Abstract: A three-dimensional inspection system and method is used to obtain information about three-dimensional articles with specular surfaces having a shape and positive or negative height by projecting a pattern of light onto the articles at an oblique angle. The system includes a patterned light projector with optical axis disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the article being inspected, an extended light source, and an image detector disposed above the article to detect the image of the pattern on the article. The light pattern includes lines with a substantially equal thickness and spacing. The spacing of the lines is greater than a spacing or pitch of the specular elements. An image processor, coupled to the image detector, receives the image, locates the lines, and measures the lateral shift of the lines. Height information is determined from the lateral shift and projection angle using triangulation.

Abstract: A multimodal vehicle includes a ground based vehicle with an attached high-capacity airfoil parachute for deployment. The ground based vehicle includes a drive system for use on either land, water or both. Furthermore, the ground based vehicle is sized and dimensioned for transport of multiple vehicles in a cargo plane. The high-capacity airfoil parachute allows high-altitude deployment of the multimodal vehicle. The risers to the parachute may be adjusted for powered parachute flight rather than free fall flight. The ground based vehicle may include a propeller for powered flight.

Abstract: A dynamic paging system and method, especially adapted for use in a computer telephony system wherein the dynamic paging system includes a condition monitor adapted to monitor conditions of a computer telephony system and, upon the occurrence of one or more pre-defined conditions, to trigger the placement of a pager telephone call by a pager telephone call processor that generates and sends a pager telephone call. The system also includes a pager graphical user interface (P-GUI) which is configured to facilitate the changing or modification of a pager telephone number to be dialed by a person with little or no computer programming expertise.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle activation lever lock for use with a dispensing nozzle such as a fuel dispensing nozzle having a handle portion, a trigger guard, and a pump activation lever allows an operator to dispense fuel without having to continuously hold the pump activation lever. The fuel pump activation lever lock includes a first and second engagement arm disposed opposite ends of each other. The first engagement end engages the trigger guard, while the second engagement arm engages the pump activation lever such that the fuel pump activation lever lock holds the pump activation lever in a position wherein the fuel pump nozzle continuously dispenses fuel without the operator holding the pump activation lever. The fuel pump activation lever lock also preferably includes a slot sized and shaped to engage a fuel cap such that the fuel pump activation lever lock may be stored within a fuel chamber on a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of providing interactive data exchange between a plurality of outside parties utilizing a plurality of telephone apparatus, a voice response unit, at least one operator terminal, and at least one database regardless of the configuration of the voice response unit to a voice path switch. The system includes a voice response unit interface, for receiving and storing data acquired by the voice response unit. The data includes an automatic number identifier for each call. When calls are to be transferred to an operator terminal, the call is inserted into a queue that is monitored by a data controller. The data controller identifies each call by its ANI and searches the voice response unit interface to retrieve data stored therein, which is associated with the call. The data is then provided to an operator terminal for an operator assigned to handle the call.

Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. The first band end portion includes a plurality of slots, and the second band end portion includes a first and second aperture. A locking member is a separate element adapted to fit within the first and second apertures and includes a first tab for extending through the first aperture and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter and a second tab for engaging the second aperture. The second tab is designed not to interfere with the first band end portion while expanding the band. The locking member may also include at least one rib or protrusion.

Abstract: A flange connection between a longitudinal beam of a vehicle as a first component and a carrier element, which can be mounted to it, as a second component, whereby a flange plate operatively mounted to either the first or second component and a counter flange plate operatively mounted to the other of the first or second component. To hold the flange plate tight to the counter flange plate, a wedge effect is used. A connection bolt having a wedge slope protrudes from the flange plate, wherein the wedge slope extends in a cross direction. The counter flange plate has a feed-through opening for the connection bolt, and wherein a locking component is placed at its inner side. In the connected position, the locking component surrounds the locking bolt and establishes a wedge surface that interacts with its wedge slope. Furthermore, the locking component exhibits at a side opposite the wedge surface, a clamping screw that can be tightened against the connection bolt.

