Abstract: A fastener comprises a cover, a head, a threaded shaft, and a snap ring, the fastener being adapted to secure a valuable item to a support. The snap ring is received within a cover groove and a head groove, so that a portion of the snap ring is received in both of the cover groove and the head groove, and the cover is locked in place over the head, the cover being free to rotate relative to the head.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses are disclosed, including a method for optimizing FEC code for an average number of interfering users in a multiple access communication, that includes receiving an FEC code optimization information, switchable between at least a first value and a second value, and selecting a first optimized FEC code based at least in part on the FEC code selection information being at the first value, and selecting a second optimized FEC code based at least in part on the FEC code selection information being at the second value. The method can include receiving a source bit stream, encoding bits of the source bit stream according to the selected optimized FEC code into a series of FEC encoded bits, and a parity check matrix of the first optimized FEC code has a first average information bit node degree, and a parity check matrix of the second optimized FEC code has a second average information bit node degree.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from suitable use of redundancy. For example, surveillance systems in avionics applications may benefit from having functional redundancy. A system can include a collision avoidance or alerting system function in wired connection to a directional antenna. The system can also include a first mode-S transponder function in wired connection to the directional antenna. The system can further include a second mode-S transponder function in wired connection to the directional antenna, wherein the first mode-S transponder function is independent from the second mode-S transponder function.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes a resource manager programmed to determine a future location of a first mobile node and a future location of a second mobile node. The resource manager updates a routing table with the future location of the first mobile node and the future location of the second mobile node and transmits the routing table for upload to the first mobile node and the second mobile node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, graphical programming is used to configure a system of audio, video, lighting, HVAC and/or security components. Representations of audio, video, lighting, heating, HVAC and/or security components are displayed in a graphical user interface. Each representation corresponds to a physical component that is available for inclusion in the system. A zone map that represents one or more zones is displayed in the graphical user interface. A selected representation of an audio, video, lighting, heating, HVAC or security component is dragged and dropping to a selected zone of the zone map to indicate installation of a selected physical component in the corresponding room. One or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are determined based at least in part on the selected zone of the zone map. Thereafter, an output is provided based on the one or more realized services.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles includes a plurality of panels for forming a top wall, a base wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The carton includes an access structure for dispensing the one or more articles. The access structure includes a first detachable section, defined by a first series of frangible connections, and a second detachable section, defined by a second series of frangible connections. The first detachable section and second detachable section share a common portion of one of the plurality of panels.

Abstract: A battery pack for supplying energy to propel a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, a battery pack includes a thermoplastic over mold for providing resistance to liquid is disclosed. The battery pack may have increased resistance to battery pack degradation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a compact currency recycling and accounting device and system for use wherein the device can fit under a counter and is capable of receiving, sorting and dispensing both bills and mixed denomination coins. The present invention offers the currency recycling functionality of larger safes in a more compact safe capable of fitting under the counter of a convenience store. The compact currency recycler of the present invention includes a coin recycling unit, a banknote recycling unit, a touchscreen display, a power supply, a CPU and an integrated printer. To overcome the challenges of limited access to only the front of the device in these under counter applications, the device relies upon a sliding, coin-receiving tray and sliding touchscreen display. Additionally, the banknote recycler and the coin recycler are able to slide into and out from the front of the device for ease of access.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for converting fluctuations in periodicity of an input signal into proportional fluctuations in the amplitude of an output signal includes: an input line for accepting an input signal; a delay element with an input coupled to the input line and an output; a detector having a first input coupled to the input line, a second input coupled to the output of the delay element, and an output; an integrator having an input coupled to the output of the detector and an output; and an output line coupled to the output of the integrator. The delay element introduces a time delay which is greater than zero and less than twice the nominal oscillation period of the input signal. The detector performs a differencing operation. The integrator has a time constant of integration that is smaller than twice the delay applied by the delay element.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A multiple access scheme is described. A first bit stream is scrambled from a first terminal according to a first scrambling signature. A second bit stream is scrambled from a second terminal according to a second scrambling signature, wherein the first bit stream and the second bit stream are encoded using a low rate code. The first scrambling signature and the second scrambling signature are assigned, respectively, to the first terminal and the second terminal to provide a multiple access scheme.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for generating a temperature map of a scene are provided. The method may include receiving thermal data of the scene, wherein the thermal data includes a plurality of frames of thermal infrared data. A mapping may be created for each frame of the plurality of frames based on the digital thermal infrared data. The method further comprises generating the temperature map using the mapping, wherein the temperature map is generated prior to a contrast enhancement process and separately transmitting the temperature map and the digital thermal infrared data in a data channel.

Abstract: Automatically diagnosing operation of a communication network, including collecting, during multiple time periods spanning multiple days, a plurality of Layer-4 statistics for Layer-4 network connections on the network; determining, for each time period in the multiple time periods, a first Layer-4 condition metric for the time period based on the Layer-4 protocol statistics collected during the time period; determining a network performance indicator, based on a number of the time periods that a first threshold condition is met by the first Layer-4 condition metric; determining whether the communication network has experienced a performance issue based on the network performance indicator meeting a second threshold condition; and causing a diagnostic action, a corrective action, or a maintenance action to be performed based on the determination whether the communication network has experienced a performance issue.

Abstract: The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe smart sensor technology. In an example, a smart sensor module may connect to a sensor using two connectors. Similarly, an external device may connect to the smart sensor module using two connectors, such that, in a pass-through operating state, a signal from the sensor is passed through the smart sensor module to the external device, thereby causing the smart sensor module to appear as an ordinary sensor and enabling the external device to sense the signal from the sensor. In another example, the smart sensor module may have an alternate operating state, wherein additional functionality is enabled, including, but not limited to, communication with a controller, activation of a light emitting diode (LED) or other indicator, or the retrieval and/or storage of information. The operating state may be selected based on the manner in which the external device connects to the smart sensor module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operating a set of generators supplying power to a common power bus, includes obtaining a first generator speed signal and a second generator speed signal, determining a common mode torsional oscillation value and a differential mode torsional oscillation value, determining a first generator share command and a second generator share command based on the common mode torsional oscillation value and the differential mode torsional oscillation value, and applying the first and second generator share commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a cryptographic system, such as an avionic data transfer system associated with an aircraft, are provided. More particularly, systems and methods can be used to assemble a cryptographic key configuration (CKC) for use in a cryptographic system. A CKC can include various components for configuration of a cryptographic system. An administrator can generate CKCs for multiple host systems via a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) at a terminal and can deliver the CKCs to the host systems via an automated process by way of, for instance, a removable data cartridge.

Abstract: A terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes a recovered item and a new item packaged together as a single stock keeping unit. A method for processing at least a portion of a first medical procedure kit includes the steps of receiving a recoverable item of the first kit, performing a processing operation on the recoverable item, providing a new item, combining the recoverable item and the new item in a second kit, and terminally sterilizing the second kit. A method for recovering at least a portion of a terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes the steps of purchasing a recoverable item of the first kit from an owner and receiving the recoverable item by the purchaser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, two or more programmable multimedia controllers are provided a multimedia system that includes a plurality of audio/video (A/V) devices that source or output digital media streams. Each of the programmable multimedia controllers has at least a processing subsystem and a switch capable of switching the digital media streams. Arbitration is conducted among the programmable multimedia controllers to select one of the programmable multimedia controllers as winning the arbitration. Master status is assigned to the one of the programmable multimedia controllers that won the arbitration. Subordinate status is assigned to at least one other programmable multimedia controller that did not win the arbitration. It is periodically verified whether the programmable multimedia controller assigned master status is operating.