Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying hazardous material in a mail stream in which hazardous particulates or material in or on mail pieces in a mail stream are detected and the mail piece bearing the hazardous material is identified. A bar code applicator applies a unique bar code to the wrapper of each mail piece identified as potentially containing hazardous material. The bar code applicator is an ink jet which applies the bar code on-the-fly. The bar code applied is encoded with specific information about the detection parameters at the time of the event in addition to specific information about the date, time of day, machine identification, temperature and humidity conditions, etc. present at the time of the event.

Abstract: Method of forming a ferromagnetic layer on at least one surface of a dielectric material that may be serve as an inductive core on a printed circuit board or a multichip module. Conductive leads can form two separate coils around the core to form a transformer, and a planar conducing sheet can be placed on or between one or more of the dielectric layers as magnetic shielding. The core can be formed at least in part by electroless plating, and electroplating can be used to add a thicker layer of less conductive ferromagnetic material. Ferromagnetic layers are formed by dipping the dielectric surface in a solution containing catalytic metal particles having a slight dipole, and placing the surface in a metal salt to cause a layer containing metal to be electrolessly plated upon the dielectric. Surface roughening techniques can be used before the dipping to help attract the catalytic particles.

Abstract: A real-time music information retrieval system and methods for providing desired music information via text message to radio or television stations listeners through wireless communication devices. Listeners could retrieve information for the song that is currently being played at the radio and television station, or the songs that have previously been played. A system and method is provided to automatically send an alert message the radio and television station listeners of upcoming music broadcasting events.

Abstract: A method for equalizing data and systems utilizing the method. The method of this invention for equalizing (by shortening the channel response) data includes minimizing a function of the data and a number of equalizer characteristic parameters, where the function utilizes cyclic differences of equalized data. Updated equalizer characteristic parameters are then obtained from the minimization and an initial set of equalizer characteristic parameters. Finally, the received data is processed utilizing the equalizer defined by the minimization. The method of this invention can be implemented in an equalizer and the equalizer of this invention may be included in a system for receiving data.

Abstract: A compact, optically fast catadioptric imager. In one embodiment, the catadioptric imager of this invention includes a first group of optical elements optically disposed to receive electromagnetic radiation from an object and having positive optical power, a second group of optical elements, optically disposed between the first group of optical elements and an image plane, having at least one optical surface and having positive optical power, a third group of optical elements, optically disposed between the object and the second group of optical elements, having at least one optical surface and having negative optical power, a fourth group of optical elements substantially centered along an optical axis of said second group of optical elements and having negative optical power, and a fifth group of optical elements having positive optical power.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably detecting singulated parcels traveling on a conveyor belt by comparing parcel characteristics before and after parcel agitation. First, parcel characteristics are evaluated. Then parcels are agitated to promote a change in characteristics, for example volume or dimensions, of the unsingulated parcels. Next, parcel characteristics are again evaluated and compared to the previously-evaluated characteristics. If there is no appreciable difference in characteristics, the parcel is deemed singulated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying contextually relevant information to a wireless client (112) is disclosed. More particularly, an emitter (108) transmits a diffuse infrared signal to a client (112) having an IrDA infrared communication interface (130). Emitter (108) communicates with client (112) by making a link layer in emitter (108) compliant with an IrDA link layer running on client (112). To perform communication, data is received at emitter (108) from a service provider (102). The data is formatted into an IrDA compliant diffuse infrared signal and transmitted to client (112). Client (112) receives the data and parses it to extract contextually relevant information contained therein.

Abstract: A mechanical continuously variable transmission in which the power roller is in “line contact” with the counter roller instead of conventional “pinpoint contact”. By utilizing line contact of the power roller and the counter roller, the pressure force between the metal components of a mechanical continuously variable transmission can be reduced. In addition, the line contact also reduces extra energy for maintaining the operation thereof. The configuration of the roll surface of the power roller, which is rotated by a rotation axle connected to an input axle, is formed into a partial configuration of a sphere. A plurality of counter rollers, which are in line contact with the power roller having said roll surface, are arranged in a circle by a disk. Each counter roller is formed with a concave roll surface corresponding to the partial configuration of the sphere on the surface thereof. The counter rollers are driven to rotate by the rotation of the power roller in contact therewith.

