Abstract: Circuit modules, systems and devices for controlling voltages across capacitors.

Abstract: Method of verifying authenticity of goods uses combination codes that have a random portion and a non-random portion that includes at least a secret portion that is encrypted. The combination codes are encrypted and may be applied to goods and checked to determine authenticity of goods; the secret portion may be encrypted with a public key and can be decrypted, for example, using a corresponding private key. The authenticity may include whether or not a tax or duty has been paid. The checking may include checking, e.g., viewing the non-random portion of the decrypted combination code to determine whether it is the same as the non-random portion used to compose the combination code.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for measuring electrical characteristics of a capacitor. A measurement assembly can include a constant current assembly for selectively charging and discharging the capacitor and a counter incremented during a measurement period of a selected one of the charging and discharging. A display is used to display a value of the counter as a representation of capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for measuring electrical characteristics of a capacitor. A measurement assembly can include a constant current assembly for selectively charging and discharging the capacitor and a counter incremented during a measurement period of a selected one of the charging and discharging. A display is used to display a value of the counter as a representation of capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Provided are active balancing modules that control voltage imbalances between capacitors stacked in a series arrangement and methods for their manufacture. These modules are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and versatile. They may be used alone or they may be combined together to form a multi-module active balancing circuitry for a plurality of capacitors stacked in a series arrangement. The modules may further be aligned in either a side-by-side topology or an overlapping topology.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of securing one or more product indicia for use in authenticating products or collecting a tax and includes generating one or more product indicia and encrypting the one or more product indicia with a public encryption key. The product indicia are then transferred to an indicia application location for application of the one or more product indicia to one or more products and processed securely while applying the one or more product indicia to the one or more products to thereby prevent tampering, misuse or theft of the product indicia at the indicia application location. The present invention also.includes a system for securing product indicia for use in authentication of products or collecting a tax and includes a processor and a read/write memory associated with the processor. The read/write memory stores therein a product indicia file which contains one or more product indicia in an encrypted form.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading a bar code on an object includes a light diffusing cavity and a deflector. The deflector deflects and diffuses light from a light source which may be part of a bar code reader. Preferably the deflector deflects substantially all of the light from the reader, so that none of the light from the light source directly illuminates the bar code. Inner side wall surfaces of the light diffusing cavity redirect the deflected light to indirectly illuminate the bar code. Despite deflecting light from the light source, the deflector allows unhindered passage of light emanating from the bar code to a light detection system which may be part of the bar code reader.

Abstract: A method of verifying the authenticity of goods includes generating one or more random codes and storing the one or more random codes in a database. The goods are then marked with one of the generated random codes such that each of the goods contain their own unique random code. Upon field checking and inventory of marked goods and comparing the codes on the marked goods to codes within the database, the authenticity of goods may be verified. Also, a system for verifying the authenticity of goods includes a database containing a plurality of unique random codes and an indication whether each of the unique random codes has been read, and a code reader or scanner for reading the code affixed to a good.

Abstract: A high-frequency power supply which is primarily intended for use with an inductive heating apparatus. The high-frequency power supply has a pre-regulator for emitting a constant output voltage, an inverter for generating a constant output voltage, and an output network for amplifying the constant output voltage and converting the constant output voltage to a high-frequency constant output current. The power supply disclosed generates a very high frequency ac output, drives a wide range of possible loads, minimizes root mean square input current for a given output power, and can be powered from a wide range of input power sources.

Abstract: Solenoid coils are provided that produce relatively low irradiation of electromagnetic fields with intense fields internally thereof for purposes of heating a metallic element, preferably a ferromagnetic element having a Curie temperature selected for the purpose for which the coil structure is to be employed, the coil structure in one embodiment comprising two coaxial coils of substantially equal diameter interconnected to produce in response to an alternating current being applied thereto out of phase magnetic fields that do not substantially interfere with one another as a result of the spacing between the coils. In a second embodiment the two coils are located between two additional coils that buck axial fields thereby together with fall off of the fields as the cube of the distance from the main coils provide a structure with low external radiation.