Abstract: A method for consolidating the information from multiple information sources so as to provide a uniform set of screens for an agent. All of the information sources are automatically linked in a coherent manner, which is defined by the user. The provision of an information item into a field automatically accesses user-specified information items from the various information sources. The station (10) receives (501) the initial information item and then sends (503) this information item to the sources specified by the information field, receives additional information items from these sources, and displays or presents the information items received in any desired media type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lottery type game system, method and ticket, wherein the winning of a game is determined by the assignment of game images to a predetermined number of consecutive positions along a linear array. The value of the prize is determined by the precise position along the linear array at which this predetermined number of game images are assigned. The assignment of the position of a game image can be established by: a) matching a game image associated with a particular gaming piece with an identical image located at a predetermined position along the linear array; or b) receiving a game piece upon which both the game image and the assigned position of the game image along the array is indicated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bed for accommodating heavy persons. The bed is particularly for use in hospitals, where heavy patients have to be treated. The invention provides a bed comprising a frame; a central support section mounted on the frame; two opposite end support sections, one being a head section and the other being a foot section, each mounted for pivoting movement relative to the central section; and drive means for driving the end support sections for pivoting movement relative to the central section; wherein the foot section has a platform which extends at an angle to the plane of the section, and the foot section can pivot to a position where the platform is substantially at ground level. In a particularly preferred embodiment the central section is mounted for pivoting movement about a pivot axis at or near to its edge adjacent the foot section and further comprises drive means for driving the central support section for pivoting movement about said pivot axis.

Abstract: A quick-change core drill includes an adapter and a generally tubular drill barrel. The adapter comprises a first end adapted to be removably connected to a drill spindle and a second end adapted to be removably connected to the drill barrel. The drill barrel includes an inside diameter D1, a first end, and a second end having a crown with an inside diameter D3. The first end of the drill barrel is adapted to be removably connected to the second end of the adapter such that the inside diameter D1 is at least as large as the inside diameter D3. Upon detection of a jammed core inside the drill barrel, the user can quickly and easily remove the jammed core from the drill barrel by disconnecting the drill barrel from the adapter. Since there are no obstructions present, the user can simply remove the jammed core from the first end of the drill barrel.

Abstract: A system for contacting an interested party utilizing a computer network includes an interested party database including a field containing a first e-mail address used to address an e-mail message to an interested party and an e-mail general or responsive to the first e-mail address and generating the first e-mail message addressed to the first e-mail address of the interested party. The generator also sends the first e-mail message to the interested party's first e-mail address. The first e-mail message includes a response message portion including a second e-mail message. The second e-mail message is addressed to a second e-mail address (sending party's e-mail address. The response message portion is responsive to the first e-mail message being read, for sending the second e-mail message to the sending party's e-mail address. The system further includes a database responsive to the second e-mail message storing data associated therewith.

Abstract: A system and method provides an automatic telephone call back to a telephone line being used to access a computer network. A call back is made in response to a request by an inquiring party at a remote data terminal connected to the computer network using a telephone line. The inquiring party provides call back data at the data terminal connected to a computer network, such as the Internet, by way of a telephone line. The call back data is transferred over the computer network to the automated telephone call back system. A computer network interface at the automated back system provides a gateway between the computer network and an automated dialer system. The automated dialer system retrieves telephone numbers provided by the inquiring parties, schedules the call backs, and automatically dials the telephone numbers using a predictive dialer. If a telephone number is scheduled for an immediate call back, the call status is monitored by the dialer to detect a busy signal.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for treating a gas stream, notably a silencer assembly for use to treat the exhaust gasses from an internal combustion engine, which apparatus comprises a plurality of compartments within which one or more treatments are to be performed on a gas stream passing through the compartment, and through which the gas stream is to flow sequentially, characterised in that: a. At least two of said compartments each comprises a tubular body member containing or carrying a treatment element which is restrained against axial movement relative to the body member; and b. The tubular body members of the adjacent compartments are provided with radially outwardly and/or inwardly extending terminal flanges, at least some of which flanges provide a shoulder against which the opposing terminal portion of the adjacent compartment bears so as to form an axially extending structure comprising at least two compartments in axial or coaxial relationship to one another; and c.

Abstract: An improved contact center is disclosed in which voice contacts may be processed by agents simultaneously by storing incoming voice and responding to it in near real time. The technique permits an agent at a contact center to process incoming voice contacts in near real time, but to simultaneously handle plural customers in a manner similar to that utilized in web chat applications.

Abstract: A task management system including a task server linking a plurality of system users, including at least one task definer, at least one task requester and at least one task fulfiller over a communications link. The task server includes a task processor for processing tasks, a task memory for storing task definitions and one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for interfacing the system users to the task server to facilitate operation of said task processing system. The GUIs include task view interfaces, task fulfiller interfaces, which are used by task requesters and task fulfillers to request and fulfill tasks, respectively. The GUIs also include a plurality of administrative editor interfaces, which are used by task definers to define, group and sequence tasks.