Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: An electronic device having a faulty touch panel may be diagnosed and indicated for repair by extracting a log from the electronic device. The log may include a record of touch panel events indicating active and inactive touch panel events divided into time periods. The log may be analyzed for touch panel events in a given time period. If a total number of touch panel events in a given time period exceeds a threshold count, and if a percentage of touch panel events in that given time period exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement. Further, if a total number of touch panel events for all time periods exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement.

Abstract: What is provided is a football catching and throwing machine and method that includes an inclined upwardly angled path. The machine includes a collector configured to receive a football thrown into it; a ball translator configured to align the football and transport the football up the inclined path to a football accelerator that launches the football into the air; and a motor that operates the football accelerator.

Abstract: An electronic device having a faulty touch panel may be diagnosed and indicated for repair by extracting a log from the electronic device. The log may include a record of touch panel events indicating active and inactive touch panel events divided into time periods. The log may be analyzed for touch panel events in a given time period. If a total number of touch panel events in a given time period exceeds a threshold count, and if a percentage of touch panel events in that given time period exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement. Further, if a total number of touch panel events for all time periods exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement.

Abstract: A method is described for managing an operating state of a battery energizing a mobile device. Active elements of a “gas gauge” IC component of the mobile device are configured or programmed based on instructions related to tracking capacity aging of the battery. An event is targeted based on the configured or programmed instructions. The targeted event corresponds to reaching an end of a discharge state of the battery, or to reaching a midpoint (relative to full charge) of a charging state of the battery. A relaxation state is induced in the battery upon the targeted event occurring.

Abstract: An electronic device having a battery may be diagnosed and indicated for repair by extracting a log from the electronic device. The log may include a record of battery events including a battery serial number, a battery status, and a battery voltage. The log may be analyzed for battery charge events recorded in the log to determine if the battery is out of tolerance. If the battery is out of tolerance, the battery may be identified as needing replacement.

Abstract: An electronic device having a faulty touch panel may be diagnosed and indicated for repair by extracting a log from the electronic device. The log may include a record of touch panel events indicating active and inactive touch panel events divided into time periods. The log may be analyzed for touch panel events in a given time period. If a total number of touch panel events in a given time period exceeds a threshold count, and if a percentage of touch panel events in that given time period exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement. Further, if a total number of touch panel events for all time periods exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement.

Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: What is provided is a football catching and throwing machine and method that includes an inclined upwardly angled path. The machine includes a collector configured to receive a football thrown into it; a ball translator configured to align the football and transport the football up the inclined path to a football accelerator that launches the football into the air; and a motor that operates the football accelerator.

Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: A portable data terminal that includes a housing and an environmentally responsive device for collecting data about the environment surrounding the housing. The portable data terminal also includes an encoded information reader unit with one or more data collection hardware devices, which can capture data encoded in decodable indicia, e.g., bar codes. In one embodiment, the portable data terminal is configured to operate in a mode that processes the decodable indicia, and the environmental data so as to correlate the information decoded in the decodable indicia with the environmental data.

Abstract: A method is described for managing an operating state of a battery energizing a mobile device. Active elements of a “gas gauge” IC component of the mobile device are configured or programmed based on instructions related to tracking capacity aging of the battery. An event is targeted based on the configured or programmed instructions. The targeted event corresponds to reaching an end of a discharge state of the battery, or to reaching a midpoint (relative to full charge) of a charging state of the battery. A relaxation state is induced in the battery upon the targeted event occurring.

Abstract: An electronic device having a battery may be diagnosed and indicated for repair by extracting a log from the electronic device. The log may include a record of battery events including a battery serial number, a battery status, and a battery voltage. The log may be analyzed for battery charge events recorded in the log to determine if the battery is out of tolerance. If the battery is out of tolerance, the battery may be identified as needing replacement.

Abstract: An electronic device having a faulty touch panel may be diagnosed and indicated for repair by extracting a log from the electronic device. The log may include a record of touch panel events indicating active and inactive touch panel events divided into time periods. The log may be analyzed for touch panel events in a given time period. If a total number of touch panel events in a given time period exceeds a threshold count, and if a percentage of touch panel events in that given time period exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement. Further, if a total number of touch panel events for all time periods exceeds a threshold percentage, the touch panel may be identified as in need of replacement.

Abstract: A refiner steam separation system according to the present invention includes a blowline for transporting a mixture of fiber material from a refiner to an inlet of a steam separator. Waste steam is discharged from the separator through a waste steam outlet. Cleaned fiber material is discharged from the separator through an exit, which prevents a substantial portion of the waste steam from passing through the exit. A relay pipe communicates with the exit and a dryer duct, and transports cleaned fiber material therebetween. A resin input communicates with the relay pipe, and supplies resin therein. The resin is mixed with the cleaned fiber material prior to the cleaned fiber material being dried in the dryer duct. The present invention is also directed to a method of reducing VOC emissions generated during refining cellulosic fibrous material.

Abstract: A refiner steam separation system according to the present invention includes a blowline for transporting a mixture of fiber material from a refiner to an inlet of a steam separator. Waste steam is discharged from the separator through a waste steam outlet. Cleaned fiber material is discharged from the separator through an exit, which prevents a substantial portion of the waste steam from passing through the exit. A relay pipe communicates with the exit and a dryer duct, and transports cleaned fiber material therebetween. A resin input communicates with the relay pipe, and supplies resin therein. The resin is mixed with the cleaned fiber material prior to the cleaned fiber material being dried in the dryer duct. The present invention is also directed to a method of reducing VOC emissions generated during refining cellulosic fibrous material.

Abstract: A modular electronic component includes a circuit board having disposed thereon one or more electronic components and an enclosure for housing the circuit board. The enclosure comprises a thermally conductive shell having front and back surfaces being substantially parallel to the plane of the circuit board and being disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board from each other, left and right surfaces being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board and being disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board from each other, and top and bottom surfaces being substantially perpendicular to the left and right surfaces and substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces and being disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board from each other.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: an indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia; a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications; a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data to the processor; an illuminator for providing an operator with illumination under low ambient lighting conditions; and, a housing supporting the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.

Abstract: A refiner steam separation system according to the present invention includes a blowline for transporting a mixture of fiber material from a refiner to an inlet of a steam separator. Waste steam is discharged from the separator through a waste steam outlet. Cleaned fiber material is discharged from the separator through an exit, which prevents a substantial portion of the waste steam from passing through the exit. A relay pipe communicates with the exit and a dryer duct, and transports cleaned fiber material therebetween. A resin input communicates with the relay pipe, and supplies resin therein. The resin is mixed with the cleaned fiber material prior to the cleaned fiber material being dried in the dryer duct. The present invention is also directed to a method of reducing VOC emissions generated during refining cellulosic fibrous material.