Abstract: A method for secure, electronic, distributed voting using existing automated teller machines (ATMs), comprising issuing each voter an access card that can be read by an ATM and a personal identification number (PIN); enabling the ATMs to read access cards and accept PINs; in response to the reading of an access card and appropriate PIN entry, displaying at the ATM information relating to the vote to be cast; allowing the user to cast votes using one or more ATM functions; identifying a particular ATM function as an indication of finalization of the vote; and in response, automatically tallying the finalized vote.

Abstract: A photobooth/e-mail center for taking a digitized photographic image of a user at a first station and retrieving and electronically displaying the digitized photographic image at a second station comprising: one or more first stations, comprising, a unit for taking the digitized photograph of the user; a first display for displaying the digitized photograph; a generator for generating a code corresponding to the digitized photographic image; printer for printing and delivering a hardcopy of the photograph to the user at the first station; and a circuit for transmitting the digitized photograph and the code to a first database residing in one or more second stations; the second station, comprising, an input circuit for electronically entering the code; a circuit for retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the first database in response to the input circuit for electronically entering the code; a receiver for receiving and storing the digitized photograph in response to the circuit for retrieving the st

Abstract: A current-modulation method of transmitting high voltage direct current (HVDC) power over a transmission system comprising at least three conductors, wherein each conductor has a nominal thermal limit to its current-carrying capacity. The method involves transmitting DC current over at least one conductor at a level which can exceed each such conductor's nominal thermally-limited current-carrying capacity, returning the transmitted current over a quantity of conductors greater than the quantity used to transmit at the higher level, so that each return current is less than the transmitted current, and periodically switching the current level in the conductors so as to rotate the higher level current among at least two of the conductors, such that, over time, the resistance heating of the conductors does not exceed any conductors' thermal limit.

Abstract: A removable tab for gaining control of an object, having a predefined weight, that generally comprises: at least one sheet of polymeric film, wherein an opening is provided through the sheet, wherein the film is of a size, thickness and tensile strength that are adapted to support the weight of the object; and an adhesive provided on at least one surface of the sheet of polymeric film having an adhesive strength adapted to enable said adhesive to adhere to and to support or carry the weight of the object and yet still enable the sheet to be peeled from the object without damaging the object; and a method for using the same.

Abstract: Surface textures embossed in a substrate such as plastic include surface depressions or cones having equally-spaced, reflective terraced steps to support coherent reflections of incident light. A desired color or bandwidth of coherent reflected light off the terraced steps is produced by adjusting the index of refraction of a material in communication with the terraced steps of the substrate. Preferably, the index of refraction of each zone of terraced steps is controlled based on an applied electric field. Accordingly, light reflected from a plurality of controlled zones can be used to produce an image for an observer.

Abstract: An electrical connector for separably, electrically interconnecting an electrical device to a main circuit board using anisotropic conductive elastomer (ACE) as part of the interconnect, the electrical connector comprising an adapter board coupled to the main board on one side, the other side of the adapter board defining connecting lands; a layer of ACE on the other side of the adapter board, the other side of the ACE in contact with the device; and a mechanical compression structure coupled to the adapter board, and that provides a compressive load on the device, the ACE and the adapter board, to accomplish a separable electrical connection between the device and the main board, through the ACE and the adapter board.

Abstract: The planarization of inductive components by reducing standard coiled designs to single turn, open ended designs from which the required parameters are obtained by scaling the length. Single turn designs having magnetic material encircling the conductors along their full length enable the thinnest form. The single turn, open ended form also enables the inductive component to be routed according to any shape in the plane or on any conformal surface. The single turn inductors do not need to coil hence there is no overlap necessary in the plane. The planar form allows integration of inductive components with integrated circuits. These inductive components can be embedded in other materials. They can also be fabricated directly onto parts.

Abstract: A toy which emits sounds as it is moved, comprising: a toy body; and a plurality of mechanically-operated sound tubes carried within the toy body, each sound tube including a sliding whistle which moves along the tube by the force of gravity, and each sound tube lying along a longitudinal axis, in which the axes are transverse to one another, so that the sound tubes emit sound when the toy is moved along various axes.

