Abstract: A CVD process for depositing a silica coating is provided. The process includes providing a float glass ribbon in a float glass manufacturing process. The process also includes forming a gaseous mixture including a silane compound, oxygen, a fluorine-containing compound, and a radical scavenger. The gaseous mixture is directed toward and along the float glass ribbon and is reacted over the float glass ribbon to form the silica coating thereon. The silica coating comprises silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device and various optional modifications to the lower receiver of a semiautomatic firearm whereby the firearm is at least semi-permanently rendered incapable of quickly removing and replacing a cartridge magazine. The device comprises a means to mechanically retain the magazine in the lower receiver of the firearm such that special tools and at least several minutes are required to remove and replace the magazine. The optional modifications comprise elimination of certain standard machined features which accept and allow the use of a magazine catch, magazine catch spring and magazine catch button; introduction of a hole or slot through the sidewall of the magazine well to accommodate a magazine retention fitting which holds the magazine in place; and the interruption of the lower portion of a clearance slot in the magazine well to prevent installation of a magazine from the bottom of the receiver.

Abstract: A CVD process for depositing a silica coating is provided. The process includes providing a glass substrate. The process also includes forming a gaseous mixture including a silane compound, oxygen, a fluorine-containing compound, and a radical scavenger such as ethylene or propylene. The gaseous mixture is directed toward and along the glass substrate and is reacted over the glass substrate to form the silica coating thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and processing data related to redemption of an offer from an issuer of offers. The system comprises a data capture device adapted to capture data relating to redemption of an offer; storage databases; a user interface; and a data processing device with the ability to communicate with storage databases and the user interface.

Abstract: Automatic coin input apparatuses for use with consumer coin counting machines and/or other coin processing machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a coin bowl structure includes a rotatable disk configured to support a plurality of randomly oriented coins deposited thereon. In operation, rotation of the disk in a first direction can automatically drive a first portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a first coin passage, and rotation of the disk in a second direction opposite to the first direction can automatically drive a second portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a second coin passage different than the first coin passage.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader.

Abstract: Automatic coin input apparatuses for use with consumer coin counting machines and/or other coin processing machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a coin bowl structure includes a rotatable disk configured to support a plurality of randomly oriented coins deposited thereon. In operation, rotation of the disk in a first direction can automatically drive a first portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a first coin passage, and rotation of the disk in a second direction opposite to the first direction can automatically drive a second portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a second coin passage different than the first coin passage.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for dispensing magnetic stripe cards, smart cards, other cards, and/or other items from kiosks and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least a first card hopper and a card transport assembly. The first card hopper is configured to hold a stack of cards that includes at least a first card stacked on a second card. The card transport assembly includes a card carrier configured to lift the first card off the second card and transfer the first card toward a card outlet. Methods are also disclosed for monitoring card stacks in a card dispensing apparatus and for prereading cards prior to sale to expedite dispensing operations. Devices are also disclosed for maintaining the alignment or levelness of top cards in stacks of cards having embossing or other raised features that cause uneven stacking.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and associated methods for counting and sorting coins are described herein. In one embodiment, a coin processing machine can include a coin input region, a coin counting portion, and a coin sorting portion. The coin counting portion can include a first hopper that receives coins from the coin input region, and a coin discriminator that receives the coins from the first hopper and discriminates the coins to determine their value. The coin sorting portion can include a second coin hopper that receives the coins from the coin discriminator, and a coin sorter that receives the coins from the second hopper and sorts the coins into individual denominations.

Abstract: A multi-function card dispenser and related apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing credit cards, phone cards, in-store gift cards, and the like at customer-operated kiosks and other machines. In one embodiment, a card apparatus can include a card hopper having a card eject surface and a card track having a card transport surface positioned below the card eject surface. A first roller is configured to rotate to draw a first card from a card port and onto the card track. A second roller is configured to rotate to dispense a second (ejected) card from the card hopper and onto the card track and further toward the card port. In one embodiment, the second roller is further configured to rotate to deposit cards below the card hopper.

