Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizer that is motorized and rotates and is attached to the front of a digital camera. A series of images of a scene is acquired with the polarizer whose orientation is changed in a in a systematic sequence from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. The polarized images are processed to present a final image or set of images that amplify the net polarizations inherent in the light scattered or reflected by the various pixels in the scene. Multiple embodiments are given, including an embodiment implemented on a standard smartphone, one implemented on a miniature camera system mounted on a pair of glasses, and an embodiment on a system utilizing two synchronized camera systems mounted on a pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: A dryer uses a high-speed blower producing high velocity air, a heater and a compound directional nozzle containing multiple tubular, cylindrical air sub-outlets to generate both suitable force and temperature in the sub-jets of air to dry the user's hands. The air outlets are sized and shaped to maintain direction of airflow at the location of the hands. The multiple tubular sub-nozzles reduce the air turbulence noise from the fast airflow sub-jets striking the hands by providing spaces between the adjacent sub-nozzles and air sub-jets so that the turbulence and hand impact noise is reduced and so that the water evaporated from the water film has a shorter escape distance. An ion source provides ions in the output air from the compound directional nozzle to enhance evaporation.

Abstract: Affinity points issued to customers as premiums for other activities or for purchases are maintaining for each customer an account of accrued affinity points. Each customer has a respective account of accrued affinity points that he or she can use to engage in wagering with gaming credits in the form of affinity points from the respective account. Automatically in response to wagering, winnings are credited in terms of affinity points to the account of the customer, losses are debited in terms of affinity points to the account of the customer, and additions to, subtractions from and current balances of affinity points are displayed in the account on the console.

Abstract: After washing, the hands are dried rapidly and comfortably by using a shaped high speed flow of heated air. The air flows in a direction controlled by an air outlet shaped to retain much of the exiting forceful air flow and temperature at a distance where the hands are dried. The air entrainment is controlled so that the properties of the air flow are not diluted by the air entrainment to a point where the drying performance is degraded. The forceful air flow blows off most of the loose water on the hands. The forceful air flow also reduces the stagnation boundary layers in the hands so that the evaporation removal of the remaining film of water is improved. These result in reduced drying time and comfort during and after drying.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a dryer that uses a high speed blower (12) producing high velocity air, a heater (14) and an optimized air outlet (16) to generate both optimal force and temperature at the user's hands. The air outlet is sized and shaped to maintain direction of air flow, and to entrain a sufficient amount of air so as to increase the force of the airstream while not entraining too much air in the core region of the airstream which otherwise would significantly reduce the airstream impact force and temperature. These result in reduced drying time and in-process comfort and comfort afterwards.

Abstract: A drinking cup has sandwiched between an inner paper liner and an outer paper shell a ridge structure which has its ridges running peripherally, i.e. perpendicular to the axis, e.g. in the form of corrugations, a mesh or a cell network and can be partially filled with a phase-transition material to maintain a maximum temperature at the exterior of the shell for a given hot temperature of the liquid within the cup.

Abstract: A method of processing passenger air-miles to provide attrition in accounts in which air miles tend to accumulate from numerous sources, whereby the air-miles are used as credits for wagering on gaming consoles at least in-flight and usually also at waiting facilities for such flights.

Abstract: A drinking cup has sandwiched between an inner paper liner and an outer paper shell a ridge structure which has its ridges running peripherally, i.e. perpendicular to the axis, e.g. in the form of corrugations, a mesh or a cell network and can be partially filled with a phase-transition material to maintain a maximum temperature at the exterior of the shell for a given hot temperature of the liquid within the cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for automating control of the water in a shower system includes at least one sensor disposable within a water flow path intermediate the valve and the showerhead. A processing unit operatively connectable to the sensor processes the sensor signal and generates control signals in response thereto. A valve control mechanism operatively connectable to the valve and the processing unit positions the valve in response to the control signals from the processing unit. A user interface operatively connectable to the processing unit receives user commands and displays values for the water temperature and flow rate. In the illustrative embodiment the processing unit is microprocessor based and enables previously defined vales for water temperature and flow rate to be stored and recalled in association with a particular user identifier.

Abstract: A financial transmission method utilizes smart cards with radiofrequency communication between the central station and the card so that the smart card is periodically or continuously updated as to account details which can be readily seen by a display on the card. The card, which otherwise has all of the size and dimensions and shape and embossability of a conventional credit card, debit card or ATM card also has the usual magnetic stripe-bearing information as to the card and the account to be debited or modified.

