Abstract: An electronic system includes a first data retriever to communicate with a first database associated with an analytic tool, and a second data retriever to communicate with a second database associated with an electronic testing device; wherein the analytic tool is configured to store information regarding actual usage of a product in the first database; wherein the electronic testing device is configured to store product testing data for the product in the second database; wherein the first data retriever comprises a first communication interface to electronically receive the information; wherein the second data retriever comprises a second communication interface to electronically receive the product testing data; and wherein the electronic system further comprises a processing unit configured to compute a score indicating a quality of product testing for the product based on the information regarding the actual usage of the product and/or the product testing data.

Abstract: An electromagnetic intramedullary nail screw positioning system is used to assist an orthopaedic surgeon to correctly aligned a screw drill guide with a screw receiving aperture in an intramedullary nail during surgery. However due to the large number of different types of intramedullary nail, the system must be calibrated during each surgery. An improved calibration system is described that no longer requires the surgeon to perform the calibration during the surgery in order to save time and improve robustness. The system is periodically calibrated and a memory stores offset information for a range of nails types relative to a reference nail. During surgery, the surgeon enters a nail identifier, and the system looks up the associated offset and applies this offset to the measured signals to guide alignment of the screw drill guide with the screw receiving aperture.

Abstract: An electromagnetic intramedullary nail screw positioning system is used to assist an orthopaedic surgeon to correctly aligned a screw drill guide with a screw receiving aperture in an intramedullary nail during surgery. However due to the large number of different types of intramedullary nail, the system must be calibrated during each surgery. An improved calibration system is described that no longer requires the surgeon to perform the calibration during the surgery in order to save time and improve robustness. The system is periodically calibrated and a memory stores offset information for a range of nails types relative to a reference nail. During surgery, the surgeon enters a nail identifier, and the system looks up the associated offset and applies this offset to the measured signals to guide alignment of the screw drill guide with the screw receiving aperture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a movable electric fence that includes an electric wire suspended beneath a center pivot by removable hangers and clamps. It also includes a system for controlling the movement of herd animals. The movable electric fence progresses radially, increasing the herd's grazing area in a controlled manner.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a security sensor is present in a POS terminal between the keypad and a processor. The security sensor is configured to detect an unauthorized probe through the keypad and implement a security protocol. In an exemplary embodiment, the security sensor is a serpentine conductive circuit screen printed on the polyester film. The serpentine conductive circuit may cover almost all of the polyester film. For example, the serpentine conductive circuit may cover 90% to 100% of the film. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the serpentine conductive circuit limited to a section of the polyester film. For example, the serpentine conductive circuit may be on only ¼ of the film. This embodiment has the advantage of printing the serpentine conductive circuit on the critical security areas and leaving the non-critical areas with blank polyester film.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a stylus operates with a capacitive touch screen only when the stylus tip is in contact with the touch screen. The stylus is used as a sensor to determine the location where a user is touching the surface of a capacitive touch screen, but is not active until the stylus tip is pressed against the touch screen. In an exemplary embodiment, pressing the stylus tip against the touch screen activates the stylus by creating a physical separation in the circuit and disconnecting the stylus tip from ground. When the stylus tip is no longer grounded, it becomes active and is able to operate with a capacitive touch screen. In an exemplary embodiment, signal attenuation may be performed by diverting the sense signal to ground via a capacitor or other electronic component.

Abstract: The invention provides increased convenience through use of multiple opposed magnetic stripe reader heads within a POS terminal card reader track. In one embodiment, the various opposed heads are offset along the card reader track. The POS terminal also accommodates smart card and contactless instrument readers and includes features for electronic signature capture, user display interaction, multi-tasking capabilities, check reading and age and identity verification.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a billiard cue comprising a shaft having a tip end and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end. Also, a manufacturing process is disclosed which is simple and cheap. The cue of the present invention is low-cost and shows superior low deflection properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compact, portable POS terminal through the co-location of a magnetic card slot and a smart card entry slot. In one embodiment, the smart card slot is positioned within a portion of the magnetic card slot. The POS terminal also accommodates contactless instrument readers and optionally includes features for electronic signature capture, user display interaction, multi-tasking capabilities, check reading and age and identity verification.

