Abstract: A printer is provided which includes a control unit and a print head with a burn line and a platen roller. The print head is coupled to the control unit. The print head is positioned in a vertical orientation relative to the platen roller over which a media label passes during printing. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, coupled to the control unit, for programming RFID tags on the media label is also provided. The RFID reader is coupled to a RFID antenna. The RFID antenna is above the media label path, the print head's vertical orientation allowing the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line. Further, a label stop sensor (LSS) module is provided, coupled to the control unit, for monitoring movement of the media label along a media path. The LSS module is disposed adjacent to the RFID antenna.

Abstract: A universal wraparound cover for a step includes opposed ends with equivalent number of multiple tabs and fasteners engaging the tabs through holes in the opposed ends to secure the cover to the step. Rear tabs include multiple reinforced attachment points, and the forward tabs include a single attachment point each. The wraparound cover can therefore be fitted over numerous side supported step types.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for providing feedback to a user on the status of media or ribbon of a printer. The feedback may be provided by incorporating a feedback mechanism in a hanger of a printer. The printer may be a thermal printer, but may be another type of printer. The feedback mechanism of the printer may be designed to work with one or more sensors to provide a feedback loop so that without an input from a user, the printer is able to detect the presence/absence of media or ribbon, as well as determine the width of the loaded media or ribbon. In another embodiment, the feedback mechanism is able to determine the weight of the roll of media or ribbon and hence determine the quantity of media or ribbon available on the hanger.

Abstract: An imaging lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having two surfaces both being convex aspheric surfaces; a second lens being aspherical and having a negative refractive power; a third lens being aspherical and having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens being aspherical and having a negative refractive power; and a fifth lens being aspherical, the fifth lens having a concave rear surface facing the image side on the optical axis, the rear surface having an inflection point at a position near its circumference, the fifth lens having a front surface facing the object side, the front surface having a smaller curvature than any other lens surface, and the fifth lens serves also as an infrared cut filter; wherein the imaging lens satisfies the following conditions: (1) TTL/2ih<0.85; and (2) 0.7<ih/f<1.1.

Abstract: A 4-channel parallel-optical (SR4) device for monitoring an emission power includes an emission assembly, a receiving assembly, and a monitoring assembly. The emission assembly includes an emission chip, a first planar groove, and a second planner groove. The receiving assembly includes a third planar groove and a receiving chip. The emission chip emits the laser to the first planar groove, the first planar groove transmits a part of the laser to the second planar groove, and the second planar groove total reflects the transmitted laser to an optical fiber. The first planar groove reflects a part of the laser to the monitoring assembly. The monitoring assembly receives the reflected laser and monitors power parameters of the reflected laser, the laser is emitted to the third planar groove through the optical fiber, the third planar groove total reflects the laser to the receiving chip, and the receiving chip receives the laser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for ultrasonic inspection of a test object, comprising the steps of defining a coordinate system of the test object; selecting, relative to the coordinate system of the test object, at least two positions of a test area; positioning a respective ultrasonic measuring device at the at least two positions within the test area; transmitting, an ultrasonic wave pattern into the test object; receiving an ultrasonic wave pattern signal; acquiring an ultrasonic reference wave pattern signal for a reference area of a reference object, and comparing the received ultrasonic wave pattern signal from the test object with the acquired ultrasonic reference wave pattern signal of the reference object for detecting a defect in the test object.

Abstract: Peptide nucleic acids containing thymidine and 2-aminopyridine (M) nucleobases formed stable and sequence selective triple helices with double stranded RNA at physiologically relevant conditions. The M-modified PNA displayed unique RNA selectivity by having two orders of magnitude higher affinity for the double stranded RNAs than for the same DNA sequences. Preliminary results suggested that nucleobase-modified PNA could bind and recognize double helical precursors of microRNAs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a thermal print head (TPH) that is easily replaced in a slot on the side of a thermal printing device using a push/eject mechanism. Other embodiments of the present invention describe a thermal printing device where the print pressure is easily adjusted for different types of printing media (labels) by turning a turnknob. In preferred embodiments, the turnknob has three print pressure settings, high, medium, and low.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an ultrasonic transducer and a manufacturing method. The ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor comprises a piezoelectric layer, receiving electrode lines, emitting electrode lines, a substrate, connecting electrodes and bonding wires. Wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises an array of piezoelectric pillars. The plurality of receiving electrode lines are formed on the piezoelectric layer. The plurality of emitting electrode lines being formed beneath the piezoelectric layer. The substrate is formed under the emitting electrode lines. The connecting electrodes are formed under the substrate. The bonding wires are configured to connect the receiving electrode lines with the connecting electrodes and to connect the emitting electrode lines with the connecting electrodes.

