Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein, in at least one form, artificial intelligence is used to identify objects in a document to be considered for metallic rendering or printing on a substrate. Then, the options for printing, including the considerations for rendering in metallic toner or ink, are, in at least one form, presented to the user for acceptance or rejection before the actual printing is initiated.

Abstract: A shooter protection assembly includes a building that has a plurality of doors to enter the building. The doors are positioned at pre-determined locations on an exterior wall of the building. A control unit is positioned in the building such that the control unit is accessible to an authorized user and the control unit stores image analysis software. A plurality of surveillance cameras is each mounted to the building to capture imagery of people approaching the building. A plurality of door covers is each aligned with a respective one of the doors. The control unit actuates each of the door covers into a deployed condition when the control unit identifies a person carrying a firearm to inhibit the person carrying the firearm from entering the building.

Abstract: A storage box includes a compartment having a base and opposed sidewalls extending from the base. Each sidewall of the opposed sidewalls includes two first retaining surfaces extend away from the base and along the sidewall where the first retaining surfaces are a first distance away from each other. Each sidewall includes two parallel second retaining surfaces extending away from the first retaining surfaces and along the sidewall. The second retaining surfaces are a second distance away from each other and the second distance is greater than the first distance. The storage box includes a rod, and support surfaces associated with each sidewall of the first pair of opposed sidewalls are configured to support the rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for performing transaction tracing. The method may include mapping one or more funds flow transactions into each account to one or more funds flow transactions out of said each account based on a first-in-first-out ordering. The method may also include generating an initial graph from the mappings of the transactions for each said account. Furthermore, the method may include transforming the initial graph to a function graph, wherein the functional graph is a directed pseudoforest where each node has an out degree of at most one. Then, the method may include for a node in the functional graph, performing a trace of the transaction generating a set of transactions that contributed to the transaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are catheters having multiple coil layers, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a catheter includes an inner liner, a plurality of wires over the inner liner, and an outer sheath over the wires. The wires are coiled about a longitudinal axis of the catheter in a first direction to form a first coil layer over the inner liner, and the wires are coiled about the longitudinal axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, over the first coil layer to form a second coil layer over the first coil layer. The wires each include a continuous/self-terminating end portion wherein the wire switches from the first direction to the second direction and transitions from the inner coil layer to the outer coil layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle rack comprising a bed mount configured to be mounted on a vehicle bed, the bed mount comprising: a mounting plate including a first portion adjacent to an inner wall of the vehicle bed, a second portion adjacent to an outer wall of the vehicle bed, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions, at least two mounting shaft sleeves attached to the second portion of the mounting plate, and a receptacle configured to be detachably connected to the bed mount, the receptacle comprising: at least two mounting shafts, each configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the at least two mounting shaft sleeves, a plurality of pairs of through holes in the mounting shafts, and at least one stop pin configured to be positioned within at least one pair of the plurality of pairs of through holes.

Abstract: A materials-separation process includes a sorting operation in which plastics materials including at least first and second plastics materials are sorted from paper and metal materials so that the first plastics material may be separated from the second plastics material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle rack comprising a bed mount configured to be mounted on a vehicle bed, the bed mount comprising: a mounting plate including a first portion adjacent to an inner wall of the vehicle bed, a second portion adjacent to an outer wall of the vehicle bed, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions, at least two mounting shaft sleeves attached to the second portion of the mounting plate, and a receptacle configured to be detachably connected to the bed mount, the receptacle comprising: at least two mounting shafts, each configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the at least two mounting shaft sleeves, a plurality of pairs of through holes in the mounting shafts, and at least one stop pin configured to be positioned within at least one pair of the plurality of pairs of through holes.

Abstract: A materials-separation process includes a sorting operation in which plastics materials including at least first and second plastics materials are sorted from paper and metal materials so that the first plastics material may be separated from the second plastics material.

Abstract: A materials-separation process includes a sorting operation in which plastics materials including at least first and second plastics materials are sorted from paper and metal materials so that the first plastics material may be separated from the second plastics material.

Abstract: Modifications to an armrest for a wheelchair include the application of a double sided tape, cut to dimensions that fits conveniently onto the undersurface of the armrest for the wheelchair, and which double sided tape has adhered thereto a corresponding metal strip, that provides a permanent metal surface to the underside of the armrest, for application and adherence of a flashlight magnet for holding the flashlight in position during movement by the person using the wheelchair. The light may be directed forwardly, rearwardly, or removed for directing its illumination in different directions.

Abstract: A materials-separation process includes a sorting operation in which plastics materials including at least first and second plastics materials are sorted from paper and metal materials so that the first plastics material may be separated from the second plastics material.

Abstract: A method of forming a via in a interlevel dielectric of a semiconductor device wherein the via has a fluted sidewall. A semiconductor substrate is provided having a first conductive layer formed thereon. A dielectric layer is then formed on the first conductive layer. A photoresist layer is deposited on a dielectric layer and a contact opening is formed in the photoresist layer to expose a contact region of the dielectric layer. A first etch step is performed to remove portions of the dielectric layer proximal to the contact region to form a first stage of the fluted via. The first stage includes a first sidewall stage extending from an upper surface of the dielectric layer at an angle less than 50.degree.. The first stage of the fluted via exterds a first lateral distance which is greater than a lateral dimension of the contact opening. A second etch step is then performed to further remove portions of the dielectric layer to form a second stage of the fluted via.

Abstract: A method of forming a via in a interlevel dielectric of a semiconductor device wherein the via has a fluted sidewall. A semiconductor substrate is provided having a first conductive layer formed thereon. A dielectric layer is then formed on the first conductive layer. A photoresist layer is deposited on a dielectric layer and a contact opening is formed in the photoresist layer to expose a contact region of the dielectric layer. A first etch step is performed to remove portions of the dielectric layer proximal to the contact region to form a first stage of the fluted via. The first stage includes a first sidewall stage extending from an upper surface of the dielectric layer at an angle less than 50.degree.. The first stage of the fluted via extends a first lateral distance which is greater than a lateral dimension of the contact opening. A second etch step is then performed to further remove portions of the dielectric layer to form a second stage of the fluted via.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate has an arm that is capable of swivelling axially when a force is applied, rather than breaking. The gate arm is substantially resistant to breakage caused by high winds and contact with the tops of vehicles. In addition, a broken gate arm is easier to replace than in a traditional railroad crossing gate. In a preferred embodiment, the improved gate arm is attached to the gate mechanism through a swivel bracket, and is maintained in a preferred orientation by gravity.