Abstract: A device for sharpening crayons, wax pencils, and the like is provided. This device includes: a multi-blade removable and replaceable crayon sharpening cartridge; an electric motor mechanically coupled to the blade cartridge for axially rotating the blade cartridge around a crayon that has been inserted into the blade cartridge; a base for supporting the electric motor; a contoured receptacle positionable on the base beneath the blade cartridge for capturing crayon debris; and a contoured exterior housing for enclosing the electric motor and the blade cartridge.

Abstract: Weapons safety systems and methods of operating the system are described. An example weapons safety system in which the enabling of a weapon to shoot is controlled by means of an exchange of identification between the weapon and an enabling apparatus. An example weapon includes a weapon identification code and a safety device. An example enabling apparatus that is designed to capture the weapon identification code and to transmit an enabling signal to the safety device in the weapon includes a control unit. The control unit controls the enabling device and includes an identification memory that includes at least one registered weapon identification. Upon receiving a control signal from the enabling apparatus, the weapon transmits an identification signal that contains the weapon identification code. In addition, the enabling apparatus sends a weapon-enabling signal if the weapon identification code matches at least one of the registered weapon identification.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for pre-authenticating ports is disclosed. In one embodiment, an active port facilitating communication of media content between a transmitting device and a receiving device is identified, while the active port are associated with a first High-Definition Content Protection (HDCP) engine. Then, inactive ports that are in idle mode serving as backup ports to the active port are identified, while the inactive ports are associated with a second HDCP engine. Pre-authentication of each of the inactive ports is performed so the pre-authenticated inactive ports can subsequently replace the active port if a port switch is performed.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use are disclosed. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Abstract: A combination tool is provided that includes, but is not limited to a tool shaft with an inner part and an outer part, a first tool head that is integrally formed on the inner part and a differently designed second tool head that is integrally formed on the outer part. The tool shaft is realized in such a way that it can be inserted into a machine and features at least one holding element for mounting a tool head thereon in a locking fashion.

Abstract: A device for sharpening crayons, wax pencils, and the like is provided. This device includes: a multi-blade removable and replaceable crayon sharpening cartridge; an electric motor mechanically coupled to the blade cartridge for axially rotating the blade cartridge around a crayon that has been inserted into the blade cartridge; a base for supporting the electric motor; a contoured receptacle positionable on the base beneath the blade cartridge for capturing crayon debris; and a contoured exterior housing for enclosing the electric motor and the blade cartridge.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use are disclosed. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Abstract: An offset transmission shift lever assembly and isolator arrangement is provided. The shift lever assembly includes an insert arranged to fit over a transmission shift stub. An isolator is provided that encircles the insert and is formed thereto. The isolator has a varying outside diameter such upon assembling the isolator into a canister that encircles the isolator, a portion of the isolator outside diameter is press fit into the canister and another portion of the isolator outside diameter does not contact the canister thereby leaving a gap between the canister and the isolator. The isolator also includes axial holes formed in a lower end thereof and extending axially for a portion of the isolator length. Affixed to the canister is a shift lever aligned parallel to and offset from the shift stub. A fastener is provided for securing the shift lever assembly via the insert to the shift stub.

Abstract: Weapons safety systems and methods of operating the system are described. An example weapons safety system in which the enabling of a weapon to shoot is controlled by means of an exchange of identification between the weapon and an enabling apparatus. An example weapon includes a weapon identification code and a safety device. An example enabling apparatus that is designed to capture the weapon identification code and to transmit an enabling signal to the safety device in the weapon includes a control unit. The control unit controls the enabling device and includes an identification memory that includes at least one registered weapon identification. Upon receiving a control signal from the enabling apparatus, the weapon transmits an identification signal that contains the weapon identification code. In addition, the enabling apparatus sends a weapon-enabling signal if the weapon identification code matches at least one of the registered weapon identification.

Abstract: A faceplate having a set of skid steer receiver attachment points to permit an all-purpose agricultural tractor with a three-point hitch or front end loader to operably connect to off-the-shelf skid steer attachments so that the agricultural tractor can utilize off-the-shelf skid steer attachments with the faceplate containing a cylindrical housing to permit rotation of a tool mounted therein without removing the tool from the faceplate and one embodiment including a notched chain bar having notches extending generally normal to the hitch faceplate and a further embodiment including a universal tractor mount.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to art instruments, and more particularly to art instruments having a self-contained reservoir for dispensing paint or ink to a paintbrush portion provided on one end of the instrument. The instrument includes an ink-dispensing assembly comprised of a series of capillary tubes, orifice restrictors, pins and plugs to provide an assembly that prevents distribution of ink during shipping, but can be easily activated by a user to produce controllable and reliable ink flow to the brush portion on demand. The invention provides differing valve body components and configurations to provide optimal ink flow for inks of differing viscosities, creating a self-wicking art instrument that resists leakage, splattering, and other undesirable characteristics of known self-contained ink art instruments.

