Abstract: A tape applicator system that employs an extendable arm to carry and control the movement of a tape applicator mounted at its moveable or free end. The tape is dispensed from a essentially fixed location remote from the applicator which permits the use of larger roll (Machine rolls) without the necessitating moving the roll as is required in a normal hand operated device. The movement of the tape applicator mounted on the arm is restricted to straight line movement by the linkage of the extendable arm. If desired a parallel linkage mechanism may be used in the arm to maintain the angular orientation of the applicator which is particularly important when the tape applicator is a common tape head normally use in taping machines. Using a constant height system the height of the tape applicator can be maintained constant when in operation.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for searching multiple data sources are described herein. Users may specify searches of multiple data sources to occur on a periodic basis. The searches may be configured to search time or date ranges that have not previously been searched. A user may select the data sources of interest and specify search terms, review and edit previously created searches, and review results of searches. The system automatically performs the specified searches, and notifies the user and/or a team of the user each time new results are found. The system may efficiently search the data sources by storing previous search results and comparing the previous results to current search results to identify new search results.

Abstract: An anti-noise headset device and a sound processing method thereof are provided. The anti-noise headset device includes an audio receiving module and a control module. The audio receiving module is configured to receive several audio signals in several periods. The control module is electrically coupled to the audio receiving module. The control module is configured to store the audio signals received from a first period to an Nth period as sound data. The control module compares the audio signal received in an (N+1)th period with the sound data so as to generate a relevance value, N is an integer larger than zero. When the relevance value is smaller than a threshold value, the control module filters out a portion of the audio signal received in the (N+1)th period, in which the portion of the audio signal received in the (N+1)th period is relevant to the sound data.

Abstract: An integrated duplexer and combiner in a telecommunication system, such as a cross-polarized antenna system, is disclosed. An integrated duplexer and combiner may result in a reduction in the number of transmit filters used. A transmit filter may be coupled to two receive filters through a transmission network that provides isolation between the two receive signal paths and, at the same time, provide power splitting of transmitter power to two duplexed transmit signal paths. The transmission network includes first and second ?/4 transmission lines coupled between inputs of the two receive filters. A third ?/4 transmission line couples the first and second ?/4 transmission lines to an output of the transmit filter. The two receive filters may have the same passband, while the transmit filter may have a different passband.

Abstract: An evaporator assembly includes an inlet member and a diffuser, and receives a mixture of a gas and a solution to vaporize a portion of a solvent from the solution. First portions of the diffuser and of the inlet member collectively define a first flow path. A second portion of the diffuser defines a second flow path that diverges. A third portion of the diffuser and a second portion of the inlet member collectively define an evaporation volume between the first flow path and the second flow path. At least one of the diffuser or the inlet flow member includes multiple vanes that produce a rotation within a flow of the mixture when the flow exits the first flow path into the evaporation volume. A separator receives the mixture to produce a first flow of a portion of the solvent and a second flow of a portion of the solute.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of host computing devices through the utilization of a host computing device control component. The host computing device control component includes a state monitoring component that monitors operating states of the control component. Based on monitoring the operating of the control component, the state monitoring component causes the generation of one or more visual indicator indicative of the operating state of the control component.

Abstract: A portable electric height adjustable platform assembly, and method of use, the assembly residing on a fixed height desktop to move a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a user's sitting and standing position. The platform assembly comprises: a horizontally positioned platform unit configured for supporting a computer keyboard and mouse; a height adjustable lifting column unit comprising three telescopic sections, affixed vertically to the platform, with the outer section positioned above the platform unit to affix the monitor to, and the middle and inner section extensible below the platform to raise-lower the assembly; a base unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the assembly in a vertical position; an electric actuator housed within and able to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend and collapse the telescopic sections, thus simultaneously raising and lowering the computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Abstract: A method for producing direct reduced iron having increased carbon content, comprising: providing a carbon monoxide-rich gas stream; and delivering the carbon-monoxide-rich gas stream to a direct reduction furnace and exposing partially or completely reduced iron oxide to the carbon monoxide-rich gas stream to increase the carbon content of resulting direct reduced iron. The carbon monoxide-rich gas stream is delivered to one or more of a transition zone and a cooling zone of the direct reduction furnace. Optionally, providing the carbon monoxide-rich gas stream comprises initially providing one of a reformed gas stream from a reformer and a syngas stream from a syngas source. Optionally, the carbon monoxide-rich gas stream is derived, at least in part, from a carbon monoxide recovery unit that forms the carbon monoxide-rich gas stream and an effluent gas stream.

