Author: claimsbot

1. A housing for a spliced wire comprising:
a base;
a wall extending from an edge defining a perimeter of said base, said wall and said base defining a cavity, said wall including opposing sides each having an opening receptive to a wire therethrough;
a cover pivotally hinged to one edge defining said wall, said cover configured to close said cavity to an environment and protect a splice between each said wire from the environment; and
a siding clip extending from one of said base and said wall, said siding clip configured to clip to siding of a building structure, wherein said siding clip is configured to clip into an interface joint between contiguous a first siding panel and a second siding panel, said siding clip being shaped to be received within a J-channel of said first siding panel and beneath a lip of said second siding panel, the lip received in the J-channel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover is pivotally hinged to said wall with a hinge along at least a portion defining said one edge.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hinge is a living hinge.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hinge is disposed within said cavity when said cover is closed.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said openings each include a grommet closing each opening to the environment.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said each opening includes two opens on each of said opposing sides.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each said grommet includes a rubber grommet having a cross hatch thinned region receptive to said wire through an intersection defining said cross hatch thinned region.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a facing edge defining at least one of a terminal edge along a perimeter of said cover and said wall is receptive to a gasket for sealing said cavity.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base is rectangular.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said cover is defined by a lid and a lid wall normal to said wall surrounding a periphery thereof.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said siding is exterior vinyl siding.
12. A housing for a spliced wire comprising:
a base;
a wall extending from an edge defining a perimeter of said base, said wall and said base defining a cavity, said wall including opposing sides each having an opening receptive to a wire therethrough;
a cover pivotally hinged to one edge defining said wall, said cover configured to close said cavity to an environment and protect a splice between each said wire from the environment; and
a siding clip extending from one of said base and said wall, said siding clip configured to clip to siding of a building structure
wherein said siding clip extends from said one of said base and said wall with a break away feature receptive to manually breaking off said siding clip when mounting said base to said siding.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base includes at least one mounting opening receptive to a mechanical fastener for mounting to said siding.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said mounting opening includes a reinforcing pedestal surrounding said mounting opening.
15. A housing for a spliced wire comprising:
a base;
a wall extending from an edge defining a perimeter of said base, said wall and said base defining a cavity, said wall including opposing sides each having an opening receptive to a wire therethrough;
a cover pivotally hinged to one edge defining said wall, said cover configured to close said cavity to an environment and protect a splice between each said wire from the environment; and
a siding clip extending from one of said base and said wall, said siding clip configured to clip to siding of a building structure,
wherein said lid is angulated toward said one edge substantially following a contour of said siding.
16. A housing for a spliced wire comprising:
a base;
a wall extending from an edge defining a perimeter of said base said wall and said base defining a cavity, said wall including opposing sides each having an opening receptive to a wire therethrough;
a cover pivotally hinged to one edge defining said wall, said cover configured to close said cavity to an environment and protect a splice between each said wire from the environment; and
a siding clip extending from one of said base and said wall, said siding clip configured to clip to siding of a building structure,
wherein said siding clip extending from one of said base and said wall includes a pair of break-away clips receptive to being clipped to vinyl siding.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a fastener including at least one of a screw through the base, double side tape, and hook and loop fasting means.
18. A method for housing for a spliced wire, the method comprising:
configuring a base having a wall extending from an edge defining a perimeter of said base, said wall and said base defining a cavity;
configuring an opening receptive to a wire therethrough in each of opposing sides defining said wall;
configuring a cover to close said cavity to an environment and protect a splice between each said wire from the environment, said cover being pivotally hinged to one edge defining said wall; and
employing a break-away siding clip extending from one of said base and said wall, said siding clip configured to clip to siding of a building structure.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
manually breaking off said clip when mounting said base directly to said siding with a mechanical fastener.

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 controlling a thermostat for energy savings comprising:
determining an existing setpoint;
automatically setting a first setpoint of a repeating sequence of discrete setpoints based at least in part on the value of the existing setpoint;
determining a number of discrete setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints, wherein the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints is logged to a database;
automatically setting subsequent setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints;
returning to the first setpoint after completing a last setpoint in said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints; and
returning directly to the first setpoint in the event a manual input is detected.
2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints comprises three setpoints.
3. A method as in claim 1 in which said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints are determined by a remote computer.
4. A method as in claim 1 in which said increments in said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints vary by one degree Fahrenheit.
5. A method as in claim 1 further comprising varying inside temperature between three or more setpoints, and each of said subsequent setpoints is higher than said first setpoint.
