Abstract: A palmprint image capture apparatus includes an enclosure with a window in it, and an image sensor and light source disposed within the enclosure and arranged to capture an image through the window. Protuberances are provided on the surface. The protuberances are arranged to be in known juxtaposition to a hand suitably placed on the window for capture of an image that includes the palm area of the hand.

Abstract: A method of palmprint identification includes obtaining an image of a portion of an inner surface of a hand of an individual. A sub-image of skin surface within a defined area of the inner surface of the hand of obtained from the image. The sub-image is analyzed to obtain texture data for the skin surface with the defined area. The texture data is compared to reference information in a database.

Abstract: A method for indirectly assessing the gesture, posture or movement of a body part of a person includes transmitting an ultrasound signal into the soft tissue, particularly the muscle, of body part and manipulating the reflected ultrasound signal to obtain parameter data. The parameter data is compared to reference information to obtain gesture, posture or movement information for the body part. Apparatus includes an ultrasound transmitter and receiver for transmitting, a signal processor, and a processor for storing reference information and determining gesture, posture or movement information for the body part.

Abstract: A food preparation device such as toaster includes a chassis, a heating element, and a carriage for directly or indirectly supporting a food item. The carriage is movable with respect to the chassis to move the food item to or from a cooking position adjacent to the heating element. A Shape Memory Alloy resistance member is connected between the carriage and the chassis. Electric circuitry controls voltage/current to the Shape Memory Alloy resistance member to selectively heat the resistance member and alter its shape to move the carriage to or from the cooking position.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of aryl methyl ketones converts a variety of ethyl arenas to the corresponding aryl methyl ketones using a dioxygen-containing gas as the oxidant. The catalyst used for the reaction is a metal complex bearing general formulas as disclosed.

Abstract: A microdensitometer system capable of micrometer resolution for reading radiochromic films, includes: a film holder for supporting a radio chromic film sample; a high-precision scanning stage including a monochromatic light source for illuminating the film sample; a CCD microscope camera for a photographing light from the light source that is transmitted through the film sample; and a microcomputer for analysing data relayed from the CCD microscope camera. The film sample is translated by the scanning stage to enable analysis of the whole film sample.

Abstract: A compound for a composite magnetic material having low permeability and low loss magnetic properties includes a polymer resin bonding agent and a filler comprising one or more ferromagnetic materials. The ferromagnetic materials are Cobalt and Nickel particles having an average diameter of less than 100 micrometers. The particles are coated with a titanic coupling agent to facilitate disbursement through the resin and increase the bond strengthen between the particles and the resin.

Abstract: A dual round robin arbitration technique for a switch in which input ports include virtual output queues. A first arbitration selects, for each of the input ports, one cell from among head of line cells of the virtual output queues to generate a first arbitration winning cell. Then, for each of the output ports, a second arbitration selects one cell from among the first arbitration winning cells requesting the output port.

Abstract: A system for analysing fabric surface appearance includes a feed mechanism for running a fabric over a crest including, a frame for holding the fabric bent to form a crest, an image capturing device to capture profile images of the fabric surface at the crest, and a computer system for manipulate the images. The computer system produces a three-dimensional representation of the fabric surface and identifies prominent characteristics in the three-dimensional representation. The information is compared to reference data to identify a grade for the fabric.

Abstract: An internal torque balancing method of short fibre yarns related to the art of textile and the manufacturing apparatus thereof. The present invention proposes a completely new mechanical processing method of single torque-free yarns, and applies it into the process of ring spinning. Said method accomplishes a machine and a possibility of processing single torque-free yarns within one processing step by simple improvement on the existing ring spinning machine. Said technique is applicable to the production of all types of short fibre materials, and can overcome the maximum bundle yarn count of Ne limit of the torque-free yarns processed by the existing physical balancing technique. Meanwhile, said technique can process the yarns with low twist, which is unable to be processed normally by the conventional ring spinning machine. The torque-free singles ring spinning machine has good mechanical behaviour, good handle, and evenness without residual torque.