Abstract: An improved hardware light switch and a system comprising at least one of the light switches and control/monitoring means is disclosed. The improved light switch and system provide a more flexible, convenient and economical means to reduce energy consumption both at the switch and remotely. In a first configuration, the improved light switch comprises an electronic switch, a broadband powerline communication (PLC) transceiver that includes processing ability, a unique MAC address and a TCP/IP stack.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fire extinguisher includes a fire extinguisher reservoir and a fire extinguisher outlet burst disc that forms a discharge barrier between the fire extinguisher reservoir and a discharge head to retain a pressurized fire extinguishing agent at an internal fire extinguisher pressure within the fire extinguisher reservoir. A cutter is detained within the fire extinguisher proximate the fire extinguisher outlet burst disc. An interior container within the fire extinguisher reservoir has a container pressure and is sealed with a container burst disc. An activation device having a piercing member is operable to pierce the container burst disc and diffuse the container pressure to create a pressure differential relative to the internal fire extinguisher pressure at the cutter, thereby driving the cutter through the fire extinguisher outlet burst disc to release the pressurized fire extinguishing agent through the discharge head.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that recommend images, items, and/or metadata based at least in part on a reference color palette or reference color name. A color name can be converted into a representation of the color name in a color space. The reference color can be used to identify images that contain the reference color. The identified images and associated metadata can be analyzed, sorted and provided as an ordered list of items. Systems and methods are also described that identify items that contain colors affiliated with the reference color. Systems and methods are also described that validate color identifier information in metadata associated with an image. Systems and methods are also described that identify non-color specific keywords associated with the reference color.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for preprocessing JPEG images to enable parallel decoding and for parallel decoding of JPEG images. A JPEG image may be preprocessed to enable parallel decoding by embedding restart (RST) markers within the JPEG data and embedding information in an application (APPn) marker, which may be included in a header associated with the JPEG data. Using the RST markers and information included in the APPn marker, a device may separate the JPEG data into sections and decode the sections in parallel using multiple cores to reduce a time between acquiring and rendering the JPEG image. The parallel outputs may be stored to identified locations in a buffer so that the finished outputs are sequentially stored as a complete decoded JPEG image.

Abstract: Aspects of tag-based product monitoring and evaluation are described. In one embodiment, an arrangement includes a product package and one or more tags with the product package. At least one of the tags may include a memory that stores a unique identifier, product detail data, and product usage data for the product, a continuity trace that extends across an access covering of the product package, a radio frequency front end configured to be excited by an electromagnetic field, and a tag processor configured to detect a continuity of the continuity trace and identify whether the product package has been opened based on the continuity. When excited in the presence of the electromagnetic field, the tag is configured to transmit a continuity status indicator regarding whether the product package has been opened. In this case, a purchaser may be alerted as to whether the product package has been opened before purchasing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight image sensor chip having improved chip driving performance, in which a region other than a pad region, on which a conductive pad is formed, and a sensing region, on which an optical filter is formed, is used as a region for auxiliary driving so that additional functions such as auxiliary power supply, auxiliary signal transmission and auxiliary operation control can be performed, without additional process, in the backlight image sensor chip having a restricted area, thereby improving the chip driving performance.

Abstract: A drive device and a valve including the drive device. The drive device senses the pressure of a working medium and generates a drive force to control the flow of the working medium. The drive device includes a sensing part with a chamber and a drive shaft. Vents and an air exhausting device are arranged on the chamber. The drive device and the valve including such a drive device can exhaust air entering the chamber along with the working medium out of the chamber by the vents on the chamber thereby optimizing the performance of the drive device and the valve and helping to keep the valve operating in a stable manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to improve the efficiency of an outphasing amplifier through modulating the phase angle of a reflected signal in the outphasing amplifier. An outphasing amplifier includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier. A circulator is provided having a first port coupled to an output of the outphasing amplifier, a second port coupled to a load and a third port coupled to a phase shifter. The phase shifter is configured to provide a different phase angle of a reflected signal from the phase shifter to the outphasing amplifier through the circulator.