Abstract: An optical reader, for example a field of view reader or a flying spot scanner for reading a printed indicia such as a bar code symbol includes a light source and a light detector, and at least two channels associated with the detector for carrying signals corresponding to light detected by the detector at different resolution levels, thus simplifying the decoupling of signals allowing a single reader to be used regardless of the resolution level of the indicia to be read. In order to arrive at an improved signal to noise ratio of a bar code symbol being read, a processor produces two signals at respective first and second channels, the signal in the second channel being buffered and merged with a later signal in the first channel allowing time averaging out of the noise portion of the signal and enhancement of the information portion of the signal.

Abstract: A continuous web of breather pouches separated by detachment lines and automated method of packaging medical devices using such a continuous web.

Abstract: A work piece transfer apparatus for use with an ion beam implanter for treating a work piece at sub-atmospheric pressure. The work piece transfer apparatus includes an evacuable load lock system in fluid communication with an interior region the implantation chamber interior region. The load lock system includes a support surface for supporting the work piece with an opening aligned with the work piece. The work piece transfer apparatus further includes a work piece support within the implantation chamber having a pedestal supported by a linkage with two degrees of freedom. The linkage moves the pedestal transversely through the load lock support surface opening to pick up the work piece from the support surface prior to treatment. The pedestal holds the work piece in position in the implantation chamber for treatment. The linkage then moves the pedestal transversely through the load lock support surface opening to deposit the work piece on the support surface subsequent to treatment.

Abstract: A software method and apparatus for installing and configuring network nodes in a wireless local area network by detecting noise levels on each of the available channels in the network. Each stationary access points listens on the available channels on the network. Each of the stationary access points determines a prioritized list of preferred frequencies or channels of operation based on the noise levels from the surrounding channels in use by other stationary access points. The listening stationary access point chooses a frequency and sets itself to the associated channel based on the strength of the other signals on that channel in the network.

Abstract: A rotary knife comprising, an annular blade having a central axis, a blade supporting head assembly supporting the blade for rotation about the axis, a manually grippable handle assembly connected to the head assembly, and a flex shaft drive transmission for driving the blade about the axis. The handle assembly comprises a core, a hand grip surrounding the core, and a connector unit that secures the hand grip to the core. The core has a first end region rigidly fixed with respect to the head assembly and a second end region spaced from the head assembly. The core defines a drive transmission guiding channel leading toward the blade. The hand grip has a first end region proximal the blade support assembly and a second end region proximal the second core end region. The connector detachably secures the hand grip in fixed relationship with the core. The connector engages the second end regions and is detachable for enabling hand grip removal and replacement.

Abstract: A method for controlling a device capable of performing an operation in response to a job ticket includes comparing the job ticket with options within the capabilities of the device for fulfilling the job. One such device is a printer coupled to a computer for printing text and the like in accordance with such a job ticket. The job configuration and the options defining the plurality of operations preferably are stored in data structures, most preferably XML files validated under an XML schema defining options for a universe of similar operations. Each comparison of the job configuration with a device capability option results in a score. These scores are compared to obtain an optimal or preferred option which best approximates the job ticket within the capabilities of the device.

Abstract: A bed riser assembly for providing a plurality of elevations for a bed frame leg is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow base and a support piece insertable therethrough. The base has an outer longitudinal surface, a first end portion having a first edge surface, a second end portion having a second edge surface, and at least one set of apertures. Each aperture extends through the outer longitudinal surface. The support piece has a side surface, a top end portion defining a top cavity, and a bottom end portion defining a bottom cavity. A set of forks protrudes from the support piece side surface generally toward the bottom end portion. Each of the set of forks is removably insertable into one of the apertures, such that the base and the support piece are coaxially aligned. A user may manipulate the assembly to provide up to seven different elevations.

Abstract: A method for controlling the ride height in a suspension of an over the highway truck or tractor based on rear axle load. A load on the rear axle is measured. An optimum ride height is calculated at core response to correct drive lighted angles based on the rear axle load. The actual ride height is measured. The difference between the optimum ride height and the actual ride height is calculated. A component of the suspension, such as an air spring, is adjusted to adjust the actual ride height to a height closer to the optimum ride height.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a method of manufacturing a window or a door. Different groups of components are defined. These components combine to form a window or door. The components that make up a group are monitored on a viewing screen during movement of those components through a manufacturing or assembly location. Practice of the invention facilitates setting up and identifying standard and custom groups for the Window and Door Industry. These groups include but are not limited to the following items, Glass, IG Units, Muntins, Gas, Frames, Sashes, Windows Lines and Window Styles. Such visual software helps set up a window manufacturing sequence criteria used for processing the various groups. It allows the set up of various multiple sort levels and sort criteria within the Groups.

