Abstract: A device for captivating a variety of fasteners relative to a first member. A captivator includes a body adapted to be secured to the first member and a retainer received within the body and having a surface engaging a captured fastener. Together the body and retainer maintain the captivated fastener in place relative to the first member. Keyway surfaces are provided upon the body or retainer or both and an external or internal key engages the keyway surfaces to selectively lock the body and retainer together, such as during installation or replacement of the captured fastener. Upon removal of the key, the retainer is free to rotate and translate relative to the body.

Abstract: A zone controller having an electronic board with a plurality of electronic components attached thereto. The electronic components are constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of thermostats and to transmit a plurality of signals to a plurality of air control devices for controlling airflow in ducts. The electronic components include a first grouping of electronic components that are not accessed to perform either installation or operation functions, a second grouping of electronic components that are accessed to perform installation functions, and a third grouping of electronic components that are only accessed to perform operation functions. A first cover is provided that covers and prevents access to the first grouping of electronic components. A second cover is provided that selectively covers and prevents access to the second grouping of electrical components but not the third grouping of electrical components.

Abstract: A method of suturing tissue includes engaging tissue with a suturing head, driving a needle from a proximal end portion of the suturing head through the tissue, and engaging a capsule disposed in a distal end portion of the suturing head with the needle, the capsule comprising a length of suture attached thereto.

Abstract: A suture assembly configured to load a suture instrument with suture includes a cap attached to an end of the suture, a suture container configured to retain a portion of the suture, and a cap retainer having a wall and a suture channel formed in the wall. The suture channel is configured to receive a length of the suture, and the wall is configured to deny passage of the cap into the suture channel and align the cap with the length of the suture for loading into the suture instrument.

Abstract: A suture assembly configured to load a suture instrument with suture includes a cap attached to an end of the suture, a suture container configured to retain a portion of the suture, and a cap retainer having a wall and a suture channel formed in the wall. The suture channel is configured to receive a length of the suture, and the wall is configured to deny passage of the cap into the suture channel and align the cap with the length of the suture for loading into the suture instrument.

Abstract: A suture assembly configured to load a suture instrument with suture includes a cap attached to an end of the suture, a suture container configured to retain a portion of the suture, and a cap retainer having a wall and a suture channel formed in the wall. The suture channel is configured to receive a length of the suture, and the wall is configured to deny passage of the cap into the suture channel and align the cap with the length of the suture for loading into the suture instrument.

Abstract: A suturing assembly configured to place suture in tissue includes a handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion housing a needle movable through a needle exit port and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, the distal end defining a cavity. The actuator is configured to move the needle out of the needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head and across the throat to engage a capsule disposed in the cavity formed in the distal end of the head, the capsule attached to the suture.

Abstract: A system for counting and identifying a plurality of gaming chips having a programmable RFID device embedded therein. The programmable RFID device having unique authentication data disposed therein. The system includes a tray structure defining a plurality of predetermined chip positions within a multi-dimensional grid. The tray structure is configured to carry the plurality of gaming chips such that each of the plurality of gaming chips are substantially disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of predetermined chip positions within the multi-dimensional grid. An optical sensing assembly is configured to optically scan each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions to detect the presence of a gaming chip in each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions if present therein and generate a count corresponding to a number of detected gaming chips.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for reading at least one object having a programmable RFID device embedded therein. The object is disposed in a predetermined reading region. The system includes a reader loop disposed in the predetermined reading region. The reader loop is configured to transmit a reader interrogation signal to the at least one object disposed in the predetermined reading region and receive an RFID signal from the at least one object in response to the reader interrogation signal. A jamming device is disposed proximate the reader loop. The jamming device is configured to generate a jamming signal that prevents an external reader device disposed outside the predetermined reading region from interrogating the at least one object disposed in the predetermined reading area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining a position of each of a plurality of gaming chips on a gaming surface. Each of the plurality of gaming chips includes an inductively coupled RFID tag disposed therein. The gaming surface includes a first area and at least one second area disposed adjacent to the first area. The method includes transmitting a near-field inductively coupled interrogation signal to the plurality of gaming chips. A near-field inductively coupled response signal is received from at least a portion of the plurality of gaming chips. A position resolution action is performed in conjunction with either the step of transmitting or the step of receiving. Each of the plurality of gaming chips are associated with either the first area or the at least one second area in accordance with the step of performing a position resolution action.

