Abstract:
A low power, lightweight, collapsible and rugged antenna positioner for use in communicating with geostationary, geosynchronous and low earth orbit satellite. By collapsing, invention may be easily carried or shipped in a compact container. May be used in remote locations with simple or automated setup and orientation. Azimuth is adjusted by rotating an antenna in relation to a positioner base and elevation is adjusted by rotating an elevation motor coupled with the antenna. Manual orientation of antenna for linear polarized satellites yields lower weight and power usage. Updates ephemeris or TLE data via satellite. Algorithms used for search including Clarke Belt fallback, transponder/beacon searching switch, azimuth priority searching and tracking including uneven re-peak scheduling yield lower power usage. Orientation aid via user interface allows for smaller azimuth motor, simplifies wiring and lowers weight. Tilt compensation, bump detection and failure contingency provide robustness.
Abstract:
A manual locking clamp is disclosed. The manual locking clamp includes a base and a handle pivotally connected to the base. The manual locking clamp also includes a locking lever connected to the handle. The locking lever including a first locking orifice and a second locking orifice along with a fulcrum orifice and a pivot orifice. The locking lever is capable of being used on any known manual clamp, including pull action clamps, hold down action clamps, straight line action clamps, and any other known manual action clamps.
Abstract:
Calibration structure, method, and code for correcting non-orthogonal misalignment of a computer-generated image that is projected onto a large screen touch-detecting display, so that a computer-generated image appears substantially where the display is touched. Structure/method/code generates at least four calibration marks, respectively, substantially proximate four corners of a projected image to be displayed on the display. Structure/method/code, responsive to a touch on the large screen touch-detecting display where each of the four calibration marks is displayed, identifies horizontal and vertical coordinates of each touched location. Structure/method/code calibrates the projected image to the display after the four calibration marks have been touched. Structure/method/code, responsive to another touch on the display after calibration, displays a computer image substantially at the location of the another touch.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for anesthetizing a region of a patient's body. The method includes identifying a target nerve which, upon activation, anesthetizes a region of a patient's body including a surgical site. The target nerve is located and an active site of a nerve blocking apparatus is placed in proximity to the nerve. The nerve blocking apparatus is activated to block neural propagation along the nerve. The activation of the nerve blocking apparatus is maintained during a surgical procedure at the surgical site.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for delivering repetitive, precision, low volume liquid dispensing from a dispensing orifice of a non-contact liquid dispensing apparatus. An elongated communication passageway of the dispensing apparatus is defined by interior walls having one end in fluid communication with a system fluid reservoir and an opposite end terminating at the dispensing orifice. A system fluid is placed in the communication passageway extending substantially continuously from the system fluid reservoir to the dispensing orifice. The system fluid reservoir is pressurized at a substantially constant back pressure, with a pressurizing gas, preferably helium, that suppresses in-gassing, and that is substantially insoluble to the system liquid. A dispensing liquid is aspirated through the dispensing orifice and into the communication passageway substantially to an interface region with the system fluid contained in the communication passageway. To effect dispensing, a rapid pressure pulse with a predetermined pulse width is applied to the system fluid, enabling substantially accurate, relatively small volume, non-contact liquid dispensing of the dispensing liquid from the dispensing orifice.
Abstract:
A new and improved method for marketing to customers based upon incoming telephone calls is herein disclosed. A marketing method for use with a broadcast featuring multiple performers for whom at least one audience member may vote, the vote being based upon a performer's performance, the vote being communicated by an electronic device includes receiving the vote from at least one audience member, the vote being cast for at least one of the performers, capturing contact information for the audience member who cast the vote, identifying the contact information with the performer, and communicating a marketing offer to the audience member, the marketing offer related to the performer.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed that involves providing a sheet of thermoplastic belt material having a first end with a first radius of curvature, providing a mandrel having a second radius of curvature that is no more than 12% larger or smaller than the first radius of curvature, wrapping the sheet of thermoplastic belt material on the mandrel to form a material overlap region, and welding the material overlap region to form a seamed belt. In one embodiment, instead of cutting the belt to length, the material is then continued to be wrapped around the mandrel, forming a belt material overlap, and held under tension. As the ultrasonic welding horn is traversed across the width of the belt overlap, the horn not only joins the belt material wrapped around the mandrel but, as the trailing edge is held under tension, the horn also separates or severs the trailing edge of the material from the welded seam. A seamed belt is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method includes periodically over a given day comparing an actual status for a casino player station with a current target status for the casino player station. The actual status for the casino player station specifies an actual game presentation operating at the casino player station at the particular time. A modification command is issued to the casino player station in the event that the current target status for the casino player station does not match the actual status for the casino player station. In response to the modification command, a target game presentation is launched at the casino player station. This target game presentation is specified by the current target status for the casino player station and is different from the actual game presentation specified by the actual status for the casino player station. The method thus facilitates configuration changes in the various player stations in a gaming system to ensure the desired game presentations are available to players.
Abstract:
A method and system for conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network, conducting a first portion of the session in a broadcast mode, and conducting a second portion of the session in an open mode. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes the dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and wherein the network conducts the first portion of the session in the broadcast mode and the second portion of the session in the open mode.
Abstract:
A system detects for the presence of an identification (ID) code associated with an object. The detected ID code is communicated to a computer and power is provided to an energy consumption device. In response to detecting that the ID code has been absent for less than a first duration, an indication of the absence of the ID code is communicated to the computer and energy is withheld from the energy consumption device. If, however, the ID code has been absent for more than the first duration and motion is detected in a field of view, an intruder indication is communicated to the computer if the presence of the ID code is not detected within a second duration. However, if motion is not detected in the field of view, power is provided or withheld from the energy consumption device as a function of an ambient temperature of an environment.