Abstract: A capsule may include a housing, an aerosol-forming substrate, and a heater. The housing defines inlet openings, outlet openings, and a chamber between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings to a corresponding one of the outlet openings. The aerosol-forming substrate is within the chamber of the housing. The heater is embedded in the housing. The heater includes a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section is disposed within the aerosol-forming substrate in the chamber. An aerosol-generating device may include a device body with a lid configured to open to permit an insertion of the capsule and configured to close to engage the capsule within the device body.

Abstract: A capsule may include a housing, an aerosol-forming substrate, and a heater. The housing defines inlet openings, outlet openings, and a chamber between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings to a corresponding one of the outlet openings. The aerosol-forming substrate is within the chamber of the housing. The heater is embedded in the housing. The heater includes a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section is disposed within the aerosol-forming substrate in the chamber. An aerosol-generating device may include a device body with a lid configured to open to permit an insertion of the capsule and configured to close to engage the capsule within the device body.

Abstract: A capsule may include a housing, an aerosol-forming substrate, and a heater. The housing defines inlet openings, outlet openings, and a chamber between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings to a corresponding one of the outlet openings. The aerosol-forming substrate is within the chamber of the housing. The heater is embedded in the housing. The heater includes a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section is disposed within the aerosol-forming substrate in the chamber. An aerosol-generating device may include a device body with a lid configured to open to permit an insertion of the capsule and configured to close to engage the capsule within the device body.

Abstract: A loudspeaker mounting assembly for mounting a loudspeaker in an isolated relation to a structure includes an enclosure and a plurality of interface elements composed of a vibration-damping material. The enclosure has an interior for receiving the loudspeaker and includes at least two spaced-apart support members. Each of the at least two support members includes a support member outer surface and an inner surface extending from the support member outer surface into the support member. The inner surface defines a support member bore. Each interface element includes an interface element outer surface. Each interface element is disposed in a corresponding one of the support member bores and at least partially extends out from the respective support member outer surface, where each interface element outer surface contacts the respective inner surface of the support member.

Abstract: A loudspeaker mounting assembly for mounting a loudspeaker in an isolated relation to a structure includes an enclosure and a plurality of interface elements composed of a vibration-damping material. The enclosure has an interior for receiving the loudspeaker and includes at least two spaced-apart support members. Each of the at least two support members includes a support member outer surface and an inner surface extending from the support member outer surface into the support member. The inner surface defines a support member bore. Each interface element includes an interface element outer surface. Each interface element is disposed in a corresponding one of the support member bores and at least partially extends out from the respective support member outer surface, where each interface element outer surface contacts the respective inner surface of the support member.

Abstract: A loudspeaker mounting assembly for mounting a loudspeaker in an isolated relation to a structure includes an enclosure and a plurality of interface elements composed of a vibration-damping material. The enclosure has an interior for receiving the loudspeaker and includes at least two spaced-apart support members. Each of the at least two support members includes a support member outer surface and an inner surface extending from the support member outer surface into the support member. The inner surface defines a support member bore. Each interface element includes an interface element outer surface. Each interface element is disposed in a corresponding one of the support member bores and at least partially extends out from the respective support member outer surface, where each interface element outer surface contacts the respective inner surface of the support member.

Abstract: A multi-mode sound reproduction device is disclosed including a direct radiation sound device, a diffuse radiation sound device and a selection device in signal communication with both the direct radiation sound device and diffuse radiation sound device, the selection device capable of selecting between the direct radiation sound device for one mode of operation and the diffusion radiation sound device for another mode of operation in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for displaying information is provided. The method includes providing an identity information section, a product information section, and a notes section. The method also includes identifying a plurality of categories of transaction information associated with the particular one of the customers. The method also includes displaying, on a same single layout, the identity information section, the product information section, the notes section, a plurality of tabs identifying the respective categories of transaction information, and the window.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for displaying information is provided. The method includes providing an identity information section, a product information section, and a notes section. The method also includes identifying a plurality of categories of transaction information associated with the particular one of the customers. The method also includes displaying, on a same single layout, the identity information section, the product information section, the notes section, a plurality of tabs identifying the respective categories of transaction information, and the window.

