Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system including: a track comprising a first magnetic element; and a moving element comprising a second magnetic element for interacting with the track to provide a magnetic force that retains the moving element on the track; wherein absent the magnetic force, the moving element is released from the track. In another aspect, there is provided a conveyor system that includes: a track having at least one guide rail; and a moving element; wherein a magnetic force controls movement of the moving element in a direction of travel and the magnetic force supports the moving element in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of travel; and wherein the at least one guide rail supports the moving element in a third direction perpendicular to both the direction of travel and the second direction.

Abstract: A method and system for the online vehicle rentals, such as a car share rental, allows for a customer to self-dispatch and self-return a rental vehicle without requiring special equipment in the rental vehicle or the presence of rental personnel at the dispatch or return location. At the beginning of the rental period, the customer is prompted to input to a rental management computer system, via a mobile computer device, information about the mileage and fuel level of the rental vehicle and to report existing damage to the rental vehicle. If the customer wishes to extend the rental time period, the customer is prompted to select a requested extended end time for the rental time period and to send the requested extended end time to the rental management computer system.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system including: a track comprising a first magnetic element; and a moving element comprising a second magnetic element for interacting with the track to provide a magnetic force that retains the moving element on the track; wherein absent the magnetic force, the moving element is released from the track. In another aspect, there is provided a conveyor system that includes: a track having at least one guide rail; and a moving element; wherein a magnetic force controls movement of the moving element in a direction of travel and the magnetic force supports the moving element in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of travel; and wherein the at least one guide rail supports the moving element in a third direction perpendicular to both the direction of travel and the second direction.

Abstract: An automated elevator control system using facial recognition, comprising an elevator car, a facial image database comprising facial image data of authorized passengers and corresponding authorized floor destination data for each such passenger, a facial recognition program capable of comparing a facial image stored in the facial image database to video data output from an imaging device, and an imaging device capable of outputting video data. The system is capable of recognizing the elevator passenger's face in a field of view of the imaging device, capturing the elevator passenger's facial image using video data output from the imaging device, and comparing the captured facial image to pre-registered facial image data. Upon determining a match between the captured facial image and a stored facial image, the system is capable of sending a signal to the elevator control system to move the elevator car to the elevator passenger's authorized floor destination.

Abstract: Example devices and methods for compensating for monitoring a surge protection device are provided. In some embodiments, a device is configured to couple to a surge protection device. The device comprises a processor that is capable of sending a DC current signal. A serial data interface is electrically connected to the processor and includes at least one shift register. The device also comprises a multiplexer coupled to the serial data interface. The serial data interface is operable to direct the DC current through the multiplexer. The device also comprises an analog to digital converter (optionally embedded within the processor) that is operable to output a digital signal corresponding to a voltage induced by the DC current signal. Returned DC signals represent surge protection device's health and a multitude of other surge module information.

Abstract: A conveyor system including: a track comprising a first magnetic element; and a moving element comprising a second magnetic element for interacting with the track to provide a magnetic force that retains the moving element on the track; wherein absent the magnetic force, the moving element is released from the track. In another aspect, a conveyor system includes: a track having at least one guide rail; and a moving element; wherein a magnetic force controls movement of the moving element in a direction of travel and the magnetic force supports the moving element in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of travel; and wherein the at least one guide rail supports the moving element in a third direction perpendicular to both the direction of travel and the second direction.

