Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for implementing communications privacy on a class of two-way wireless control communications. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are cryptographic in nature and are built on a symmetric cryptographic algorithm structure. The cryptographic algorithm structure generates keytext on a frame-by-frame basis and both directions of the communications control link are served by the same keytext frames. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention utilize a single outbound/inbound cryptographic generator, such as a shrinking generator or the like designed using six-sigma tools in order to ensure, within a predetermined probability, that the non-fixed encryption time does not cause operational problems.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: In a cordless power tool system, high temperature gases created in a battery pack by the battery cells during a charging or discharging operation can be routed into a housing of one of an attached power tool or charger to reduce the temperature of the gases, prior to venting the gases externally. In an example, a battery pack has at least one vent hole for relieving pressure and a movable device covering the vent hole and configured to expose the vent hole upon a pressure set-point within the pack housing being exceeded. In another example, the pack housing includes a thin-walled section designed to break if pressure within the pack housing exceeds a given pressure setpoint. In a further example, the pack housing includes a baffle having an S-shaped cross-section for providing a vent path for gases and for preventing external fluids from entering the pack housing.

Abstract: A method transmitting a message over at least one of a plurality of radio frequency (RF) channels of an RF communications network is provided. The method comprises the steps of detecting a presence of jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of RF channels. The characteristics of the jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of RF channels is determined wherein the determined characteristics define at least interstices between the jamming pulses. The message is transmitted over the at least one of the plurality of RF channels wherein the message is transmitted within the interstices of the jamming pulse determined from the step of determining characteristics of the jamming pulses.

Abstract: A method for verifying authenticity of an item is provided. The method comprises forming a medium containing one or more tags having a first physical or chemical state and a second physical or chemical state corresponding to an inactive condition and an activated condition, respectively. One or more tags are changed from an inactive condition to an activated condition at a point of origin upon issuance of an item formed from the medium, to provide a distinctive security label for subsequent verification of authenticity of the item.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack, charger, and terminal blocks for the pack, charger and a cordless power tool are provided. The pack includes battery cells disposed between end caps within a bottom housing of the pack, and a potting boat for housing pack electronics electrically connected to the cells between the end caps and disposed within a pack top housing. A pack terminal block is connected to the potting boat within the top housing. The charger and the power tool each include a terminal block for providing electrical connections between the charger/tool and the battery pack. The terminal block is configured to float side-to-side to provide displaceable movement of the terminal block within the charger housing or tool housing for aligning the battery pack terminal block therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that enables the simultaneous remote monitoring of a plurality of infants' skin temperatures. The system comprises an electronic circuit that combines the functions of sensoring and multiple-channel transmitting, a pre-deployment temperature bath for calibration of the temperature sensor(s), and a receiving and reporting station for centralized monitoring the infants' skin temperatures. The present invention is further directed to a temperature sensor that measures the temperature and transmits the data in multiple channels to a remote receiver. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises a ring oscillator, having a plurality of odd number of inverters, and the ring oscillator is capable of utilizing less than all of the inverters in the ring to modulate the frequency of the signal. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises one inverter and a plurality of delay elements and sensor transmits phase shifted signals to modulate the signals.

Abstract: A battery charger is provided which includes a housing formed by an upper housing half-shell and a lower housing half-shell connected together so that the half-shells align with one another, an opening for inserting a battery pack and an electrical cord extending form the housing. The upper and lower housing half-shells each include an indent area. The indent areas are in alignment with one another so that the electrical cord wraps around and occupies the indent areas. The lower housing half-shell includes a plurality of connections to secure a printed circuit board (PCB) therein to the half shell.

Abstract: An axial-flow blood pump for pumping blood includes a substantially cylindrical outer enclosure. A tubular housing concentric with and located within the outer enclosure has at one end an inlet and at an opposite end an outlet. A motor stator is concentric with and located between the outer enclosure and the tubular housing. An impeller is concentric with and located within the tubular housing. The impeller is suspended in operation by a combination of passive magnetic forces between magnets within the impeller or magnetized regions of the impeller and the motor stator and hydrodynamic thrust forces generated as blood flows between the tubular housing and a plurality of hydrodynamic thrust bearing surfaces located on the impeller. A volute may be in fluid-tight connection with the outlet of the tubular housing for receiving blood in the axial direction and directing blood in a direction normal to the axial direction.

Abstract: A cell connection strap for electrically connecting a pair of adjacent battery cells within a battery pack includes, in one example, a fusible link for preventing a thermal runaway condition from occurring in a cell connected thereto. The strap may include raised features thereon for permitting relative movement between the cells in the pack due to vibration or an impact of the pack from translating stress to welds connecting the straps to the cells. In another example, the body of the cell strap may include slits formed in sides thereof to reduce rigidity of the strap for protecting the welds between strap and cell, and also provides a fusible link capability in the strap for preventing a thermal runaway condition from occurring in a cell connected thereto.

Abstract: A method for forming a component (210) for a vehicle includes providing a substrate (230) that includes a relatively rigid material and providing a skin (222) adjacent at least a portion of the substrate such that a cavity is formed between the substrate and the skin. The method also includes coupling at least a portion of the skin to the substrate and introducing a material (240) into the cavity after securing at least a portion of the skin to the substrate. The skin and the material introduced into the cavity form a cushioned region for the vehicle component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are benefit agent delivery systems which are formed by separately adding to a liquid or granular matrix certain kinds of primary amine compounds and selected types of benefit agents, e.g., perfumes, in the form of aldehydes or ketones. When substrate surfaces are treated with aqueous solutions or dispersions of such delivery systems, the benefit agent is indirectly exposed to and preferably deposited on the substrate surface in such a manner that it provides its benefit to the surface for a longer period of time than when the amine compound is not present. Such benefit agent delivery systems are especially suitable for incorporation into laundry detergent or other fabric-treating products.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: A multi-material or multi-color molded article and a method of making the same is provided. The molded article comprises an integrated molded member having at least a first portion made of a first resin and a second portion made of a second resin. The integrated molded member may have additional portions as well. The method comprises providing a mold having a first mold section (24), a second mold section (22), and a retractor member (26), injecting a first resin (18) into a first cavity defined by the first mold section (24), the second mold section (22), and the retractor member (26), moving the retractor member (26) to define a second cavity (23) wherein the second cavity (23) is defined by the first mold section (24), the second mold section (22), the retractor member (26), and the first resin (18), and injecting a second resin (20) into the second cavity (23).

Abstract: A method for communicating information bundled in digital message packets via a digital network communication system is provided. The digital network communication system a sample source and each packet includes a header and a communication payload area. The method includes sampling the source at a first sample rate, selecting at least one decimation of the samples based on at least one of a plurality of algorithmic data rates and a channel bandwidth, determining a packet rate based on a plurality of algorithmic latency requirements, and transmitting the digital message packet containing decimated data on the digital network.

Abstract: A method of interrogating an RFID label utilises an RFID interrogation system operable by a vendor. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting an interrogation signal which is receivable by RFID labels within an area so as to interrogate any RFID labels in that area. An intelligible return signal from the RFID label is only received when the RFID label was issued by the same vendor.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack and the power tool can have complementary grooves and rails or L-shaped surfaces that aid in aligning the positive and negative blade terminals of the battery pack to the positive and negative tool terminals, respectively, of the power tool.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger. In an aspect, the battery pack validates the cordless device or charger to which it is mated.