Abstract: A non contact measurement system for in-process measurement of a work piece to is described. There is provided a sensor chassis that includes one or more contour sensors for capturing the profile of a work piece and outputting coordinate values describing one or more points representative of the profile of the work piece.

Abstract: A retractable optical fiber assembly is provided, including a first ring adapted to accommodate a first winding of a fiber optic cable having a first end. A second ring is positioned concentrically with the first ring. The second ring is rotatable with respect to the first ring, and the second ring is adapted to accommodate a second winding of the fiber optic cable having a second end. Rotating the second ring in a first direction causes the fiber optic cable to wind onto the second ring thereby retracting the second end towards the retractable optical fiber assembly, and causes the fiber optic cable to unwind about the first ring thereby retaining the first end in a stable position as the second end is retracted. A module is also provided that includes a plurality of retractable optical fiber assemblies.

Abstract: Methods of interfacing nanomaterials used to monitor and execute the pharmaceutical manufacturing process are disclosed herein. The nanomaterials are useful to provide a plurality of analysis to the manufacturing process. Consequently, the methods provide a means to perform validation and quality manufacturing on an integrated level whereby pharmaceutical manufacturers can achieve data and product integrity and ultimately minimize cost.

Abstract: A will call system for automating the management of storage and retrieval of items, preferably medical prescriptions. The automated system provides informational control of all items in the system. The automated will call monitors the length of time an item remains in the system, and into which location an item is placed. An article sensor provides absolute confirmation that an item has been placed or removed from a designated location in the storage unites. The automated will call system uses a controller to permit users to monitor and optimize the storage and retrieval procedures.

Abstract: A polarity checking apparatus for multi-fiber connectors includes a body, a diverging lens attached to the body and a screen attached to the body, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine test and/or determine polarity of the multi-fiber connector. The screen may be translucent or may be opaque in part and rotatable for checking whether a signal is being transmitted on an individual optical fiber position of the multi-fiber connector. The invention is also directed to a method for checking the polarity of an optical assembly.

Abstract: A battery maintenance system including a battery, an electrical pulsation device configured to supply electrical pulsation energy to the battery during at least one pulsation period, a battery charger configured to transfer electrical energy to the battery during at least one charging period and a schedule configured for scheduling operation of the electrical pulsation device and the battery charger such that there is substantially no overlap between the pulsation period and the charging period.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards.

Abstract: A system and methods for processing payment requests submitted by a payer through a single user interface. The system obtains a merchant identification and a processing platform associated with each payee. The system receives at least one payment request from the payer. Payment instructions are generated based on each payment request received from the payer. The system routes each of the payment instructions to an acquirer processor for authorization to be processed as a credit card transaction.

Abstract: An insulated wall outlet plate assembly. The assembly provides the dual functions of both preventing drafts through the outlet and for preventing against unwanted or accidental access to the outlet. The wall outlet plate assembly includes a wall plate for covering an electrical outlet, a flap assembly secured to the plate having moveable flaps which may be secured in place to close the openings in the outlet plate and a layer of insulation material secured to the backside of the outlet plate for providing insulation against drafts through the outlet. The flaps include an underlying ridge which secures the flaps in place relative to the openings of the outlet plate.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling for use with a fluid line includes a connector body defining a through bore defining an axially extending stabilization ring support surface forward of an entrance opening at the male reception end. The male member is a tube defining a generally cylindrical sealing surface, with radially directed upset at a given distance from the free end of the tube and a rearward cylindrical surface rearward of the upset A retainer is adapted to releasably secure the tube within the connector body. A stabilization ring resides between the axially extending stabilization ring support surface and the rearward cylindrical surface of the tube. In one form, the stabilization ring is secured to the tube to resist rotation relative to the body.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a hollow member having a sidewall provided with a window and a closure member movably connected to the hollow member for alternately covering and uncovering the window. The hollow member has a first clamping surface along an edge of the window, while the closure member has a second clamping surface opposing the first clamping surface and disposable substantially adjacent thereto in a clamping or closure configuration of the instrument. The instrument additionally comprises a tissue occlusion component mounted to at least one of the hollow member and the closure member for acting on tissues gripped between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface, to couple the tissues to each other.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of canting firearms such as rifles relative to fore grip having extendable and expanded legs. One version allows for a rocking and canting of the firearm by pivotally attaching an upper portion of the expanded legs. Another version allows for a separate canting member to be clamped to both the upper portion of a vertical fore grip and to the lower mounting rail of the firearm. The canting member has portions that cant (move to the left or to the right) relative to one another. An operator can cant the firearm in a free-state or to fixed positions as desired.

