Abstract: Piling, apparatus and methods for pouring a concrete piling in situ around pre-positioned reinforcing rods inside removable hollow pipe sections that have been screwed into the ground. A final coupler pipe section including a removable coupler device is releasably attached to a reducer section and helical screw anchor that are left in the ground. The pipe sections are connected end to end by helical flanges and are screwed into the ground using the helical screw anchor. Once the pipe sections are screwed into the ground to a desired depth, the coupler device is operated to release the coupler section from the reducer section and the coupler device is extracted from the pipe sections. Reinforcing rods are disposed inside the pipe sections and reducer section. Concrete is poured into the pipe sections and reducer section to encase the reinforcing rods. The pipe sections including the coupler section are then removed from the ground and reused.

Abstract: A delineated collision avoidance system may comprise a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the collision avoidance system, a transceiver for transmitting information from and receiving information for the host aircraft, and memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the collision avoidance system to: receive from the transceiver information from another aircraft, generate from the received information a track for the other aircraft, and determine whether the track will intersect within a predefined period of time a region of interest around the host aircraft. In a variation, the system may include a display and the memory may include instructions to: determine whether a predefined condition is satisfied and change an appearance of a symbol shown on the display to indicate that the predefined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling for use with a fluid line includes a connector body defining a through bore extending from a male reception end of the connector body. The connector body is adapted to operably receive a male member extending through the male reception end of the connector body into the bore. A retainer is releasably coupled to the connector body. The retainer is movable relative to the connector body from an unlatched position to the latched position only when the male member is fully inserted into the body. A separable indicia element is releasably engaged to the retainer and is removable from the retainer only when the retainer is in the latched position.

Abstract: A tap for liquids dispenses liquids including wines from plastic bags or bladders packaged in cardboard boxes, and has three modes of operation. Liquids may be dispensed from the box on a shelf by manually turning a rotatable cap to open a valve for liquid to flow by gravity; an adapter attached to the tap automates the process and dispenses liquids through a pump; and the tap may be used to fill bags or bladders from an automated filling machine. In a first embodiment, the rotatable cap must be manually opened for both manual and automated operation. In a second embodiment, the rotatable cap may remain closed and the adapter can still dispense liquids through the tap using a pump.

Abstract: The Grey Water Processing and Distribution System is a self-contained fully functional grey water collection, processing and dispersing system that runs on grey water collected from internal grey water sources and supplies filtered water to the house's landscaping irrigation system as well as filtered and sanitized flush water to the house's toilets and washing machine for usage and requires standard local power. It incorporates a unique self-cleaning fine screen filter system. The central digital control unit monitors and runs the various system components and manages the house's landscaping irrigation system. The digital control unit also makes sure that the toilets are never without flush water and protects the irrigation system against under and over watering. The internal and external plumbing also allows for the system to be completely bypassed in the event of power failure or the introduction of undesirable contaminants into the grey water source stream.

Abstract: An adapter kit for use with conventional tie-down straps or ropes includes an universal hook adapter having an adapter body with an opening formed at a first body end and sized to receive one of a J-hook, a split hook or an S-hook of a conventional tie-down strap or a rope, the adapter body defining a longitudinal axis plane, and an elongated end portion connected to the adapter body opposite the first body end through a bend that positions the elongated end portion to extend from and to continue in a longitudinal direction away from the adapter body and the first body end wherein the elongated end portion is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis plane of the adapter body.

Abstract: A charging system for autonomous transport vehicles including at least one charging contact disposed on each pick floor level of a storage and retrieval system, each of the at least one charging contact being located at a transfer station, at least one power supply configured to supply power to the at least one charging contact, and a controller in communication with the transfer station and being configured to communicate information relating to a transfer of items between the transfer station and a predetermined one of the autonomous transport vehicles and to apply power from the power supply to the at least one charging contact for charging the predetermined autonomous transport vehicle corresponding to the transfer and located at the transfer station, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to the charging contacts simultaneously with the predetermined autonomous transport vehicle exchanging items related to the transfer at the transfer station.

Abstract: A method and system for transmission of digital content via e-mail with point of use digital rights management is disclosed. The secured access rights to the digital content may be customized for individual recipients by the sender, and may evolve over time. The access rights are enforced according to a time-dependent scheme. A key server is used to arbitrate session keys for the encrypted content, eliminating the requirement to exchange public keys prior to transmission of the digital content. During the entire process of transmitting and receiving e-mail messages and documents, the exchange of cryptographic keys remains totally transparent to the users of the system. Additionally, electronic documents may be digitally signed with authentication of the signature.

