Abstract: An RFID tag having a non-volatile memory and a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor produces an electrical charge that momentarily supplies electrical power to the RFID tag when subjected to a mechanical force and the electrical power is sufficient to record data in the non-volatile memory. The piezoelectric sensor is affixed to an article such that an attempt to tamper with the article produces sufficient mechanical force on the piezoelectric sensor to record data evidencing the tampering in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An optically-switched fiber optic communication system, such as a Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) based optical fiber link system, may be used to increase the range of peer-to-peer communications. The optically-switched fiber optic communication system may include a head-end unit (HEU) having an optical switch bank. Fiber optic cables comprising optical fibers optically couple the HEU to one or more remote access points in different coverage areas. The optical switch bank in the HEU provides a link between the remote access points in the different coverage areas such that devices in the different cellular coverage areas can communicate with each other over the optical fibers through the HEU. By using the optically-switched fiber optic communication system, the range and coverage of communication between devices may be extended such that devices in different coverage areas and devices using different communication protocols can communicate.

Abstract: A method of optimal focusing for a document scanner is disclosed. The scanner includes an optic module movable in a given scanning direction to perform scanning operation over an area of a document in a scan line by scan line manner by being driven by an optic module moving mechanism under control of a control unit. The control unit includes a best focus value memory for storage of the best focus value for each scan line. The method includes the steps of moving the optic module to one of scan lines of the document and retrieving the best focus value corresponding to the selected scan line. A focus adjusting mechanism is controlled by the control unit to move the optic module in a second direction to adjust the focus position of the optic module in accordance with the best focus value of the scan line. Once the optic module reaches the scan line, the operation of the optic module is temporarily suspended in order to have the vibration of the optic module damped out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for wireless monitoring of exercise, fitness, or nutrition by connecting a web-enabled wireless phone to a device which provides exercise-related information, including physiological data and data indicating an amount of exercise performed. The connection may be by way of a wireless connection using protocols such as Bluetooth® or 802.11, or by way of a wired connection. An optional adaptor may be included if necessary. An application for receiving the exercise-related information and providing a user interface may be downloaded to the web-enabled wireless phone from an internet server. The exercise-related information may be transmitted to an internet server, and the server may calculate and return a response.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system for a heavy duty vehicle is provided. The work brake system is operably dependent on a predetermined high trip brake system pressure and a predetermined reset brake system pressure. Upon actuation of the work brake system, when brake system pressure is greater than the predetermined high trip pressure, the work brake system is configured to deliver a pneumatic control signal to the second control valve to activate the service brake assembly. When brake system pressure is less than the predetermined high trip pressure, the work brake system is configured to deliver a pneumatic spring brake signal to the first control valve to activate the spring brake assembly and remove the pneumatic control signal to the second control valve. The delivery of the pneumatic control signal to the second control valve via the work brake system is prevented until brake system pressure exceeds the predetermined reset pressure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods of designing an integrated circuit (IC). One embodiment of one such method includes: (1) generating a functional design for the IC, (2) determining performance objectives for the IC, (3) determining an optimization target voltage for the IC, (4) determining whether the IC needs voltage scaling to achieve the performance objectives at the optimization target voltage and, if so, whether the IC is to employ static voltage scaling or adaptive voltage scaling, (5) using the optimization target voltage to synthesize a layout from the functional IC design that meets the performance objectives by employing a unitless performance/power quantifier as a metric to gauge a degree of optimization thereof and (6) performing a timing signoff of the layout at the optimization target voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for quality of service over dedicated local loop networks is provided. Information regarding uplink and downlink speeds, and information regarding WAN interface protocol and encapsulation mode, is received from a network device. A link throughput limit is calculated based on the uplink speed of the network device, and a link throughput limit is set based on the calculated uplink throughput limit. An uplink network protocol overhead of the network device is calculated based on the WAN interface protocol and encapsulation mode of the uplink device and is factored in upstream available bandwidth calculations. Communication data size(s) are set based on the calculated uplink network protocol overhead. The downlink throughput limit is set to match the downlink speed based on the downlink speed and WAN network protocol overhead. The WAN network protocol overhead is factored in the downstream available bandwidth calculations and communication data sizes.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a multi-diameter optical fiber link, which includes a first cable and a second cable connected in series with the first cable through an adaptor (or adaptors) and is characterized in that a first optical fiber enclosed in the first cable has a smaller diameter than a second optical fiber enclosed in the second cable. Hence, when the first and second cables are connected in series, an end surface of the first optical fiber is easily and precisely aligned within an end surface of the second optical fiber, thus allowing the second optical fiber to receive all optical signals transmitted from the first optical fiber. Consequently, the optical signals pass through the first and second optical fibers in succession, and a unidirectional signal transmission is realized in the multi-diameter optical fiber link without signal deterioration which may otherwise result from misalignment of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A disinfecting spray module that can either be retrofit to an existing housekeeping cart or integrated into the housekeeping cart. The disinfecting spray module includes a storage container for receiving a disinfectant or cleaner. An electric pump withdraws the disinfectant and supplies the pump through a spray hose. The spray hose includes a handle having a nozzle to direct the disinfectant onto the surface to be cleaned. The disinfecting spray module can include an internal power supply or be connected to a source of electricity within the room being disinfected.

