Abstract: A group of technologies related to RFID reader and tag are described, including: redundant networked multimedia RFID reader, auto-ranging RFID reader, auto-planning RFID reader, smart active antenna RFID reader and novel RFID tags. These enabling technologies bring RFID reader operations into a new level of automation, capability and ease of implementation.

Abstract: A direct reduction process for a metalliferous material includes supplying a solid carbonaceous material and an oxygen-containing gas into a fluidized bed in a first vessel and generating heat by reactions between the oxygen-containing gas and the solid carbonaceous material and any other oxidizable solids and gases in the fluidized bed and discharging a hot off-gas stream containing entrained solids. The process also includes supplying the metalliferous material to a fluidized bed in a second vessel and supplying the hot off-gas stream containing entrained solids from the first vessel to the fluidized bed in the second vessel and partially reducing the metalliferous feed material in the solid state in the fluidized bed and discharging a product stream of partially reduced metalliferous material and an off-gas stream containing entrained solids.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed as including first and second visual display units (VDU's), each for displaying visual images for viewing; a first digital video camera for capturing images of a first individual viewing images displayed by the first VDU; at least second and third digital video cameras for capturing, each from a different angle, images of a second individual viewing the second VDU; in which the first digital video camera is connectable with the second VDU for transmitting the captured images to the second VDU for display; and the first VDU is connectable with either of the second and third digital video cameras for display of images captured by either of the second and third digital video cameras; means for identifying the position of the centre point between the eyes of the captured images of the first individual against a capture window of the first digital video camera; and means for selectively connecting the first VDU with the second digital video camera or the third digital video camera in

Abstract: A fuel injection pump for a piston engine, the pump comprising a cylinder element having a pressure plenum provided with an outlet chamber for removing pressurized fuel from the pressure plenum, a piston arranged to reciprocate inside the pressure plenum, an inlet chamber arranged outside the pressure plenum and at least one inlet channel arranged between the pressure plenum and the inlet chamber. At least one fill channel provided with a non-return valve is arranged between the pressure plenum and the inlet chamber, the valve allowing fuel flow from the inlet chamber to the pressure plenum but preventing flow from the pressure plenum to the inlet chamber.

Abstract: To generate a floorplan for an integrated circuit to be formed by a collection of modules interconnected by nets, the floorspace to be occupied by the integrated circuit is partitioned into regions and all of the modules are allocated among those regions. The regions are then iteratively partitioning into smaller progressively smaller regions with modules previously allocated any partitioned region allocated among the regions into which it was partitioned, until each region of the floorplan has been allocated no more than a predetermined maximum number of modules. A separate floorplan is then generated for each region. Neighboring regions are then iteratively merged to create progressively larger regions, until only a single region remains, wherein upon merging any neighboring regions to form a larger merged region, the floorplans of the neighboring regions are merged and refined to create a floorplan for the merged region.

Abstract: An inorganic pigment, the pigment comprising a compound which is an oxysulphide or oxyselenide of tin and a metal chosen from niobium or tantalum. The pigments are brightly colored in the color range from yellow, through orange to red, and are especially suitable for the coloration of glass and plastic substrates. Methods for the production of the pigments are also described.

Abstract: A textile lapping machine has an inclined reciprocating comb which deposits a vertically descending fibrous web onto a mesh belt of an endless conveyor which travels through an oven. A reciprocating presser bar pushes the pleats formed by the comb into a shark unit which extends across the width of the mesh belt. The unit has a toothed plate which initially slows the pleated web and longitudinal fingers which overlie the conveyor and form a shallow lapping zone. A textile card delivers the fibrous web to the lapping zone and the oven fuses any low melt synthetic fibers in the web to the surrounding fibers to give a batt with a density of 80-2000 gsm. The comb path direction remains constant and the presser bar and shark unit are moved towards and away from the comb. The drives to the comb and presser bar are independent.

Abstract: A mounting accessory for installation behind the cover plate of a handle to mount a switch device behind the cover plate includes a body having mounting formations using which the switch device can be fastened to the mounting accessory and a cable clamp for a wire attached to the switch device. The mounting accessory is formed with an installation hole for fastening the mounting accessory to the cover plate using a screw.

