Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a sheath over an elongate member comprises an extruder that has an output to supply a melt material having a temperature. A heat exchanger connected downstream the output of the extruder removes heat from the melt material in a controlled manner. An elongate member, which may be a cable core, is supplied to a crosshead that is connected downstream the heat exchanger to surround the elongate member with a sheath of the melt material.

Abstract: An energy transfer circuit for connecting a load to multiple energy sources that can have different voltages. The energy transfer circuit connects the load and at least two energy sources, and has a control unit. The energy transfer circuit can transfer energy from at least one energy source to the load in response to the load's power demand; transfer energy from the load to at least one energy source in response to the load's charging current, and transfer energy between the energy sources. The energy transfer circuit also includes a first capacitor in parallel with the primary source and the load; a second capacitor in parallel with the secondary source, an inductor, a first switch between the inductor and the first capacitor, a second switch between the inductor and the second capacitor. The control unit opens and closes the first and second switches in response to the load and sources.

Abstract: This document describes tools capable of auditing and/or determining reductions to card-issuer interchange fees charged for credit-card transactions. The tools may do so automatically and with user interaction for thousands or even millions of transactions.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for use with metal intake racks used for screening debris from water intakes and other similar structures. The proactive sleeve may be made from a plastic material, such as HDPE, using an extrusion process. The sleeve is designed to snap into place over the metal blades of a bar rack, and to provide a positive and secure fit when in place. The protective sleeve thus provides the benefits of non-metallic intake racks to existing and future metal rack systems, without requiring replacement of existing metal racks.

Abstract: A system and method for implementation of product searches via a search engine over a networked computer system such as the Internet. In particular, a user may execute a search for product offers that are accompanied with reward components (e.g. reward points, rebates, coupons, etc.) and/or those that allow payment in whole or in part with payment components (e.g. reward points, rebates, coupons, etc.).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for automatically identifying a scan area by a scanner is disclosed. The method comprises steps of scanning an original comprising an object, identifying the original to establish a location and a profile of the object in the original, displaying a preview window corresponding to the original, wherein a location and a profile of a confined area is exactly the location and the profile of the object, receiving a framed area selected from the preview window by user, wherein a portion of the framed area beyond the confined area is automatically removed to generate a scan area, and scanning the scan area. The present invention can also extend to a method for selecting a scan area by a user and a scanner with a feature of automatically identifying a scan area.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine having a dispenser for directing chemical additives, such as fabric softener, bleach, or the like, into the wash water during a washing operation. The dispenser includes a siphoning device having a water inlet, an upstanding siphoning tube, and a chemical additive receptacle about the siphoning tube. Upon the direction of water into the siphon cup from the inlet, water is directed both downwardly into the siphon cup for raising the liquid level above the top of the siphoning tube while simultaneously being directed through a plurality of relatively small substantially horizontal passageways that impart a plurality of pressurized liquid flow streams or sprays across an upper portion of the liquid within the siphon cup for further intermixing the water and chemical additive and for preventing the buildup of chemical additives on side walls of the siphon cup.

Abstract: A handheld controller for filling wine barrels with wine or other liquid containers with liquid includes a pressure sensor and a removable dip tube. The dip tube is inserted in the wine barrel and a pressure sensor coupled to the dip tube measures a pressure in the dip tube. The measured pressure corresponds to a liquid level in the wine barrel. The handheld controller is also coupled to a pump for filling the wine barrel with wine. The pressure sensor may be calibrated to detect a desired fill level of the wine barrel. A microprocessor in the handheld controller monitors the measured pressure of the dip tube and shuts off the pump when the measured pressure reaches the calibrated pressure. The handheld controller improves throughput of filling wine barrels and reduces or eliminates overfill of wine barrels, thereby reducing unsanitary or hazardous conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, devices, and system for monitoring and sharing emotion-related data from one or more persons connected via the internet. An emotion monitoring device (EMD) measures physiological signals obtained from biosensors and computes emotion states relating to emotional arousal and valence. Various signal processing methods are employed to reduce artifact and improve the detection of emotional states. The EMD communicates the emotion data to an internet server via a wireless network. The internet server transmits the emotion data to other persons equipped with an EMD. Their emotion data similarly is obtained and shared with others. The networked emotion data can used to enrich online, community experiences such as games and social networks. An implementation of an EMD based on a smart phone enables emotion data to be monitored in wide area, mobile environment. The biosensors can be integrated into the casing or a cover for the mobile phone.

