstream side of the downstream electrically enhanced filter; and an ionizing electrode disposed between the upstream and downstream electrically enhanced filters, the ionizing electrode having an electrical potential with respect to the first and second control electrodes. Optional field electrodes may be included to enhance the electric fields associated with the upstream and downstream electrically enhanced filters.

Abstract: A particle separator which broadly comprises: an inner wall, an outer wall and a splitter, wherein the inner and outer walls define an air intake passageway, and wherein the splitter is positioned between the inner and outer walls so as to define a scavenge air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway and a main air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway; the inner wall having a humped-shaped portion between the intake passageway and the main air flow passageway; the humped-shaped portion having a peak and a radius of curvature at any point on the hump-shaped portion of the inner wall after the peak corresponding to a degree of curvature of from about 30 to about 60 degrees; and a boundary layer control mechanism for providing active boundary layer control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway. Also provided is a method for providing active boundary layer flow control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway.

Abstract: A fixed-site-membrane comprising a support structure coated with crosslinked polyvinylamine, wherein the crosslinking agent is a compound comprising a fluoride. The membrane comprises water, such as by being swelled in water vapour. A process for producing the membranes, and the use of such membranes for separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas mixtures are disclosed.

Abstract: A solid-state composition having the general formula CuxAnLyZ, where: A is CO or an olefin and n=0 or n>0; L is an electrically neutral ligand and O<y<0; and Z is an anion bearing a charge x-. The solid-state composition can advantageously adsorb CO or an olefin in the presence of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of purifying a gas stream contaminated by CO2, hydrocarbons and/or nitrogen oxides, in particular a gas stream based on air or a syngas, by adsorption on a bed of aggregated zeolitic adsorbent based on an LSX zeolite or LSX and X zeolites, of which at least 90% of the exchangeable cationic sites of the LSX zeolite or of the LSX/X zeolite blend are occupied by sodium ions, and the inert binder of which represents at most 5% of the weight of the adsorbent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shell side contactor which is highly efficient for forming relatively high concentration of ozonated water comprising a shell containing perfluoroalkoxy resin thermoplastic hollow fibers used as a porous barrier. The perfluoroalkoxy resin comprises a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether or a tetrafluoroethyl-co-hexafluoropropylene (FEP) copolymer. The perfluoroalkoxy resin hollow fibers can be unskinned, skinned on their inner surface or skinned on their outer surfaces. The device is provided with spacer means for separating unpotted hollow fibers adjacent an inlet to the shell, thereby permitting liquid flow through the shell at desirably high flow rates with acceptable pressure drop through the shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an environmental control unit for use in air handling systems that provides highly effective filtration of noxious gases (such as ammonia). Such a filtration system utilizes novel metal-doped silica-based gels to trap and remove such undesirable gases from an enclosed environment. Such gels exhibit specific porosity requirements and density measurements. Furthermore, in order for proper metal doping to take effect, such gels must be treated while in a wet state. The combination of these particular properties and metal dopant permits highly effective noxious gas filtration such that uptake and breakthrough results are attained, particularly in comparison with prior silica gel filtration products. Also included is the presence of an oxidizing agent to aid in capturing nitrous oxide and preventing conversion of such a product to NO. Methods of using and specific filter apparatuses are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable pressure swing adsorption (“PSA”) oxygen generator with at least one partition board disposed inside its housing; an oil-free compressor and a control valve assembly are disposed in one of the separated space isolated by at least one fixing board and the at least one partition board; wherein a fan is disposed inclined or vertically on the partition board outside of the isolated space so that air can be blown into the isolated space directly by an air outlet of the fan. The present invention is built in compact structure with small size and light weight to carry and move, and works safely with a choice of three different types of power supplies, which enable the oxygen generator of the present invention to be used more widely than conventional ones.

Abstract: An environmental control for use in air handling systems that are required to provide highly effective filtration of noxious gases is provided. In one embodiment, a filtration system utilizes a novel combination of at least one metal-doped silica-based gel and zeolite materials to trap and/or modify, and remove such undesirable gases (such as ammonia, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and nitrous oxide, as examples) from an enclosed environment. The gel component exhibits specific porosity requirements and density measurements; the zeolite component is generally acidic and is preferably not reacted with any salts or like substances. The novel combination of such gels and zeolites permits highly effective noxious gas filtration over a wide range of known toxic industrial chemicals such that excellent breakthrough results are attained, particularly in comparison with prior media filtration products.