Abstract: An alignment indication is provided in an optical scanner for reading a two-dimensional optical code by varying the scanning beam to provide a region of apparent greater brightness. In the case of a PDF417 bar code symbol, an elongated brighter region may be oriented so that it is parallel with rows of the PDF417 symbol. The apparent greater brightness may result because of the persistence of the scanning pattern in the user's vision. The region of apparent greater brightness may be achieved by providing a greater density of scan lines in the region. Because of the persistence in the user's vision, multiple scan lines appear simultaneously, and thus a region with a greater density of scan lines appears as a brighter region. The region of apparent greater brightness may also be achieved by providing a differently shaped scanning spot in the region (e.g., a larger, or more elongated spot).

Abstract: A rupture disk assembly for use in a pressurized fluid passageway within an application environment having a temperature operational range. The disk assembly includes a cylindrical one-piece disk consisting of unimpregnated graphite, a single bore extending partway into the top surface of the disk, a casing, and a metallic layer overlaying the planar bottom surface of the disk. The disk assembly has a particular burst pressure that is generally temperature insensitive over essentially the entire temperature operational range. The temperature operational range may be from about ?425° F. to about 900° F. The burst pressure may have a tolerance of about +/?5% over the temperature operational range.

Abstract: A radiant source for heating a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of radiant heating elements, arranged in an array that is generally concentric about a source center axis. A reflector has a reflecting surface that bounds a cavity or channel that contains the heating elements, the reflector comprising walls that extend around the center axis and that are finished for reflecting radiant energy emitted by the heating elements to a region occupied by a wafer. The channel reflecting surfaces comprise at least a part of a plane and/or cylinder and/or a cone and/or a convex to the heating elements curved surface of revolution bordering or spanning two or more adjacent heating elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating and/or pressing sealant of an insulating glass unit. The apparatus may include an oven and a press. The oven includes a detector that detects an optical property of the insulating glass unit. The detected optical property is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the insulating glass unit to adjust the amount of energy applied to the sealant. The press may include a displacement transducer that detects a pre-pressed thickness of the insulating glass unit. The measured pre-pressed thickness is used to automatically select a press thickness from a set of pressed IGU thicknesses.

Abstract: Present in a tail shield (1) for a shield tunneling apparatus are a number of grouting lines (3) that are open to a tail shield end (4) and that can be supplied with filling material for grouting a ring gap (7) with the filling material, such as mortar, for example. In addition, additive material lines (8) that can be supplied with additive material are present, which empty into the grouting lines (3) in an end segment (12) of said grouting lines (3). As a result, an additive material, such as a solidification accelerator, for example, can be added immediately before the mixture is discharged into the ring gap (7), so that the risk of a blockage in the grouting lines (3), which are not accessible in the region of the tail shield end (4), is relatively low.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the end of a burner tube including the step of forming a bore near the end of the burner tube and inserting a cone-shaped plug element into the bore until a circular periphery of the plug element abuttably engages a step defined by the stepped bore. The circular periphery of the plug element has a diameter that is greater than an inside diameter of the step formed by the stepped bore. A force is then applied to the plug element tending to cause its circular periphery to expand radially outwardly until the circular periphery sealingly engages the inside of the stepped bore. The sealing method and apparatus allows various processing steps to be performed on the tube, such as bending, drilling, painting and punching to be performed prior to sealing the end of the tube.

Abstract: An information display board system especially adapted for use by travelers and tourists along an interstate highway. The display board is located at a rest stop or other location readily accessible by road travelers and displays a map of the road along which it is positioned and a listing of hotels/motels, points of interest and other lodgings in the region. ID/status indicators are provided which illuminate in one color, i.e., green, to indicate room availability and illuminate in a different color, i.e., red, to indicate room unavailability. Road alert indicators are positioned along the road map and are selectively illuminated to indicate delays or other road conditions. The illumination of the ID/status and road alert indicators are remotely changeable by hotel operators and the road authority, by directly calling a board manager. The board manager includes communication hardware in the form of a programmable computer and telephone control circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client.