Abstract: A headstone support system includes a pole having a first auger attached to the pole proximate a first end thereof, the first auger configured to drill through soil upon rotation of the pole, and a headstone support attached to a second end of the pole.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus operable for sensing top of form indicators on media within a print station is provided. The sensing apparatus generally including a base and a cover hingedly attached to each other and being operable for manipulation between an open and closed position, a flexible circuit affixed to the interior surfaces of the base and cover, the flexible circuit comprising an array of optical sensing devices, and an interface connector integral the base for connection to a control unit of a print station. The optical sensing devices generally include any one of light emitting diodes and photo sensors and are operable for the detection of holes, notches, black marks and gaps located on a media passing through the sensing apparatus.

Abstract: In a method for instantly issuing a personalized financial transaction card to a customer a bank employee receives customer information and card information from the customer at a branch location. The card information may include a card personal identification number (PIN) selected by the customer. The operator inputs the customer information and at least some the card information into a data processing terminal at the branch. The customer information and the card information are communicated from the branch across a network to a card services provider. At the card services provider, the PIN is entered into a PIN database and a reference number associated with the customer and a PIN offset is generated. The reference number and at least some of the customer data and card data may be stored in a card file associated with the customer. The reference number is used to retrieve the PIN from the PIN database. The retrieved PIN is then used to apply calculations to the card file.

Abstract: A wearable thermoelectric generator system thermoelectric generator may include a thermoelectric generator, a heat collector, and a heat exchanger. The heat collector may be configured to be placed in contact with a skin surface of a wearer. The heat exchanger may be configured to be exposed to ambient air. The thermoelectric generator may be mounted between the heat collector and the heat exchanger. The thermoelectric generator may be electrically connected to a load. The load may be packaged separately from the thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A jet pump, a jet pump data tool system, and method of use thereof. The jet pump includes a body having an intake, a first aperture, and a second aperture between the first aperture and the intake. A carrier is seated in the body and receivable in the first aperture. The carrier includes a venturi for drawing wellbore fluid from the intake into the venturi. A housing for a data tool extends from the carrier. The housing is in fluid communication with the intake for allowing wellbore fluid to be exposed to the data tool. The carrier is seatable in the body by flowing power fluid and the carrier into the first aperture. The carrier is retrievable from the body by flowing power fluid into the second aperture.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that facilitates construction project bidding over a computer network. In one aspect, a construction project supervisor system may verify one or more aspects of bidder information before bidding. A bidder may submit payment information, an electronic mail address, and a telephone number to be verified. Verification may include utilizing the payment information to process a payment, and/or sending a verification code to the electronic mail address and/or telephone number. In one embodiment, the issuance of a bid bond associated with the prospective bid may be required to complete the verification process.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for heat management systems at temperatures in the range of 120° C. to 1,300° C. The systems consist of various heat transfer chambers configured such that they contain heat transfer devices that are spherical, cylindrical or have other shapes, and that absorb heat within a broad range of temperatures, and return such heat at constant temperature over long periods of time.

Abstract: A system for managing and organizing content includes a source capable of operating at least one application (i.e., content manager, taxonomy manager, etc.). The application(s) are capable of providing a plurality of pieces of content and a plurality of master taxonomies, each master taxonomy including at least one piece of content placed at one or more locations. After providing the pieces of content and the master taxonomies, the application(s) can identify a subset of the pieces of content and at least one master taxonomy, where the subset includes at least one piece of content. The application(s) can then generate at least one client taxonomy based upon the identified subset and the master taxonom(ies) such that the subset of the pieces of content can thereafter be organized in the client taxonom(ies). The system can also include a client capable of organizing the subset in the client taxonom(ies).

Abstract: A print station system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the print station system.

Abstract: A printing system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly encoded with at least one feature module and being in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the printing system.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting the setting(s) of a printer having a control circuit in communication with a sensory system and a database. The database is located in a storage medium and the data in the database includes one or more defined parameter settings corresponding to one or more media types. The sensory system is used to obtain a media identifier from media loaded into the printer. The control circuit determines the type of media from the media identifier. The media type is then compared to the database entries and used to retrieve any defined parameter setting(s) corresponding to the media type identified by the media identifier. Instructions to adjust the printer setting(s) according to the defined parameter setting(s) are determined at the control circuit. The control circuit then sends the instructions to the appropriate systems of the printer to adjusted the printer setting(s) according to the defined parameter setting(s).