Abstract: A photocatalysis process light emitting toothbrush comprising a handle with a grip at a proximal end and a replaceable brush head at a distal end thereof. The replaceable brush head has at least one group of bristles permanently affixed to the replaceable brush head and at least one violet light emitter is provided on an upper surface of the replaceable brush head for emitting violet light in a direction generally parallel to the bristles permanently affixed to the replaceable brush head. At least one violet light source is provided for radiating violet light, in a wavelength band between 400 nm to 420 nm, and a power source is provided for energizing the at least one violet light source. The violet light is at least one of modulated emission with an average optical output power level of less than 5 watts.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a base, a pair of wheel sets mounted underneath the base in a spaced apart relationship to each other, at least one coupling members mounted on at least one end of the base along longitudinal axis of the vehicle, an enclosure upstanding on the base and having a pair of side wall structures, a pair of end wall members and a roof member joining upper edges of each of the pair of side wall members and the pair of end wall structures, the enclosure defining an interior compartment of the railway freight car and an apparatus configured to move the enclosure in a vertical direction relative to the base.

Abstract: A docking station adapted to receive a touch-sensitive portable control device for communication with a programmable multimedia controller is provided. The docking station has a dedicated, wired redundant communication path coupling the docking station to the programmable multimedia controller for providing effective communication in the absence of wireless or unreliable wireless communications. The docking station is configured to receive signals from the portable control device and to bi-directionally transmit signals to and from said programmable multimedia controller. The portable control device has both wireless and wired compatibility, which includes a touch sensitive user interface configured with configuration information for allowing a user to make selections and enter settings regarding components interfaced with the programmable multimedia controller. The docking station converts the user entered signals into IP messages suitable for transfer over the dedicated, wired redundant communication path.

Abstract: Jamb connectors for finishing a penetration in concrete or masonry construction, the jamb connectors coupling a first jamb with a second jamb that is adjacent to the first jamb and having a first portion with two segments lying substantially in a same plane and positioned at a predetermined angle from each other, each first portion segment being configured for coupling with an associated surface portion of an associated one of the first and second jambs, and a second portion having two segments that are each coupled to corresponding segments of the first portion, each second portion lying at an angle equal to the predetermined angle from the other second portion and second portion being configured for positioning about the intermediate portions of one of the first and second jambs.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a polymer which is combined with a therapeutic agent in the form of a microparticle or nanoparticle which is “hyper-compressed” to form a controlled release dispensing device and methods of locally administering a therapeutic agent using said microparticles.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of canting firearms such as rifles relative to fore grip having extendable and expanded legs. One version allows for a rocking and canting of the firearm by pivotally attaching an upper portion of the expanded legs. Another version allows for a separate canting member to be clamped to both the upper portion of a vertical fore grip and to the lower mounting rail of the firearm. The canting member has portions that cant (move to the left or to the right) relative to one another. An operator can cant the firearm in a free-state or to fixed positions as desired.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for managing and collecting receivables are disclosed. Such a method includes providing at least one pre-existing account with first account information, the first account information having first account party data and providing at least one new account, each new account comprising new account information, the new account information having new account party data. The method also includes determining whether the first account party data of the pre-existing account matches the new account party data of the at least one new account and if so, tying the at least one new account with the matching pre-existing account to create a tied account. The method further includes calculating a score for any unmatched new account and any tied account based on at least one financial parameter and applying one or more collection strategies.

Abstract: An electric power generation system may be constructed of multiple similar generator modules arranged between a rotor and a stator. The rotor may be coupled to and/or integrated with a turbine that is configured to rotate in the presence of a fluid stream such as wind or water. Each generator module may have a rotor portion configured to generate a magnetic field having at least one characteristic that changes with respect to the rotational speed of the rotor. Each generator module may further have a stator portion configured to generate an alternating electric current responsive to the magnetic field. The generated electric current may be controlled by the stator portion of the generator module in order to magnetically control the rotational speed of the rotor and the turbine. Separation between the rotor and stator portions of the generator module may be magnetically maintained.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring a distance, a velocity, etc., of a target using coherent laser radiation. In one example, a method is provided comprising measuring a time required for a light pulse to travel to and from a target, the light pulse reflecting from the target, and determining the distance to the target based on the measuring. The method also comprises measuring a Doppler shift of the reflected light pulse using an optical detection technique and determining the velocity of the target from the Doppler shift. In a further example, a system is disclosed comprising a transceiver, a coherent source, an optical system and a detector configured to measure the distance to the target based on a measured time for a light pulse to travel to and from the target. The system is also configured to determine the velocity of the target from a measured Doppler shift.

Abstract: A carton is defined for packaging a plurality of articles. The carton includes a plurality of carton walls at least one of which includes a slot handle that comprises at least one foldable hand flap. The at least one foldable hand flap has an article receiving section for receiving a portion of an article in the carton when the at least one foldable hand flap is folded inwardly of the carton.