Abstract: With the payment system 02 of the present invention, a customer 06 may conduct a private and secure payment transaction (i) with a merchant 08 using a wireless device 12, (ii) with a merchant using a payment card 100, (iii) with a merchant using a bank card 130 (iv), with a merchant using any one of the wireless device 12, a payment card 100 or a bankcard 130 (v) with a private party using a wireless device 12 and (vi) withdraw cash from an ATM machine using a wireless device 12. In all of these embodiments, a customer does not share his identity, personal sensitive data and purchasing habits with the merchants, the banks or the private party. In many of these embodiments, a customer need not carry his bankcards and or personal checks bearing personal and sensitive data with him/her avoiding the risks of theft or loss.

Abstract: A stage assembly (220) that moves a work piece (200) a movement step (257) includes a first stage (238), a first mover assembly (242), a second stage (240), and a second mover assembly (244). The first mover assembly (242) moves the first stage (238) with a first acceleration profile (366) during the movement step (257) and the second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) with a second acceleration profile (368) during the movement step (257) that is different than the first acceleration profile. For example, the second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) during the movement step (257) with a higher maximum acceleration than the first mover assembly (242) moves the first stage (238) during the movement step (257). Further, the second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) during the movement step (257) with a higher average acceleration than the first mover assembly (242) moves the first stage (238) during the movement step (257).

Abstract: In a semiconductor lasers using quantum well gain medium, a quantum well stack is mounted in an epi-down configuration. The epitaxial side of the device may be directly bonded to an efficient heat transport system so that heat may more easily leave the quantum well stack layers and be disposed at a heatsink. Such a device runs cooler and exhibits reduced loss mechanisms as represented by a laser system loss-line. External cavity systems using this configuration may permit a high degree of tunability, and these systems are particularly improved as the tuning range is extended by lowered cavity losses.

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (222), an actuator (344), and a mover housing assembly (220). The mover output (222) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (344) causes the mover output (222) to move. The mover housing assembly (220) seals many of the other components of mover assembly (16), including the actuator (344) within a clean, nonvolatile, housing chamber (420) that isolates all contaminants from the outside working environment.

Abstract: A stage assembly (220) that moves a work piece (200) about a first axis and along a first axis includes a first stage (238), a second stage (240) that retains the work piece (200), a second mover assembly (244), a measurement system, and an initialization system (1081A). The second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) relative to the first stage (238) about the first axis. The measurement system (22) monitors the position of the second stage (240) about the first axis when the second stage (240) is positioned within a working range about the first axis. The initialization system (1081A) facilitates movement of the second stage (240) about the first axis when the second stage (240) is rotated about the first axis outside the working range. The second mover assembly (244) can include a mover (255) and a dampener (410) that reduces the transmission of vibration from the first stage (238) to the second stage (240).

Abstract: A collectible card (10) includes a base (12), an insert (14) and a cover layer (16) that is secured to the base (12). The base (12) includes a base recess (243) that receives the insert (14). The cover layer (16) includes a cover layer aperture (234) through which at least a portion of the insert (14) is exposed. The base recess (243) has a first configuration and the cover layer aperture (234) has a second configuration that is different than the first configuration. In one embodiment, the cover layer aperture (234) has an area that is less than the area of the base recess (243). Further, the insert (14) can be substantially non-planar and can form an insert cavity (246) positioned directly between a portion of the insert (14) and a portion of the base (12).

Abstract: A circulation system (330) for a mover (328) includes a fluid source (360) that directs a first fluid (356) into a first inlet (364A) of the mover (328) and a second fluid (358) into a second inlet (366A) of the mover (328). In one embodiment, a temperature of the second fluid (358) at the second inlet (366A) is different than a temperature of the first fluid (356) at the first inlet (364A). For example, in one embodiment, the temperature of the first fluid (356) at the first inlet (364A) is at least approximately 10 degrees greater than the temperature of the second fluid (358) at the second inlet (366A). In alternative embodiments, the temperature of the first fluid (356) is at least approximately 2, 5, or 15 degrees greater than the temperature of the second fluid (358).

Abstract: A circulation system (330) for a mover (328) includes a fluid source (360) that directs a first fluid (356) into a first inlet (364A) of the mover (328) and a second fluid (358) into a second inlet (366A) of the mover (328). In one embodiment, a temperature of the second fluid (358) at the second inlet (366A) is different than a temperature of the first fluid (356) at the first inlet (364A). For example, in one embodiment, the temperature of the second fluid (358) at the second inlet (366A) is approximately at the boiling temperature of the second fluid (358). In an alternative embodiment, the mover (428) includes a heat transferer (469) that transfers heat from a second passageway (466).