Abstract: A self dosing skin composition and method releases sun blocking agent or other active ingredient onto the skin of a user as a function of exposure to at least one environmental condition over time. The environmental condition is preferably exposure to sun light, in particular, harmful UV radiation. The composition includes a medium adapted to be spread onto the skin of a user and a reservoir defining at least one wall for containing at least one sun blocking or other agent. The reservoir is dispersed in the medium and the wall is designed and/or selected to deteriorate over time with exposure to the environmental condition or conditions, for releasing the agent into the medium and onto the skin. At least one agent is provided in the reservoir.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a base, and a cover pivotally connected to the base. In one embodiment, a portable flashlight is supported within a holder fixed to the base. The flashlight includes a housing enclosing a light bulb, a battery, and an electrical circuit electrically interconnecting the light bulb and the battery. The circuit includes a pair of contacts, which are normally biased together to complete the circuit between the battery and light bulb. An insulating member is interposed between the contacts when the flashlight is primed, and becomes fixed to the cover when the cover is closed. When the cover is then opened, the insulating member is removed from between the contacts, which illuminates the flashlight. According to a further embodiment, a chemiluminescent stick is supported within the holder. A break bar pivotally connected to the cover is initially in a vertical orientation, and temporarily retained by a latch to allow insertion of the light stick in the holder and closure of the cover.

Abstract: To differentiate between lightning strikes and tornado generated electromagnetic signals, a tornado detection system and method is made up of RF receiving circuits which receive signals at two frequencies, while implementing a time variable automated calibration and the use of special algorithms, to reliably detect tornado events and to signal an alarm. A network of such systems can be implemented, using a plurality of antennas which are capable of discerning a directional vector, and integrating the directional information from multiple units by effecting a triangulation calculation in a server terminal to determining a position and path of an approaching tornado.

Abstract: Secure time stamps generated by the inventive apparatus and method include an externally generated time signal, such as a GPS signal, a time stamp serial number, generated through an irreversible process which may not be duplicated by the apparatus, and one or more check sum values used to verify the content of the time stamp parameters or any data file associated with the time stamp. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for verifying the authenticity of previously generated time stamps in either electronic or tangible form. The time stamp generator apparatus may be implemented as an add-on board to an existing computer system or as a stand alone device which may also include a GPS receiver and a scanner for verifying previously generated time stamps.

Abstract: A wall-mounted hand dryer provides a heated pulsating or modulating air stream to break down a boundary layer of moisture on a user's hands to reduce the drying time. The hand dryer accomplishes this by quickly generating a heated air stream at a maximum temperature that is tolerable to the user, increasing the air stream velocity and turbulence to blow off loose water droplets and break down the boundary layer disposed on the user's hands. The hand dryer includes a blower, heater, a modulator and/or a turbulator for blowing heated air through an air duct. The modulator and turbulator break up the laminar flow of the air stream to provide a modulating or pulsating turbulent flow of air to retard the formation of the boundary layer and dry the hands quickly. The hand dryer further includes an infrared heating source for heating the surface of a user's hands to replace the heat lost as a result of the evaporation of the water from the user's hands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing charging and discharging efficiency of a battery. A battery is provided having electrodes and an electrolyte. The electrodes are connected to a charging or discharging circuit and at least one electrode is mechanically manipulated during the charging or discharging.

Abstract: A catalytic process and apparatus which is mechanically manipulated to increase the operating efficiency thereof. Provision is made for the application of an electric current during mechanical manipulation of the catalyst such as may be useful in certain instances.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device comprises a frame having a pair eye apertures and first and second linearly polarizing elements fixedly or rotatably mounted in the apertures. The first and second elements each have a polarizing transmission axis and the axes are fixedly or selectively disposed at an angle of 45.degree. to 90.degree. with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method of packaging, comprising the steps of disposing an article in a package and airtightly sealing an air sensitive reagent, which changes color upon contact with air, as at least part of the package for the article such that the seal must be broken to access the article and thereby cause the reagent to contact the air or another agent and change color. A semi-permeable membrane will allow the same reagent to function as a shelf-life indicator.

Abstract: A catalytic process and apparatus has at least one electrode composed of catalytic material. An electric current is applied to the at least one electrode which is mechanically mmanipulated to increase the operating efficiency thereof during application of the electric current.