Abstract: A system and method for dispensing tokens in a Point-Of-Sale (“POS”) transaction. The system and method include sensing errors in the token-dispensing operation whereby a POS terminal operator can be notified if a token is jammed in the token dispenser or if the token dispenser is empty.

Abstract: A description is given of an apparatus and a method for grinding a workpiece, in particular a shaft part. According to the method, the workpiece is clamped in place for the grinding working and its geometry is subsequently ground in such a way as to maintain its dimensions and shape. According to the invention, at least part of the surface of the workpiece is precision-worked at least partly at the same time as the grinding. The apparatus according to the invention has a work-spindle headstock and a tailstock for clamping the workpiece in place as well as a grinding unit with a grinding wheel for grinding the workpiece. The grinding unit and workpiece are arranged movably in relation to each other in a controlled manner. The apparatus according to the invention additionally has a precision-working unit, which can be moved according to the geometry of the workpiece in such a way that at least part of the surface of the workpiece is able to undergo precision working.

Abstract: Described is a device that can be used to restrain household pets or other animals, as well as to assist in potty training household pets. Such device is portable, open, and easy to clean. Specifically, the device is a lightweight base upon which the household pet is free to move with a restraining piece such as a strap in the center of the base to which a leash can be attached. The base is sloped from the center to the edge, having a gutter about the periphery of the base. The gutter combined with the sloped base allows easy clean-up of any accidents the pet may have while on the base. The described devices could be used for many different animals and not just well-known domesticated household pets.

Abstract: A system for treating contaminated media is provided. In the process, contaminants are removed from the media using a photocatalytic process operating in an aqueous phase.

Abstract: An electronic or “virtual” coupon is obtained when a user selects a given link in a Web page being displayed on a client machine. Preferably, the link is an image link embedded in an advertising banner that is displayed on the Web page such that user click-through on the banner automatically generates the virtual coupon. The virtual coupon is then saved to a file on the client machine. Thereafter, the virtual coupon is downloaded to a PDA via a communication link when the PDA is synchronized to the desktop. When the virtual coupon is downloaded to the PDA, it is automatically saved in a coupon file. In addition, contact information associated with the coupon provider (e.g., address and e-mail information) is automatically written to the PDA contact file. Moreover, the coupon's expiration date is stored in PDA's calendar, together with information for generating one or more redemption remainders that are periodically issued to the PDA user when the device is powered on.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing optimal input and output impedances at a telecommunications interface. Input and output impedances can be adjusted manually, or the optimal impedance can be sensed and provided for automatically at the selected interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chopper-stabilized amplifier with current steering used as output switching and to be operated in a low power supply voltage environment.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes conductive elements and a radiation sensitive material interposed between the conductive elements and dosed to different conductivities in different portions thereof. Another aspect is a process of integrated circuit fabrication including steps of depositing a radiation sensitive material as a layer and variably dosing it with radiation to establish areas of higher and lower resistivity in the layer. A printed wiring board includes radiation sensitive material and the board further has a conductor layer affixed to the base. A transistor has a radiation sensitive material dosed to have two conductive regions separated by a gap of a lower conductivity in the radiation sensitive material, and a conductive substance deposited over the gap. These elements are useful in smart power devices, digital computers, controllers and electronic applications generally. Other devices, systems and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless sensing of chemical parameters is provided in which an interrogation unit (14) transmits interrogation signals. A chemical sensor (12) generates an output based on predetermined chemical parameters. The chemical sensor output is measured by a measurement circuit (10). A responder unit (16), which is powered by the interrogation signals, transmits responses to interrogation signals based on the measured data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shielded transponder 12 which is capable of being mounted on any surface, whether ferromagnetic or not. The transponder includes an antenna which in use is susceptible to detuning as a result of being mounted on a ferromagnetic surface. The shield 16 prevents this detuning and enables the transponder 12 to be mounted on any surface. The shield 16 may produce slight detuning, however, this can be compensated for by pretuning of the transponder.