Abstract: A trampoline (10) includes a base frame (14) having a substantially non-rectangular perimeter region (38), a bed suspension assembly (16) and a bed (12). The bed (12) is coupled to the base frame (14) with the bed suspension assembly (16). Further, the bed (12) includes a first pair of substantially parallel sides (34A, 34B). For example, the bed (12) can be rectangular in shape, or can include a second pair of arc-shaped sides (36A, 36B). The perimeter region (38) can be substantially oval-shaped or circular-shaped. The trampoline (10) can also include one or more side sections (18, 22) and one or more side suspensions (20, 24) that couple the side sections (18, 22) to the base frame (14). In one embodiment, the side sections (18, 22) each include an inner side (54, 58) that is substantially linear and an outer side (56, 60) that is substantially arc-shaped.

Abstract: A precision apparatus (10) includes a constraint joint (256) having a contact (258A) and a contact engager (258B). The contact (258A) includes a contact region (268) that is rounded, and the contact engager (258B) includes a first wall (270A), a second wall (270B), and a third wall (270C). Further, the walls (270A) (270B) (270C) are arranged so that the contact region (268) simultaneously contacts only one location on each wall (270A) (270B) (270C) to create a true three point contact that provides three degrees of constraint. One or more of the walls (270A), (270B), (270C) includes a contact pad (274) that engages the contact (258A). Each contact pad (274) can be made of a hard, relatively low friction material with a low friction surface (273).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) along a first axis includes a motor (20) and a coupling assembly (22). The motor (20) includes a motor output (332) that is moved along the first axis and about the first axis. The coupling assembly (22) includes a stage (344) that couples the motor output (332) to the object (12) and a stage guide (346) that guides the motion of the stage (344) along the first axis. In one embodiment, the stage guide (346) is a linear bearing that allows for motion of the stage (344) along the first axis and inhibits motion of the stage (344) about the first axis, along a second axis and along a third axis. Additionally, the coupling assembly (22) can include a measurement system (28) that monitors the movement of the stage (344).

Abstract: A container assembly (10) for retaining a liquid (16) during aging of the liquid (16) includes a container (12), a flavor insert (224) and an insert retainer (222). The container (12) defines a chamber (226) that retains the liquid (16). Further, the container (12) includes a wall (228A) having a container opening (228D) and a movable section (18) that selectively closes the container opening (228D). The flavor insert (224) imparts a flavor on the liquid (16). The insert retainer (222) is positioned in the chamber (226). The insert retainer (222) selectively retains the flavor insert (224) in the chamber (226) so that the flavor insert (224) can selectively removed from the insert retainer (222) and the container (12) via the container opening (228D) when the container (12) retains the liquid (16). In one embodiment, the flavor insert (224) can be selectively inserted into the insert retainer (222) via the container opening (228D) when the container (12) is retaining the liquid (16).

Abstract: A measurement system (222) for measuring the position of a stage (248) along a first axis includes a first system (260) having a first beam source (260A) that directs a first beam (260H) on a first path that is parallel with a second axis and a first redirector (260D) that redirects the first beam so that the redirected first beam (260H) is on a first redirected path that is parallel with the first axis irrespective to the orientation of the first redirector (260D) about a third axis. The measurement system (222) can include a shield (380) that protects the first beam (260H) from environmental conditions.

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (226), an actuator (230), and a measurement system (20). The mover output (226) is connected o the object (12), and the actuator (230) causes the mover output (226) to rotate about a first axis and move along the first axis. In this embodiment, the measurement system (20) directly measures the movement of the mover output (226) and provides feedback regarding the position of the mover output (226).

Abstract: A modulator circuit (28) for directing a voltage across a modulator element (26) to modulate a beam (20) includes a first inductor L1 that is electrically connected in parallel to the modulator element (26) and a second inductor L2 that is electrically connected in parallel to the first inductor L1 and the modulator element (26). A resonant frequency of the modulator circuit (28) is controllable over a range of between approximately 200 and 380 MHz. Additionally, the modulator circuit (28) can include a third inductor L3 that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26). Further, the modulator circuit (28) can include an added capacitor (546) that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26).

Abstract: A stage assembly (220) for moving a device (200) includes a stage (208), and actuator pair (226) and a control system (224). The actuator pair (226) includes a first actuator (228) that is coupled to the stage (208). The first actuator (228) has a first E core (236) and a first I core (240) that is spaced apart a first gap (g1) from the first E core (236). The control system (224) directs current to the first actuator (228) to move the stage (208). In one embodiment, the amount of current directed to the first actuator (228) is determined utilizing a first parameter (a) that is added to the first gap (g1). The value of the first parameter (a) is determined by experimental testing. Additionally, the amount of current directed to the first actuator (228) can be determined utilizing a second parameter (b) that is added to the first gap (g1). The value of the second parameter (b) is determined by experimental testing.