Type composing apparatus is disclosed as including means for representing its binary code a series of characters, means for generating a relative width value for each character, means for representing a succession of point size factors, one for each character, and means for multiplying a relative width value assigned to each character by a point size factor for that character. The means for multiplying associated pairs of relative width values and point size factors is disclosed as comprising a memory having stored therein products of relative width values and point size factors. Means are shown for addressing and extracting from the memory an adjusted width value and point size factor. The means for generating a relative width value for each character is depicted as including a read-only integrated circuit memory having permanently stored therein at mutually exclusive addresses a relative width value for each of the characters. One embodiment of a photocomposing machine is disclosed.

An apparatus and a method of compensating for an I/Q imbalance in a direct up-conversion system prevents the performance of the system from being deteriorated by efficiently compensating for an I/Q timing skew, an I/Q phase imbalance, and an I/Q gain imbalance by using a characteristic of an OFDM scheme in an Orthogonal Frequency Domain Multiple (Access) (OFDM(A)) system using a direct up-conversion scheme. According to the apparatus and the method of compensating for an I/Q imbalance in the direct up-conversion system of the present invention, an OFDM(A) system using a direct up-conversion scheme may efficiently compensate for I/Q timing skew, I/Q phase imbalance, and I/Q gain imbalance by using a characteristic of an OFDMA scheme, so that a performance of the system is prevented from being deteriorated.

A method of transmitting a training signal in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system includes generating one or more first training signals for a first destination station and one or more second training signals for a second destination station by applying a mapping matrix P to a training signal generation sequence, mapping the first training signals and the second training signals to a plurality of antennas according to an antenna mapping matrix, and performing Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) on each of the first training signals and the second training signals mapped to the plurality of antennas and transmitting the training signals through the plurality of antennas.

A carrier frequency offset compensation method for a communication system is provided. The method includes: mixing, filtering and interpolating an input signal according to a mixing parameter, a first filtering parameter and a first interpolation parameter, respectively, to generate a processed result; calculating a carrier frequency offset estimation value of the input signal according to the processed result; adjusting the mixing parameter according to the carrier frequency offset estimation value; and mixing, filtering and interpolating the input signal according to the adjusted mixing parameter, a second filtering parameter and a second interpolation parameter, respectively. The first interpolation parameter is associated with a cut-off frequency corresponding to the first filtering parameter.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for receiving paging messages in fast fading scenarios. In one aspect, a method of demodulating a paging message during an assigned time slot by a wireless communications apparatus operating in an idle mode is provided. The method includes determining, in anticipation of the assigned time slot, an expected time position corresponding to a path of a pilot signal having a greater signal strength relative to other pilot signals. The method further includes assigning a first demodulation element to demodulate the pilot signal with reference to the expected time position and assigning a second demodulation element to demodulate the pilot signal with reference to a time offset from the expected time position. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

A communication apparatus with a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) channel, includes a minimum mean square error (MMSE) detector configured to estimate quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbols based on signals received through the MIMO channel. The apparatus further includes a QAM demodulator configured to demodulate the estimated QAM symbols, and estimate a first posterior probability of each of encoded bits of the estimated QAM symbols, and a first module configured to remove a first prior probability of each of the encoded bits from the first posterior probability to generate soft estimates of the encoded bits. The apparatus further includes a channel decoder configured to decode the encoded bits based on the soft estimates, and generate an improved posterior probability of each of the encoded bits, and a second module configured to generate a second prior probability of each of the encoded bits based on the improved posterior probability.

