Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening sealed containers includes, in a container with a removable seal, container packaging, with a removal end and a closed end, conformed to receive and removably retain the container. The seal has a front end and a rear end. A connector connects the seal and the container packaging. In another aspect of the invention, a connector extension is attached to the connector and to the seal.

Abstract: A lock control device for a computer or other piece of equipment can control accesses to that equipment. The lock control device provides input to the computer or other piece of equipment to identify an authorized user. This input is in lieu of, for example, entry of one or more passwords using a keyboard. The lock control device of the present invention is preferably activated using, for example, a proximity card or a magnetic strip card. In this way, access to the equipment secured by the lock control device can be quickly activated, even if that equipment has timed out and locked up.

Abstract: A document capture arm connected to an imaging device and positionable over a platen for retaining a document on the platen for imaging. The document capture arm holds one or more documents against the platen in a selected position or arrangement. The document capture arm may be configured as an arm that may insert into a receiver. The document capture arm may be easily installed for use and may be easily removed for storage when not needed. Alternately, the document capture arm may include an actuator that is attached to and extends from the arm, projecting beyond the axis of rotation of the platen cover at the hinge. When the platen cover is lifted to an open position, the capture arm actuator is acted upon by the platen cover, lifting the document capture arm to an open position.

Abstract: A toner advisor apparatus and method for imaging systems includes an imaging device with a toner cartridge. More than one toner compartment in the toner cartridge is conformed to hold various toner colors. A cartridge scanner device is connected to the imaging system for scanning the more than one toner compartment. An analysis device is connected to the cartridge scanner device and to the imaging device for comparing the type of color required for a print job on the imaging device and the amounts of toner in the more than one toner compartment and for suggesting colors that optimize toner consumption. In one aspect of the invention, the analysis device is conformed to optimize toner consumption by suggesting colors that use nearly equal amounts of different toner colors over time.

Abstract: A method for redirecting calls placed to a mobile phone having a redirect functionality and a second phone via a redirect service, which includes the steps of sending a redirect service request using the redirect button on the mobile phone to the second phone, activating the redirect service by the second phone responsive to the redirect service request, and redirecting incoming calls to the mobile phone to the second phone.

Abstract: The addition of directory entries into phone devices, such as telephones, is disclosed. The phone devices are coupled to common phone line wiring, and have caller ID, caller log, and directory storage capabilities. Phone calls are simulated to the phone devices. The phone calls correspond to directory entries, such as those that the user wishes to add to the phone devices. Each phone call has caller ID information reflecting a corresponding directory entry. After the phone calls for the directory entries have been simulated, each phone device has a caller log of the caller ID information of the simulated phone calls for transfer into a directory storage thereof.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus is configured to substantially support media sheets along their edges by causing the media sheets to substantially bend along their transversely extending axes. Conventional types of media sheets are typically unable to be supported at their edges because they often tend to bend along axially extending axes. According to a sheet handling method, a transversely extending bend is created in the media sheets. In this respect, the media sheets may be supported along their edges without substantially bending along their axially extending axes. In addition, by substantially removing the transversely extending bend in the media sheets, the media sheets are caused to drop substantially straight between a pair of support members. Thus, it is unnecessary to move the support members apart from one another to cause the media sheets to drop between the support members.

Abstract: A variable reflectance cover for a sranning system. The cover comprises a backing moveable through a plurality of positions. Moving the backing through the plurality of positions varies the reflectance of the cover. In one embodiment, the backing is an endless rotatable belt. In a second embodiment, the backing is a removable panel having a first side with a first reflectance and a second side with a second reflectance. In yet a third embodiment, the backing includes polarizers placed adjacent to a reflective panel. Rotating one polarizer relative to another varies the reflectance of the cover.

Abstract: A variable reflectance cover for a scanning system. The cover comprises a backing moveable through a plurality of positions. Moving the backing through the plurality of positions varies the reflectance of the cover. In one embodiment, the backing is an endless rotatable belt. In a second embodiment, the backing is a removable panel having a first side with a first reflectance and a second side with a second reflectance. In yet a third embodiment, the backing includes polarizers placed adjacent to a reflective panel. Rotating one polarizer relative to another varies the reflectance of the cover. In another embodiment, magnetic louvers are provided for changing the reflectivity of the cover.

Abstract: A mobile phone handset has incorporated connectors and/or circuitries to connect to plain ordinary telephone (POT) lines, various computing devices and/or a local area network (LAN). The POT line connection, e.g., a RJ-11 type connector, and the relevant circuitries allow a user of the mobile phone handset to utilize many convenience enhancement features of the mobile phone handset while at the same time taking advantage of the cheaper rate in making a telephone call over the POT line. In addition, the LAN connections and the connections to other computing devices allow the user to access the Internet (e.g., the e-mail network and/or the world-wide-web (WWW)) at a cheaper rate than the wireless access to the Internet, and may provide a better user interface.

Abstract: A ballasting device for swing sets having an expansible/expandable or semi-rigid body capable of holding a ballasting medium, preferably water, a means of attaching to a swing support and an integral safety padding system. One of the ballast's functions is to help prevent the swing from tipping. Another of its functions is to prevent injury due to impact with the swing set's leg supports. This ballast is designed to quickly and easily attach to existing, high volume, metal tubing swing sets. Through the use of this ballast, the swing set remains highly mobile when drained, yet in a substantially rigid position during use of the swing/ballast system. Integral padding is provided by the very existence of the ballast and its filler, both of which are considerably more pliable and soft than steel, aluminum or wood.

Abstract: A multiple bin sorter for use with an image forming device in which the bins rotate through a sheet receiving position and, as may be necessary or desirable, through other positions to accommodate a variety of different finishing operations. The sorter includes a plurality of rotatable bins configured to receive sheets outputted by an image forming device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding sheet print media uses a cartridge adapted from ink-jet technology for selectively firing droplets of adhesive onto an adjacently positioned stack of printed sheets.

Abstract: A circuit board includes a semiconductor socket which permits insertion of gull wing semiconductor integrated circuit devices with gull wing contacts. The socketed devices are retained in an inverted alignment. Ribs are used to align the gull wing contacts and ridges are used to isolate split contacts. The isolation of the split contacts permits the use of aligned leads of different ones of the stacked devices. The socket may be mounted beneath the circuit board. This permits stacking and/or socketing of such integrated circuit devices, and further permits alignment of such socketed devices beneath similar devices which are surface mounted to the circuit board, by mounting the socket on the circuit board's opposite (backplane) side. In one configuration, multiple integrated circuit devices may be inserted into the socket in a stacked arrangement. The socket permits the socketing of integrated devices which are packaged for fusion bonding applications.

Abstract: A head disk assembly for a hard disk drive having a mechanical actuator latch subassembly. The head disk assembly includes an enclosure, a disk, a pivot bearing cartridge, and a head stack assembly. The enclosure includes a base that preferably includes integral side walls. The disk has a recording surface that has an annular landing zone. The head stack assembly includes a head supported to be moved radially relative to the recording surface and to be brought to rest at a position in the landing zone. Significantly, the head disk assembly also includes a unitary latch base member and a unitary pivot latch member. The unitary latch base member has a mounting portion for mounting the latch base member to the base, an arm extending parallel to the major interior-facing surface, an inner crash stop post including an engaging end, and a pivot post. The arm also includes a spring holding post. The unitary pivot latch member has a bore surrounding the pivot post to allow pivot motion of the pivot latch member.