Abstract: Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin.

Abstract: Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove and sleeve. The glove includes a digit, i.e., a finger or thumb, and a force sensor. The sensor measures a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove. The glove contains a tendon connected at a first end to the digit. The sleeve has an actuator assembly connected to a second end of the tendon and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller includes a configuration module having selectable operating modes and a processor that calculates a tensile force to apply to the tendon for each of the selectable operating modes to assist the grasping force in a manner that differs for each of the operating modes. A method includes measuring the grasping force, selecting the mode, calculating the tensile force, and applying the tensile force to the tendon using the actuator assembly.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for optical coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining a digital image of a coin, identifying the outline of the coin using a suitable algorithm, and determining the diameter of the coin using the outline of the coin. The method of this embodiment further includes generating a rectangular image of the coin using, for example, a log-polar transform, generating a series of, for example, Fourier transforms from the rectangular image, and identifying spectral peak locations and intensities in the Fourier transform results. The diameter of the coin, spectral peak location, spectral peak intensity of the coin and/or other aspects of the coin can then be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.

Abstract: Automatic coin input apparatuses for use with consumer coin counting machines and/or other coin processing machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a coin bowl structure includes a rotatable disk configured to support a plurality of randomly oriented coins deposited thereon. In operation, rotation of the disk in a first direction can automatically drive a first portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a first coin passage, and rotation of the disk in a second direction opposite to the first direction can automatically drive a second portion of the coins deposited thereon out of the bowl structure through a second coin passage different than the first coin passage.

Abstract: An emergency lighting device includes a backup power supply for illuminating a light during a power loss. The lighting device includes a transmitter, which transmits a signal to a receiver during a power outage. When the receiver receives the signal, the source of power switches from the primary power source, e.g., AC utility power, to a backup power source, e.g., DC battery power. The lighting device may include an LED lamp in which AC-LEDs are selectively illuminated when primary power source is delivered and DC-LEDs which are selectively illuminated during a power outage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for recording and playing back an online conference. One such method comprises: a conferencing system establishing an audio conference between a plurality of participants accessing the conferencing system via a communication network; the conferencing system presenting the audio conference and a conference interface displaying a participant object identifying each of the participants in the audio conference; synchronously recording the audio conference with content presented in the conference interface; storing the synchronized audio conference and content; and playing back the synchronized audio conference and content.

Abstract: Methods for the processing of biomass, particularly but not exclusively poultry litter, to generate energy. A method is presented for generating power from biomass comprising a gasification process involving the gasification of biomass to produce a combustible fuel gas and a power generation process involving combustion of the combustible fuel gas to produce a combustion exhaust gas which is fed to a power generator to generate power and a generator exhaust gas. Compressed air is placed in thermal contact with the generator exhaust gas to facilitate heat transfer between the compressed air and the generator exhaust gas. A first portion of compressed air that has thermally contacted the generator exhaust gas is fed to the gasification process to assist in gasification of further biomass.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove and a flexible sleeve. The glove includes a digit such as a finger or thumb, a force sensor configured to measure a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove, and adjustable phalange rings positioned with respect to the digit. A saddle is positioned with respect to the finger. A flexible tendon is looped at one end around the saddle. A conduit contains the tendon. A conduit anchor secured within a palm of the glove receives the conduit. The sleeve has pockets containing an actuator assembly connected to another end of the tendon and a controller. The controller is in communication with the force sensor, and calculates a tensile force in response to the measured grasping force. The controller commands the tensile force from the actuator assembly to tension the tendon and thereby move the finger.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for optical coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining a digital image of a coin, identifying the outline of the coin using a suitable algorithm, and determining the diameter of the coin using the outline of the coin. The method of this embodiment further includes generating a rectangular image of the coin using, for example, a log-polar transform, generating a series of, for example, Fourier transforms from the rectangular image, and identifying spectral peak locations and intensities in the Fourier transform results. The diameter of the coin, spectral peak location, spectral peak intensity of the coin and/or other aspects of the coin can then be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.