Author: claimsbot

1. An electromechanical horn device for dispersing or deterring an aggressive animal, comprising:
a housing having a hand grip portion so as to be hand-held;
a sound generating system in said housing including a piezoelectric speaker and a microcontroller operatively connected therewith;
an electrical power source in said housing connected with said piezoelectric speaker and said microcontroller for supplying power thereto; and
a push button on said housing coupled with an on-off switch mounted in said housing and operatively connected between said electrical power source and said sound generating unit to power said piezoelectric speaker and said microcontroller;
said microcontroller programmed to cause said piezoelectric speaker to generate a series of short, audible sound signals in a repetitive pattern, said generated sound signals having fundamental frequencies with associated harmonic component frequencies and decibel levels that fall within a frequency range of greatest hearing sensitivity of the animal.
2. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, wherein
the animal is a canine having greatest hearing sensitivity in a frequency range of from about 3 kHz to about 10 kHz.
3. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, wherein
said generated sound signals have fundamental frequencies with associated harmonic component frequencies that fall within a frequency range of from about 3 kHz to about 10 kHz, and decibel levels in a range of from about 75 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter.
4. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, wherein
said microcontroller is programmed to cause said piezoelectric speaker to generate a series of short, audible two-tone sound signals of different fundamental frequencies in a repetitive alternating pattern, wherein a first generated sound signal having a fundamental frequency with a second harmonic component frequency is followed by a second generated sound signal having a higher fundamental frequency with a second harmonic component frequency.
5. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 4, wherein
said first generated sound signal has a fundamental frequency in a range of from about 3 kHz to about 5 kHz, a decibel level in a range of from about 95 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter, and duration period in the range of from about 50 to 70 milliseconds, and said second harmonic component of said first generated sound signal is in a range of from about 6 kHz to about 10 kHz and has a decibel level in a range of from about 75 dB to about 95 dB (SPL) at 1 meter; and
said second generated sound signal has a fundamental frequency in the range of from about 6 kHz to about 10 kHz, a decibel level in the range of from about 75 dB to about 95 dB (SPL) at 1 meter, and duration period in the range of from about 50 to 70 milliseconds.
6. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 4, wherein
said first generated sound signal has a fundamental frequency of about 4 kHz, a decibel level in a range of from about 95 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter, and duration period in the range of about 65 milliseconds, and said second harmonic component of said first generated sound signal is about 8 kHz and has a decibel level in a range of from about 75 dB to about 95 dB (SPL) at 1 meter; and
said second generated sound signal has a fundamental frequency of about 4.5 kHz, and a decibel level in the range of from about 95 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter, a duration period in the range of about 65 milliseconds, and said second harmonic component of said of second generated sound signal is about 9 kHz and has a decibel level in the range of from about 75 dB to about 95 dB (SPL) at 1 meter.
7. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, wherein
said microprocessor (microcontroller) is programmed to cause said piezoelectric speaker to generate a series of short, audible one-tone sound signals in a repetitive pattern, wherein each generated sound signal has the same fundamental frequency with a second harmonic component.
8. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 7, wherein
each said generated sound signal has a fundamental frequency in a range of from about 3 kHz to about 5 kHz, a decibel level in a range of from about 95 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter, and duration period in the range of from about 50 to 70 milliseconds, and said second harmonic component of each said generated sound signal is in a range of from about 6 kHz to about 10 kHz and has a decibel level in a range of from about 75 dB to about 95 dB (SPL) at 1 meter.
9. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 7, wherein
each said generated sound signal has a fundamental frequency of about 4 kHz to about 4.5 kHz, a decibel level in a range of from about 95 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter, and duration period of about 65 milliseconds, and said second harmonic component of each said generated sound signal is in a range of from about 8 kHz to about 9 kHz and has a decibel level in a range of from about 75 dB to about 95 dB (SPL) at 1 meter.
10. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, wherein
said housing is an inverted generally L-shaped configuration having a generally vertical hand grip portion adapted to be grasped by the palm of a hand of a user, a curved upper rear end portion and an outwardly flared portion extending generally perpendicular from said hand grip portion terminating in a generally cylindrical distal end portion; and
said piezoelectric speaker is mounted in said generally cylindrical distal end portion; and
said push button comprises a depressible thumb button mounted on said curved upper rear end portion at a position to be depressed by a thumb of the user while grasping said handle
11. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 10, wherein
said hand grip portion has longitudinally spaced depressions formed along its front surface for receiving the fingers of the user.
12. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 10, wherein
said housing has a generally cylindrical neck portion disposed between said hand grip portion and said outwardly flared portion.
13. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, wherein
said electrical power source is a battery mounted in said housing.
14. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 13, further comprising:
a low-battery indicator light on said housing operatively connected with said battery to become illuminated to indicate a low-battery condition.
15. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 13, wherein
said hand grip portion has an open bottom end, and an end closure removably engaged thereon, said end closure having a battery holder frame configured to receive said battery.
16. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a spring clip mounted on said housing having a resilient clip arm extending a distance along one outer lateral side of said hand grip portion for releasably attaching said horn device to a user’s belt, pocket, or garment.
17. The electromechanical horn device according to claim 1, further comprising:
an attachment assembly having a clamp member removably mounted on said housing, and a pair of resilient laterally opposed curved arms configured to releasably engage a cylindrical or tubular portion of an object or conveyance for transporting said horn device thereon.
18. A method of dispersing or deterring an aggressive animal using an electromechanical horn device having a sound generating system including a piezoelectric speaker, comprising the step of:
generating a series of short, audible sound signals in a repetitive pattern, said generated sound signals having fundamental frequencies with associated harmonic component frequencies that fall within a frequency range of from about 3 kHz to about 10 kHz, and decibel levels in a range of from about 75 dB to about 115 dB (SPL) at 1 meter.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein
said step of generating a series of short, audible sound signals comprises generating a series of audible two-tone sound signals of different fundamental frequencies in a repetitive alternating pattern, wherein a first generated sound signal having a fundamental frequency with a second harmonic component frequency is followed by a second generated sound signal having a higher fundamental frequency with a second harmonic component frequency.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein
said step of generating a series of short, audible sound signals comprises generating a series of one-tone sound signals in a repetitive pattern, wherein each generated sound signal has the same fundamental frequency with a second harmonic component frequency.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for utilizing microwave generated multi-bubble plasma to treat an effluent, the method comprising:
(a) providing a microwave field;
(b) flowing an effluent and gas bubbles in the effluent across the microwave field;
(c) enhancing electromagnetic field in a path of the gas bubbles via an electrode;
(d) triggering plasma in the gas bubbles as the gas bubbles reach a region of enhanced electromagnetic field; and
(e) coupling microwave to the plasma.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the microwave field is provided by a single mode waveguide, and the electrode has a tip thereof positioned around where a maximum electric field of the microwave field is located.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the microwave field is provided by a multimode cavity.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the effluent is flowed across the waveguide by flowing through a tube made from a material transparent to the microwave.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the effluent is continuously circulated across the microwave field.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is designed to have an electric field enhancement factor higher than 1.0.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode has a tip thereof positioned in the microwave field.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises particles dispersed in the flowing effluent and functioning as electrodes.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the particles are kept localized by means of fluidization or magnetic force.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein further comprising passing a gas to the effluent to generate gas bubbles, through the electrode.
11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising stiffing the flowing effluent by mechanical mixing.
12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising promoting degradation of contaminant in the effluent by chemical additives.
13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising modifying conductivity of the effluent by chemical additives.
14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying ultrasound waves to oppose buoyancy forces on the gas bubbles.
15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising removing suspended solids in the effluent prior to the plasma generation.
16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising removing suspended solids from the effluent after exiting the reactor or between reactors.
17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising flowing the effluent flowed across the microwave field a second time or across a second microwave field, and repeating steps (c) to (e).
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second microwave field is provided by microwaves guided by a second waveguide.
19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising provide gas bubbles to the effluent flowing across the microwave field a second time or across a second microwave field.
20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
flowing a second effluent and second gas bubbles in the second effluent across the microwave field;
enhancing electromagnetic field in a path of the second gas bubbles via a second electrode, wherein the second electrode has a tip thereof positioned in the microwave field;
triggering plasma in the second gas bubbles as the second gas bubbles reach a region of enhanced electromagnetic field close to the second electrode tip; and
coupling microwave to the plasma.

