Abstract: A method and system for dynamically optimizing the amount of an automatic refill of a shared virtual postage meter is disclosed. A desired time between refills is predetermined based on the capacity of the system to perform refills, the time required to process a refill, and the impact of performing a refill on the overall performance of the system. A refill amount candidate is then determined based on the predetermined desired time between refills, the elapsed time since the last refill and the amount of the last refill. The determined refill amount candidate is then further validated to insure that it falls within a range of a predetermined minimum and maximum refill amounts. Once validated, the refill amount candidate is the optimal refill amount, and the shared virtual postage meter is refilled accordingly.

Abstract: A software system for identifying patients who may be appropriate candidates for implantation with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) is disclosed. The system particularly identifies those patients who are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death based upon a history of a prior heart attack and left ventricular dysfunction.

Abstract: A method for printing a label pair made up of a destination address label and a corresponding destination Information-Based Indicia Program (IBIP) indicia label on a label stock in a system for printing one or more labels uses a unique identifying mark for each label of the label pair. The unique identifying marks allow a user to match a destination address label to a corresponding destination address IBIP indicia label. The software defines the method used to generate the unique identifying marks and the positioning of the labels with respect to each other.

Abstract: A point of purchase display stand for displaying products includes shelving, lights, cabinets, signs, baskets, and other items that may be supported on a slot wall positioned in the back of the stand. The slot wall may be made up of horizontal slots that allow the aforementioned items to be positioned at a plurality of vertical locations and a virtually infinite number of horizontal locations. End panels and doors may also be added to the display stand for providing security to the contents of the display stand. The shelves may only require a small amount of rotation to be removed from the slot wall. The shelves may be oriented in a plurality of different angular orientations, and they may be optionally connected with adjacent shelves so that any sagging of a given shelf is transmitted to the adjacent shelves, thereby maintaining the shelves in horizontal alignment with each other.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically optimizing the amount of an automatic refill of a shared virtual postage meter is disclosed. A desired time between refills is predetermined based on the capacity of the system to perform refills, the time required to process a refill, and the impact of performing a refill on the overall performance of the system. A refill amount candidate is then determined based on the predetermined desired time between refills, the elapsed time since the last refill and the amount of the last refill. The determined refill amount candidate is then further validated to insure that it falls within a range of a predetermined minimum and maximum refill amounts. Once validated, the refill amount candidate is the optimal refill amount, and the shared virtual postage meter is refilled accordingly.

Abstract: A bottle is disclosed with a configuration allowing for multiple labeling options. Specifically, the sidewall of the bottle includes at least label boundaries, defined in the generally cylindrical portion thereof. These label boundaries further define at least two labeling options for the bottle.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for printing a mail list in presort order, on a plurality of printers. The method begins with the preparation of a mail list within an addressing system. The mail list is presorted in accordance with postal service requirements. The presorted mail list is then divided into batches by container type. Container type is determined by selecting from among container types generally available to a mailer and which are in conformance with postal service regulations for containing presorted mail. The maximum mailpiece capacity of the container defines the point at where the presorted mail list is divided. After division into batches, the mail list is then directed to the printers for printing to envelopes. Each of the printers is selected based upon the batches that are to be printed and are configured to print based upon a container type corresponding to the batch. The batch size equals the corresponding container's capacity.

Abstract: A hand-held nebulizer system is provided which nebulizes during the patient's inspiration cycle only. The system includes a universal sensor port adapter which is adapted to fluidly connect an airway device with a sensor port of the system's source of pressurized gas in such a manner as to permit the patient to inhale and exhale atmospheric air, while permitting the use of standard airway devices. A unique valve arrangement is also provided in the device for supplying the pressurized gas which permits the system to be extremely sensitive to small pressure differentials, thereby ensuring that the system detects the respiratory cycle phases of even the weakest patients.

Abstract: The invention is a method for detecting duplicate records on a list or in a file and comprises a number of steps. The steps include entering a list, comprised of one or more records, to a data processing system; then, applying a nickname lookup table to the records to determine a common first name. Once a common name has been determined, the method matches a first record from the list with a second record from the list by comparing the fields of the first record with the fields of at least one other record; the comparison is based on a set of pre-determined criteria. The matching sequence determines a duplicate set, wherein the duplicate set is comprised of at least two records with fields that match. The method then lists matching records sequentially so that the system can create a new record by filling each empty field with a next available corresponding field from a subsequent record within the duplicate set.

Abstract: A hand-held nebulizer system is provided which nebulizes during the patient's inspiration cycle only. The system includes a universal sensor port adapter which is adapted to fluidly connect an airway device with a sensor port of the system's source of pressurized gas in such a manner as to permit the patient to inhale and exhale atmospheric air, while permitting the use of standard airway devices. A unique valve arrangement is also provided in the device for supplying the pressurized gas which permits the system to be extremely sensitive to small pressure differentials, thereby ensuring that the system detects the respiratory cycle phases of even the weakest patients.