Abstract: A modular skate park system comprising one or more platform portions, and one or more ramp members. The ramp members are connectable to the platform portions, and the platform portions can be connected to one another along their edges to accomplish an enlarged platform with one or more ramps providing access to the platform.

Abstract: A universal printed circuit board fixture for a flying probe test machine that has opposed clamps, comprising a pair of members, at least one such member being movable relative to the other member, the members defining protruding portions that are adapted to be held in the opposed clamps of a flying probe test machine, and one or more engagement structures carried by each member, each such engagement structure adapted to be coupled to a portion of a printed circuit board. One or more of such engagement structures are adjustable along the length of a member, to allow the accommodation of boards of different size and shape.

Abstract: The waveform generator includes a free-running ring oscillator, an algebra module, a switching module and an output module. The free-running ring oscillator includes a plurality of delay elements connected in a loop and a plurality of taps disposed between the delay elements, with each tap providing a uniquely phased, oscillating transition signal. The algebra module generates an output signal indicating a first rising edge of the arbitrary waveform in response to an input signal. The switching module includes a switch input port in electrical communication with the algebra data output port, a plurality of switch tap input ports in electrical communication with the free-running ring oscillator taps and switch output port. At the switch output port, the switch module provides a first transition signal selected from one of the plurality of free-running ring oscillator taps in response to the signal indicative of a first rising edge received at the switch input port.

Abstract: A method for purifying high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, comprising the steps of providing one or more raw hyaluronic acid sources; extracting hyaluronic acid from the source; precipitating hyaluronic acid extracts; dissolving extract precipitates in water; extracting enzyme inhibitors from the dissolved precipitates with chloroform, and centrifuging to isolate an aqueous portion; adding one or more protein hydrolyzing enzymes to the aqueous portion in a reactor; adding a solution of CPC and NaCl to the reactor; filtering reactor contents through at least one membrane filter; filtering membrane filtered solution through at least one diafilter having a molecular weight cutoff of about 30 kDa; precipitating the diafiltered solution and isolating purified hyaluronic acid precipitate; and formulating isolated precipitate to about 10 mg/ml hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A tuning mechanism for a superconducting radio frequency particle accelerator cavity, wherein the cavity comprises a number of axially aligned cells held by a frame, with at least one active cell that is axially stretchable to tune the resonant frequency of the cavity. The tuning mechanism comprises a lever arm having a center of rotation, one or more mechanical members coupling the lever arm to an active cell, and a motor adapted to move the lever arm, to thereby move the active cell through the mechanical members.

Abstract: Self-contained wrap for a gift comprising, a first panel; a second panel, having a perimeter, fixed to the first panel along a first portion of the perimeter, so that a cavity is formed between the first panel and the second panel which is adapted to enclose the gift therein, and so that at least one opening to the cavity is defined along a second portion of the perimeter which is adapted to allow the gift to be passed through the opening into the cavity; and at least one flap, fixed to the second panel, which is adapted to fold over the opening and to adhere to the front panel; and method for using the wrap.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnection component with integral conductive elastomeric sheet material, comprising providing a connector frame defining an opening, casting uncured elastomeric conductive polymer interface (ECPI) material onto the connector frame spanning the opening, and curing the ECPI in the presence of a magnetic field, to integrally couple the ECPI to the connector frame, and create a series of spaced conductive columns through the ECPI thickness.

Abstract: A catapult device for a catapult game, including a projectile-throwing mechanism, and a projectile catch member. The projectile release angle of the mechanism, and the projectile throw force of the mechanism are adjustable. The throwing mechanism is automatically released upon the impact with sufficient force of a projectile on the projectile catch member. Also disclosed is a game system and a game playing method using a number of such devices.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely determining at least one of the temperature of, and the relative concentrations of species making up, a hot fluid, based on the spectral structure of radiation emitted from the fluid. Thermal radiation over a field of view including the hot fluid is collected. At least a portion of the emission spectrum from the collected radiation is resolved. The resolved emission spectrum is resolved into spectra that are characteristic of specific emitting species and emitter temperatures. The temperature of, and the relative concentrations of species making up, the hot fluid, are determined from the relative amounts of at least two resolved spectra.