6. A method as in claim 1 wherein each of said subsequent setpoints is a higher temperature than said first setpoint.
7. A method as in claim 1 wherein each of said subsequent setpoints after the first setpoint is a lower temperature than said first setpoint.
8. A method as in claim 1 further comprising varying wherein each subsequent setpoint after the first setpoint is a lower temperature than said first setpoint, and returning to said first setpoint after reaching last setpoint of said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints.
9. A method for controlling a thermostat for energy savings comprising:
determining an existing setpoint;
automatically setting a first setpoint of a repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to a value based at least in part on the existing setpoint;
determining a number of discrete setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints;
automatically setting subsequent setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints;
returning to the first setpoint after completing a last setpoint in said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints; and
returning to a first target temperature in response to an override by an occupant.
10. A system for automatically varying temperature setpoints for an HVAC system comprising:
one or more computers that set a first setpoint of a target inside temperature for a conditioned environment;
the one or more computers set at least a second setpoint of a target inside temperature for the conditioned environment, where said second target temperature differs from said first target temperature wherein at least said first and second setpoints are logged to a database;
the one or more computers automatically set subsequent setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to increments away from the first setpoint;
the one or more computers cycle through said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints; and
the one or more computers return directly to the first setpoint in the event a manual input is detected.
11. A system as in claim 10 further comprising a third setpoint and said system varies the inside temperature between said first, second and third setpoints.
12. A system as in claim 10 in which at least said second setpoint is initiated by a remote computer.
13. A system as in claim 10 in which said first and second setpoints vary by one degree Fahrenheit.
14. A system as in claim 10 in which the one or more computers vary the inside temperature between a repeating sequence of three or more setpoints, and each setpoint after the first setpoint is higher than said first setpoint.
15. A system as in claim 10 in which the one or more computers vary the inside temperature between a repeating sequence of three or more setpoints, and each setpoint after the first setpoint is higher than said first setpoint, and said system returns to said first setpoint after reaching the last of said three or more setpoints.
16. A system as in claim 10 in which the one or more computers vary the inside temperature between a repeating sequence of three or more setpoints, and each setpoint after the first setpoint is lower than said first setpoint.
17. A system as in claim 10 in which the one or more computers vary the inside temperature between a repeating sequence of three or more setpoints, and each setpoint after the first setpoint is lower than said first setpoint, and said system returns to said first setpoint after reaching the last of said three or more setpoints.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic endoscope comprising:
a color signal formation circuit that forms predetermined color signals based on signals captured by an image pickup element;
a binarization circuit that inputs color signals other than a red signal output from said color signal formation circuit and generates binarized image signals;
an edge detection circuit that inputs binarized signals output from said binarization circuit and detects blood vessel positions in an image; and
a chroma correction circuit that adjusts chroma of the blood vessel image based on the blood vessel position signals output from said edge detection circuit and said color signals.
2. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said color signal formation circuit forms red, green and blue color signals and said binarization circuit forms a binarized image by using the green signal or blue signal.
3. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said chroma correction circuit is designed to increase chroma of the blood vessel image.
4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit for extracting signals other than the blood vessel position signals output from said edge detection circuit,
wherein said chroma correction circuit is designed to decrease chroma of images other than the blood vessel image.
5. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising:
a blood vessel edge detection circuit that inputs predetermined signals output from said color signal formation circuit and detects both ends of the blood vessel in the width direction; and
a multiplier that multiplies signals at both ends of the blood vessel detected by said blood vessel edge detection circuit by a predetermined coefficient to highlight the blood vessel.
6. An electronic endoscope comprising:
a color signal formation circuit that forms predetermined color signals based on signals captured by an image pickup element;
a binarization circuit that inputs color signals other than a red signal output from said color signal formation circuit and generates binarized image signals;
an edge detection circuit that inputs binarized signals output from said binarization circuit and detects blood vessel positions in an image;
a blood vessel redetection circuit that redetects the blood vessel position signals output from said edge detection circuit by a clock signal slower than the image processing clock signal; and
a chroma correction circuit that adjusts chroma of the blood vessel image based on the blood vessel position signals output from said blood vessel redetection circuit and said color signals.
7. The electronic endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said chroma correction circuit is designed to increase chroma of the blood vessel image.
8. The electronic endoscope according to claim 6, further comprising a circuit for extracting signals other than the blood vessel position signals output from said blood vessel redetection circuit,
wherein said chroma correction circuit is designed to decrease chroma of images other than the blood vessel image.