Abstract: A print mechanism positioned in a housing having a pivotably mounted cover and including a ink flow regulator operatively connected to a print cartridge and provided with a plurality of seals to prevent contamination and damage from unwanted ink flow.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber such as a microstructured bend performance optical fiber disposed within a protective covering. The protective covering is highly flexible and the fiber optic cable has extremely low delta attenuation when aggressively bent compared with the conventional fiber optic cable designs. By way of example, the delta attenuation of one fiber optic cable design is about 0.33 dB or less when wrapped 3 turns about a 7.5 millimeter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers. Other variations of the present invention include a connector attached to the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: In a method for communication between a master node and a plurality of slave nodes connected by a bus therebetween, a first interrupt request is asserted by one of the plurality of slave nodes via a primary interrupt line. The plurality of slave nodes are electrically connected by the primary interrupt line. A unique delay time for requesting an interrupt is associated with each of the plurality of slave nodes. A second interrupt request is asserted by the one of the plurality of slave nodes via a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes. The second interrupt request is asserted in response to successfully asserting the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated with the one of the plurality of slave nodes. A message is then transmitted from the one of the plurality of slave nodes to the master node via the bus.

Abstract: There is provided grommet and plate assemblies for sealing fiber optic closures into which and/or out of which fiber optic cables are routed. The grommet of the assembly includes a central portion with an axial opening adapted to receive the fiber optic cable through a slit in the central portion. The grommet also includes an end cap portion on an axial end of the grommet, and the end cap portion includes a deformable outer lip that overhangs an outer surface of the central portion to provide axial retention of the grommet once it is inserted into an opening of the plate. The plate includes a plurality of openings into which grommets may be selectively inserted. The plate may be received within an opening of the fiber optic closure and includes a slot for receiving a protrusion within the opening of the fiber optic closure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading a RFID-tag signal in the presence of noise and other propagation and circuit impairments using a RFID-tag reader are disclosed. The method includes receiving with a RFID-tag reader multiple copies of an original RFID-tag signal from a RFID tag. The original RFID-tag signal comprises an original bit sequence representative of information stored in the RFID tag. At least some of the received RFID-tag signal copies differ from one another due to noise or other signal impairments. The received multiple copies are processed on a sample-by-sample basis in the RFID-tag reader using digital signal processing techniques to obtain an improved received digitized RFID tag signal that substantially removes the noise and other impairments. This improved signal is used to recover the original bit sequence and thus the information stored in the RFID tag.

Abstract: A bi-directional cable assembly for use with a fiber optic cable that includes at least one cable optical fiber that can carry bi-directional optical signals. The cable assembly is connected to the fiber optic cable at a mid-span location, where the cable fiber is preterminated to form upstream and downstream cable fiber sections. A tether having an upstream and/or a downstream tether fiber is spliced to corresponding preterminated upstream and/or downstream cable fibers at respective one or more splice locations. At least one of the tether fibers is a bend-resistant optical fiber that includes a bend angle equal to or about 180 degrees so that the tether extends in one direction from the mid-span access point along the fiber optic cable. A low-profile protective cover covers the mid-span access point and an end-portion of the tether. A protective tube may be used to house the bend-improved fiber and the splices that connect the cable fiber sections to the tether fibers.

Abstract: A solar collector includes a plurality of elongated parabolic reflectors mounted within a glass-topped enclosure for pivotal movement such that each reflector is incrementally pivoted throughout the course of a day to remain substantially perpendicular to the sun. The incremental pivotal movement is caused by a motor energized from a solar switch having solar cells that also pivot throughout the day so that in one position of the switch, no electricity is being generated and transferred to the motor, but in a second position, the switch receives solar radiation and energizes the motor to again incrementally pivot each reflector along with the solar switch.

Abstract: A modularized approach for rapidly and cost effectively assembling a structure suitable for housing radiation emitting equipment is disclosed. The modules include reinforced walls to contain radiation shielding fill material. The modules are transported empty and then filled on site with the fill material to form a radiation shielding barrier around radiation emitting equipment.