Abstract: A system and method for managing COTS devices based on device auto-detection and identification is provided. A network device on a managed network is identified, wherein the network device is identified as a one of a list of one or more network device types supported by the managed network and included in one or more configuration files, and wherein the one or more configuration files further include a list of one or more respective SNMP variables to be monitored for each of the network device types. The respective listing of SNMP variables to be monitored and/or configured is extracted from the one or more configuration files for the identified network device type. A request is then generated to monitor and/or configure the extracted SNMP variables to be monitored for the network device.

Abstract: Communication devices, systems, and methods for dynamic cell bonding (DCB) for Radio-over-Fiber (RoF)-based networks and communication systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operating an optical fiber-based wireless communication system is provided. The method includes determining a first plurality of remote units in a cloud bonded to a Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communication session. The method also includes measuring a received signal strength from each of the first plurality of remote units. The method also includes measuring a received signal strength from each of a second plurality of remote units in the cloud not bonded to the RoF communication session. At least one of the second plurality of remote units is dynamically bonded to the RoF communication session if the measured received signal strength of the one of the second plurality of remote units is greater than the measured received signal strength of the first plurality of remote units.

Abstract: Retention bodies for securing a fiber optic cable thereto for optical connectorization are disclosed along with fiber optic cable assemblies. The fiber optic cable is inserted into a passage of the retention body and secured to the same using a bonding agent and/or a mechanical element. The rear end opening of the passage is configured for inserting and securing an end portion of the fiber optic cable having at least one strength component and a portion of a cable jacket. Additionally, the retention body has a buckling chamber disposed within the retention body passage for accommodating movement of optical fiber.

Abstract: A chiller is coupled to a plurality of cuffs suitable for application to extremities of a human subject, each cuff having an outer support belt with an adjustable diameter and an inner bladder having an inlet port and an outlet port. The bladder has one surface constrained by the support belt and an opposite surface for application of pressure and cooling to an enclosed human extremity. The plurality of cuffs are connected to the cooler with a series of outlet ports and inlet ports such that the chiller causes the cuffs to be pressurized with a coolant which provides vascular restriction and cooling to increase the formation of human growth hormone.

Abstract: A root watering system for a tree or a shrub includes an outer container of a water-permeable, flexible material. A perforated, hollow inner support structure maintains the flexible material in an elongated shape between first and second ends. The outer container is positioned in the ground with the elongated shape proximate to the roots of the tree or shrub and with the first end proximate to the surface of the ground and with the second end near a lower end extending generally downward toward the lower portion of the root system of the tree or shrub. Water applied to the ground proximate the upper end of the outer container enters the first end and fills the outer container including the hollow inner support structure. Water within the outer container is released through the porous, flexible material to provide water to the root system of the tree or shrub.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating wall panels by generally continuously pultruding a wall panel profile comprising inner and outer layers, and spaced reinforcing webs and/or foam extending between the inner and outer layers, optionally studs extending inwardly from the inner layer, away from the outer layer. The so-continuously pultruded wall panel optionally has male and a female edges. The wall panel is periodically cut for wall panel height, thereby creating an ongoing stream of cut wall panels. The panels are advanced through a corner index station, and indexed at right angles while maintaining orientation of the panels. The wall panels leave the indexing station edge-to-edge. Resin is applied to facing edges of adjacent wall panels. Adjacent wall panels are joined to each other at the facing edges, to make a generally continuous wall panel. The so-joined wall panel is cut to desired lengths.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a secure metal roofing system are provided. The secure metal roofing system includes one or more elongate bars. The elongate bars include a number of slots spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction. Fasteners are disposed within the respective slots for securing the elongate bars to the roof structure. In this manner, the slots are sized and shaped to accommodate a difference in thermal expansion between the elongate bars, the fasteners, and the roof structure so as to minimize or prevent the fasteners from backing out of the roof structure due to changes in thermal and/or environmental conditions. The secure metal roofing system includes one or more roofing panels and a number of fasteners configured to secure the roofing panels to the elongate bars. Further, a moisture barrier is disposed between the roof structure and the elongate bars and roofing panels.

Abstract: A software library could be called by an ecommerce application on a mobile phone to improve security of the transaction. When a human user wishes to purchase a product through the ecommerce application, the software library could present a passkey, such as a unique word, phrase, image, sound, or song, which is only recognizable by the human user. The human user authenticates the passkey by recognizing the passkey as the one he/she designated, and then authorizes the payment for the product, preferably through a passkey of his or her own, such as a password that the system recognizes.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building panel, made of fiber-reinforced polymer, is useful in making structural walls, ceilings, and floors of buildings. Upstanding such walls can have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Panels effectively have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall panel, at spaced locations along the length of the panel. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid thermally insulating foam. Optional reinforcing studs are attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extend inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel. Panels can be made by e.g. assembling pre-fabricated blocks and/or webs, by evacuating a mold, and by pultrusion.

Abstract: An automatic paper feeder for an image-scanning device with a pressure-adjustable mechanism for adjusting the paper feeding roller of the automatic paper feeder is disclosed. A pressure from paper sheets stacked on a paper tray of the automatic paper feeder is detected by a paper tray pressure detecting mechanism and transferred to a roller pressure adjusting mechanism to change a pressure between the paper feeding roller and a paper separating plate and adjust a feeding angle of the movable paper tray.