Abstract: The layout and configuration of wind turbines in a wind power plant includes identifying constraints of a power plant site and defining at least one region in the site for placement of a plurality of wind turbines. The wind state at the region in the site is determined. An actual wind condition at the various possible wind turbine locations within the site is determined by modeling the wind state with wake effects at the respective wind turbine locations. Individual wind turbine configuration and location within the region is then selected as a function of the actual wind conditions each of the individual wind turbine locations to optimize power output of the individual wind turbines. The selection of turbine configuration includes selection of a turbine hub height that minimizes wake loss of the individual wind turbines as a function of the actual wind conditions predicted for the turbine location.

Abstract: The invention provides increased convenience through use of multiple opposed magnetic stripe reader heads within a POS terminal card reader track. In one embodiment, the various opposed heads are offset along the card reader track. The POS terminal also accommodates smart card and contactless instrument readers and includes features for electronic signature capture, user display interaction, multi-tasking capabilities, check reading and age and identity verification.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for actuating variable stiffness material (VSM) structures and achieving deformation of the structures. The apparatus and the associated methods use internal embedded actuation elements and/or externally attached elements to the VSM structures to achieve the desired deformation. In particular, the actuation can be changed due to the variable stiffness nature of the materials. That is, the invention provides the ability to control the deformation of structures using local stiffness control over subregions of the component in addition to or in substitution for actuation. Furthermore, the invention exploits the variable stiffness properties of the VSM structures to enable new functionalities impossible to realize with conventional constant stiffness materials.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a security sensor is present in a POS terminal between the keypad and a processor. The security sensor is configured to detect an unauthorized probe through the keypad and implement a security protocol. In an exemplary embodiment, the security sensor is a serpentine conductive circuit screen printed on the polyester film. The serpentine conductive circuit may cover almost all of the polyester film. For example, the serpentine conductive circuit may cover 90% to 100% of the film. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the serpentine conductive circuit limited to a section of the polyester film. For example, the serpentine conductive circuit may be on only ¼ of the film. This embodiment has the advantage of printing the serpentine conductive circuit on the critical security areas and leaving the non-critical areas with blank polyester film.

Abstract: The invention allows for multiple card orientations and multiple card directions of travel through use of multiple opposed magnetic stripe reader heads within a POS terminal card reader track. In one embodiment, the various opposed heads are offset along the card reader track. The POS terminal also accommodates smart card and contactless instrument readers and includes features for electronic signature capture, user display interaction, multi-tasking capabilities, check reading and age and identity verification.

Abstract: The layout and configuration of wind turbines in a wind power plant includes identifying constraints of a power plant site and defining at least one region in the site for placement of a plurality of wind turbines. The wind state at the region in the site is determined. An actual wind condition at the various possible wind turbine locations within the site is determined by modeling the wind state with wake effects at the respective wind turbine locations, the wake effects resulting from cumulative placement of other wind turbines at various locations in the region. Individual wind turbine configuration and location within the region is then selected as a function of the actual wind conditions that each of the individual wind turbine locations to optimize power output of the individual wind turbines.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a billiard cue (11) comprising a shaft having a tip end (2) and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compact, portable POS terminal through the use of a compact printer that utilizes a thermal printer with fan-folded paper. The POS terminal also accommodates contactless instrument readers and optionally includes features for electronic signature capture, user display interaction, multi-tasking capabilities, check reading and age and identity verification.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and graphical user interfaces for generating an action plan for a user are provided. In one embodiment, an application for generating the action plan may be opened, an instruction to generate the action item from a user may be received, information relating to the action item from the user may be received, the action item may be generated using the received information and the generated action item may be displayed to the user. In one embodiment, instructions may be received from a first user to delegate an action item to a second user, the delegated action item may be sent to the second user, a decision from the second user regarding his acceptance of the delegated action item may be received, and the decision may be displayed to the first user.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compact, portable POS terminal through the use of a compact printer that utilizes a thermal printer with fan-folded paper. The POS terminal also accommodates contactless instrument readers and optionally includes features for electronic signature capture, user display interaction, multi-tasking capabilities, check reading and age and identity verification.