Abstract: A reactor apparatus and method for removing and/or reducing NOx, CO, carbon particulates and hydrocarbons from exhaust gases produced by industrial processes includes a reactor including an inlet plenum, a reaction chamber, an outlet plenum, and a heat exchanger wherein gases exiting the reaction chamber heat gases entering the reaction chamber. EGR is drawn through a cooling heat exchanger with an injection blower and is delivered through control valves to the reaction chamber, the inlet plenum and to an add fuel mixing chamber whereby mixed fuel and EGR is delivered to the reaction chamber. A feedback controller controls the flow valves responsive to the temperatures in the reaction chamber entrance and the outlet plenum.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermodynamic and multiplication methods concerning CRISPR-Cas systems, and apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A test tool provides a flexible resource for control an of electronic gaming machine (EGM) via a data network. The test tool provides both interactive and automated access to the EGM when the EGM is operated using a special diagnostic BIOS that supports both communication with the test tool over the data network and the ability to set operational variables including random numbers. The test tool can use structured data test scripts, such as XML files, to automate repetitive testing of one or more gaming machines by automating breakpoint setting, variable settings, and comparison of expected results based on game type, paytables, currency, etc.

Abstract: A method of determining crack condition on a sidewall of a tire uses a crack detection tool having a lens on a housing, and a transparent reticle on the housing at the focal plane of the lens. A plurality of spaced lines are provided on the reticle, with the spacing of each pair of indicia conforming to a degree of crack condition of the sidewall of a desired tire. The method includes viewing the sidewall of the desired tire through the lens and the reticle, selecting a crack on the tire sidewall and positioning the reticle over the selected crack so that the sides of the crack are approximately symmetrically located within, on or outside of the pairs of lines. Using the pairs of indicia on the reticle, the tire sidewall condition may be determined based on the degree of crack width.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting cracks in automotive tires using an automated optical imaging system that captures an image of the tire, converts the captured image into a grayscale image and next to a binary image, detects discrete shapes from the binary image, bounding each of the discrete shapes by baseline border shapes, and selects a predetermined baseline border shape. The apparatus and method optionally determine if the discrete shape has a tapered end, and if a tapered end is confirmed, calculate a level of jaggedness for the discrete shape, and measure the maximum width of a discrete shape having a predetermined baseline border shape, a tapered end, and a jagged outline, for comparison with industry standards for tire crack widths.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time qualification of rental customers allows a rental company to quickly qualify a customer making an online reservation of a rental vehicle, such as a car share rental, without requiring the customer to be a member or have a membership or to be pre-qualified. The system includes: a database operative to store account information associated with a customer for a rental transaction; an input component operative to receive from the customer an uploaded image of the customer's driver's license and an uploaded second image of the customer; and a processor operative with the database to use the uploaded driver's license image, the uploaded second image and information associated with the uploaded second image to qualify the customer for a rental transaction.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system including: a track comprising a first magnetic element; and a moving element comprising a second magnetic element for interacting with the track to provide a magnetic force that retains the moving element on the track; wherein absent the magnetic force, the moving element is released from the track. In another aspect, there is provided a conveyor system that includes: a track having at least one guide rail; and a moving element; wherein a magnetic force controls movement of the moving element in a direction of travel and the magnetic force supports the moving element in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of travel; and wherein the at least one guide rail supports the moving element in a third direction perpendicular to both the direction of travel and the second direction.

Abstract: Example devices and methods for compensating for a voltage imbalance within a power supply are provided. In one example, a device comprises a plurality of transformers coupled in series and having respective outputs coupled together, and the plurality of transformers are configured to receive an input voltage. Transformers of the plurality of transformers are configured to receive a capacitor voltage as the input voltage. The device also comprises a control module configured to receive the input voltage as input to each of the plurality of transformers and a feedback signal that includes an output of the series of transformers, and the control module is configured to control switching devices for each of the plurality of transformers so as to control operation of the plurality of transformers to compensate for a voltage imbalance of the voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: A test tool provides a flexible resource for control an of electronic gaming machine (EGM) via a data network. The test tool provides both interactive and automated access to the EGM when the EGM is operated using a special diagnostic BIOS that supports both communication with the test tool over the data network and the ability to set operational variables including random numbers. The test tool can use structured data test scripts, such as XML files, to automate repetitive testing of one or more gaming machines by automating breakpoint setting, variable settings, and comparison of expected results based on game type, paytables, currency, etc.