Abstract: A magnetic embroidery hoop for hand embroidery includes a first plate and a second plate for retaining a substrate. The first plate is coupled to the second plate by a magnetic coupling. The first plate has a first plate aperture and the second plate has a second plate aperture. When the first plate and the second plate are coupled, the first plate aperture and the second plate aperture at least partially overlap to form a hoop aperture and define a hand embroidery area of the substrate located within the hoop aperture. The embroidery hoop may be pivotably or adjustably coupled to a stand or be part of the stand. The stand may include a base and a plurality of support arms pivotably or adjustably coupled to the embroidery hoop, each other, or the base for adjusting the position of the embroidery hoop for hand embroidery of the substrate.

Abstract: A window assembly having a first sash and a second sash mounted to a window frame, the first and second sashes arranged along different vertical planes within the window frame to resemble the appearance of a double hung window. The window assembly further includes a hinge mechanism coupled to the window frame, the hinge mechanism operable to guide the first and second sashes away from the window frame to accommodate an outwardly swinging motion of the sashes in a similar fashion as a conventional awning window.

Abstract: A window assembly having a first sash and a second sash mounted to a window frame, the first and second sashes arranged along different vertical planes within the window frame to resemble the appearance of a double hung window. The window assembly further includes a hinge mechanism coupled to the window frame and to the second sash, hinge mechanism operable to guide the second sash away from the first sash to accommodate an outwardly swinging motion of the second sash in a similar fashion as a conventional awning window. The first sash may be fixed relative to the window frame, or may alternatively be moveable upwardly or downwardly relative to the window frame.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device and method of fabricating the same, including a layer of patterned and deposited metal or mechanical-quality, doped polysilicon inserted between the appropriate device element layers, which provides a conductive layer to prevent the microelectromechanical device's output from drifting. The conductive layer may encapsulate of the device's sensing or active elements, or may selectively cover only certain of the device's elements. Further, coupling the metal or mechanical-quality, doped polysilicon to the same voltage source as the device's substrate contact may place the conductive layer at the voltage of the substrate, which may function as a Faraday shield, attracting undesired, migrating ions from interfering with the output of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, program product and system for distributing merchandise. The invention involves assigning a unique identifier to a product as well as each copy of the product. The invention also assigns unique identifiers to all distributors of the product. When a copy of the product is sold from the manufacturer to an end user through the distributors, the unique identifier of that copy is matched with the unique identifiers of all distributors who were involved in supplying the copy to the end user. Sale of that particular item is recorded at the retail point of sale using an identification method such as RFID, which is then recorded by an accounting server. The distributors in the supply chain that were involved in selling that particular copy of the product are then paid according to a pre-determined schedule.

Abstract: In a postage payment system, a secure integrated circuit (IC) card is used to manage postage funds, and created encrypted postage indicia. Among other things, the system is capable of performing charge-back accounting of postage expenses and generating mail contents. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the postage indicia are applied onto selected locations of the mail contents while they are being generated. In the preferred embodiment, each mail content is placed in a window envelope such that the postage indicium on the mail content exposes through a window of the envelope to facilitate inspection of the indicium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, by including transactional data in addition to the traditional postal data in a postage indicium, the indicium can be used to pay bills, purchase products and services, including any courier service different than the postal service.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device and method of fabricating the same, including a layer of patterned and deposited metal or mechanical-quality, doped polysilicon inserted between the appropriate device element layers, which provides a conductive layer to prevent the microelectromechanical device's output from drifting. The conductive layer may encapsulate of the device's sensing or active elements, or may selectively cover only certain of the device's elements. Further, coupling the metal or mechanical-quality, doped polysilicon to the same voltage source as the device's substrate contact may place the conductive layer at the voltage of the substrate, which may function as a Faraday shield, attracting undesired, migrating ions from interfering with the output of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a lottery style game. A player is offered electronic gaming tokens that provide a predetermined probability of winning monetary prizes and non-monetary prizes. The player then engages in an arcade style game which is adapted to allow the player to simultaneously play the lottery style game by incorporating the non-monetary prizes into the play of the arcade style game. The probability of winning money in the lottery style game, and the outcome of the arcade style game are independent of each other. The lottery style game and arcade style game may be played on a networked console in a gaming hall, on a personal computer or on any suitable hand held computing device.

Abstract: An Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) memory cell and a method of operation are disclosed for creating an EEPROM memory cell in a standard CMOS process. A single polysilicon layer is used in combination with lightly doped MOS capacitors. The lightly doped capacitors employed in the EEPROM memory cell can be asymmetrical in design. Asymmetrical capacitors reduce area. Further capacitance variation caused by inversion can also be reduced by using multiple control capacitors. In addition, the use of multiple tunneling capacitors provides the benefit of customized tunneling paths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards providing a dispenser mechanism enclosing pre-cut stabilizer sheets for use with sewing/embroidery machines. Any of a variety of types and weights of stabilizer material known and/or available, including but not limited to tear-away, wash-away, heat-away or cut-away, may be pre-cut and packaged in the dispenser for convenient access. The pre-cut packaged stabilizer sheets permit convenient packaging of a plurality of stabilizer sheets in uniform sizes pre-cut to fit a variety of embroidery hoop dimensions. The packaging permits access to individual sheets of the pre-cut stabilizer material in an easy manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for growing plants to result in increased concentrations of one or more glucosinolates. The plant may be a member of the order Capparales, such as a Brassicaceae, a Capparaceae, or a cultivar thereof. The methods include exposing a plant to an altered radiation condition, a water deficit condition, an altered growth temperature, an altered level of sulfur and/or nitrogen, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are simulated divided light products and processes and systems for making the such products. One product discloses simulated divided light bars that are designed such that the end of the bar may be fitted into a notched sash to provide for the automated method for manufacture of a simulated divided light window or door.