Abstract: A method for interrogating remote transponders having the steps of: sending an RF interrogation pulse from an interrogator (10), receiving by a first and second transponder (12,12a) the RF interrogation pulse, and establishing in a resonant circuit (130) of each of the transponders (12,12a) an oscillation, the oscillation being established by the coupling of signal energy from the RF interrogation pulse into the resonant circuit (130). After the RF interrogation pulse ends, the first transponder (12) senses the termination of the pulse and initiates a first RF response having a selected duration. A second RF response from the second transponder (12a) will also be detected in the first transponder (12) whose response will be affected by this second RF response.

Abstract: A transponder system (10) includes an interrogation unit (12) that transmits a first frequency F1 representing a binary zero, and a second frequency F2, representing a binary one. These signals are transmitted from an interrogator resonant circuit (22) within a radio frequency module (16). The transponder system (10) also includes a transponder unit (14) that receives a transmit frequency signal (51) from the interrogation unit (12) at a transponder resonant circuit (42). The transponder resonant circuit (42) is tuned to the first frequency F1 and the second frequency F2. A transponder control module (44) detects a change in the transmit frequency signal (51) from the interrogation unit (12) by a decrease in the voltage amplitude with the transponder resonant circuit (42).

Abstract: A transponder arrangement is described having an interrogator unit (10) which transmits at least one RF programming sequence and at least one RF interrogation pulse. The responder unit (12) includes a responder unit receiver (130) for receiving data transmitted by the RF programming sequence from the interrogator unit (10). The responder unit (12) then upon receipt of the RF interrogation pulse transmits data, which may have been modified by the programming sequence from the interrogator unit (10), back to the interrogator unit (10) in the form of a modulated RF carrier. The responder unit (12) further comprises a responder unit energy accumulator (136) which stores energy contained in the RF interrogation pulse and a responder unit end of burst detector (142) which upon detection of a decreasing power level of the RF interrogation pulse sends a RF threshold signal.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system having an interrogator (12) and a transponder (14). The interrogator has a first tuned circuit (28) of a powering frequency for sending a powering burst to a transponder (14), a filter/demodulator (64) for receiving an wireless, modulated RF response from a transponder (14). The interrogator (12) further has a second tuned circuit (29) in electrical communication with a modulator (48), the second tuned circuit (29) having a selected bandwidth about a communication frequency, the selected bandwidth not substantially overlapping the powering frequency and encompassing the bandwidth of the modulated carrier of the RF response.

Abstract: A method for forming a storage capacitor (12) including the step of forming a storage node contact window (38) and forming a cavity (48) in the storage electrode (50) such that the capacitive area includes the sidewalls of the storage electrode and the cavity in the storage electrode. The capacitor is completed by forming a dielectric layer (54) over the storage electrode (50) and forming a conductive layer (56) over the dielectric layer (54) to act as a plate electrode capacitively-coupled to the storage electrode (50) through the dielectric layer (54). Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transponder interface circuit (172) operates to allow communication between a transponder controller (104) and external circuitry. The interface circuit (172) has a buffer memory (184,186) that allows the transponder controller (104) and the external circuitry each to transmit data at either the transponder's (14) or the external circuitry's clock rate without complicated protocols for direct communication. Each of the transponder controller (104) and the external circuit may be enabled by an interface controller (174) to assume control of the buffer memory (184,186). By using the buffer memory (184,186) and interface controller (174), whichever of the transponder controller (104) and the external circuitry is transmitting or receiving data may fill or empty the buffer memory (184,186) at either the transponder controller's (104) or the external circuitry's chosen clock rate.

Abstract: A system and method for avoiding the discharge of a battery or otherwise excessive power consumption by a transponder (14) in the presence of a spurious noise source. In a described embodiment, the transponder (14) renders itself immune to activation by presence of RF energy for some period if the transponder does not receive a proper wake-up message within an activation period.

Abstract: An optical signal processor which employs a coherent light source, two spatial light modulators and a beam splitter. Light is from the source is reflected from the beam splitter and sent to a first spatial light modulator, then sent through the beam splitter, a Fourier transform is performed and the transformed light is then reflected from the second spacial light modulator. The light form the second spacial light modulator is then inverse transformed and returned to the beam splitter where it is reflected to a readout detector. The signal read out is the correlation map between an input image from the first modulator and a filter image of the second modulator.