Abstract: When multiple readers for RF transponders have to be placed in close proximity, such as in adjacent lanes of a highway toll barrier, they can be set to operate at different frequencies. When signals from two adjacent ones of the readers interfere, the resulting signal includes interference terms whose frequencies equal the sum of the reader frequencies and the difference between the reader frequencies. To remove such interference terms while passing the desired terms, a tag includes a low-pass or other frequency-selective filter.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly including a mid-span access location, a cable having at least fiber therein, and a tether in optical communication with the at least one fiber of the cable. The access location and portions of the cables are substantially encapsulated within a flexible body having dimensions sufficient to accommodate the optical splitter therein. A method for making a fiber optic cable assembly including an access location, distribution cable, tether and optical splitter maintained within a flexible overmolded body while providing an assembly having a relatively small cross-sectional diameter.

Abstract: Veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, gabions, wire faces, and other structures are provided. Various methods of attaching the veneers are also described. A combination of a wall block and a veneer is provided. The wall block has a front face with a block connection space, and the veneer has a front face with a veneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face of the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed in the block connection space.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multimedia control and distribution architecture is provided. A media server/controller generates a plurality of graphics signals, each graphics signal including a separate user interface to be displayed on a particular device, such as a touch screen unit. A universal extender (UVX) coupled to the media server/controller converts and extends the graphics signals for transmission on a plurality of universal transmission pathways. Each of the plurality of devices receives a graphic signal passed thereto, displays graphics embodied in the graphics signals, and accept user input in response to the graphics signal. For example, the one or more touch screen units may accept a user touch and pass a location of the user touch back on a universal transmission pathway to the UVX, for transmission to the media server/controller. The media server/controller generates control commands and provides the control commands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating spinal alignment is disclosed. The contoured sleep system facilitates alignment of a person's spine along the Sagittal plane when laying in a sleep-on-side position. An exemplary contoured sleep system has a unibody trunk rest, head rest and spacing member.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasound treatment of sweat glands are provided. An exemplary method and system for targeted treatment of sweat glands can be configured in various manners, such as through use of therapy only, therapy and monitoring, imaging and therapy, or therapy, imaging, and monitoring, and/or through use of focused, unfocused, or defocused ultrasound through control of various spatial and temporal parameters. As a result, ablative energy can be deposited at the particular depth at which the aberrant sweat gland population is located below the skin surface.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a forward vehicle sensor transmitting a forward vehicle message based on a distance to a forward vehicle. An adaptive cruise controller receives the forward vehicle message and receives at least one additional message indicating a respective status of the vehicle, the adaptive cruise controller sets a braking pressure for an adaptive cruise controller braking event above a default braking pressure if the adaptive cruise controller determines, based on the at least one of the additional messages, that the vehicle will maintain stability during the adaptive cruise controller braking event.

Abstract: A durable and reliable illuminating scissor is disclosed herein having a cutting shear and a light source for illuminating the cutting area. The light source can be connected to a part of the cutting shear and can have an internal power source and light bulb. The light source can shine a visible, or other type of light, toward the cutting area to increase visibility for the user.

Abstract: A method and system for controlled thermal injury of human superficial tissue based on the ability to controllably create thermal lesions of variable shape, size, and depth via precise spatial and temporal control of acoustic energy deposition. The apparatus includes a control system and probes that facilitate treatment planning, control and delivery of energy, and monitoring of treatment conditions.

Abstract: An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot including a drive section assembly having at least one motor and a pair of drive wheels coupled to the motor, a frame configured to support a payload, a transfer arm connected to the frame and configured for the autonomous transfer of payload to and from the frame, and a suspension system movably connecting the drive section assembly and the frame allowing relative movement between the frame and the drive section assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the efficiency and usability of a solar energy collection panel is provided. In one embodiment, the collection panel comprises a plurality of layers. The first layer is a photovoltaic layer that converts the solar energy into electricity. That layer is coupled to a thermoelectric conversion layer that sinks heat from the photovoltaic layer and generates electricity based on the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the layer. A fluid heating layer is then coupled to and sinks heat from the thermoelectric layer to heat up a fluid, e.g. air or water. Each of these layers is stacked together and placed above an insulation layer that supports the layers and thermally isolates them from the surrounding environment. In another embodiment, a flexible coiled solar energy collection panel is provided. In still another embodiment, a modular rail system is provided for simple and customizable installation.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system is provided and includes a transfer deck having a longitudinal axis, a first storage section and a second storage section. The first storage section and second storage section are located on opposite sides of the transfer deck and are substantially symmetrically opposed to one another about the longitudinal axis, where each of the first and second storage sections includes storage aisles that are in communication with the transfer deck.