Abstract: A system for automatically testing a fluid specimen, e.g., urine, to indicate the presence of specified chemical components in the specimen. The system preferably utilizes an assaying device comprised of a collection cup and a cap which carries at least one test strip. The device includes an integrated aliquot delivery mechanism actuatable to wet the test strip with an aliquot delivered from the fluid specimen. The assaying device is configured to operate in conjunction with an electronic reader device capable of actuating the aliquot delivery mechanism and reading the reaction of the test strip. A preferred reader device defines a keyed receptacle for accommodating a complementary shaped cup housing in a particular orientation. The reader device is comprised of a camera for capturing the image of a test strip, an actuator for actuating an aliquot delivery mechanism, and a microprocessor/controller for (1) controlling the camera and actuator and (2) processing the image.

Abstract: An enhanced filling/weighing system utilizes first and second weighing stages. The first stage includes a first top container having an associated weighing device, e.g., a load cell. The second stage includes a second bottom container having an associated weighing device, e.g., a load cell. A high speed bulk feed subsystem supplies product to the top cup. A low speed dribble feed subsystem supplies product to the lower cup. In operation, the bulk feed subsystem feeds product to the top cut at a high speed. The top cup fills to its first setpoint (plus overfill, e.g., attributable to feed momentum) once per cycle. When the system controller recognizes that the top cup weight has reached the first setpoint, it pauses th bulk feed, discharges the top cup into the bottom cup, starts the dribble feed into the bottom cup, and starts the next cycle of bulk feed into the top cup. Thus, the top cup fills at high speed during cycle N+1 concurrently with the bottom cup filling at low speed during cycle N.

Abstract: A system for automatically cleaning swimming pools includes a unitary body having a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall, a propulsion subsystem operable to selectively propel the body in either a forward or rearward direction, and a cleaning subsystem operable in either a water surface cleaning mode for skimming or scooping or a wall surface cleaning mode for vacuuming or sweeping. The subsystems are powered by an electric source such as solar cells and/or rechargeable batteries and/or a wire extending to the unitary body from an external power source. An alternative embodiment uses separate top and bottom units tethered together by an electric conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for use in high volume production for determining leakage from a nominally sealed product container, e.g., a battery case. The method and apparatus first functions to analytically test for leakage of a particular component of interest, e.g., a liquid electrolyte comprising a mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and methyl-ethyl carbonate (MEC) in a lithium-ion battery. A second gas leakage test can then be performed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a band 20 which is used to secure single or multiple items. Band 20 has a first set of teeth 30 disposed on a first side 26 at a first end 22, and a second set of teeth 32 disposed on a second side 28 at an opposite second end 24. An aperture 34 is located near second end 24. Band 20 is wrapped around the item or items. First end 22 is then inserted into aperture 34 and band 20 is closed so that first teeth 30 interlockingly engage second teeth 32, thereby preventing band 20 from opening.

Abstract: The difficulties encountered with attaching tabs to very thin metal layer. e. g., a layer of gold from 0.3 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m thick are severe. Typically, in the uses envisioned for the thin metal layer, which is for a compact battery, a plastic sheet such as polyimide underlies the thin metal layer. Polyimide has a relatively low melting point. The thin polyimide substrate melts when resistance welding is used. Ultrasonic welding doesn't work because the sound wave energy is absorbed by the polyimide. This invention solves the attachment problem by using wire bonding to the thin metal sheet and to its tab. The tab attachment for a thin metal layer comprises a thin metal layer, a metal tab, and a wire and the wire is bonded to the thin metal layer and the wire is bonded to the metal tab. The thin metal layer may be gold; the thickness of the gold is between 0.3 &mgr;m and 50.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A display system for an article of clothing (20) includes an article of clothing (22) having an outer layer (28) which has an aperture (30). A display receiving insert (24) has a plate (32) which is shaped and dimensioned to fit into the aperture (30). The display receiving insert (24) is permanently attached to the article of clothing (22) so that plate (32) fits into aperture (30) and faces outward. A display (26) is then adhesively attached to plate (32).

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a user's forearm and wrists while still allowing substantially full mobility of the user's arms and hands to enable him to comfortably and effectively operate a keyboard and mouse. The assembly includes left and right subassemblies, each including an armrest. Each subassembly is configured to enable the armrest to (1) move laterally and longitudinally relative to a keyboard mounted on the surface of a support plate, (2) swivel about multiple axes oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface, and (3) tilt about an axis oriented substantially parallel to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing the output of multiple light sources used to expose a photosensitive material to print high quality continuous tone and/or color images. Each of the multiple light sources is driven by a different signal weighted to cause all of the light sources to output light of intensity appropriate to produce a uniform image density over a wide range of image densities. In a preferred embodiment, each light source is driven by a different digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and/or timer circuit. A control processor supplies a multibit correction value tog each DAC and/or timer circuit to supply a drive signal to its associated light source weighted to cause all of the light sources to output light of substantially uniform intensity at a certain intensity level.