1. A lighting system comprising:
a first light source for analyzing a sample of interest, light from the first light source defining a first optical path that is incident on the sample of interest; and
a second light source operating with the first light source for determining a position of the first optical path relative to the sample of interest.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the angle of incidence of said first optical path with respect to the sample causes total internal reflection at the sample of light produced by said first light source.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a microscope having a total internal reflection objective positioned so as to observe the sample.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first light source is a fluorescent light source.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source operate simultaneously.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein light from the second light source defines a second optical path at least partially coaxial with the first optical path.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein light from the second light source is directed to a position sensor for sensing an angle of incidence of the first optical path relative to the sample of interest.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the position of the first optical path is adjusted to vary the angle of incidence at the sample of interest in response to a signal from the position sensor.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the position of the first optical path is adjusted to obtain substantially total internal reflection of light from the first light source incident at the sample of interest.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first light source comprises a wavelength from about 390 nm to about 1550 nm.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second light source comprises infrared light.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first light source and the second light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, and a lamp.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device for imaging the sample of interest.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third light source for analyzing the sample of interest, light from the third light source defining a third optical path at least partially coaxial with the first optical path.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first light source and the third light source are operated simultaneously.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second light source continuously monitors the position of the first optical path.
17. The system of claim 1, adapted for use to detect a single molecule fluorescent event.
18. A method of substantially maintaining the relative orientation or a light source and sample of interest in a light-based microscope, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first beam of light for intersecting with the sample of interest;
providing a second beam of light for determining a position of the first beam of light on the sample of interest;
directing the second beam of light onto a position sensor;
adjusting the relative orientation of the first beam of light and the sample of interest in response to a signal from the position sensor to vary an angle of incidence of the first beam of light with respect to the sample of interest to substantially maintain total internal reflection.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first beam of light is at least partially coaxial with the second beam of light.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of continuously monitoring the orientation of the first beam of light and adjusting the relative angle of the first beam of light and the sample of interest in response thereto to substantially maintain total internal reflection
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the first beam detects a position of a molecule of interest.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the first light source comprises a wavelength from about 390 nm to about 1550 nm.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein the second light source comprises an infrared light source.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A vehicle steering apparatus comprising:
a driving state detecting device for detecting a driving state of the vehicle;
a wheel adjusting device for adjusting separately the wheel angles of left and right wheels;
a judgment portion for determineing whether vehicle braking is to be permitted or not based on the driving state of the vehicle; and
a control portion controlling the wheel adjusting device,
wherein, in the case that vehicle braking is permitted by the judgment portion, the control portion sets the wheel angles of the left and right wheels to be in opposite phase and adjusts the wheel angles in accordance with the braking force to be applied to the left and right wheels.
2. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control portion sets the wheel angles to be larger than the current value if the current braking force to be applied is larger than the previous braking force, and sets the wheel angles to be smaller than the current value if the current braking force to be applied is smaller than the previous braking force.
3. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a detecting portion which detects the deceleration of the vehicle,
wherein the control portion estimates the braking force based on the deceleration of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a detecting portion which directly detects the longitudinal force and lateral force acting on the wheels,
wherein the control portion estimates the braking force based on the size of the circle of friction of the wheels calculated from the longitudinal force and lateral force.
5. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim, further comprising:
a detecting portion which directly detects the longitudinal force and lateral force acting on the wheels,
wherein the control portion estimates the braking force based on the longitudinal force, lateral force and angle of wheels.
6. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claim 1, wherein the control portion defines the angle of wheels so that the left and right wheels are in a toe-in orientation.
7. A vehicle steering method comprising:
a first step of determining whether vehicle braking is to be permitted or not based on a driving state of the vehicle; and
a second step of controlling the wheel angles of left and right wheels,
wherein, in the case that the vehicle braking is permitted, the second step sets the wheel angles of the left and right wheels to be in opposite phase and adjusts the wheel angles in accordance with the braking force to be applied to the left and right wheels.
8. The vehicle steering method according to claim 7, wherein the second step sets the wheel angles to be larger than the current angles if the current braking force to be applied is larger than the previous braking force and sets the wheel angles to be smaller than the current value if the current braking force to be applied is smaller than the previous braking force.