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process that includes adjusting a filter in electrical communication between an input terminal and a demodulator. The filter is applied to an information bearing signal, e.g., to mitigate interference, received at the input terminal, resulting in a filtered signal. An error signal is received, indicative of errors detected within information obtained by demodulation of a modulated carrier of the filtered signal. A modified filter state is determined in response to the error signal and the filter is adjusted according to the modified filter state, e.g., to improve mitigation of the interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A data transmission apparatus disposed within two network layers operative at different data rates is provided. The data transmission apparatus is coupled to a clock generator which provides a reference clock for a lower network layer and is coupled to a frequency synthesizer with an integer division factor that generates a divided clock for an upper network layer according to the reference clock and the integer division factor. The data transmission apparatus includes a first processing circuit and a second processing circuit. The first processing circuit corresponding to the upper network layer receives and transmits data by using the divided clock as its operation frequency. The second processing circuit corresponding to the lower network layer receives and transmits data from the first processing circuit by using the reference clock as an operation frequency for encoding data. The divided clock is generated from the frequency synthesizer with the integer division factor.

A method and apparatus prioritizing video information during coding and decoding. Video information is received and an element of the video information, such as a visual object, video object layer, video object plane or keyregion, is identified. A priority is assigned to the identified element and the video information is encoded into a bitstream, such as a visual bitstream encoded using the MPEG-4 standard, including an indication of the priority of the element. The priority information can then be used when decoding the bitstream to reconstruct the video information.

In a wireless network, plural downlink signals from plural base stations are transmitted to a terminal. The plural downlink signals all carry the same information to the terminal. The terminal provides feedback on the downlink channels. The feedback provides information on the taps of the channels. The amount of information fed back is constrained. Based on the feedback, transmission parameters of the downlink signals are adjusted. The process of transmitting, providing feedback, and adjusting the parameters continue so that the energy of the downlink signal is enhanced at the terminal location and suppressed elsewhere. Beam forming can be used to further suppress the energy signature at locations other than the terminal location.

A method of calibrating an envelope tracking system for a supply voltage for a power amplifier module within a radio frequency (RF) transmitter module. The method includes deriving a mapping function between an instantaneous envelope of a waveform signal to be amplified by the power amplifier module and the power amplifier module supply voltage to achieve a constant power amplifier module gain based on a gain compression factor, setting an envelope tracking path of the transmitter module into an envelope tracking mode in which mapping between the instantaneous envelope of the waveform signal and the power amplifier module supply voltage is performed using the derived mapping function, applying a training signal comprising an envelope that varies with time to the RF transmitter module, measuring a battery current, modifying the gain compression factor based on the measured battery current, and re-deriving the mapping function based on the modified gain compression factor.

Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO)-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication is provided which allows high accuracy estimation of frequency offset, high accuracy estimation of a transmission path fluctuation and high accuracy synchronization/signal detection. Pilot symbol mapping is provided for forming pilot carriers by assigning orthogonal sequences to corresponding subcarriers among OFDM signals which are transmitted at the same time from respective antennas in the time domain. Even when pilot symbols are multiplexed among a plurality of channels (antennas), this allows frequency offset/phase noise to be estimated with high accuracy.

Transmission quality is improved in an environment in which direct waves dominate in a transmission method for transmitting a plurality of modulated signals from a plurality of antennas at the same time. All data symbols used in data transmission of a modulated signal are precoded by hopping between precoding matrices so that the precoding matrix used to precode each data symbol and the precoding matrices used to precode data symbols that are adjacent to the data symbol in the frequency domain and the time domain all differ. A modulated signal with such data symbols arranged therein is transmitted.

In this VSWR measurement circuit, a power measurement unit measures the power level of a reflected signal which is included in a feedback signal which has been extracted at a second CPL which has been deployed at a position connecting to an antenna end via a cable. To this end, the VSWR measurement circuit is provided with a main signal component removal circuit, wherein the main signal which has been extracted from the prestage of a digital pre-distortion circuit, and a signal in which the feedback signal that had been extracted at the second CPL has been converted to a digital signal at an A/D CONV, are provided as inputs, the main signal component included in the feedback signal is removed, and only the reflected signal is extracted so as to be output to the power measurement unit.

An image processing apparatus includes a system managing unit configured to manage an apparatus status of apparatus hardware; an acquiring unit configured to acquire application status information of an application from the application and apparatus status information from the system managing unit; an input unit configured to accept a display request for displaying a status monitor screen indicating an overall system status; a screen generating unit configured to receive the display request and generate the status monitor screen based on the application status information and the apparatus status information acquired by the acquiring unit, the status monitor screen including an application status display and an apparatus status display; and a display unit configured to display the status monitor screen generated by the screen generating unit.