Abstract: A knee scooter having pivotable handle bars, a U-shaped frame with a wide rear axle and an adjustable knee support for use by injured or disabled users. The wide rear axle of the U-shaped frame can be laterally moved to accommodate either an injury to a right or left leg. The scooter is steered by turning a pair of front wheels and hand brakes are positioned on the handle bars to manually stop the scooter as needed. The steering or turning of the front wheels is limited to about 60° rotation for safety purposes. The method of use includes securing the handle bars in an upright position, adjusting the steering column height, adjusting the knee support height and moving the rear axle laterally to accommodate supporting either a right or left leg as needed as the other leg is used to propel the scooter.

Abstract: A document console has a plastic base and a body. The body includes a top and sides. A door is interconnected to the body and is movable between open and closed positions. The base, body and door define a document receiving interior. The plastic base defines a plurality of inner and outer members which receive the side therebetween and support the sides in an upright position.

Abstract: A bag of thin plastic material shaped into a container having a closed end and an open end cut to provide two tying portions, and sides extending between the open and closed ends. The plastic material is of a color and has at least an antimicrobial agent, and has an imprinted design or pattern. The bag is of a size suitable for receiving a single product, such as a used feminine hygiene product, along with any other material in the use or replacement of such product by a user, in which the tying portions are tieable to seal the product within the bag. When a product is sealed in the bag by a user, the antimicrobial agent inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria, the scent masks any odors, and the color and imprinted design assists to conceal or obfuscate any blood on a used feminine product in the bag.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining and adjusting printhead pressure of a thermal printer. The apparatus includes a printhead support housing operable for placement in a print station of a printer. A motor housed within the printhead support housing and being operable for driving a plurality of synchronized rotating gears, the gears being mounted about posts wherein the posts are configured to cause the gears to compress or decompress a set of biasing mechanisms mounted below the gears and connected to the printhead. A sensor unit operable for monitoring the thickness of a print media and in communication with a control circuit operable for adjusting the printhead pressure being applied to the print media during a print operation, wherein the printhead pressure corresponds to a pre-defined level relative to the thickness of the print media.

Abstract: A print station system (1) having a drive-stepper motor (2), platen rollers (3, 4) in operative communication with the drive-stepper motor (2), a pinch roller (10) in operative communication with the drive-stepper motor (2), a top-of-form sensor (11) located between the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10), a rocker arm (12) in operative communication with the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10), and a printhead assembly (5), a media guide (12a, 12b). A radio-frequency identification antenna (16) or a receptacle (15) for holding same may be located between the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10).

Abstract: A ribbon drive assembly for optimizing the tension across a ribbon supply in a thermal transfer printer comprising a supply spindle and a take up spindle operable for cooperating with each other such that the ribbon supply is fed from the supply spindle through a print station and metered onto the take up spindle. Each spindle is provided with and connected to a motor, a plurality of gears, and a rotary encoder such that the spindles may be independently controlled by a control processor. The control processor is operable for monitoring, detecting, and controlling the operation of the motors and spindles. During operation and in order to maintain a constant ribbon tension, the torque on the motors are continuously adjusted in accordance with various data provided by the printer's processor.

Abstract: An optical transceiver module includes an optical-to-electrical converter configured to convert a first optical signal to a first electric signal, a first amplifier configured to amplify the first electric signal, a bandwidth controller coupled to the first amplifier, configured to control the frequency response characteristics of the amplification of the first amplifier to produce a first amplified electric signal, a driver circuit configured to receive a second electric signal and to produce a second amplified electric signal in response to the second electric signal and an optical feedback signal, an electrical-to-optical converter coupled to the micro-controller and configured to convert the second amplified electrical signal to a second optical signal, and a photo diode configured to detect the second optical signal and to produce the optical feedback signal to be received by the driver circuit.