Abstract: A self-regulating heater including a resistance element for converting electrical power to thermal energy and a power supply includes circuitry for controlling its output during heat up along a path bounded by two preferred paths:1) a path defined by constant voltage with a cross-over to constant current for a NTCR heater element when the power output reaches a maximum or a path defined by constant current with a cross-over to constant voltage for a PTCR heater element when the power output reaches a maximum; and2) a path defined by constant power with a cross-over to maximum current for a NTCR heater element or to constant voltage for a PTCR heater element when the power supply reaches maximum current or maximum voltage output respectively. When the heater element reaches the set control temperature, the power supply then maintains power equilibrium with the thermal load through controlling its output according to resistance control, i.e.

Abstract: A heater system provides a portable lightweight tool including the core and at least the primary winding of a transformer having a secondary that may be permanently or selectively coupled to a heater having a bifilar winding to reduce magnetic radiation; wherein the design of the system is such that voltages produced in the portable tool do not materially exceed 100 volts and are normally below 100 volts. The core of the transformer when employed in an arrangement wherein the secondary winding is permanently connected to the heater winding has a leg rotatable out of the closed core configuration whereby another leg of the core having the primary winding wound thereon may be inserted into the secondary winding. Alternatively the secondary winding may be wound on a short length of the core that is insertable into a leg of the transformer core on which the primary winding is wound.

Abstract: Solenoid coils are provided that produce relatively low irradiation of electromagnetic fields with intense fields internally thereof for purposes of heating a metallic element, preferably a ferromagnetic element having a Curie temperature selected for the purpose for which the coil structure is to be employed, the coil structure in one embodiment comprising two coaxial coils of substantially equal diameter interconnected to produce in response to an alternating current being applied thereto out of phase magnetic fields that do not substantially interfere with one another as a result of the spacing between the coils. In a second embodiment the two coils are located between two additional coils that buck axial fields thereby together with fall off of the fields as the cube of the distance from the main coils provide a structure with low external radiation.

Abstract: A fast heating, highly efficient griddle with interchangeable griddle plates including magnetically permeable materials having Curie temperatures which may be the same or different to provide different cooking temperatures is provided. The plates are formed as a balanced composite structure which mitigates bending when the magnetically permeable materials are heated to their Curie temperatures. Induction coils provide sufficient energy to heat the plates to their effective Curie temperatures in the presence of loads and maintain a uniform cooking temperature across the griddle plate to within less than one inch of the plate edges. The plates may be placed in an enhanced idle condition at cooking temperature by placing a cover over the plates or region of a plate not in use. Increased efficiency is achieved due to an insulator blanket placed between the griddle plates and coils.

Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation, for example to a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.

Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation, for example to a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.

Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation, for example to a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.

Abstract: A basically commercially fast heat highly efficient griddle has interchangeable griddle plates including magnetically permeable materials having Curie temperatures which may be the same or different to provide different cooking temperatures, the plates being heated by induction coils providing sufficient energy to heat the plates to their effective Curie temperatures in the presence of loads and of a design to maintain a uniform cooking temperature across the griddle plate to within less than an inch of the edges of the plates. The plates may be placed in an enhanced idle condition at cooking temperature by placing a cover over the plates or region of a plate not in use. Increased efficiency is further due to an insulator blanket placed between the griddle plates and coils.

Abstract: A heater (seed) and system for subjecting body tissue to closely controlled hyperthermia or higher temperatures includes a core of ferromagnetic material having a high resistivity or resistivity of a non-conductor enclosed with a bio-compatible non-magnetic conductive sheath and excited by a coil positioned to establish a magnetic field coupled to the seed. The core is dimensioned so as to reduce demagnetizing effects to acceptable levels. The thickness of the conductive sheath is optimized to maximize heat generation to achieve a heat generating capacity which is considerably greater than that of the bare ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Conductive polymer PTC compositions have improved properties, especially at voltages of 200 volts or more, if they are very highly cross-linked by means of irradiation, for example to a dosage of at least 50 Mrads, preferably at least 80 Mrads, e.g. 120 to 600 Mrads. The cross-linked compositions are particularly useful in circuit protection devices and layered heaters.