A display apparatus includes a display section, a display control section, a distance detection section, and a coordinate detection section. The display section has a display area in which a selection image is displayed. When the selection image is formed by a plurality of images hierarchically associated with one another, the display control section displays consecutively the images configuring the selection image in accordance with the hierarchical association. The distance detection section detects a spatial distance between a pointer and the display area. The coordinate detection section detects coordinates which correspond to a position of the pointer. The display control section displays, together with a specified image displayed at a position corresponding to the coordinates detected by the coordinate detection section, related images in an immediately lower level in the hierarchy associated with the specified image, when the spatial distance detected is shorter than a preset threshold distance.

A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of pixels including a first pixel. The first substrate includes first openings through which a light is transmitted. The pixels are disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first pixel includes a first flexible electrode, a second flexible electrode, and a shutter including second openings and disposed between the first and second flexible electrodes. The first flexible electrode receives a first voltage. The second flexible electrode receives a second voltage different from the first voltage. The shutter receives a third voltage. The shutter moves to the first flexible electrode or the second flexible electrode according to a level of the third voltage, thereby controlling the position of the second openings relative to the first openings to control the transmission of the light.

A proof information processing apparatus adds a plurality of types of annotative information to a proof image by use of a plurality of input modes for inputting respective different types of annotative information. A proof information processing method is carried out by using the proof information processing apparatus. A recording medium stores a program for performing the functions of the proof information processing apparatus. An electronic proofreading system includes the proof information processing apparatus and a remote server. At least one of input modes including a text input mode, a stylus input mode, a color information input mode, and a speech input mode is selected depending on characteristics of an image in a region of interest which is indicated.

An adjusting method includes steps of providing a display apparatus, transforming a first value in a first color space of a color displayed by the display apparatus into a second value in a second color space, adjusting the second value to a third value in the second color space, and transforming the third value into a fourth value in the first color space. By adjusting the second value to the third value in the second color space intuitively, the present invention achieves the advantages of providing an intuitive operation, simplifying the adjustment, saving time and enhancing the user experiences.

A method and apparatus for shader data repair utilizing a Redundant Shader Switch (RSS). The RSS consists of an input and output section whereby when a defective shader pipe is detected, the RSS multiplexes shader pipe data destined to the defective shader pipe to a redundant shader pipe array for processing. Once processed, the shader pipe data is multiplexed back to the RSS where the processed shader pipe data is directed to the corresponding output column of the RSS. The RSS contains delay pipes used to re-align and synchronize the repaired shader pipe data with output export data.

Generating a corrected electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation. The operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, presence or absence of an underground facility within a dig area. At least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed. First information relating to a location of the facility and/or the mark is received. Based at least in part on the first information, the location of the facility and/or the mark is represented to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. Second information relating to a corrected location of the facility and/or the mark is received. Based at least in part on the second information, the corrected location is represented to generate a corrected electronic visual representation of the operation. Third information relating to the corrected representation of the operation is transmitted and/or stored to generate the corrected electronic record of the operation.

A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.

Generating a digital-media-enhanced electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician. The locate and/or marking operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark is electronically rendered on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation. At least one digital media file representation of a corresponding digital media file relating to at least one aspect of the locate and/or marking operation or an environment of the dig area is also electronically rendered on the display device, so as to generate a digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation. Information relating to the digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the digital-media-enhanced electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation.

A display apparatus disclosed herein includes a plurality of pixel circuits, each having a plurality of switches configured to receive a driving signal of a predetermined period and to be controlled for opening and closing operation by the driving signal, a drive circuit configured to control the open/closed state of the switches, being operable to scan the pixel circuits and open and close the switches in periods independent of each other.