Abstract: A multi-mode sound reproduction device is disclosed including a direct radiation sound device, a diffuse radiation sound device and a selection device in signal communication with both the direct radiation sound device and diffuse radiation sound device, the selection device capable of selecting between the direct radiation sound device for one mode of operation and the diffusion radiation sound device for another mode of operation in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for delivering hard-copy facsimile documents, the confidential information of which is visibly concealed. In general, the apparatus includes a facsimile message concealing mechanism which cooperates with a facsimile message recording unit to produce secured hard-copy facsimile documents. In one embodiment, the apparatus is the form of a facsimile machine having facsimile transmission and reception capabilities. Facsimile messages to be transmitted are encoded with one or more command codes which are sent with the facsimile message. At a receiving station suitably adapted to the transmission scheme, the command codes are decoded to reveal specific instructions and message data. Using this decoded information, the receiving station executes the transmitted command, such as concealing the recorded facsimile message, to produce a secured hard-copy facsimile document.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for prepayment of telecommunication connections between first and second telecommunication devices operably associatable with the telecommunication lines of a telecommunication switching network. In general, the method involves storing telecommunication-time data representative of a prepurchased amount of telecommunication-time available for payment of telecommunication connections in the telecommunication switching network. At the initiation of the first telecommunication device, a telecommunication connection is established between the first and second telecommunication devices so that a telecommunication process can be conducted therebetween. The telecommunication connection between the first and second telecommunication devices is terminated in response to termination of the telecommunication process. The time duration of the telecommunication connection is measured.

Abstract: A digitally controlled active power factor corrected preregulator wherein a rectifier receives an alternating current voltage and generates an alternating line current and corresponding alternating line voltage with an optimum power factor. A power converter receives the alternating line current from the rectifier and converts it to a direct current and corresponding direct current voltage by virtue of a digital controller which adjusts the waveshape of the alternating line current to match the waveshape of the alternating line voltage to minimize line current distortion of the direct current. The digital controller includes a comparator for determining a difference between a reference voltage input and the direct current voltage to generate an error signal that is correlated by a look-up table to generate a correction signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for prepayment of telecommunication connections between first and second telecommunication devices operably associatable with the telecommunication lines of a telecommunication switching network. In general, the method involves storing telecommunication-time data representative of a prepurchased amount of telecommunication-time available for payment of telecommunication connections in the telecommunication switching network. At the initiation of the first telecommunication device, a telecommunication connection is established between the first and second telecommunication devices so that a telecommunication process can be conducted therebetween. The telecommunication connection between the first and second telecommunication devices is terminated in response to termination of the telecommunication process. The time duration of the telecommunication connection is measured.

Abstract: Flexible composite material is provided upon which a facsimile message containing both confidential and non-confidential information can be recorded. In general, the composite material comprises a recording layer and a cover layer. The cover layer is disposed over a substantial portion of the recording layer to define a confidential message recording area and a non-confidential message recording area. The cover layer has a plurality of transverse perforation lines formed along the longitudinal extent of the cover layer. The transverse perforation lines are spaced apart in parallel fashion, and each pair of adjacent perforation lines forms a cover layer strip that can be selectively removed. One or more of the cover layer strips bear preprinted instructions as to how to reveal the non-confidential area without revealing the confidential message.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for prepayment of telecommunication connections between first and second telecommunication devices operably associable with the telecommunication lines of a telecommunication switching network. In general, the method involves storing monetary value data representative of a prepaid e.g. deposited in a centralized storage device, amount of monetary value available for payment of telecommunication connections in the telecommunication switching network. At the initiation of the first telecommunication device, a telecommunication connection is established between the first and second telecommunication devices so that a telecommunication process can be conducted therebetween. The telecommunication connection between the first and second telecommunication devices is terminated in response to termination of the telecommunication process. The time duration of the telecommunication connection is measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for prepayment of telecommunication connections between first and second telecommunication devices operably associatable with the telecommunication lines of a telecommunication switching network. In general, the method involves storing telecommunication-time data representative of a prepurchased amount of telecommunication-time available for payment of telecommunication connections in the telecommunication switching network. At the initiation of the first telecommunication device, a telecommunication connection is established between the first and second telecommunication devices so that a telecommunication process can be conducted therebetween. The telecommunication connection between the first and second telecommunication devices is terminated in response to termination of the telecommunication process. The time duration of the telecommunication connection is measured.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for delivering hard-copy facsimile documents, the confidential information of which is visibly concealed. In general, the apparatus includes a facsimile message concealing mechanism which cooperates with a facsimile message recording unit to produce secured hard-copy facsimile documents. In one embodiment, the apparatus is the form of a facsimile machine having facsimile transmission and reception capabilities. Facsimile messages to be transmitted are encoded with one or more command codes which are sent with the facsimile message. At a receiving station suitably adapted to the transmission scheme, the command codes are decoded to reveal specific instructions and message data. Using this decoded information, the receiving station executes the transmitted command, such as concealing the recorded facsimile message, to produce a secured hard-copy facsimile document.