Abstract: An air shower device which prevents allergenic substances which cause hay fever from being brought into a living space, in which a person resides or carries out an activity, by an outside body. The air shower device includes a suction unit, which takes in outside air; an air blower unit having an air blower which blows air which has been taken in, at a specific air-flow rate and a filter which cleans by removing dust, including pollen, from air which is blown; and a dust collecting unit which collects dust, including pollen, from exhaust of an air shower room which includes the air blower unit. Further, the air shower device includes an air-flow rate control unit which controls the amount of air blown by an air blower according to an amount of pollen dispersed in the outside air.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a beverage from a beverage dispensing apparatus that includes a cartridge (13) and a beverage collecting unit (1) for dispensing a beverage from said cartridge to a beverage container. The beverage is dispensed from the cartridge to the container along at least two separate dispensers (5,7; 8,9) for dispensing a beverage from a cartridge.

Abstract: Food cooking surface for a kitchen utensil or cooking appliance, constituted by the surface of a compound fabricated starting from an alloy whose two principal components are zirconium and cobalt.

Abstract: A machine for toasting a marshmallow loaded on a pick and concurrently melting at least a portion of a chocolate bar provided on a separate support. A housing has an internal heat source, a rotatable pick holder shaped to removably and securely receive a pick and support the marshmallow in proximity to the heat source, and a coupling to rotate a so engaged pick. The coupling can be a manual control gearingly coupled to the pick holder. A moveable cover can support the heat source and place it in proximity with a marshmallow-bearing portion of the pick when in a closed position yet move aside for loading and unloading ingredients. A method for making s'mores toasts marshmallows while actively melting chocolate and provides for selective rotation of the marshmallow within the housing during the toasting step by moving a control that is safely disposed exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus is light, packable, compatible with back-country hiking, and is multi-functional for use over a heat source. An arm of the apparatus may elongate and shorten and may have an attachment system on the arm that allows the attachment of a plurality of food and drink holding attachments. The attachments may be coupled to a strap connected to a handle. The handle may include a compartment for holding parts of the apparatus or other articles so that the apparatus may be disassembled and stowed. A rotisserie mode enables rotation of food over an open flame. A rotisserie handle can be releasably coupled to the apparatus handle. The rotisserie handle can be placed in a locked condition to prevent rotation in a variety of cooking positions. A pivoting arm stabilizer enables cooking food to be horizontally pivoted to and from the heat source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sole for a bakery oven, wherein the bakery oven has at least one chamber for cooking baked products, Viennese bakery products, pastry products or similar. The inventive sole includes a woven mesh structure having wires and cables of stainless steel or similar. The invention also relates to a bakery oven having one such sole.

Abstract: A barbeque oven is provided with the capacity to cook a variety of food items. The barbeque oven of the present invention includes a cooking tray that is slideable between a first position, where the cooking tray is located substantially within the cooking chamber and the cooking tray is driven by a driving member, and a second position, where at least a portion of the cooking tray extends through an opening in the oven housing and the cooking tray is disengaged from the driving member such that the cooking tray freely rotates. As a result, unlike conventional barbeque ovens, an operator using the present invention need not bend over nor reach far to flip, rotate, or otherwise access the food items on the cooking tray.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity, a door, an input selection device provided on an exterior of the door, and a control panel provided in the door and operably coupled to the input selection device. The input selection device may include buttons which are illuminated by a light source provided with the control panel. A guide may be positioned between the control panel and the input selection device to guide the light generated by the light source to the input selection device and concentrate light on the buttons to illuminate the buttons. In this manner, the cooking apparatus may include a selection device on its door including buttons that are effectively illuminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) for pasteurisation thermal treatment of foodstuffs, particularly leaf products, comprising means (5a) for loading the product to be subjected to treatment and means (5b) for discharging the treated product, characterised in that it comprises a first treatment section (2) in which the product to be subjected to treatment is conveyed by said loading means (5a), said first treatment section (2) heating said product by a treatment fluid, so as to reduce starting concentration of thermo sensitive bacteric flora present in the same; and a second treatment section (3), provided in cascade with said first treatment section (2), said second treatment section (3) cooling the product by said treatment fluid, so as to stop growing of residual bacteric flora present.

Abstract: A food processor appliance for cutting food articles into a desired form, includes a housing having a feed chute; a pusher member for pushing food articles through the feed chute into the housing; a cutter device within the housing mounted for reciprocatory movements transversely across the outlet end of the feed chute for cutting food articles fed therethrough into the desired form; and an electrical drive unit including an electrical motor removable from the housing to facilitate cleaning the cutting device. The electrical drive unit includes an interlock electrical switch normally disabling the drive unit but actuatable to enable it, and the feed chute includes an actuator laterally thereof for actuating the interlock electrical switch, and thereby the drive unit, when the drive unit is located in its proper position the top wall of the housing.

Abstract: A method for transporting large quantities of convoluted, multiply bent, irregularly shaped, pieces of scrap metal from the location where they are produced to a remote location where the metal may be recycled, comprises flattening and temporarily binding together a batch of such pieces into an assembled wafer. The binding is produced by applying a compressive force of sufficient intensity to temporarily interconnect the pieces together but of insufficient intensity to interconnect the piece tightly enough to resist disassembly of the wafer upon impacting the assembled wafer. After the formation of a wafer comprising the interconnected numerous pieces, the wafer is transported to a remote site for recycling the metal. At such remote site, the wafer is disassembled into its constituent pieces by applying an impact to the wafer of sufficient intensity to cause the disengagement of the pieces for disassembling the wafer.

