Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to compositions and methods production of n-butanol by aerobic hydrogen bacteria. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: An example retractable bollard system for installation in a support surface that includes pavement is disclosed. The example bollard system includes a shell that when installed in the support surface extends below an upper surface of the pavement. The example bollard system includes a post to be telescopically coupled to the shell. The post is axially movable relative to the shell selectively to an upper area and a lower area. The post extends farther above the shell when the post is in the upper area than when the post is in the lower area. The example bollard system further includes a shock absorber to encircle the shell. The shock absorber is made of a polymeric material.

Abstract: Dynamically configurable traffic controllers and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first display facing a first direction; a second display facing a second direction; a third display facing a third direction; and a processor, in response to a first input being received indicative of traffic approaching the first display and no traffic approaching the second display and the third display, the processor to cause the second display and the third display to display a first signal and for the first display not to display the first signal or a second signal, the first signal providing a first warning level, the second signal providing a second warning level greater than the first warning level, the first signal illuminatable on the second display, the second signal illuminatable on the second display, the first signal, when illuminated, disposed within a perimeter of the second signal, when illuminated.

Abstract: Powered safety curtains are disclosed herein. An example barrier includes a motorized drive unit, and a curtain. The curtain includes a leading edge. The leading edge of the curtain is selectively moveable to a closed position and to an open position. The example barrier also includes a guide plate carried by the curtain and extending into a track and a nonferrous guide member attached to the guide plate. The example barrier also includes a first safety device including a first wireless portion and a first electrical portion. The first wireless portion is attached to the nonferrous guide member. The first electrical portion is in a first activated state when the first wireless portion is in proximity with the first electrical portion. The first wireless portion is in a first deactivated state when the first wireless portion is remote relative to the first electrical portion.

Abstract: Powered safety curtains are disclosed herein. An example safety barrier assembly to control access to equipment includes a track and a barrier including a receptacle. The barrier is to be moveable within the track between an open position and a closed position. The open position is to enable access to the equipment, the closed position to substantially prevent access to the equipment. The example safety barrier assembly also includes a sensor to identify when the safety barrier is in the closed position and a securing device comprising a portion to be received by the receptacle when the barrier is identified as being in the closed position. An interaction between the portion and the receptacle is to prevent the barrier from moving out of the closed position.

Abstract: An article of jewelry with interchangeable settings and decorative elements is provided. Each interchangeable setting includes a post having a post shoulder and a pair of tabs. The post is removable received and retained by a socket of the article of jewelry by inserting the post into the socket and rotating the setting to position the tabs in a retained position within a pair of corresponding grooves formed in the socket. An end of the socket abuts the post shoulder and prevents the interchangeable setting from side-to-side movement. Decorative elements are rotatably retained by the post between the setting and the socket.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to compositions and methods production of n-butanol by aerobic hydrogen bacteria. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Powered safety curtains are disclosed herein. An example safety barrier assembly to control access to equipment includes a track and a barrier including a receptacle. The barrier is to be moveable within the track between an open position and a closed position. The open position is to enable access to the equipment, the closed position to substantially prevent access to the equipment. The example safety barrier assembly also includes a sensor to identify when the safety barrier is in the closed position and a securing device comprising a portion to be received by the receptacle when the barrier is identified as being in the closed position. An interaction between the portion and the receptacle is to prevent the barrier from moving out of the closed position.

Abstract: Powered safety curtains are disclosed. An example barrier for an opening includes a motorized drive unit, and a curtain. The example barrier also includes a track disposed along the lateral edge of the curtain, a guide plate carried by the curtain and extending into the track and a nonferrous guide member attached to the guide plate. The example barrier also includes a first safety device comprising a first wireless portion attached to the nonferrous guide member and a first electrical portion mounted relative to the track. The first electrical portion is in the first activated state when the first wireless portion is in proximity with the first electrical portion as a result of the leading edge of the curtain being at the closed position. The first wireless portion is in the first deactivated state when the first wireless portion is remote relative to the first electrical portion.