Abstract: Range-extending method and apparatus for testing the viscosity of a fluid (10) undergoing a state change utilizing a viscometer (2) with a rotary assembly (42) for measuring, by automatically changing the rotational speed of the rotary assembly in response to measuring a torque or other test parameter when it meets a target torque trigger and/or other test parameter threshold.

Abstract: A self-contained closed loop system and method for detecting contaminants in, on, and around objects. The system includes an air duct subsystem connecting at least one sensor to a sealed housing containing a rotating container. Air from the sealed housing is circulated past a sensor to detect, for example, biological or chemical contaminants. If a contaminant is detected, an indicator is set and a contaminant neutralizer is optionally injected into the air duct subsystem.

Abstract: A mail tub in the form of a substantially rigid container and a removable lid which seals the container. The container includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port for sampling air in the mail tub for possible biological contamination, such as anthrax. The container includes structure along the bottom and walls to prevent mail from contacting the walls and bottom. Such structure, in one embodiment, may include raised standoffs along the bottom of the container and channels along the walls to facilitate airflow efficiency through the mail tub when the lid is attached and an air pressure source is applied to the one of the ports. Air samples of the sealed container air are collected for contamination analysis.

Abstract: A downhill ski binding (2) that operates to allow the skier to select a number of skates or a time interval, after which a lock means (30) locks the rearward end (28) of a ski boot plate (4) to a ski plate/lift (14) and/or a ski (22) until reset. Until the pre-selected number of skates or time interval is reached, the rearward end of the ski boot plate is freely moveable with respect to the ski plate/lift and/or ski, thereby allowing the skier to freely skate. A variety of configurations and mechanical, electromechanical and electromagnetic dynamic locking means are described, several with remote input means (104) and a logic unit (102).

Abstract: A purchasing aid logistics appliance that assists a purchaser with a shopping list generation, in-store product location, automated checkout, and financial management. The PAL is in the form of a battery operated PAL with touch screen display and multimedia input/output. The PAL functions as a fiduciary aid and two-way communications device secure for managing money and processing perishable data. The PAL can function as a stand-alone device or synchronized with a user's personal computer via a RF or IR 1ink.

Abstract: Wire attachment and/or tensioning assemblies are described. The ends of wires may be fitted with mateable collar and wedge components to allow the wire to be securely attached to a supporting structure such as, for example, the surface of a railing post. The wire attachment assembly may be rotatably attached to a tensioning device that enables wire tension adjustments without rotating the wire itself, thereby avoiding the need to adjust the opposing end of the wire.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imager including a first optical sub-system, at least one slit element, a second optical sub-system, at least one reflective dispersive element located at a center plane, and at least one detecting element located at substantially an image surface. During operation, the first optical sub-system images, onto the slit element(s), electromagnetic radiation originating at a source. The second optical sub-system substantially collimates, at a center plane, electromagnetic radiation emanating from the slit element(s). The second optical sub-system also images, onto the image surface, the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective dispersive element(s). The detecting element(s) detect the dispersed electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective dispersive element(s).

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for detecting contaminated objects, for example mail pieces, through use of a pinching device that compresses the objects, thereby possibly releasing potential contaminant-containing particles into the air in a closed chamber. Whatever particles are in the closed chamber mix with the air in the closed chamber and form cavity air, which is captured by a detection and alert mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and method for determining, based on a gray scale image, focus of an imaging system. A method of this invention includes the steps of: a) acquiring a gray scale image of a test target, b) binarizing the acquired gray scale image, c) analyzing the binarized acquired image, d) adjusting focus of acquisition optics of the imaging system, and e) repeating steps a) through d) until a substantially maximum number of line pairs of a number of groups of line pairs of the test target is obtained, wherein each group from the number of groups of line pairs has a predetermined spatial frequency.

Abstract: Optical systems utilizing pixellated switchable elements to provide interaction between at least two White Cells.