Abstract: A press machine is configured with an adjustable slide stroke length. The press machine comprises a frame, a crankshaft borne rotatably on the frame, a slide disposed under the crankshaft, a first lever swingably supported on the frame, a second lever swingably connected to the first lever through a first pin, a displacing mechanism for displacing the first pin, and a linear approximation mechanism that exerts a horizontal force to the first pin so as to convert a rotation of each eccentric portion of the crankshaft into an elevating motion of the slide.

Abstract: An optical system for use with printers and the like, printers incorporating such optical systems, methods for printing substrates and for inspection thereof are provided. The optical system may include one or more image capturing devices, and an image processing device for processing images captured by the image capturing devices to provide image data. The optical system is adapted for providing image data corresponding to at least two capture areas of substantially different dimensions on a common focusing plane or on different focusing planes of the optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing in a web-fed printing press is disclosed. A printing unit has several printing couples, where each printing couple includes a transfer cylinder, an inking system, and a dampening system, if applicable. Each printing couple includes a plate cylinder unit featuring at least two plate cylinders, where, when a plate cylinder of the plate cylinder unit is engaged on the transfer cylinder of the respective printing couple during a printing operation, the, or each, other plate cylinder of the corresponding plate cylinder unit is disengaged from the transfer cylinder of the respective printing couple.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a printing cylinder that is fitted with plates for printing the width of N pages. A web of material is printed and is then cut longitudinally, by an elongate cutting device, into printed webs. The number N of pages is a whole number that is divisible by three and the total width of N pages is less than the width of the printing cylinder. A width of N+1 pages is greater than the width of the printing cylinder. The elongate cutting device can be arranged, on one boundary, between a Kth and a Kth+1 page, wherein k is one third or two thirds of N. At least one of the resulting partial webs is guided through a former. The former is oriented so that the direction of travel of the web entering the former is transverse to the direction of web travel in the elongated cutting device. The former has a width that is equal to, or greater than two thirds of the width of the printing cylinder, but is less than the entire width of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering a rotary press (3) for a printing process, wherein “n” inking systems (Fn) each produce monochrome printed images (6) and print one on top of the other thereby producing n-colored printed images, wherein the images (6) of the printed material (1) are shot by at least one sensor station (S), information on the rotary movements of the printing plate cylinders (Dn) is recorded and the images (9) [sic: (6)] and the information are used to produce correction signals, which actuate the actuators of the printing plate cylinders (Dn) until the deviation of the monochrome images (6) of the respective inking systems (Fn) from a desired position on the material to be printed (1) lies within defined range of tolerance values.

Abstract: A note dispenser attached to an article with a wall for holding a note pad between the dispenser and the article wall. The dispenser has a front wall spaced from the article wall and defines a hole for providing access to notes from the note pad through the front wall. The dispenser has at least one sidewall extending from the front wall and toward the article wall. The sidewalls have an edge opposing the article wall so that the note pad is surrounded by the front wall, the article wall and the sidewalls. At least one sidewall is configured for engaging the article wall which connects the note dispenser to the article wall.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical printing element, comprising a hollow cylindrical core material (A) and a resin layer (B) or a resin layer (C). The hollow cylindrical core material (A) further comprises a photosensitive resin hardened layer (1) of 0.05 to 50 mm in thickness having a fiber-like, cloth-like, or film-like reinforcement material and the shore hardness D of 30 to 100°. The resin layer (B) is laminated on the hollow cylindrical core material (A), has a thickness of 0.1 to 100 mm, and allows a pattern to be formed on the surface thereof. The resin layer (C) has a pattern formed on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A handling device of a printing press, in particular for handling printing plates during an automated change of printing plates on a printing unit of a printing press, is disclosed. The handling device has a manipulator arm, where a manipulator head is allocated to one end of the manipulator arm, which head features a handling element, in particular a holding element for printing plates. The manipulator arm is of a multi-piece design of several segments, where a swivel axis is included on each end of each segment, around which axis at least the respective segment can be swiveled, and where a separate drive for providing the respective swivel motion is allocated to each swivel axis.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a printing plate change on a plate cylinder of a printing press is disclosed. The device includes a rolling element featuring several rollers for pressing at least one printing plate on the plate cylinder during a printing plate change. A strip bearing several alignment elements extends parallel to the rolling element, where a printing plate can be aligned true-to-register between every two adjacent alignment elements before the printing plate is clamped in a lockup slot of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: Images printed and transferred to plush fabric and a method for printing and transferring images to plush fabric are described. Through a dye-sublimation process, dye sublimation agents can be permanently embedded into the fibers of plush fabric. The dye-sublimation process allows for precise images, including images of photo quality or near-photo quality, to be transferred to the plush fabric. Pieces of the plush fabric can be combined and arranged to create, for example, a stuffed animal with an image that extends across the body and appendages of the animal.

