Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for managing priority in a standardized test and survey imaging system. In various embodiments, a batch code is associated with a batch of documents, and a material code and a return-type code are associated with each document of the batch. A prioritization strength is automatically assigned to each document based on the material code and the return-type code, and a prioritization strength is automatically assigned to the batch as a function of the prioritization strengths of the documents in the batch. The batch is processed using a computer as a function of the prioritization strength of the batch.

Abstract: A pipeline insertion system (100) may include an insertion device (102) outside a tunnel that includes an insertion device frame (104) and a movable clamp device (106) in slidable engagement with the insertion device frame. A drive may cause the movable clamp device engaged with a pipeline to move between a first position (108) and a second position (110) along the frame. Inside the tunnel, the system may also include a plurality of support frames (118) remote from the insertion device and remote from each other which support the pipeline on bearings as the pipeline is pushed (or pulled) by the insertion device through the bores of a plurality of housing segments (122) mounted in the tunnel. A controller (126) is operative to control the drive and the movable clamp device responsive to transducers which measure pipeline slippage, thrust force, and clamping pressure.

Abstract: A pipeline insertion system may include an insertion device outside a tunnel that includes an insertion device frame and a movable clamp device in slidable engagement with the insertion device frame. A drive may cause the movable clamp device engaged with a pipeline to move between a first position and a second position along the frame. Inside the tunnel, the system may also include a plurality of support frames remote from the insertion device and remote from each other which support the pipeline on bearings as the pipeline is pushed (or pulled) by the insertion device through the bores of a plurality of housing segments mounted in the tunnel. A controller is operative to control the drive and the movable clamp device responsive to transducers which measure pipeline slippage, thrust force, and clamping pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an imaging system for processing educational assessments. According to one embodiment of the present subject matter, educational assessments are received in a paper format and processed from the paper format to an electronic format. A navigation console is provided and adapted to provide a portal and a login interface to a user. Educational assessment documents are scanned and images are generated. The images are passed through applications to derive data from the images, and the data is transferred to peripheral systems, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for verifying answer document images. According to one embodiment of a method, data collected from a scanned image of an answer document is received, the data including an indication of whether a bubble on the answer document is marked. Responses are automatically identified to have a first review, including sorting the collected data using one or more predetermined criteria. The responses are automatically forwarded to a first editor to conduct the first review, the first review including a data entry. If the data entry of the first editor varies with the indication for a particular response, the particular response is automatically forwarded to a second editor to conduct a second review, where the first editor is different from the second editor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an imaging system for processing educational assessments. According to one embodiment of the present subject matter, educational assessments are received in a paper format and processed from the paper format to an electronic format. A navigation console is provided and adapted to provide a portal and a login interface to a user. Educational assessment documents are scanned and images are generated. The images are passed through applications to derive data from the images, and the data is transferred to peripheral systems, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for calibrating imaging equipment. According to one embodiment of a method, a calibration deck of timing sheets is prepared. The calibration deck includes a sheet with a series of reference marks that help determine the amount of skew, a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all filled in with black ink, a grey scale bubble sheet having a predetermined number of shades between black and white, and a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all unfilled, or white. The timing sheets are scanned on a scanner, and results from scanning the calibration deck are compared to an industry standard baseline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing time synchronization is provided. The method/apparatus includes, at a radio subsystem: receiving, from a digital subsystem, a first signal via the link, where the link not dedicated to timing synchronization; determining a time difference between the first signal and a second signal; converting the time difference to a time error, sending, via the link, the time error or time difference to the digital subsystem. The method further includes, at the digital subsystem, inputting the time error, received from the radio subsystem, to a phased locked loop (PLL) in order to adjust an oscillator frequency so as to reduce the amount of the time error and thus synchronizing the radio access network with the second signal received at the radio subsystem, without the need for an additional connection between the digital and radio subsystems.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.

Abstract: A pipeline insertion system (100) may include an insertion device (102) outside a tunnel that includes an insertion device frame (104) and a movable clamp device (106) in slidable engagement with the insertion device frame. A drive may cause the movable clamp device engaged with a pipeline to move between a first position (108) and a second position (110) along the frame. Inside the tunnel, the system may also include a plurality of support frames (118) remote from the insertion device and remote from each other which support the pipeline on bearings as the pipeline is pushed (or pulled) by the insertion device through the bores of a plurality of housing segments (122) mounted in the tunnel. A controller (126) is operative to control the drive and the movable clamp device responsive to transducers which measure pipeline slippage, thrust force, and clamping pressure.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that achieves effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The electrochemical cell including a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. The reduced thickness groove is formed having eight segments extending radially from a central location. A cover is welded on the end wall of the container via at least three welds, wherein the angular spacing between two adjacent welds is greater than 120°.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pressure relief vent formed in a metal plate disposed in at least one of the closed end and the open end of the container. The pressure relief vent has an annular ring that includes a reduced thickness groove, interrupted in at least two places by unthinned sections of the plate. When the vent opens to relieve pressure from within the cell, the area of the plate within the annular ring remains attached to the remainder of the plate by at least one of the unthinned sections. A can with such a pressure relief vent formed in the can bottom is useful as an electrochemical cell container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing time synchronization is provided. The method/apparatus includes, at a radio subsystem: receiving, from a digital subsystem, a first signal via the link, where the link not dedicated to timing synchronization; determining a time difference between the first signal and a second signal; converting the time difference to a time error, sending, via the link, the time error or time difference to the digital subsystem. The method further includes, at the digital subsystem, inputting the time error, received from the radio subsystem, to a phased locked loop (PLL) in order to adjust an oscillator frequency so as to reduce the amount of the time error and thus synchronizing the radio access network with the second signal received at the radio subsystem, without the need for an additional connection between the digital and radio subsystems.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing oscillator frequency stability is disclosed. The apparatus includes an internally ovenized oscillator module having an oscillator and an inner heater to maintain the oscillator at a first temperature during operation. The apparatus also includes a thermally conductive cover for forming a first compartment to contain the internally ovenized oscillator module along with multiple heaters. The heaters are in thermal communication with the thermally conductive cover and the substrate to form an oven to keep the internally ovenized oscillator module at a stable second temperature during operation. In addition, the apparatus includes a thermally insulative cover for forming a second compartment to contain the first compartment.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover is welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism and is welded via at least three welds, wherein two adjacent welds are angularly separated by more than 120°.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pen based data entry and storage are provided. In one approach a digital pen capable of electronically storing several written responses is used to record responses to forms, surveys, polls, or tests. In one approach a tablet PC capable of electronically storing several written responses and other responses is used to record responses to forms, surveys, polls, or tests. Various data processing and storage techniques are provided. Various data communications are provided. Various item types are provided for a number of different user responses.