Abstract: A battery circuit, including a secondary battery, a storage capacitor, two switches and two voltage monitor circuits, detects a remaining capacity of the secondary battery and sends out data indicative of the remaining capacity to outside of the battery circuit. A first switch connects a secondary battery to a storage capacitor. A second switch connects the other end of the first switch to the storage capacitor and a load. A storage capacitor voltage monitor circuit measures voltage of the storage capacitor. The first switch is then turned ON and a current from the battery is transferred to the storage capacitor. At this time, the second switch is OFF. Then, the first switch is then turned OFF, and voltage of the storage capacitor indicative of the voltage of the secondary battery is measured. Then, the second switch turns ON and the current flows from the storage capacitor to the external load.

Abstract: A card storage and display device (20) includes a first sheet (22) which is attached to a second sheet (36). A first sheet (22) has a plurality of parallel slits (24) which are arranged in stair step fashion. First sheet (22) also has a corresponding plurality of tabs (32), also arranged in stair step fashion, wherein each slit (24) has an accompanying tab (32). The second sheet (36) has a plurality of openings (38) which align with and accept tabs (32) when first sheet (22) is placed on top of second sheet (36). When a card (500) is inserted in a slit (24), the lower corner (501) of card (500) abuts tab (32) and thus prevents further insertion of card (500) into slit (24). Resultantly, a portion of card (500) remains displayed to a user.

Abstract: A display rack (20) for license plate frames (500) includes a plurality of license plate frame receiving stations (24) which are arranged in side-by-side relationship. The stations (24) are separated by movable dividers (26) which may be laterally moved to change the relative width of adjacent stations (24). Display rack (20) also includes pegboard connectors (34) which are selectively movable along a frame member (21) to effect alignment with holes (504) in a pegboard (502) so that display rack (20) can be mounted on a sheet of pegboard (502).

Abstract: An apparatus (930) is shown for displaying a representation of the outline (44) of a wheeled vehicle in various poses with respect to a pictorial scene (38). The apparatus (930) comprises a pictorial scene (38) disposed upon a substantially planar background element (32). First and second spaced straps (58) serve as the vehicle's wheels (40) and (42) and are engaged by T-shaped slots (64) and (66) in outline (44) so that the vehicle may be selectively slidably moved along straps (58) thereby assuming a plurality of poses with respect to the pictorial scene (38) and the wheels (40) and (42). A third strap (999) is cut in the form of a person or advertised product into the background element (32) between the first and second straps. The vehicle is positioned between third strap (999) and the remaining portion of background element (32) so that third strap (999) holds the middle of the vehicle against the background element (32).

Abstract: A pencil (20) includes a threaded end (30). A threaded ferrule (24) surrounds an eraser (26), and threadably engages the threaded end (30). When the ferrule (24) is rotated, it screws down on the threaded end (30) thereby exposing an unused portion of the eraser (26). A stop mechanism (34) prevents the ferrule (24) from being unscrewed from the threaded end (30).

Abstract: A method for cleaning a vehicle (50) includes providing a can of compressed gas (20) having a nozzle (22), and an activating means for causing gas (26) to emanate from the nozzle (22); providing an absorbent member (36); providing a vehicle (50) having an inaccessible location (60) wherein moisture is disposed; pointing nozzle (22) in the direction of inaccessible location (60); activating the activating means causing gas (26) to emanate from nozzle (22) thereby extricating the moisture from the inaccessible location (60); and, using an absorbent member (36) to wipe off extricated moisture from the vehicle (50).

Abstract: Current flows from the secondary battery via the current mirror circuit to the regenerative capacitor. The current mirror circuit multiplies by a numerical constant the current flowing from the secondary battery and supplies the amplified current through the regenerative capacitor. When a voltage value of the regenerative capacitor reaches a predetermined maximum value, the current flows from the regenerative capacitor to the external load. The current flow from the regenerative capacitor continues until the voltage decreases to a predetermined minimum value. Immediately before the voltage of the regenerative capacitor reaches the predetermined minimum value, a terminal voltage of the secondary battery in an open state is measured. This structure enables a charging-and-discharging microcurrent from the secondary battery to be easily monitored, while simultaneously detecting a remaining capacity of the secondary battery.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaning system including a cleaner body intended to travel in a forward direction along a wall surface or on the water surface to substantially randomly traverse a swimming pool. The system includes a propulsion subsystem for producing a force to propel the body in a forward direction, a motion sensor for indicating when the velocity of the body, diminishes below a certain threshold rate, and a repositioning subsystem responsive to said motion sensor indication for producing a limited duration force to change the position of the body after which forward direction motion resumes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e.. lighter-than-water).