Abstract: A distributed charging system for electric and hybrid electric vehicles includes multiple battery packs of different voltages including high voltage battery packs and one or more low voltage battery packs, each having separate and independent charging systems and multiple sources of electric power. Electric power is distributed from the sources of electric power separately to each of the independent charging systems. A drive system for the electric or hybrid electric vehicle includes a stored energy system made up of these multiple battery packs and a master events controller controlling at least one of a) a traction drive system including a motor and controller for receiving driving electric energy from a stored energy system for propulsion of the vehicle, b), an auxiliary power system for recharging the battery packs and c) a vehicle monitoring and control network for controlling the operation of, and monitoring all bus systems in the vehicle.

Abstract: An input device configured to generate at least two inputs, such as two signals, in response to input movement from a first to a second position, a first and a second speed of input, a first and second applied input force, or an input movement of a first and second distance. When associated with a gaming machine, a player's input effects generation of multiple inputs which are provided to a gaming controller for playing a game. The input device has utility to games, such as a Class II bingo type game, where a player is required to provide multiple inputs over the course of the game in order to participate in the game.

Abstract: Pressure balanced spool poppet valves with printed actuator coils minimize valve leakage and facilitate efficient manufacturing and reliable operation. The spool poppet valves may be configured like a conventional spool valve, but further include a poppet valve at one end of the spool to proved much better sealing when the poppet valve is closed. Various features are disclosed, including pressure balancing for high pressure operation. The printed actuator coils for the spool poppet valves are formed by the interconnection of conductive coils on each of multiple layers of a multiple layer printed circuit board, which circuit board may have a hole there through for accommodation of mechanical and/or magnet requirements, and may include similar printed actuator coils for one or more additional spool poppet valves as well as electronic devices associated with the operation thereof.

Abstract: A roofing system for retrofitting an installed roof with a new roof and a coupling member, or clip, therefor. In some embodiments, the clip includes a housing adapted for slideable engagement with a subframe coupled to an installed roof panel and a rail adapted to couple with a new roof panel. The housing has a slot extending therethrough. The rail extends through the slot and is slideable relative to the housing within the slot.

Abstract: A multimedia control system which may be expanded without creating or modifying source code. The system is based on a master programmable multimedia controller. The master programmable multimedia controller has a list of unique identifiers that indicate valid subordinate programmable multimedia controllers that are eligible to become part of the system. One or more subordinate programmable multimedia controllers having a matching unique identifier to a unique identifier on the master's list may be added to the system to provide additional control ports, increase audio or video processing or switching capacity. A method is provided for determining whether a particular subordinate programmable multimedia controller may be added to the system.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber distribution hub with a panel assembly that includes one or more selectively removable parking devices. The parking devices are adapted to selectively receive one or more connectors of fiber optic cables within the fiber distribution hub. The panel assembly includes a parking area that defines a plurality of slots into which the parking devices are inserted. Once a parking device has been removed from the slot, a splitter module can be inserted into the slot previously occupied by the parking device. Therefore, the size of the housing of the fiber distribution hub can be reduced because the parking area can also be used for splitter mounting.

Abstract: A purge valve for use with an air drying system is provided. The valve includes a housing or body, a piston disposed within the body, and a valve in communication with the piston. The respective geometries of the piston body and the valve define a circumferential cavity between and around the piston body and the valve. A sealing means is disposed within the circumferential cavity for forming a seal between the valve and the body. A plurality of guide members attached to or formed integrally with the valve provide positional stability to the valve within the body and provide enhanced airflow in, through, and around the valve.

Abstract: There is provided splice trays and splice assemblies that provide convenient access to optical fiber slack within a relatively small area or volume. Some splice trays are adapted for use with microstructured optical fibers to further reduce the size of the splice tray or splice assembly. Some splice trays provide fiber routing devices on the cover of the splice tray. The fiber routing device may be positioned on an inside surface of the cover and/or on an outside surface of the cover. The splice trays and/or splice assemblies may be used with or as fiber drop terminals used within multiple dwelling units.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing plants in a rotatable, horizontal, drum-like configuration, wherein plants grow inwards towards a centrally located light source, includes plant receiving hollow members each having a recessed slot facing the light source with a plurality of apertures at the base thereof for receiving plant holders and defining, with the outer walls of the hollow member, reservoirs on each side thereof for holding water when the plants are generally inverted.

