Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

Abstract: Delivery catheters and systems are adapted for delivering multiple discreet prostheses in body lumens. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a sheath, a pusher for moving the prostheses relative to the sheath, and a valve member for selectively retaining the prostheses in the sheath. For balloon expandable stents, an elongated shaft and an expandable member are slidably disposed in the sheath, and the prostheses are positionable on the expandable member for deployment in the body lumen. The valve member allows a selected number of prostheses to be deployed from the sheath while retaining other prostheses within the sheath.

Abstract: Users of a betting exchange system are permitted to bet on poker and other games in which the game has a number of rounds. For a Texas Holdem poker game, each round allows users to submit bets backing and laying one or more hands of cards during a betting window between game transitions, which result in the display to the plurality of users of selected hole or community cards, depending on the round. After each transition, the hands are evaluated to determine if there are any winners or losers and further betting on selected hands may be permitted, or the game may proceed to settlement.

Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.

Abstract: A protective coating applied to the underside of vessels, ships or ferrous marine structures prevents explosives or limpet-type mines that attach via magnets from attaching below the waterline. The coating provides shielding and attenuates the field strength of the magnetic flux created by magnets that hold the explosives or mines in place.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid dispensing fixed abrasive polishing pad CMP system and method that utilizes fixed abrasive components to remove a portion or entire layer of a wafer while dispensing a fluid without suspended abrasive particles onto the wafer surface. A fluid dispensing fixed abrasive polishing pad is pressed against a wafer surface while rotating and fixed abrasive component apply a frictional force that planarizes a wafer surface. The fluid dispensed by the fluid dispensing fixed abrasive polishing pad assist the fixed components achieve wafer planarization in numerous ways, including minimizing scratching of the wafer surface, chemically reacting with the wafer surface to soften it, and aiding in the removal of particulate contaminants. The fluid flow in the present invention is strong enough to remove the waste (e.g., reaction products, wafer shavings, particulate contaminants, etc.) from the surface of the wafer and the fixed abrasive polishing pad during the polishing process.

Abstract: An electrical connection strip with a releasable mounting for attaching to mounting brackets of different configurations. The electrical connection strip includes an elongated block of electrically non-conductive material and a first mounting assembly. The mounting assembly comprises two longitudinal members that extend from an end of the block with a cross member running between them. Attached to the cross member is a vertical locking member which extends above and below the longitudinal members. The vertical locking member includes a locking formation located above the longitudinal members and a boss located below the longitudinal members. The locking formation and boss are configured to cooperatively engage a locking recess in a tabbed mounting bracket and tabless mounting bracket respectively.