Abstract: A total internal reflective (TIR) optic light bar includes a body having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an elongated intermediate portion. The body includes a light input surface having a curvilinear profile, a total internal reflective (TIR) surface, and at least one light output surface. The light input surface, TIR surface, and at least one light output surface defining a continuous outer surface of the body.

Abstract: A medical device, such as an electrosurgical scalpel, having a base unit and one or more attachable implements for performing medical procedures. The device include a host controllable module for capturing images of the attachable implement, decoding information contained in the image, and reporting the results of the decoding to the medical device. The host controllable module includes a system microcontroller that interconnects an optical imager and/or an RFID transceiver through the single interface to the host medical device. As a result, the module may be easily retrofit into existing medical devices and programmed to perform operations on legacy instruments as well as additional functions not previously available to the medical device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is described in which a rotor comprising permanent magnet means is rotatable in a stator which is magnetisable by causing an electric current to flow through at least one winding associated with the stator. The rotor has at least two stable rest positions, each defined by spring and/or magnetic forces acting on the rotor. Spring means stores energy during part of the movement of the rotor and provides kinetic energy for accelerating the rotor during subsequent movement thereof away from rest in one position towards another. A magnetic torque is exerted on the rotor when a current flows in said at least one winding which is sufficient to overcome the force(s) holding the rotor in that rest position, to cause the rotor to rotate in a direction from that rest position towards another a rest position. The rotor is connected to a thrust member by a mechanical linkage by which the rotational movement of the rotor is converted into substantially linear movement.

Abstract: A portal antenna (10) particularly suited for enabling low frequency RFID devices carried by animals to be read when animals are proceeding through a stock race or the like. The portal antenna includes a portal structure (11) through which an animal can pass and about which is wound at least one coil (18/19) of antenna conductor. At least one elongate radiator element (21) preferably projects to at least one side of the portal structure (11). Preferably the radiator(s) (21) is/are of ferrous/magnetically conductive metal. The radiator(s) can form a separate structure or be part of the wall structure of a stock race.

Abstract: This invention concerns solar energy collection systems, especially systems that concentrate direct sunlight and then collect the radiant energy. This invention is of particular use for providing heat and power for buildings and industrial processes. A solar energy collection system comprising: a solar energy receiver; and a solar energy directing system to direct sunlight onto said solar energy receiver; wherein said solar energy directing system comprises a set of mirrors, each mirror having a moveable axis and comprising a plurality of facets, and wherein the facets of each mirror are configured to direct incoming sunlight to focus substantially at said receiver when said mirror axes are directed towards said receiver.

Abstract: An imaging unit programmed to reduce specular reflection in a captured image and improve the interpretation of decodable information within the image. The imaging unit is programmed to scan a predetermined region within the image that is susceptible to specular reflection, evaluate the pixel values within the region against a threshold value that is representative of specular reflection, and then replace the pixel value found to represent specular reflection with replacement pixel values that do not corrupt interpretation of the decodable information in the predetermined region. The threshold value and replacement values may be determined on an ad hoc basis and stored in local memory, or calculated for each captured image.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is described in which a rotor comprising permanent magnet means is rotatable in a stator which is magnetisable by causing an electric current to flow through at least one winding associated with the stator. The rotor has at least two stable rest positions, each defined by spring and/or magnetic forces acting on the rotor. Spring means stores energy during part of the movement of the rotor and provides kinetic energy for accelerating the rotor during subsequent movement thereof away from rest in one position towards another. A magnetic torque is exerted on the rotor when a current flows in said at least one winding which is sufficient to overcome the force(s) holding the rotor in that rest position, to cause the rotor to rotate in a direction from that rest position towards another a rest position. The rotor is connected to a thrust member by a mechanical linkage by which the rotational movement of the rotor is converted into substantially linear movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating an image sequence, in which image elements are defined digitally. The method includes the steps of: defining the format of the image via a template system; generating thumbnail image data; transferring such thumbnail data into sequential storyboard panels for reference; drawing or editing resultant storyboards; inserting text for each storyboard; revising storyboards while preserving numbering; creating custom camera pans by employing both template presets and user input; formulating automatic page layout based on a variety of pre-set templates; printing the storyboards; and storing digital image data from the process in an image data format.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for routing calls. The calls may be routed based on criteria. In one example, the criteria include a requirement that an agent be licensed. The licensing requirement may be determined, for example, based on the telephone number of a caller. The caller may specify additional criteria. The system may determine, from among agents meeting the licensing criterion and the customer-specified criteria, which available agent has a highest rating. The call may be routed to the highest-rated available agent meeting the licensing requirement and the customer-specified criteria.

Abstract: An embodiment may comprise a baffle blade or blades, an article of manufacture, and/or a luminaire comprising: a blade member with a reflective top section.

Abstract: The present invention may comprise a reflector for a luminaire comprising: a first reflector means; a second reflector means structured as a ballast reflector; a third reflector means; and a fourth reflector means located and structured to reflect light reflected from the first reflector segment; wherein the reflectors precisely direct light into a desired candela distribution for illuminating surfaces evenly at desired angles.

Abstract: A heat sink for use with luminaires can be tightened securely against a lamp socket and can be loosened to allow the lamp socket to be rotated. The heat sink also contacts preferably an endplate or other structure of the luminaire having a preferably large amount of exterior surface area. Heat is drawn away from the lamp socket and interior of the luminaire via the heat sink to the endplate or other structure, where the heat is dissipated via convection into the surrounding air. By using another structure of the luminaire having a relatively large amount of surface area, the heat sink advantageously need not be large or bulky.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for representing road lanes as data in a database that can be used by a system in a vehicle to provide a safety-related function. Each data representation of a physical road lane includes data indicating start and end points of the represented lane and other data attributes pertaining to the represented lane, including data indicating what physical features are adjacent to the represented lane on right and left sides thereof and data indicating a geometry of the represented lane. Further, at least some of the data representations of lanes are associated with data representations of sublanes. Each data representation of a sublane includes data indicating start and end points thereof, defined relative to the lane of which the sublane is a part. A data representation of a sublane includes at least one data attribute associated therewith that pertains to the represented sublane and that is different than the same attribute of the lane of which the sublane is a part.

Abstract: A vibration test fixture assembly for releasably securing a test object to the top surface of a sliptable and for rotatably supporting the test object so that the test object can be repositioned between vibration tests without detaching the test object from the fixture. The assembly comprises a bottom plate, a top plate positioned on top of the bottom plate, and a plurality of spring-loaded bearing assemblies between the top and bottom plates for permitting the top plate to rotate relative to the bottom plate except when a downward force of sufficient magnitude to overcome the spring bias of the bearing assemblies is applied to the top plate. The assembly also comprises a plurality of clamps positioned adjacent the top plate for applying a downward force to the top plate sufficient to overcome the spring bias of the bearing assemblies and cause the top plate to engage the bottom plate. The test object is secured to the top plate and the bottom plate is secured to the top surface of a sliptable.

Abstract: A vibration test fixture system for use with a conventional shaker table. The fixture system includes a cube fixture for supporting an object to be tested and a head expander for supporting the cube fixture and for providing a mechanical and vibration transmissive connection between the cube fixture and the shaker table. The fixture system also includes an index mechanism for automatically repositioning the cube fixture relative to the head expander so that the object may be vibration tested along mutually orthogonal axes of the object.