Abstract: A mould for injection compression moulding of an article includes two mould parts mounted on two relatively movable platens of an injection moulding machine and defining between them a cavity. A first mould part is supported on a first of the two platens in such a manner that it is capable of tilting out of parallel with the first platen. The first mould part is rigidly connected to at least one axially extending support bar which engages at its first end with a guide surface mounted in fixed relation to the first platen and which slidably engages at its second end with a guide surface mounted in fixed relation to the second platen, whereby in the closing stages of the mould, the weight of the first mould part is carried by the support bar while resting on both platens.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of producing gas pressure pulses in a dust-deposit cleaning apparatus. The apparatus comprises a combustion chamber and an amplifying horn. According to the method a combustible gas and oxygen is fed into the combustion chamber, which has a generally elongated shape, the gas mixture is ignited for generating a pressure pulse, and the pressure pulse is released from the chamber and conducted to the amplifying horn. The gas mixture is ignited to generate an initial explosion which causes a pressure wave, which is reflected from the inner walls of the chamber end to form a collision zone, in which the initial explosion is at least partially transformed into a detonation. The combustion front is reflected from the gas inlet end and compressed at the other end of the chamber and released to the amplifying horn. By means of the invention, sound levels of about 165-170 dB can be produced at low fuel consumption.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating computer program tests by mutation analysis, including the execution of mutated programs with the insertion of mutations and the identification of mutated programs which, with a pre-determined test, provide a result identical to a pre-determined result. A series of relevant tests is selected for each mutation from a plurality of tests. A mutation ranking system can be determined with the application of at least a first simplicity criterion to the selected series of tests. The mutated programs are subsequently executed according to the mutation ranking order. Each mutated program is executed with the tests from the associated series of tests. In addition, the method can comprise the programming and activation of a programmable circuit. A ranking system for the tests from a series of tests can be determined with the application of a second simplicity criterion to the tests from said series of tests.

Abstract: A netlist description of a circuit is processed to classify some signals of the circuit as essential signals and to classify all other signals of the circuit as non-essential signals. Thereafter when simulating behavior of the entire circuit in response to input signals supplied over some time interval, a simulator saves first simulation data representing behavior of the circuit's essential signals during the time interval. Thereafter the simulator is programmed to re-simulate behavior of only a selected subcircuit of the circuit during only a selected subinterval of the full time interval based on behavior of essential signals described by the first simulation data. During the re-simulation, the simulator saves second simulation data representing behavior of both essential and non-essential signals of the subcircuit to provide a more complete picture of the behavior of the selected subcircuit during the selected subinterval.

Abstract: A pulp lifter for installation in a grinding mill has a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to rotation of the mill and comprises a first wall bounding an interior space and a second wall dividing the interior space into first and second sections. The first wall includes a leading edge wall formed with an inlet opening providing access to the second section and an inner edge wall formed with an outlet opening for discharge of slurry from the second section. The second wall includes a guide that extends substantially from an outer end of the leading edge wall to a trailing end of the inner edge wall, and the first section of the interior space is open at the trailing edge of the pulp lifter.

Abstract: An injection compression moulding apparatus comprises two mould parts which define a mould cavity and are mounted on two relatively movable platens of an injection moulding press. An actuator is arranged in series with the platen action on at least one of the mould parts and is controlled in synchronism with the movement of the platens to enable the relative speed of the two mould parts during a mould closing phase of each article moulding cycle to be modified, the speed of relative movement of the mould parts being the vector sum of the speeds of movement and the platens and the actuator.

Abstract: A cutting device (10) for cutting a material (12) and providing a cut portion of the material (12). The device comprises a heating assembly comprising an electrical induction arrangement (32) for heating the cut portion of the material by induction heating.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm supporting member, and a leg supporting member. A sensor is connected to at least one of the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, and/or a resilient member is interconnected between the arm supporting member and either the leg supporting member or the frame. The sensor communicates with a user display and/or a resistance device to indicate the amounts of work performed by the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, and/or to adjust resistance to movement of the leg supporting member as a function of user force applied against the arm supporting member. The resilient member encourages synchronization of the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, while allowing some relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An improved moisture transfer interface for knit products, such as socks. The interface requires a first knit portion comprising predominately hydrophilic yarn and a second knit portion comprising predominately hydrophobic yarn. The first and second knit portions each possess elongated fingers of their respective yarns which are interlocked with one another. Moisture that is absorbed by the hydrophilic first knit portion is wicked into the hydrophobic second knit portion and subsequently evaporates. The interlocked fingers provide a more effective moisture transfer interface than a non-fingered interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing magnetically active shape memory metal alloy, said metal alloy containing nickel, manganese and gallium. In the method, the different components of the metal alloy are melted, and the melt is homogenized essentially at the melting temperature; the obtained metal alloy is cast, and the cast metal alloy is subjected to directional solidification at 10-100° C. below the liquidus temperature of said metal alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooled plasma torch comprising an electrode, a plasma chamber surrounding the electrode, and a coolant space surrounding the plasma chamber with at least one common wall with the plasma chamber. The plasma torch further comprises means for feeding a coolant medium into the coolant space. The coolant medium pressure is reduced in a fashion that causes a phase change in the coolant medium as it is passed from the coolant feed means to the coolant space, whereby the plasma torch is cooled.

Abstract: A micro tunnelling machine has a tunnelling head with a boring bit which is forced in a horizontal direction by a hydraulic thruster. The direction of the head is laser guided. The beam strikes a target in the head and a camera relays an image of the target to an operator located at the tunnel entrance. The operator adjusts the direction by admitting water and draining water from a pair of rams inside the head which move the boring bit up and down or left and right. Water is introduced into the boring bit through the drive shaft of the boring bit. The water forms a slurry which is extracted by a vacuum pipe which enters the slurry as droplets and particles and conducts them away from the tunnelling head.