Abstract: A method for removably attaching portable items which are usable with each other. The method comprises the steps of removably inserting a first magnetically attractable component into a first portable item, thereby forming a first magnetically attractable item; removably inserting a second magnetically attractable component into a second portable item, thereby forming a second magnetically attractable item; allowing the first magnetically attractable item to magnetically engage the second magnetically attractable item, thereby forming a detachable magnetic assembly, wherein the detachable magnetic assembly can magnetically engage a magnetic surface, enabling the detachable magnetic assembly to be removably secured to the magnetic surface, and enabling one of the first or second portable items to be removed from the detachable magnetic assembly while maintaining the other first or second portable item in engagement with the magnetic surface.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition useful in the prevention of subconjunctival scarring that may occur after GFS comprising an effective amount of an ALK-5 inhibitor. Also disclosed is a method of treating disorder or condition of other ocular scarring or fibrosis including corneal haze and PVR that may develop after ocular surgery or injury comprising applying an amount of a pharmaceutical composition including an ALK-5 inhibitor to a post-surgical or injury site.

Abstract: An evidence chain of custody system that is application-specific auditable and trackable secure smart mobile containers (SMC) for securely storing evidence items that are collected at crime scenes and search locations pursuant to subpoenas or warrants. Each SMC includes a electronics package that can read RF tags applied to evidence bags or totes placed in the SMC or for oversized items, associated with the event or scene, that are tagged with active RF tags. The electronics package also includes condition sensors and an RF transmitter module to permit remote reporting and monitoring of GPS/RSSI location and condition. The SMC includes an electronic lock that provides access security and an audit trail of all opening, closing, and other events.

Abstract: A printing and binding apparatus (1) is disclosed which can print on demand, bind, and trim a perfect bound book. The apparatus includes one or more text page printers (110, 200) and a color cover printer (114). The text page printers print the text pages of a book and form the text pages into a book block (BB). The color cover printer (114) prints a cover for the book. The book block and the cover are delivered to a binding station at which the spine (S) of the book block is adhesively bound to the cover. The bound book is then delivered to a trimming station (TS) at which excess margins (are trimmed from the book. A method of printing and binding a perfect bound book on demand is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fetal heart monitor device includes a channel to receive a first signal representative of acoustic energy principally from a maternal heartbeat and a second signal representative of acoustic energy including a fetal heart beat. The device includes a computing device including a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor and non-volatile storage operatively coupled to the processor, the non-volatile storage storing a computer program including instructions to cause the processor to process the first and second electrical signals into an electrical signal representative of the acoustic energy emitted by the fetal heart.

Abstract: An RFID enabled paper roll includes a tubular core, a paper stock wound around the core, and a radio frequency integrated circuit electrically coupled to an antenna and positioned on the core. A system for reading a radio frequency integrated circuit positioned on an item of inventory in a warehouse comprises a material handling device and an RFID reader coupled to the material handling device. The material handling device has at least member for use in transporting an item of inventory. The reader is configured to read the radio frequency integrated circuit associated with the item of inventory when the item is in proximity to the material handling device.

Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splice connector including a single connector element operable for providing optical fiber alignment and strain relief includes opposed splice components that define first and second grooves for receiving the bare glass portions of mating optical fibers, as well as the coated or buffered portion of at least one of the optical fibers when the splice components are biased together by an actuator. The mating optical fibers are aligned while the coated or buffered portion of one of the optical fibers is retained within the same connector element, thus eliminating positioning problems that occur when separate connector elements are utilized for fiber alignment and strain relief. The splice components may be unbiased to allow removal of at least one of the mating optical fibers without destroying the connector assembly or potentially damaging the optical fibers.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic imaging system is employed to generate two or more diagnostic images with each image generated using a different imaging modality. The imaging system includes an imaging device for generating the diagnostic image information, an operator interface for controlling the operation of the imaging device, an imaging device control module that operates on the diagnostic image information generated by the imaging device and sends the processed image information to a display device. After first generating two or more test images that are used to identify target tissue and to derive functions that are later used during the diagnostic process to identify target tissue and to assign vector magnitudes to the identified target tissue, two or more diagnostic images are then generated and the color in each image is quantified.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for high torque operation of a movable barrier utilizing a compact hub motor device, which may be directly coupled to a movable barrier without the use of additional gearing systems. The flat geometry provides high dynamic acceleration with short electrical and mechanical time constants, and its planetary gearing system implemented within the device allows for compact, more efficient access systems. Eliminating a gear system in accordance with the present invention lowers maintenance requirements, increases efficiency, and streamlines operation of movable barriers.