9. The electronic endoscope according to claim 6, further comprising:
a blood vessel edge detection circuit that inputs a predetermined signal output from said color signal formation circuit and detects both ends of the blood vessel in the width direction; and
a multiplier that multiplies signals at both ends of the blood vessel detected by said blood vessel edge detection circuit by a predetermined coefficient to highlight the blood vessel.
10. An electronic endoscope comprising:
a color signal formation circuit that forms a predetermined color signal based on signals captured by an image pickup element;
a differentiating circuit that differentiates predetermined color signals other than a red color signal obtained at said color signal formation circuit and generates a differential signal;
a gain circuit that amplifies the differential signal output from said differentiating circuit; and
a blood vessel highlighting circuit that amplifies at least a red signal other than said predetermined color signals based on the differential signal output from said gain circuit to highlight the blood vessel.
11. The electronic endoscope according to claim 10, wherein said color signal formation circuit forms red, green and blue color signals, said differentiating circuit applies differential processing to the green signal, and said blood vessel highlighting circuit amplifies the red and blue signals by the differential signal.
12. The electronic endoscope according to claim 10, further comprising:
a blood vessel edge detection circuit that inputs predetermined signals output from said color signal formation circuit and detects both ends of the blood vessel in the width direction; and
a multiplier that multiplies signals at both ends of the blood vessel detected by said blood vessel edge detection circuit by a predetermined coefficient to highlight the blood vessel.

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 tracing or analyzing fluid flow through an enclosure; said method comprising the steps of:
providing an array of colorant-injection elements for positioning at such enclosure;
operating the array to inject different colorants from the injection elements into the enclosure with the fluid flow; and
observing paths of the different colorants through the enclosure with the fluid flow.
2. The method of claim 1, particularly for use with fluid flow that is three-dimensional; and wherein:
the providing step comprises providing an array that substantially spans the enclosure two-dimensionally.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the providing step comprises providing elements for injection of different colorants at different portions of the enclosure cross-section.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the operating step comprises controlling timing of the colorant injection; and
the observing step comprises controlling observation synchronously with the injection.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the timing controlling comprises injecting the colorant in pulses; and
the observation controlling comprises tracking and analyzing movement, through the enclosure, of leading and trailing ends of the colorant pulses.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the operating step comprises injecting the colorants in specific spatial-temporal color patterns; and
the observing step comprises analyzing downstream movement of the specific spatial-temporal color patterns in the fluid.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the observing step comprises three-dimensional observations.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the observing step comprises observing position and direction of colorants at at least one cross-section within or exit from the enclosure.
9. The method of claim 1:
further comprising the step of preparing a substantially exact model of the enclosure, at least portions of the model wall being transparent to some propagating vibration; and
wherein the observing step comprises observation through said portions, using said propagating vibration.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein:
the observing step comprises observation through the portions by plural cameras.
11. The method of claim 1:
further comprising the step of forming at least one window in the enclosure; and
wherein the observing step comprises observation through the at least one window.
12. The method of claim 1:
further comprising the step of mounting at least one camera within the enclosure; and
the observing step comprises making pictures with the at least one camera.
13. Apparatus for tracing or analyzing three-dimensional fluid flow; said apparatus comprising:
an array of colorant-injection elements for positioning in such fluid flow with two dimensions of the array extended transversely of a flow direction; and
a programmed processor operating the array to inject different colorants from the injection elements into such fluid flow in specific spatial-temporal color patterns.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:
the specific patterns include injection of at least some of the colorants in multiple successive pulses.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
means for observing three-dimensional movement of the specific spatial-temporal color patterns in the fluid flow.
16. Apparatus for tracing or analyzing fluid flow in a very large or very small environment; said apparatus comprising:
an accurate scale model of the environment, including such fluid flow;
an array of colorant-injection elements for positioning in such scale-model fluid flow with at least one dimension of the array extended transversely of a flow direction; and
a programmed processor operating the array to inject different colorants from the injection elements, into such scale-model fluid flow in specific spatial-temporal color patterns.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, particularly for use in analyzing fluid flow that is three-dimensional; and further comprising:
means for observing three-dimensional movement of the specific spatial-temporal color patterns in the fluid flow; and
wherein the array is positioned with two dimensions of the array extended transversely of the flow direction.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:
the environment comprises a blood vessel, lymphatic duct, powerplant coolant tunnel, canal for oceangoing ships, or other very large or very small chamber.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:
the environment comprises fluid around a ship, submarine, aircraft, or other fluid craft; and
the scale model includes a scale model of the ship, submarine, aircraft, or other fluid craft.
20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:
the specific patterns include injection of at least some of the colorants in multiple successive pulses.