Abstract: An actuator for driving a rotatable component includes a first, rotating member comprising a screw and a second member comprising a nut threaded to said screw, wherein rotation of said first member causes axial movement of said first or second member. The component also includes a third member coupled to the second member, wherein axial movement of said first or second member causes axial movement of said third member and a fourth, rotating member coupled to said third member and connectable to said component. The system also includes a bearing system located between said third member and said fourth member, said bearing system configured to cause said fourth member to rotate upon said axial movement of said third member so as to drive said component.

Abstract: A pedal drive system, in particular for an electric vehicle or a training apparatus, and for generating electrical power from muscle power of a user with at least one pedal and an electric generator, connected mechanically with said at least one pedal, is provided. To improve the haptic feel and feedback at the pedal, a control unit is provided for controlling a feedback torque, applied at said pedal, wherein the control unit comprises a haptic renderer, configured for control of said feedback torque based on at least one predefined pedal reference trajectory.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus used for controllably grinding coffee beans for use in an espresso machine. The system includes a grinder mechanism and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the grind of food product, such as coffee, produced by the grinder.

Abstract: A shaped memory alloy (SMA) valve assembly includes a plurality of SMA valves and a main printed circuit board carrying electronic components and conductors for operating the SMA valves. Each SMA valve includes a pressure chamber having a port. Each pressure chamber contains a valve element biased to a rest position in sealing abutment on a valve seat of the port, a SMA actuator, and an actuator printed circuit board for mounting and electrically connecting the SMA actuator. Each actuator printed circuit board portion is connected to the main printed circuit board portion by a bridge printed circuit board portion, and each pressure chamber has an opening to allow a respective bridge printed circuit board portion to extend therethrough. The opening is provided with a pocket filled with cured sealing glue to embed the bridge printed circuit board portion extending therethrough and to seal the opening of the pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening trackside modules to a rail having a base and a head. The device includes two clamps that are clamped on the base of the rail with the use of a mechanism that extends under the base of the rail. At least one of the clamps is movable. A bracket is fastened to at least one of the clamps and a trackside module is fastened next to the head of the rail. A pair of brackets is fastened with the use of fasteners to surfaces of each of the clamps. The brackets extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the rail and at least one upwardly extending section is fastened using second fasteners to at least one of the brackets outer side surfaces. At least one trackside module is fastened to an upper end region of at least one upwardly extending section.

Abstract: A support system for a sign mountable on at least two spaced apart foundation members, the system comprising: i) a base, preferably a length adjustable base, having a first end and a second end; ii) a vertical sign support having a first end and a second end wherein the second end is connected to the base; iii) a first foundation member bracket for connection to a first foundation member, the first foundation member bracket proximate the first end of the base; and iv) a second foundation member bracket for connection to a second foundation member distant the first foundation member, the second foundation member bracket proximate the second end of the base.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect if an authorized thermal print head (TPH) has been installed in a specific model or manufacturer printer are provided. The method provides a system to check the resistivity or impedance value at the TPH side, either upon printer boot-up or during printing operation. During printing operation, the impedance measurement may be executed for a time period at a fixed periodicity and/or one or more events. Based on the impedance measurement, the printer may determine that the impedance value matches the authorized TPH range value. In a case of non-matching impedance values or change of impedance values, the printer may prevent printing operation until an authorized TPH is installed.

Abstract: An extraction assembly for use in an automatic brewer. The extraction assembly controllably extracts espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. A brew chamber of the extraction assembly is removable for exchange with another brew chamber of different brew volume, having enhanced structures, or for replacement and repair. A heating element may be in close proximity to the brew chamber. Heat from the heating element can be brought directly to the area in which the coffee is brewed to help maintain a more consistent, tighter tolerance temperature and faster recovery between brew cycles.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for executing various types of maintenance operations upon various types of printers. The maintenance operations can include preemptive actions that are taken upon a printer that is being operated in a certain environment, the preemptive actions based on evaluating operational statistics associated with a set of similar printers operated in a similar environment. The operational statistics, which are automatically accumulated over a period of time for various printers under various operating conditions, can be implemented in various ways, such as in the form of behavioral models and/or predictive models. In some embodiments, the behavioral models and/or predictive models indicate an expected-time-to-failure of a component when a printer is operated in a certain environment.