Abstract: A method of handling and removing batteries from a telecommunications site includes identifying one or more batteries for removal, each of the one or more batteries having a hazardous condition associated therewith; individually wrapping each of the one or more batteries and placing each wrapped battery in a container or in a location in a container; tracking the container or the location in the container to the associated wrapped battery; removing the container from the telecommunications site to a storage facility; storing the container in the storage facility separate from other batteries; provide the container to a recycling facility; and verifying proper disposal of the one or more batteries based on the tracking from the telecommunications site to the storage facility and to the recycling facility.

Abstract: A method of installing batteries in a telecommunications site includes obtaining a battery in a module with a plurality of cells in the module at a staging location; de-celling the battery to remove the plurality of cells from the module; handling the plurality of cells individually at the staging location; transporting the plurality of cells individually to the telecommunications site; and reassembling the battery by placing the plurality of cells back in the module and installing the module at the telecommunications site.

Abstract: A battery installation method in a shelter or cabinet includes placing one or more batteries in the shelter or cabinet; connecting terminals on each of the one or more batteries to associated terminal plates with associated security screws; and connecting a bracket to a housing in the shelter or cabinet with associated security screws, wherein the bracket spans across the one or more batteries.

Abstract: A method of verifying battery and/or equipment connections in a telecommunications site includes performing maintenance or installation of one or more components in a shelter associated with the telecommunication site; subsequent to the maintenance or installation, adding a torque mark to each connection associated with the one or more components; verifying the torque mark for each connection as part of a close-out audit; and verifying the torque mark at a subsequent time after the close-out audit to verify each connection is properly torqued.

Abstract: A 240 degrees radially rotatable deck assembly rotatable in either direction without requiring resetting in a park position and requiring only a rotatable outer ring of a slew gear connected to a rotatable sub-frame attached to the deck, a fixed inner ring of the slew gear affixed to a fixed sub-frame fixed to a frame of the assembly and only a single hydraulic motor requiring no cylinders and only one main valve body with incorporated electric solenoids reducing the complexity of the plumbing and the weight of the assembly resulting in lower construction and maintenance costs, improved fuel economy and allowing an increased load weight. The assembly includes a positive holding brake that eliminates blow-by of the rotating section and is rotatable in either direction without requiring being reset in a park position. Such a deck is especially useful on a tow truck.

Abstract: Input devices, particularly devices for entering data within three-dimensional space and converting that data into one or more commands, are provided.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include components. The components may include a power source, a processor, a memory, circuitry, an input/output unit, a display unit configured to display data and/or color, and a communication unit configured to transmit and/or receive data. The electronic device may include a conductive material connecting at least two of the components to each other. At least a portion of the electronic device may be formed in one or more layers of a printed substrate, and/or at least one of the components may be formed from a conductive ink.

Abstract: Input devices for sensing and transmitting digital information imparted by human touch are generally described. The input devices may be one-dimensional or two-dimensional input devices for entering data from a flat surface. Associated systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Devices and techniques relating a touch-sensitive control device. An earphone apparatus is provided. The earphone apparatus comprises one or more speakers configured to convert audio signals to sound; one or more sensors; and a control unit coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to control an operation of a device based, at least in part, on signals provided by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Articles including a visual code and a touch code are described. In some embodiments, the articles are smart lottery tickets.

Abstract: Embodiments relating to packaging (e.g., food and/or beverage packaging) are described herein.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for emitting light. A light-emitting system is disclosed. The light-emitting system may include a light source and a light guide. The light guide may be configured to receive and emit at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: Content preparation systems and methods are disclosed that generate scenes used by an interactive role performance system for inserting a user image as a character in the scene. Original media content from a variety of sources, such as movies, television, and commercials, can provide participants with a wide variety of scenes and roles. In some examples, the content preparation system removes an original character from the selected media content and recreates the background to enable an image of a user to be inserted therein. By recreating the background after removing the character, the user is given greater freedom to perform, as the image of the user can perform anywhere within the scene. Moreover, systems and methods can generate and store metadata associated with the modified media content that facilitates the combining of the modified media content and the user image to replace the removed character image.