Abstract: A system that allows precise identification and counting of appropriately equipped gaming chips inside specified zones on a gambling table is disclosed. The system relies on near field magnetic coupling technology whereby a primary looped conductor placed in a gaming zone couples a sufficient amount of energy into one or a plurality of looped conductors located inside gaming chips through a magnetic field of known characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sheet of paper (6) comprising paper fibres and calcium carbonate mainly in the form of calcite crystals linked directly to the paper fibres. The inventive method is characterised in that it comprises the following steps:—(i) an aqueous composition comprising calcium bicarbonates (5) and/or hydrated and/or dissolved carbon dioxide (3) and (ii) an aqueous composition comprising calcium hydroxide (4) are mixed in an aqueous medium in such a way as to precipitate the calcium carbonate in the form of vaterite crystals;—paper fibres (2, 2?) are immediately added;—the vaterite crystals are left to transform into calcite crystals on contact with the fibres;—said mixture containing the calcite crystals which are fixed to the fibres is subsequently sent on the conveying wire of the papermaking machine (M) for drainage and so that the sheet of paper can be formed;—the sheet of paper (6) thus obtained is treated, if necessary, and dried.

Abstract: A system for authenticating RFID-capable gaming chips in a casino. The system includes at least one security server, at least one secure network, a casino management system and a plurality of magnetic couplers distributed within the casino. The gaming chips are adapted to provide a response to a challenge issued by the magnetic couplers when the chips are located in the vicinity of the magnetic couplers. The chip is authenticated when the response matches a computed response by the server. Preferably, the authentication information is loaded into the chip prior to the chip being used in the casino. The response preferably takes the form of a one time password, so that when the password list is depleted within the chip, the chip must be re-commissioned.

Abstract: A network security enforcement system includes a central location adapted to send a challenge; and at least one client station, each of the client stations being provided with an agent and being in communication with the central location. The system includes a set of S independent one-time passwords, each of the one-time passwords being associated with an index value. In response to a challenge sent by the central location to at least one of the client station, the agent returns a one-time password to the central location corresponding to the correct response otherwise the central location considers the client station insecure.

Abstract: A zone controller having an electronic board with a plurality of electronic components attached thereto. The electronic components are constructed and arranged to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of thermostats and to transmit a plurality of signals to a plurality of air control devices for controlling airflow in ducts. The electronic components include a first grouping of electronic components that are not accessed to perform either installation or operation functions, a second grouping of electronic components that are accessed to perform installation functions, and a third grouping of electronic components that are only accessed to perform operation functions. A first cover is provided that covers and prevents access to the first grouping of electronic components. A second cover is provided that selectively covers and prevents access to the second grouping of electrical components but not the third grouping of electrical components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for reading at least one object having a programmable RFID device embedded therein. The object is disposed in a predetermined reading region. The system includes a reader loop disposed in the predetermined reading region. The reader loop is configured to transmit a reader interrogation signal to the at least one object disposed in the predetermined reading region and receive an RFID signal from the at least one object in response to the reader interrogation signal. A jamming device is disposed proximate the reader loop. The jamming device is configured to generate a jamming signal that prevents an external reader device disposed outside the predetermined reading region from interrogating the at least one object disposed in the predetermined reading area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article of manufacture that includes an RFID inlay having a programmable integrated circuit coupled to a propagation element on a first side of a rigid two-sided printed circuit board. The programmable integrated circuit is covered by a protective material having at least one material characteristic, whereby the programmable integrated circuit is hardened to withstand a predetermined applied pressure and a predetermined ambient temperature. At least one molded exterior portion encapsulates the RFID inlay. The at least one molded exterior portion is formed by an injection molding process characterized by a molding pressure that is lower than the predetermined applied pressure and a molding temperature lower than the predetermined ambient pressure, whereby the RFID inlay is not accessible without destroying the article of manufacture.

Abstract: A system for counting and identifying a plurality of gaming chips having a programmable RFID device embedded therein. The programmable RFID device having unique authentication data disposed therein. The system includes a tray structure defining a plurality of predetermined chip positions within a multi-dimensional grid. The tray structure is configured to carry the plurality of gaming chips such that each of the plurality of gaming chips are substantially disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of predetermined chip positions within the multi-dimensional grid. An optical sensing assembly is configured to optically scan each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions to detect the presence of a gaming chip in each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions if present therein and generate a count corresponding to a number of detected gaming chips.

Abstract: A handheld cardiac rhythm management device for use by a patient to request status information from an implantable pulse generating device and to request that the pulse generating device provide a rhythm altering shock to the patient's heart. The device includes a plurality of deadfront status indicator lamps on a front of a case that are visible to the patient when the controller is held in the patient's hand. The device also includes buttons on the front of the case and a telemetry circuit for bi-directional communication with the implantable pulse generating device.