A transceiver includes an antenna, an impedance adjustment device, an RF (Radio Frequency) front-end circuit, a storage device, and a processor. The antenna receives an RF signal. The impedance adjustment device is coupled to the antenna, and includes a plurality of branch circuit with different impedance values and a switch module. The processor is coupled to the RF front-end circuit and controls the switch modules. In a comparison mode, the switch module selects to connect to the branch circuits individually, and the processor detects each RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indications) value corresponding to the branch circuit and records all of the RSSI values to the storage device respectively. In the comparison mode, the processor further compares the RSSI values to for highest one. Finally, the switch module selects the branch circuit corresponding to the highest RSSI value as a transmission branch.

A power supply apparatus includes a converter to convert AC power into DC power, an SMPS to convert the DC power into DC powers desired by loads, a capacitor to interconnect the converter and the SMPS, a PTC element connected to the converter, a first switch connected in parallel with the PTC element, and a second switch connected in series with the first switch. The method includes turning on the second switch to start charging of the capacitor, turning on the first switch to charge the capacitor to a target voltage level, and turning off both the first switch and second switch if a voltage across the capacitor rises over the target voltage level, to discharge the voltage across the capacitor so as to lower the voltage across the capacitor to the target voltage level or lower.

Embodiments of resonator circuits and modulating resonators and are described generally herein. One or more acoustic wave resonators may be coupled in series or parallel to generate tunable filters. One or more acoustic wave resonances may be modulated by one or more capacitors or tunable capacitors. One or more acoustic wave modules may also be switchable in a filter. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A variable filter includes, on a dielectric substrate including ground conductor, first resonator including a transmission line connected to input terminal, second resonator including a transmission line connected to output terminal, and coupling portion including a transmission line having one end connected to the first and second resonators and another end being an open end, or structure having one end connected to the first and second resonators, including a serial connection of a transmission line and a variable capacitor, another end of the variable capacitor connected to the ground conductor, and adjusting means capable of changing electric length, in the first and second resonators and the coupling portion, wherein pass band width can be changed by changing ratio of electric transmission length of the coupling portion to electric transmission lengths of transmission line including the coupling portion, and the first and second resonators.

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator and a SAW oscillator and an electronic apparatus including the resonator are to be provided. A SAW resonator includes: an IDT exciting a SAW using a quartz crystal substrate of Euler angles (−1.5°≦φ≦1.5°, 117°≦θ≦142°, 42.79°≦|ψ|≦49.57°); one pair of reflection units arranged so as allow the IDT to be disposed therebetween; and grooves acquired by depressing the quartz crystal substrate located between electrode fingers. When a wavelength of the SAW is λ, and a depth of the grooves is G, “0.01λ≦G” is satisfied.

A tuft carrier loading apparatus (10) for loading individual tufts (17) into tuft retention sites (9a) spaced along an elongate tuft carrier (9). The apparatus (10) includes a guide for guiding longitudinal movement of the tuft carrier along a path of travel and a plurality of individually and selectively operable tuft feeders (50) spaced along the path of travel, each tuft feeder (50) being operable when selected to feed an individual tuft to a tuft retention site (9a) of the tuft carrier (9). A driver (70) is drivingly connected to the tuft carrier (9) for moving the tuft carrier (9) along the path of travel, the driver (70) being operable to intermittently move the tuft carrier (9) through a series of successive positions whereat predefined tuft retention sites (9a) are moved temporarily into registry with each tuft feeder (50). A controller (60) is provided for controlling selection of the tuft feeders (50), the controller (60) being operable to actuate selected tuft feeders (50) to feed tufts to those tuft retention sites (9a) in registry therewith whilst the carrier (9) is located at each successive position. A detector is associated with each tuft retention site (9a) to detect the presence of a tuft. The driver (70), on detection of an absent tuft in a tuft retention site (9a) following actuation of one or more selected tuft feeders (50) resulting in failure to feed a tuft to the absent tuft retention site (9a), is operable to move the tuft carrier (9) into a position whereat the absent tuft retention site (9a) is moved temporarily back into registry with the or one selected tuft feeder (50) and the controller (60) re-actuates the selected tuft feeder (50) to feed a tuft to the absent tuft retention site (9a).

