Abstract: An illuminating optical lens article of manufacture for use with a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a circuit board is provided. The lens has (a) a base portion defining a rim on a plane having a bottom surface around a longitudinal axis for mounting over the LED; (b) an integral refractory outer surface of the lens extending towards the longitudinal axis from the base; (c) an integral refractory inner surface of the lens extending from the base forming a cavity shaped and sized to receive an LED; and optionally (d) a plurality of grooved sections for receiving an adhesive formed on the bottom surface of the base portion. The base is adapted to be mounted on the circuit board onto which the LED is mounted. The integral refractory outer and inner surfaces each define a predetermined geometry adapted to direct and focus light emitting from the LED to a predetermined path. The lens is fabricated with a tolerance range of within 0.15 mm or better.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with an input signal including a first packet of a first modulation type in series with a second packet of a second modulation type. The device includes a gain adjustment portion and a gain portion. The gain adjustment portion can output a first gain adjustment signal based on the first packet or can output a second gain adjustment signal based on the second packet. The gain portion can output a first signal corresponding to the first packet and can output a second signal corresponding to the second packet. The first signal is based on the input signal and a first gain factor. The second signal is based on the input signal and a second gain factor. The first gain factor is based on the first gain adjustment signal. The second gain factor is based on the second gain adjustment signal.

Abstract: A washing machine having a chemical dispenser for dispensing chemicals into the wash water during a washing operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having a water inlet and a cap having a plurality of hose connecting ports to which chemical supply hoses are individually attached for enabling the direction of chemical into the dispenser chamber simultaneous with the introduction of water from said water inlet. The chemical supply hoses are connectable to said cap at a location remote from said body, and the cap is removable and replaceable in said dispenser body without removal of the hose from the connecting ports.

Abstract: An application for a shifter simulator for driver training includes a shaft with a handle covering an upper end of the shaft. An upper plate is coupled to the shaft and is slideably interfaced to a lower plate by a plurality of linear bearings, allowing the upper plate to slide in a Y direction with respect to the lower plate. There are spring loaded Y ball detents attached to the lower plate which interface to Y detent grooves attached to the upper plate. The spring loaded Y ball detents and Y detent grooves provide a plurality of natural stopping locations similar to those of a transmission of the target vehicle. A shift arm guide is affixed to the shaft and interfaces to an H-gate. The H-gate is affixed to the lower plate and has detents such that the H-gate and shift arm guide simulate gear shifting positions.

Abstract: An application for an adaptive training system includes a computer interfaced to one or more graphics displays, one of more input/output devices and having access to a plurality of training segments. The input/output devices are in communication with a trainee. Software of the computer selects a first segment of the training segments and operates on the current segment by presenting the current segment on the graphics displays and input/output devices, thereby simulating an operation of the target vehicle. The software collects data from the one or more input/output devices and analyzes the data to determine a level of competency of the trainee. The software adaptively determines one or more next segments from the training segments based upon the level of competency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high voltage inverter for converting DC power to AC power with one or more AC output phases. The inverter has for each AC output phase an AC input phase circuit comprising first and second cold cathode field emission controllable electron tubes of triode, tetrode or pentode structure. Each electron tube has a first input node for connection to a high voltage DC potential in excess of 20 KV and a second input node for connection to ground. First electron tube is serially connected between a first end of a primary winding and ground, and second electron tube is serially connected between a second end of the primary winding and ground. Control circuitry controls the electron tubes so that the first and second electron tubes alternatively conduct so as to alternately bring the first and then second end of the primary winding approximately to the potential of ground.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: A high capacity chlorine dioxide gas generator includes an anolyte loop for generating chlorine dioxide gas and a cooling system connected to said anolyte loop. A chlorine dioxide solution generator includes a chlorine dioxide gas source, an absorption loop fluidly connected to the chlorine dioxide gas source for effecting the dissolution of chlorine dioxide into a liquid stream, and a cooling system that functions in the chlorine dioxide gas source or the absorption loop. A method of generating chlorine dioxide solution includes providing a chlorine dioxide gas source, dissolving chlorine dioxide into a liquid stream using an absorption loop fluidly connected to the chlorine dioxide gas source, and cooling the chlorine dioxide in at least one of the chlorine dioxide gas source and the absorption loop.

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: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer programs, and apparatus for adjusting a speed target of an aircraft. In particular, the adjustment of the speed target of the aircraft may allow that aircraft to maintain merging and spacing constraints with respect to a leading aircraft. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the speed target of an aircraft may be adjusted by obtaining a speed target, obtaining own ship track data for the aircraft, obtaining lead ship track data for a leading aircraft, and calculating a speed target adjustment based on the speed target, the own ship track data, the lead ship track data and merging and spacing constraints.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system further includes a single probe conductivity monitoring system for monitoring the performance of a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.

Abstract: A shading correction is employed for a scanner to correct shading distortion. However, an image corrected with the shading corrective curve has shading noise lines due to the effects of various factors in the producing process of the shading corrective curve. The characteristic of the shading noise is that the each value of any primary color channel, of each pixel in a line is higher or lower than of the adjacent two pixels in other lines, wherein a color channel is one of red, green, or blue channel Hence, the quality of the image is improved by removing the shading noise detected from the characteristic described above.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system further includes a single probe conductivity monitoring system for monitoring the performance of a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles such as cans, the carton comprises a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall and end closure panels for at least partially closing the ends of the carton, wherein the top wall is of multi-ply construction and the carton further comprises an access means defined by a series of weakened lines in the top, side and end walls, the access means including at least one initiating means formed in the top wall, each initiating means including a pair of weakened lines which form a displaceable tab and each initiating means being of single-ply construction to facilitate easy opening of the carton access means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tabbed divider making apparatus preferably adapted for use with smaller, more individualized jobs in an office or the like. The apparatus preferably includes a paper feeder, a film provider, a knife package for shearing a portion of the paper to create a tab, at least one strut, a pivotable arm, at least one spring, and a cam having an oblong shape. The rotation of the cam preferably causes movement between loaded and unloaded positions of the spring, which causes the knife package to shear the paper. Also disclosed is a removable film cartridge for use with the apparatus. The cartridge preferably includes a housing, a roll of film, one or more rollers, a creasing finger for creasing the film, and two or more opposed extensions for folding the film along the crease. Further disclosed is a method of producing a tabbed divider utilizing the above-mentioned apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel compound used as a fuel for thermonuclear fusion reactions for power generation applications. The compound is 11Boron Deuteride, which is an analogue of Boron Hydride. Also disclosed is a method of production of this compound.

Abstract: A tie-down strap system, an offset adapter for use with a tie-down strap or rope and kits therefor are disclosed. A tie-down strap system includes an adjustable tie down strap component having a first strap secured on one end to a strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end and a second strap having a free end removably and operably connected to the strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end, the anchor point connector includes an connector body with an opening formed at a first body end to which a strap end is secured, and an elongated end portion extending longitudinally away from the connector body for a predefined distance and offset from the plane of the connector body.

Abstract: A multiple non-directional scanning method. A document preview scanning is carried out from one end of the document to the other. The preview image is next analyzed to provide a set of scan parameters. After setting the scan parameters, the scanner performs a backward scanning operation from the other end of the document back to the original start-up position to obtain a final scan image.