Abstract: A convertible financial instrument provides incentives to holders to keep the instruments outstanding so that issuers maintain flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. The instrument may provide issuers with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument. The instrument may contain a provision calling for contingent payments (which may include, for example, contingent interest, preferred distributions, contingent principal, dividends, and other pay-outs) to the holder in some circumstances, which may be based on formulae calculations. For example, this may occur when the trading value of the convertible instrument exceeds a predetermined value such as, for example, a certain percentage of the accredited value of the convertible instrument, or, for example, another circumstance that may trigger a contingent payment may be when the price of another financial instrument (e.g.

Abstract: Three-dimensional parameters of a tire are measured dynamically in a non-contact way using laser vision technology. Two laser vision sensors are used, which are calibrated and then used for practical measurement. The system offers a wide measuring range, high accuracy and high efficiency, even though the tire is moving, and it minimizes the size of the measuring apparatus, and reduces the cost of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: An improved axial gas bearing for a gas-driven NMR MAS sample rotor is disclosed that utilizes inward flow with a low rotational component over a rotor conical end. A conical flow region is formed between the rotor conical end and a conical stator bearing surface such that the included angle defining the stator surface is not less than the included angle defining the rotor conical end. Gas is injected radially inward with a significant axial rearward component from a number of small holes at high velocity from the periphery into the conical flow region. Compared to the radial velocity components, the tangential flow components of the injected gas are small and preferably opposed to the direction of the rotor rotation.

Abstract: In a postage meter system (FIG. 2), a user enters information,indicative of a batch of mail pieces to be franked (30). The mail pieces are franked(31), and when the batch is completed, data relating to the batch are made the subject of a cryptographic engine(33). The data digitally signed, or a message authentication code (MAC) is derived, all in a postal security device (PSD)(32). The data are communicated(34), preferably by means of public-key cryptography(35). These data are then made available to the postal authority in a secure way.

Abstract: Device at tool holder (10) of the kind comprising an essentially C-shaped frame preferably having a long inner range, which frame at its free shank ends carries said tool, for instance a riveting, a glueing or a welding unit. The holder (10) comprises a truss or frame work, which includes an outer and an inner C-shaped frame (11, 23) and a number of slewing brackets (27–32) connected to these. The frames (11, 23) and the slewing brackets (27–32) are arranged to form a number of connected triangular sections, which connection points (18–22, 37) are designed as intersections or joints. The outer C-shaped frame (11) is arranged only to support thrust forces and the inner frame (23) thrust and tensile forces and the slewing brackets (27–32) substantially tensile forces.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: A broadhead assembly includes a substantially planar metal blade that defines a plane of symmetry relative to the blade. The blade includes first and second sharp edges which are symmetric relative to the plane of symmetry. The first and second sharp edges nearing each other and defining a tip area therebetween/and defining a cutting bevel of between 17 and 30 degrees. The tip area is characterized by third and fourth sharp edges which are symmetric relative to the plane of symmetry. The third edge is adjacent to the first edge at a first inflection point and adjacent to the fourth edge at the tip area. The fourth edge is adjacent to the third edge at the tip area and the second edge at a second inflection point, wherein the angle formed between the first inflection point, the tip area, and the second inflection point is between 40 and 65 degrees.

Abstract: A MAS probe offers a substantial improvement in signal to noise (S/N) in triple-resonance high-resolution (HR) magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR of samples near room temperature (RT) in high field magnets, especially where the RT shim bore is less than 55 mm. Critical circuit components other than the sample coils, including both high-power capacitors and inductors for one or more channels are located in a small, thermally insulated, cold zone immediately below the sample spinner assembly. Cooling these components to 100 K allows their thermal noise power to be conveniently reduced by a factor of three or more. Variable capacitors for fine tuning are located in an RT tuning zone below the cold zone. The circuit is designed such that the currents, voltages, and standing wave ratio (SWR) in circuit tuning elements in the RT tuning zone are relatively low, so rf losses and noise contributions below the cold zone may be only a few percent.

Abstract: A hub for a fiber channel arbitrated loop is disclosed. The hub comprises a switching device including a matrix of switches connected by a plurality of signal lines, each signal line being electrically connected to at least one switch. The hub is operable to selectively connect and disconnect one signal line from at least one other signal line, at least some of the signal lines being operatively connectable to respective devices comprising the fiber-channel arbitrated loop. The switching device is operatively configurable to selectively open and close the switches to arrange the devices on the fiber-channel arbitrated loop.

Abstract: The piezoelectric motor (6) comprises a stator (1) and a runner (4) which form a gap (7) as well as comprising a piezoelectric transducer (3) which is connected to the stator (1) or the runner (4) and which with the stator (1) or the runner (4) forms a resonator (1,3;4,3), wherein the resonator (1,3; 4,3) may be excited in a main oscillation direction (H), characterised in that the stator (1) comprises an engagement surface (1a) facing the runner (4), or the runner (4) an engagement surface which faces the stator (1), and that the stator (1) or the runner (4) comprises an elastic advance element (5) which bridges the gap (7) between the stator (1) and the runner (4) in a manner such that the advance element (5) at least temporarily lies on the engagement surface (1a). The advance element (5) comprises a first part-section (5c) as well as a second part-section (5d), wherein the part-sections (5c, 5d) have a different resonant frequency.

Abstract: A conveyor specialized to convey people, and more particularly a conveyor which may serve as a conventional staircase, comprises treads that can individually raise and lower by the amount of the tread rise. To ascend, a user stands on the lowest level, and the tread lifts to match the height of the next tread. The user steps forward to the next tread. That tread likewise lifts to match the height of the next tread, and so on. In this way the user is able to ascend the height of the staircase without having to step up. A corresponding process permits descending the height of the staircase without having to step down. The conveyor can work even if the staircase winds or curves or goes around corners. Optionally a platform is caused to move laterally from each step to the next, so that the user need not even step forward during the process.

Abstract: A Circuit (in FIG. 1) and an Algorithm for Data Acquisition from Capacitive Touch Pad Sensor employs charge transfer to sense capacitance. The circuit has high degree of noise rejection from both system and externally generated noises; it is resistant to the effects of ESD; utilizes a general purpose “off the shelf” components and programmable microcontroller (element 10), providing flexibility for changes and adjustments without incurring the high costs of a custom IC design. A settling time and low sensitivity to the noise.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed high-voltage assemblies are made up of series-connected diodes. Exposed tabs bonding adjacent diodes allow for greater thermal dissipation than previous products. This allows higher current-carrying capacity especially if used in oil.

Abstract: Unique identifiers are defined with respect to products (ingredients). Each identifier is indicative of a source of information regarding a certification of the respective ingredient with respect to a particular food quality. The information is stored in a computer database. Unique identifiers for ingredients are provided to a certification agency associated with the manufacturer, the certification agency associated with the manufacturer being non-identical to the certification agencies certifying the food qualities of the ingredients. Information is retrieved, by means of the identifiers, regarding the certification of the ingredients. The certification agency associated with the manufacturer is then able to certify the food quality regarding the product, based in part on the retrieved information.