Abstract: An article of manufacture that includes a substrate having x, y and z-axes associated therewith, wherein the z-axis is perpendicular to the x and y-axes, and the x and y-axes are perpendicular to each other, and the z-axis being perpendicular to a plane formed by the surface of the substrate. The article preferably further includes a first layer of conductive ink having a first resistance applied to the surface of the substrate, a second layer of conductive ink having a second resistance applied to a portion of the first layer of the conductive ink, such that an interface layer having a resistance profile formed from a predetermined combination of the first and second resistance layer is formed between the first and second resistance layers, the interface layer having a resistance profile with values that vary along the z-xis.

Abstract: Certain interactive role performance systems and methods are disclosed that allow users to select a role to play in a prerecorded video, such as a movie scene, and to replace an original actor of that role with the user's performance. In certain examples, the user selects a prerecorded scene from which a character has been removed and records his or her performance. The interactive role performance system can insert the user's performance in place of the original character, thereby creating the appearance that the user is interacting, such as in real-time, with the other characters in the movie scene. Moreover, systems and methods can further utilize background subtraction techniques to isolate the user image. In further examples, the recorded user performance is stored separately from the prerecorded video.

Abstract: Content preparation systems and methods are disclosed that generate scenes used by an interactive role performance system for inserting a user image as a character in the scene. Original media content from a variety of sources, such as movies, television, and commercials, can provide participants with a wide variety of scenes and roles. In some examples, the content preparation system removes an original character from the selected media content and recreates the background to enable an image of a user to be inserted therein. By recreating the background after removing the character, the user is given greater freedom to perform, as the image of the user can perform anywhere within the scene. Moreover, systems and methods can generate and store metadata associated with the modified media content that facilitates the combining of the modified media content and the user image to replace the removed character image.

Abstract: This embodiment relates to leg garters for fashion wear, it is the goal of this embodiment to improve articles of this character toward new, versatile, and serviceable applications of wear. The embodiment includes the application of magnetic and mechanical closure options that improve the safety, support, adjustable sizing, fastening and marketing actions of leg garters. The mechanical closure includes hook and eye tape, snaps, etc. The magnetic closure is adapted for excess banding of materials and measurement adjustability for the garter. Synchmnously, the embodiment offers a new and useful purpose of converting leg garters into jewelry. An extended snap fastener is included for interchangeable ornaments. A box barrel clasp is added for ease of use and advertising advantage in the display of the garter. Lastly, the embodiment offers the new device of a magnetic buckle slider that assists with closure action and adjustability that also visually enhances the garter.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a configurable merchandise display system comprises a base, a peg board associated with the base and a shelf. The peg board is configured to conduct electrical current and comprises a plurality of electrical sockets. The shelf is configured to be removably coupled to and in electrical communication with the peg board via at least a first and a second of the plurality of electrical sockets. The shelf is further configured to removably accommodate at least one product thereon, and to be in electrical communication with the at least one product. A controller is configured to control at least an electrical current flowing to and from the peg board and the shelf.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source. The composite heating element comprises a first backing layer and a discontinuous circuit formed of a conductive material disposed on the first backing layer. The discontinuous circuit has terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defines at least one gap between the terminal ends. The composite article further comprises a second backing layer spaced from the first backing layer. A trace formed of a conductive material is disposed on the second backing layer. The trace is aligned with the at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when the first and second backing layers at least partially abut each other with the trace extending across the gap and contacting the discontinuous circuit.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for controlling a component that may be installed on a window, on an interior or exterior pillar of a vehicle, on a control panel or any suitable location on a vehicle or any other structure. The sensor includes a substrate and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer is formed from a conductive ink composition with the conductive layer defining at least one circuit for controlling the component when a user is in proximity to the conductive layer. A protective layer is disposed over the conductive layer. At least one of the conductive layer and the protective layer defines a graphic formed through the layer for visual identification to the user.