A golf swing practice apparatus which includes a rotating drum having an optical sensor mounted inside the drum that is capable of swiveling in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the drum and capable of detecting a change in swivel position or swivel angle; an elongated cord including a proximal end secured to the drum and a distal end secured to a golf ball; a base member having an impact area over which a user may swing a golf club; and a frame structure secured to the base member and to the rotating drum whereby the frame structure holds the rotating drum in an elevated position above the impact area.

A direct feeding apparatus for impedance matching of a wireless power transmission device includes a helical type resonator, and a feeding unit configured to directly feed power to a region having a relatively small current value as compared to a center of a conductive line of the resonator.

An apparatus for charging an automobile battery is presented. The device provides a surface charge with a time limited window in which to start a vehicle. Use of used batteries provides for environmentally effective manner in which to deal with the tremendous amount of used batteries that are discarded worldwide each year. The apparatus may optionally include a charging circuit to allow for recharging the used batteries. An LED display may be included to provide indication when a target battery has sufficient surface charge to warrant an attempt to start an engine. The apparatus is a small portable device that can be stored anywhere in a vehicle.

A charging apparatus including a charging unit adapted to charge, in a non-contact manner, an apparatus to be charged placed in a charging region, a detector adapted to detect a charged state of the apparatus to be charged placed in the charging region, and a controller adapted to change a mode of the apparatus to be charged to a mode that inhibits vibration, according to the charged state detected by the detector.

A battery fuel gauge apparatus comprises a current amplifier formed by a first transistor and a second transistor. Both transistors operate in the same operation conditions except that the second transistor has a smaller channel width in comparison with that of the first transistor. The first transistor is connected in series with a battery pack. The second transistor is connected in series with a sensing device. The sensing device comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. The first resistor has a positive temperature coefficient and the second resistor has a negative temperature coefficient.

An apparatus for minimizing self-discharge of a smart battery pack is provided. During initial storage of the smart battery pack (100), prior to be being charged, a self-discharge protection circuit (110) disables smart battery circuitry (130). A minimal current drain is maintained while the smart battery circuitry (130) is disabled. Upon coupling of the smart battery pack (100) to a charger, the protections circuit (110) enables the smart battery circuitry (130). Battery packs having to be shipped with partially drained cells as part of shipping precaution requirements are no longer faced with the additional drainage problem previously caused by the smart battery circuitry (130) during storage.

There is provided a battery module including: a power storage unit storing power; a first authentication unit carrying out first authentication via a first authentication route; a second authentication unit carrying out second authentication via a second authentication route; and a discharging control unit controlling discharging from the power storage unit to an external appliance, wherein the first authentication unit is operable, when the first authentication has succeeded, to share key information to be used in the second authentication with an authentication party for the second authentication, the second authentication unit carries out the second authentication using the key information shared with the authentication party, and the discharging control unit is operable, when the second authentication has succeeded, to permit discharging from the power storage unit.

An charging device includes: capacitors connected in series; a charging unit that charges the capacitors; bypass units, each respectively connects in parallel to each capacitors, wherein each bypass unit causes, when a charged voltage of any capacitor has reached a set voltage, a charging current to bypass the capacitor whose charged voltage has reached the set voltage; and a control unit that controls the charging unit to charge the capacitors in such a manner that, when a charging voltage of the any capacitor has reached the set voltage, the control unit causes the charging unit to reduce the charging current, and if a predetermined period has elapsed since the charging voltage has reached the set voltage, and if a charging voltage of any of the other capacitors has not reached the set voltage after the predetermined period, the control unit causes the charging unit to increase the charging current.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.

Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated using thermal energy obtained from: a combustion reaction; solar energy; a nuclear reaction; ocean water; geothermal energy; or thermal energy recovered from an industrial process. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material. The heat source used to heat the material can be: a combustion apparatus; a solar thermal collector; or a component of a furnace exhaust device. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be a device for extracting thermal energy from the earth, the sun, ocean water, an industrial process, a combustion reaction or a nuclear reaction. A vehicle is also described which comprises an apparatus for converting heat to electrical energy connected to an electric motor.

