Abstract:
A modular apparatus and method of varying the playability and tonal characteristics of a stringed instrument such as an acoustic or electric guitar which is commonly provided with a body and a fretboard to the instrument's neck. The modular apparatus includes a longitudinal rail, accessible fasteners, intermediary spacer blocks and a plurality of adjustable and removable frets. The rail is configured to connect with the neck of the stringed instrument and to provide a base for the frets. The frets are configured to move as needed within apertures within the rail. The frets are also configured to receive and support the instrument's strings. The frets are selectively adjustable relative to the rail by the user to change the tonal and playability characteristics of the instrument.
Abstract:
A microprocessor-controlled beverage dispenser is disclosed, which provides a cold plate having disposed therein beverage lines and refrigerant lines. The refrigerant lines may be connected to a cooling or refrigeration system, including a heat exchanger. The beverage lines may be connected to a beverage supply for dispensing a desired beverage. Valves and pressure sensors in the refrigerant line are engaged with a microprocessor. If the temperature falls below a desired value, then the cooling system is shut off. This permits the microprocessor to closely control the temperature of the beverage being dispensed.
Abstract:
A dust mask, the dust mask being lightweight, disposable and configured for a human face, the dust mask further being substantially continuous, and unitary if desired, and sized and configured to extend from ear to ear and to cover all of and substantially only a mouth, nose and ears, the mask further configured to transmit air inhaled by or exhaled by the user yet substantially completely block at least dust from reaching the nose, mouth and ears of the user. The mask can be further configured to substantially completely block at least one undesired air-borne contaminant in addition to dust and can comprise a central portion covering the user's nose and mouth and two earpieces seamlessly attached to the central portion. The mask can further comprise a pliable, resilient nose bridge that can be adjusted to conform to the nose of the user as well as a variety of other structural elements and configurations.
Abstract:
A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, estimating a length of a network connection, determining whether the estimated network connection length deviates from a predetermined threshold range, modifying one or more signal characteristics when it is determined that the estimated network connection length deviates from the predetermined threshold range are provided.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes one or more notification circuits for powering devices for alerting personnel of certain conditions and a power supply path for the one or more notification circuits modeled according to a specification, and a battery backup power supply connected to the one or more notification circuits having circuitry that boosts an output voltage of the battery backup power supply such that the devices of the one or more notification circuits as modeled are provided with a working voltage and current. In addition, a method includes modeling one or more notification circuits for powering devices for alerting personnel of certain conditions and a power supply path for the one or more notification circuits according to a specification, and boosting the output of a battery backup power supply connected to the power supply path such that the devices are provided with at least a working voltage and current as modeled.
Abstract:
A heat pump device in which a temperature difference is established between two heat exchangers by inducing cyclical expansion and compression pulses in a working fluid vapour or gas which passes through an adsorbent porous solid located between the heat exchangers.
Abstract:
A system and an apparatus for use in detecting a target microorganism or agent is disclosed which involves a solid support carrying a binding partner specific for the particular microorganism or agent and the solid support being characterised in that it defines means for protecting the binding partner from being dislodged or scraped off the solid support by physical means. The provision of protection against the binding partner being dislodged from or scraped off the solid support improves the reliability of tests such as immunoassays being conducted with the solid support and also enables such tests to be automated. Modules and machines for use with the solid support, and the automated conduct of tests ate also disclosed.
Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner comprising a floor-engaging unit having a suction inlet, an upright body mounted to said floor-engaging unit and including means for creating a suction and means for separating and collecting dirt from an airstream drawn in by said suction, a unit having a handle and a tubular portion extending from said handle, said tubular portion forming a suction inlet and being coupled to said body via a flexible hose, and said tubular portion being attachable to said body with said handle projecting for the user to grasp for manoeuvring the cleaner over the floor, wherein said tubular portion comprises first and second tubes which are telescopically coupled together to enable said tubular portion to be extended when detached from said body.
Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preserving connection/position data integrity during reinitialization of serialization information in a file server. The apparatus includes a completion rights module, a completion termination module, and a postponement module. The completion rights module grants a completion right to a sensitive process, which is characterized by an associated period of data instability. The completion termination module terminates a grant of the completion right to the sensitive process in anticipation of a reinitialization of a file server. The completion right may be terminated after the connection/position data is stable or, if necessary, in response to completion of a time out period. The postponement module postpones the reinitialization of the file server and the serialization information until after the completion rights are terminated. The apparatus, system, and method advantageously maintain the connection/position data stable during the file server reinitialization so that the connection/position data may be reliably used to rebuild the serialization information.