Abstract: A transportable drop hammer for impacting a ground surface adapted to be removably coupled to a driven host transport apparatus having lifting arms. An upstanding frame is couplable to the host transport apparatus and is provided as having a stabilizing foot portion attached to the frame for contacting the ground surface. A mast is mast attached to the frame and is disposed substantially vertical to the ground surface. A weight assembly, having a ground confronting face portion and at least one bearing surface engaging the mast, is operable between a ground position impacting the ground surface and a drop position. For selectively raising the weight assembly to a predetermined drop position, a manually controlled lifting apparatus is provided which actuable to release the weight assembly for its substantial free fall from the drop position to the ground position.

Abstract: A card edge connector for printed circuit boards is disclosed which employs a double-decker design. The connector may have the same length and width as conventional connectors used on Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) personal computers but is deeper. Conventional 8- and 16-bit ISA accessory circuit boards may be plugged into a corresponding socket which is also disclosed herein until they reach a stop upon which they rest, working as they would in an ISA personal computer. 32-bit Extended Industry Standard Architecture accessory circuit boards have a second row of connectors and a notch so they slide farther down into the socket, lining up with a second row of contacts. This design uses less physical space for connectors, allowing more room for logic circuitry on the motherboard.

Abstract: A gun-aiming device includes a base mount for attaching to a gun barrel having first and second orthogonally arranged passages, a sighting element having a stem portion with an annular groove and a head portion attached to one end of the stem portion with the stem portion removably mounted in the first passage of the base mount such that the head portion extends above the base mount for use in aiming the gun, and a yieldable biasing arrangement disposed in the second passage of the base mount for releasably engaging the annular groove of the stem portion of the sighting element at any location about the stem portion so as to provide a quick release snap-fit type of latching of the stem portion of the sighting element in the first passage of the base mount. A plurality of sighting elements being interchangeable with one another are provided. The sighting elements have respective head portions of different sizes and colors for respectively adapting the gun-aiming device to different distances and backgrounds.

Abstract: A reusable security package is disclosed that includes a closure mechanism for closing a container and for determining whether the container has been opened.

Abstract: A method for the facile filling of remotely located forms with cementitious materials. The method uses a transportable bin which is captively coupled to the arms of a skid loader. The bin includes a generally rectangular container having four vertical sides and an accessible interior truncated at a base and having a covered dispensing aperture at the bottom. The covered aperture is adapted to be actuable in situ by the skid loader operator using controls located within reach of the operator when the aperture is vertically disposed over a form to be filled.

Abstract: A portable gaming device which is adaptable to simulate the action of several popular casino games. The device includes a spinning wheel rotatably mounted to a support. The spinning wheel defines an interior chamber which houses a plurality of game pieces. As the wheel is rotated, the game pieces are mixed until the wheel is stopped, whereupon one or more game pieces are displayed in a window to determine the result.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a touch panel includes a flexible membrane having a series of parallel, electrically conductive strips formed thereon; and an opposed substrate layer having conductive strips thereon parallel and orthogonal to the membrane strips. A series of filament spacers, running parallel to the substrate layer strips, are positioned between the membrane and substrate layer to maintain the membrane strips and substrate strips in spaced-apart relation to each other. The filament spacers are secured to an associated boundary or frame. Finger or instrument pressure selectively applied to the membrane and directed toward the substrate, can establish contact between a chosen membrane strip and substrate strip to close the switch. The elastic deformation of the filament spacers enhances contact closure and contact life expectancy. The presence of insulative dust, which interferes with the current flow between the contacts, is eliminated.

Abstract: An airway device having a first passage open at one end to the atmosphere and carrying a mouthpiece at the other end through which a patient may breathe. A second passage opens into the first passage for communication with the outlet of a medication nebulizer. The airway device also has a tubular section extending into the first passage for communication with the negative air pressure sensing port of a positive pressure breathing machine which upon sensing inhalation by the patient causes actuation of the nebulizer to apply the nebulized medication through the airway device to the patient's lungs during the inhalation phase only of each breathing cycle while allowing the patient to breathe freely into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved snap hook of the type having a hook and rigidly fixed eye extending from the hook and a swingable keeper arm connected on the hook, and having a foot portion normally spring-urged into blocking relation of the passage through the eye of the hook and wherein the foot includes a surface arranged to bite into a line passed through the eye in one direction of rotation and yieldable storing energy in the spring upon movement of the line in the other direction of rotation to bitingly and clampingly engage the line automatically against applied forces tending to move the line in the direction in which it is to be restrained.