Abstract: A gas generator including a plug (24) having a header part (45) and two or more electrode pins (22, 23), a thin-film bridge (25) having electrode pads (41, 42), and a squib (10) in which upon supply of electric current to the thin-film bridge (25) via the electrode pins (22, 23), the thin-film bridge (25) is activated to ignite ignition materials (26, 27), wherein the thin-film bridge (25) is arranged into a hollow (32) prepared at the plug (24) in such a manner that the thin-film bridge (25) is kept approximately on a level with the head (35) of the electrode pins (22, 23) and the header part (45) of the plug (24), the thin-film bridge (25) is connected by wire bonding to the electrode pins (22, 23) at the electrode pad parts (41, 42), and at least either of the electrode pad (41) or (42) of the thin-film bridge (25) is connected by the wire bonding to a metal part of the header part (45) of the plug (24).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are boosters that include components sufficient for wireless communications with an associated blasting machine. In selected aspects, there are disclosed wireless electronic boosters that are self-contained and robust. Such boosters are especially suited for underground mining operations, optionally employing automated placement of boosters at a blast site.

Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for generating high voltage (100s-1000s kV) and supplying high current (fractional to many tens of kilo-amperes), projecting a parallel, two wire electrical transmission line over a large distance (10s-100s m), or a single conductor in which the return path is the earth, which is capable of sustaining high voltages and conducting high currents, and landing the terminating terminals of the transmission line across a pre-defined target zone resulting in a low impedance closure of the electrical circuit causing high electrical current to flow. The applications for the present invention, which falls into a class of directed energy and/or non-lethal device, include: suppression of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and landmines; halting motorized platforms, including two and four wheeled motor vehicles and boats; damage and destruction of electronic systems; and destruction or incapacitation of electronic systems at substantial distances from a high voltage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fragmentable grenade (1) including an explosive charge (2) and a layer (4) of projectiles (5), which are elastically deformable and joined by bridges of material (6) produced by moulding together with the projectiles (5). The layer (4) surrounds the charge (2) and is designed for enabling the projectiles (5) to separate and disperse when the charge (2) explodes.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a weapon, said barrel assembly including a barrel; a plurality of projectile assemblies axially disposed in end to end abutting relationship within said barrel for operative sealing engagement with the bore of the barrel, each projectile including a projectile head and an integral cylindrical spacer portion extending axially and rearwardly from said projectile head; discrete propellant charges accommodated within said cylindrical spacer portion for propelling respective projectile assemblies sequentially through the muzzle of the barrel; ignition means for igniting said discrete propellant charges; and control means for selectively and sequentially actuating the ignition means.

Abstract: This invention relates to ammunition. More specifically, this invention is related to rimfire ammunition cartridges with heeled bullets, such as 0.22 long rifle ammunition cartridges. The invention extends to a heeled bullet for use in such ammunition.

Abstract: An inflator 10 of the present invention contains: a housing 12, a cold gas chamber 16 within the housing 12 for storage of a stored gas supply, a pyrotechnic chamber 18 within the housing 12, a pyrotechnic charge 20 within the pyrotechnic chamber 18, a wall 22 adjoining the cold gas and the pyrotechnic chambers 16, 18, a first orifice 24 defined in the wall 22 for passage of gas between the chambers, and a perforated flexible member 28 contained within the cold gas chamber 16, wherein the flexible member 28 is fixed about the orifice 24 for modulation or controlled variation of gas flow through the orifice 24.

Abstract: A method for forming a transparent hydrophobic self-cleaning coating material, comprising: providing particle precursors to form first particles; and reacting first particles with a low-surface-energy compound to form second particles, wherein the first particles are chemically bonded to the low-surface-energy compound and diameters of the second particles are less than 400 nm.

Abstract: A cementitious composition including cement, water, and a rheology modifying additive (RMA) is provided. The inclusion of the RMA improves the cementitiuous composition's response to vibration, and dampens out differences due to minor fluctuations in initial slump of the composition. The RMA may include a dispersant for cementitiuous compositions. The cementitious composition may optionally include other admixtures or additives known in the industry. A method for making the cementitious composition is also provided.

Abstract: A non-asbestos friction material not containing a heavy metal and a heavy metallic compound as the blending ingredients of the friction material is provided with graphite and coke in total from 5 to 25 vol % in volume of friction material. A volume ratio of the graphite/coke is preferably from 2/1 to 7/1. An average particle size of the coke is preferably from 150 to 400 ?m.