Abstract: Helical arrays comprising structurally different chiral non-racemic molecules or molecular entities that control the helical sense of the helical array provide a method for temperature measurement with a unique characteristic in that the temperature dependent chiral biases of the competing structurally different chiral non-racemic entities control the helical sense population since these biases differ in their temperature dependence. By varying the composition of the chiral non-racemic entities, the temperature at which the helical sense population is equal and how the helical sense population varies as a function of temperature can be controlled.

Abstract: A methods for storing a searchable set of keywords includes concatenating the keywords to form a string, and defining one or more links between two or more characters in the string. A delimiting character separates the keywords in the string, and the links are pointers. Any inaccessible characters in the string are removed to improve the storage cost the method.

Abstract: It is known to apply a pulse current during electrodeposition of nickel. In the invention, pulse current waveforms have ramp-down spikes leading to improvements in surface finishes of electroforms created by the process.

Abstract: A food preparation device such as toaster includes a chassis, a heating element, and a carriage for directly or indirectly supporting a food item. The carriage is movable with respect to the chassis to move the food item to or from a cooking position adjacent to the heating element. A shape Memory Alloy resistance member is connected between the carriage and the chassis. Electric circuitry controls voltage/current to the Shape Memory Alloy resistance member to selectively heat the resistance member and alter its shape to move the carriage to or from the cooking position.

Abstract: A single fabric testing apparatus is capable of measuring mechanical and thermal characteristics of a specimen previously carried out in separate testing apparatuses. The single apparatus is provided with a plurality of mechanical and temperature sensors and a heatable top plate. In use, a ram moves the top plate vertically downwards to press a fabric specimen against a bottom plate. The plate is surrounded by a fixed upstanding peripheral skirt against which an outer periphery of the specimen is bent to enable shearing and bending characteristics to be measured. The bottom plate is biased upwards by a spring which is compressed until the top plate is arrested by a fixed frame member. Further downward movement of the ram enables compressibility of the specimen to be determined. A rotatable section of the top plate can be turned by a stepping motor to determine the surface friction characteristics of the specimen.

Abstract: In-organic fillers are modified by in-situ co-polymerization of vinyl silane and another vinyl monomer. Vinyl silane couples with the filler by Si—O bonds. The remaining vinyl groups on the surface of the treated fillers then co-polymerize with the other vinyl monomer. The modified in-organic fillers treated by the in-situ co-polymerization are subsequently used to fill the polymer matrix. Tensile and impact strength of filler-reinforced polymer composites are improved remarkably.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of aryl methyl ketones converts a variety of ethyl arenas to the corresponding aryl methyl ketones using a dioxygen-containing gas as the oxidant. The catalyst used for the reaction is a metal complex bearing general formulas as disclosed.

Abstract: Helical arrays comprising structurally different chiral non-racemic molecules or molecular entities that control the helical sense of the helical array provide a method for temperature measurement with a unique characteristic in that the temperature dependent chiral biases of the competing structurally different chiral non-racemic entities control the helical sense population since these biases differ in their temperature dependence. By varying the composition of the chiral non-racemic entities, the temperature at which the helical sense population is equal and how the helical sense population varies as a function of temperature can be controlled. In this way, competing structurally different non-racemic chiral groups can be varied in their composition so that a helical array can be formed under their effect and be sensitive to temperature over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A method for studying and/or simulating mechanical properties of active structures applies a new type of element, namely active finite element through incorporation of a user-defined sub-programme into a conventional finite element code. The motion and stress-strain distribution of the active structure can be predicted using the finite element model that is constructed with the active finite elements. The active finite element is driven by a motor element that is activated by a mathematical function.

Abstract: Piezoelectric transformers have a number of favorable characteristics over traditional electromagnetic tranformers. However, the construction of piezoelectric transformers tends to be complicated, which may result in increasing manufacturing cost. Furthermore, such complex constructions may raise difficulties in the miniaturization of such devices. A ring-shaped piezoelectric transformer is developed in this invention for low voltage applications. One surface of the transformer is covered by two disc or ring-shaped electrodes separated by a ring-shaped separating segment, and the regions covered by the disc or ring-shaped electrodes served as the input and output parts of the transformer. This transformer may be fabricated relatively easily due to its simple structure. Furthermore, its size and thickness may be reduced relatively easily without increasing the difficulty of the fabricating process. The transformer may be used separately or in parallel.