Abstract: The invention has two main embodiments, a first called column switching and blanking and a second embodiment called doubling. The first embodiment is a projector for displaying a stereoscopic image with projector using one or more digital micromirror devices positioned into a plurality of columns and rows. The projector itself includes a light source, an optical system, a video processing system and a data system for driving the micromirror devices. The data subsystem provides separate data to a plurality of column pairs of the micromirrors. The projector includes a stereoscopic control circuit having a first state of the control circuit for inputting a first eye view of the stereoscopic image and causing the micromirrors of a first column of each column pair to be in various on and off states during said first eye view of said stereoscopic image and for causing all of said micromirrors of a second column of each column pair to be in an off state during said first eye view of said stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A digital micro-mirror device (DMD) format conversion system for outputting a stereoscopic encoded optical signal using a DMD and a color wheel is provided. The DMD format conversion system includes a 3D data formatter for receiving an input signal and a DMD data formatter for receiving an output signal having stereoscopic image information and control information from the 3D data formatter and for outputting a DMD output signal having stereoscopic image information and control information. A color wheel control signal and output digital micro-mirror device data are synchronized based on an output frame rate generated by the 3D data formatter independent of the original input frame rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for determining spatial information of a workpiece surface positioned in a predetermined coordinate system. Apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine one or more coordinates of one or more measurement locations of a workpiece within a predetermined coordinate system. Such coordinates can be used to define points, lines, and/or surfaces of the workpiece within the coordinate system. In one exemplary application, apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine spatial information of surfaces of head suspensions or head suspension assemblies such as those that are generally utilized in dynamic storage devices such as magnetic disk drives. Such spatial information can be used to determine z-height and/or static attitude, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for determining spatial information of a workpiece surface positioned in a predetermined coordinate system. Apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine one or more coordinates of one or more measurement locations of a workpiece within a predetermined coordinate system. Such coordinates can be used to define points, lines, and/or surfaces of the workpiece within the coordinate system. In one exemplary application, apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine spatial information of surfaces of head suspensions or head suspension assemblies such as those that are generally utilized in dynamic storage devices such as magnetic disk drives. Such spatial information can be used to determine z-height and/or static attitude, for example.

Abstract: The invention is a method for creating a micropolarizer, including providing a first plate having a first and a second surface, providing a second plate having a first and a second surface. Then coating a polyimide on each of the first surface of the two plates followed by rubbing the polyimide coated upon the first surface of the first plate along a predetermined direction and rubbing the polyimide coated upon the first surface of the second plate along a direction having a predetermined angle in relation to the predetermined direction. An alignment process includes aligning the first plate and the second plate having the first surface of the first plate and the first surface of the second plate facing each other thereby creating a space there between. In conclusion there is a filling of a liquid crystal material in the space whereby a cell, or film is created.

Abstract: A bird feeder wherein a housing includes a plurality of modular hopper elements with a floor underlying and supporting the hopper elements and a roof overlying the hopper elements, the hopper elements including impermeable side walls juxtaposed to form a hopper assembly of maximum capacity and minimum footprint and a front wall with feed apertures to enable birds to access bird food within the hopper element. Each hopper may be selectively removed and replaced without disturbing the other elements. In one embodiment, the hopper elements form segments of an inverted frustoconical hopper assembly which may be selectively and individually removed from the bird feeder without disassembling the housing.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the invention permits an extension of battery life through detection of the display synchronization signals of a computer and a power management system. The power management system also eliminates need for batteries through use of a 5V power source from pin 9 of the VGA port. A second embodiment improves the ease of use and the utility of the 3D system through removable glasses with improvements over the previous design.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment addresses the problem of delivering stereoscopic media in electronic form (images, videos, animations, object models, etc.). First, it provides a single format with independent right and left channels to represent the stereoscopic media. Second, it provides a means of displaying stereoscopic media inside a movable windowed area while eliminating pseudostereo conditions during movement. Third, it provides automatic and manual optimization adjustments (parallax shift adjustment, brightness control, color adjustment, and cross-talk reduction) to the stereoscopic media based on viewing hardware, monitor size, and media content for optimal viewing quality. Fourth, it provides seamless support for monoscopic (2D) viewing modes allowing delivery of said stereoscopic media in a normal 2D viewing mode.