A spooling apparatus includes a spool for holding wire, the spool having a wire-retaining section and end plates, the end plates having one or more apertures. A conductive plate is positioned on an end plate of the spool opposite the wire-retaining section, and at least one conductive extension that extends through a corresponding aperture of the end plate such that the conductive extension is adjacent to the wire retaining section. Wire is spooled onto the wire-retaining section, at least a portion of the wire being uninsulated and in electrical contact with the conductive extensions of the conductive plate.

A cord storage apparatus includes an electric motor configured to retract a power reception cord to be connected to an external power supply and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the power reception cord is retracted away from the ground when the power reception cord is connected to the external power supply and control the electric motor to stop retracting the power reception cord when the power reception cord is retracted away from the ground.

A method of assembling a syngas cooler is provided. The method includes coupling a supply line within a cooler shell, coupling a heat transfer panel within the cooler shell, and coupling a heat transfer enclosure within the cooler shell such that the heat transfer enclosure substantially isolates the heat transfer panel from the cooler shell. A manifold is coupled in flow communication with the supply line, the heat transfer enclosure, and the heat transfer panel.

An improved method of making a baked pastry, particularly, a shell or wrap for a samosa from a pastry dough in a convection baking oven having a convection atmosphere, the method comprising baking the dough in the oven at a baking temperature for a baking period of time, the improvement having the convection atmosphere with a sufficiently moist atmosphere for the duration of the baking time to prevent the pastry from becoming dry.

An apparatus for generating electric pulses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator or oscillator for charging a storage capacitor and a control circuit for controlling the discharge of the capacitor through an output or discharge circuit which includes a controllable switch device and two output terminals or electrodes. In an embodiment, the output circuit also includes a high voltage output pulse transformer.Whenever a load resistance exists or occurs between the two output electrodes, a particular detector current will flow through the load resistance and through a specific detector or load sensing circuit in the apparatus. This detector current indicating that an external load resistance is present, will automatically start the charging generator which then will operate to charge and recharge the storage capacitor as long as the detector current exists, i.e. as long as the external load is present.

A self-defense apparatus includes a battery-powered source of high voltage arranged in an insulated housing and a finger probe device which is strapped to one finger of one hand of the user and is electrically connected to the source of high voltage. The finger probe device includes a layer of electrical insulation disposed between the finger and two metal prongs which protrude outwardly adjacent the distal end of the finger. One prong couples to the hot side of the source of high voltage and the other prong couples to the ground side of the source of high voltage. A two conductor cable connects the two prongs to the source of high voltage and when both prongs are placed in contact with an electrically conductive surface, they deliver in excess of 1,200 volts.

A self-defense apparatus includes a battery-powered source of high voltage arranged in an insulated housing and a finger probe device which is strapped to one finger of one hand of the user and is electrically connected to the source of high voltage. The finger probe device includes a layer of electrical insulation disposed between the finger and two metal prongs which protrude outwardly adjacent the distal end of the finger. One prong couples to the hot side of the source of high voltage and the other prong couples to the ground side of the source of high voltage. A two-conductor cable connects the two prongs to the source of high voltage and when both prongs are placed in contact with an electrically conductive surface, they deliver in excess of 1,200 volts.

The present invention provides an apparatus and process for making softgel capsules having incorporated therein other solid dosage forms selected from the group consisting of pellets, smaller capsules, smaller tablets, sustained release solid dosage forms, immediate release solid dosage forms, extended release solid dosage forms and zero order release solid dosage forms, said apparatus comprising: (a) two spreader boxes; (b) two casting drums; (c) a pair of rotary dies having means for suction; (d) a liquid fill system; (e) a wedge for heating gelatine ribbons and feeding said fill; and (f) two lateral dispensing devices said lateral dispensing devices including hoppers having said solid dosage forms, channelguides for transporting said solid dosage forms and a grasping claw for dispensing said solid dosage form into the softgel pocket formed in the rotary dies.