Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel frame tracker device. The device is an improved eyeglass or sunglass frame with an integrated tracking unit. The frame tracker device comprises an integrated tracking unit, such as a GPS device, which is used to track the frames via a smartphone application. Users wirelessly pair their eyeglass frames with the smartphone application downloaded on their smartphone to view the eyeglass frame's location on a digital map. The frame tracker device also comprises an alarm that can be triggered by the smartphone application to produce an audible sound from the frames so that the frames can be easily found.

Abstract: A device for measuring a position of a panel of an overhead garage door is described. The device has an accelerometer, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and a processor. The accelerometer is attached to the panel and detects a motion or vibration of the panel. The atmospheric pressure sensor triggers a measurement of an ambient atmospheric pressure in response to the detected motion of the panel. A state of the panel is determined based on a combination of the measured ambient atmospheric pressure and the detected motion of the panel.

Abstract: A device for measuring a position of a panel of an overhead garage door is described. The device has an accelerometer, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and a processor. The accelerometer is attached to the panel and detects a motion or vibration of the panel. The atmospheric pressure sensor triggers a measurement of an ambient atmospheric pressure in response to the detected motion of the panel. A state of the panel is determined based on a combination of the measured ambient atmospheric pressure and the detected motion of the panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely uploading, distributing, managing and/or storing any type of data file within a subscriber-based system maintained by a third party administrator are disclosed. The subscriber-based system acts as an electronic repository to ensure that data files remain intact, secure, and unaltered from their original form. Systems and methods for long term verification of data file integrity using checksum records stored in a public checksum directory are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely uploading, distributing, managing and/or storing any type of data file within a subscriber-based system maintained by a third party administrator are disclosed. The subscriber-based system acts as an electronic repository to ensure that data files remain intact, secure, and unaltered from their original form. Systems and methods for long term verification of data file integrity using checksum records stored in a public checksum directory are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely uploading, distributing, managing and/or storing any type of data file within a subscriber-based system maintained by a third party administrator are disclosed. The subscriber-based system acts as an electronic repository to ensure that data files remain intact, secure, and unaltered from their original form. Systems and methods for long term verification of data file integrity using checksum records stored in a public checksum directory are also disclosed.

Abstract: A card shuffling device reads suit and value of individual cards that are moved through the card shuffler. Reading of the cards is effected after cards have been received into a card holding area and before cards have been delivered into a card collection area from which cards are removed from the device for use.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a inflatable shoe tree that is easy to inflate and that is highly suitable for use both at home and for travel. A version of the present invention provides an inflatable shoe tree comprising: a unitary body having, (a) an interior gas tight chamber, (b) a toe portion, (c) a heel portion, (d) a central portion between the toe portion and the heel portion, (e) a bottom portion, (f) a top portion, and (g) an inflation portion that allows for a volume of gas to enter and exit the gas tight chamber. The body is capable of being in an inflated position and a deflated position, and when in an inflated position it forms a preformed three-dimensional structure substantially in the shape of a human foot, and when the shoe tree is in a fully deflated position, it is substantially flat in shape. The inflatable shoe tree may also include a fragrance, a deodorant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for measuring angles, typically a bevel square, having a first arm (27), a second arm (21) pivotally attached to the first arm, a transducer (62, 63) for detecting changes in the angular position of the second arm (21) relative to the first arm (27), a controller (66) communicating with the transducer (62, 63) for calculating an angular position value of the second arm (21) relative to the first arm (27) and an output device (67) communicating with the controller (66) which outputs the angular position value.

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: A method of increasing the concentration of caffeic acid derivatives, such as cichoric acid, and the concentration of alkylamides, such as tetraene alkylamides, in Echinacea plant postharvest; and a composition, having increased amounts of these phytochemicals per gram of plant material. The method includes the following steps: (1) harvesting a plant having caffeic acid derivatives and alkylamides; (2) separating the plant into fragments; and (3) storing the separated fragments in refrigerated conditions at a controlled relative humidity which prevents wilting and microbial decay. The raw plant material obtained from this process can be used alone or in combination with other nutrients in a medicine or dietary supplement.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for transferring wafers to or from a wafer cassette having a plurality of wafer-receiving slots, wherein the apparatus comprises a wafer paddle which is adapted to be inserted into a wafer cassette alongside a wafer. Edge grippers carried by the wafer paddle releasible grip the wafer by its edges. A first capacitive sensor carried by the wafer paddle is oriented in a first direction for sensing information about a wafer in a wafer receiving slot of the wafer cassette. A second capacitive sensor carried by the wafer paddle is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first direction for sensing additional proximity information about a wafer in a wafer receiving slot of the cassette. A transport mechanism produces movement of the wafer paddle along at least three axes of movement to permit transferring wafers to or from respective wafer receiving slots of the wafer cassette.

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).