Abstract: A cutting system that includes a rotary blade cartridge that can be interchangeably used with a variety of cutting tools is disclosed. The cartridge houses a rotary blade assembly that is maintained in a secure and safe retracted state and that can be activated when the cartridge is inserted into a cutting tool. Activating a plunger of any of the cutting tools causes a piston of the rotary blade assembly to move the blade to an operative cutting position protruding from an aperture provided in the cartridge housing. Deactivating the plunger causes the blade to be return to its retracted and inoperative position within the housing. Cutting tools of the invention include rail cutters such as a primary workstation and a compact workstation, circle cutters, elliptical cutters, and freeform cutters. Each cutting tool is capable of receiving a rotary blade cartridge. Cartridges are freely interchangeable between the cutting tools.

Abstract: A system for managing computers in a distributed computer network includes a collection agent for each computer being monitored, a local database coupled to each collection agent, one or more condensing agents coupled to the databases, and at least one console module. The condensing agent generates an index table from a source database and sends it upstream to the next level up in the hierarchy of databases. Other condensing agents may in turn act on this index table and send it up to a still further level, until a top-level master node has an index table reflecting the entire network. The console can use the index table to identify what databases contain needed data, and then make only selective connections to databases to answer queries, avoiding connections to all the local databases. The condensing agent also produces summarized data and sends it upstream as well, to be used by the console. Efficiency is improved over conventional systems.

Abstract: A system for selectively blocking execution of applications on a computer system includes an interface that allows an administrator to set configuration settings and includes tools that assist the administrator in establishing an application list. The application list specifies zero or more applications that are to be either blocked or that are to be allowed to run (i.e., all others to be blocked), depending on the selected configuration settings. The tools include a mechanism that automatically creates a historical database of applications that have been executed in the past on the computer system. The interface allows easy selection of applications from the historical database for inclusion on the application list.

Abstract: An offset transmission shift lever assembly and isolator arrangement is provided. The shift lever assembly includes an insert arranged to fit over a transmission shift stub. An isolator is provided that encircles the insert and is formed thereto. The isolator has a varying outside diameter such upon assembling the isolator into a canister that encircles the isolator, a portion of the isolator outside diameter is press fit into the canister and another portion of the isolator outside diameter does not contact the canister thereby leaving a gap between the canister and the isolator. The isolator also includes axial holes formed in a lower end thereof and extending axially for a portion of the isolator length. Affixed to the canister is a shift lever aligned parallel to and offset from the shift stub. A fastener is provided for securing the shift lever assembly via the insert to the shift stub.

Abstract: A faceplate having a set of skid steer receiver attachment points to permit an all-purpose agricultural tractor with a three-point hitch or front end loader to operably connect to off-the-shelf skid steer attachments so that the agricultural tractor can utilize off-the-shelf skid steer attachments with the faceplate containing a cylindrical housing to permit rotation of a tool mounted therein without removing the tool from the faceplate and one embodiment including a notched chain bar having notches extending generally normal to the hitch faceplate and a further embodiment including a universal tractor mount.

Abstract: Firearms having a barcode on an external surface and methods of providing the same are disclosed. An illustrated firearm includes a substantially even exterior metal surface that has a barcode formed therein. The barcode includes fine grooves or bars such that the exterior metal surface appears raised in an area of the barcode.

Abstract: Portable firearms having identification marks and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example firearm includes a first identification number visibly located on the firearm; and a second, hidden or disguised identification number associated with the first identification number to facilitate identifying the firearm if the first identification number is destroyed, changed, or damaged.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting memory leaks includes a monitoring agent, a user interface for configuring operating parameters and a reporting mechanism. The monitoring agent determines allocated memory levels of a monitored application at a sampling frequency and determines when a then-existing “peak” memory level has increased. The monitored application is determined to be leaking memory when a determined number of increases in the peak allocated memory level are detected. The determined number may be fixed ahead of time or may be calculated dynamically based on user specified parameters. When a given memory leakage rate is exceeded, an alarm response is taken, which may be either a specified notification of the alarm or an action. Certain increases in the peak allocated memory levels are ignored as not necessarily being indicative of a memory leak condition, such as during startup of the program or between rapidly, closely-occurring increases in the peak allocated memory level.