Abstract: The invention is a sensory enhancement system for a novelty item, such as a handheld projectile dispenser, used to dispense essentially planar object, such as small bills, paper, or other lightweight materials, such as coupons and the like. Furthermore, the sensory enhancement system includes visual enhancement features for a handheld projectile dispenser that provides rapid and wide dispersion of monetary bills and other dispensable materials. The sensory enhancement system may further compromise auditory enhancement features for additional sensory enhancement.

Abstract: In a method for identifying a user in a network of broadcast communication receivers, a physical characteristic of a user is analyzed in association with the user accessing a first of the receivers. First biometric information based on the characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the first receiver is generated. Data associated with use of the first receiver by the user is also generated and associated with the first biometric information. The physical characteristic of the user is then analyzed in association with the user accessing a second receiver. Second biometric information based on the physical characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the second receiver is generated. The first and second biometric information are then compared. If the first and second biometric information indicate the physical characteristic of the same user, the data is employed in conjunction with the user accessing the second receiver.

Abstract: A high silica content substrate, such as for a device, is provided. The substrate has a high silica content and is thin. The substrate may include a surface with a topography or profile that facilitates bonding with a conductive metal layer, such as a metal layer for a circuit or antenna. The substrate may be flexible, have high temperature resistance, very low CTE, high strength and/or be non-reactive. The substrate may be suitable for use in circuits intended for use in high temperature environments, low temperature environments, reactive environments, or other harsh environments. The substrate may be suitable for high frequency antenna applications.

Abstract: A thawing rack. The thawing rack includes a base including a plurality of parallel oriented rods, a first end, and an opposing second end. A pair of outermost rods of a first rack are in sliding engagement with a pair of outermost rods of the base at the first end thereof, and a pair of outermost rods of a second rack are in sliding engagement with the pair of outermost rods of the base at the second end thereof. One or more springs are configured to bias the first rack away from the second rack. The first and second racks can be compressed and slid inwardly toward one another and then released when the thawing rack is positioned within a sink basin. The force exerted by the springs causes feet disposed on the distal ends of the first and second racks to frictionally engage the sidewalls of the sink basin.

Abstract: Aquatic curtain devices and methods for forming waterway channels and reducing waterway maintenance are disclosed. Each curtain device comprises an elongated float and an elongated flexible curtain depending from a first side of the elongated float. The curtain has a bottom end with a weight extending along the entire length of the elongated float. The float is configured to be sufficiently buoyant to support the curtain in an upward direction. Each curtain device is configured for the curtain to remain in a substantially taut state when in use and accommodate fluctuations in water levels, such that the elongated weight remains on the bottom of the waterway while the elongated float remains on the surface. Artificial channels are constructed by selecting the length of the elongated float to achieve the desired channel dimensions using two or more curtain devices positioned along a desired path in a waterway.

Abstract: The invention is a sensory enhancement system for a novelty item, such as a handheld projectile dispenser, used to dispense essentially planar object, such as small bills, paper, or other lightweight materials, such as coupons and the like. Furthermore, the sensory enhancement system includes visual enhancement features for a handheld projectile dispenser that provides rapid and wide dispersion of monetary bills and other dispensable materials. The sensory enhancement system may further compromise auditory enhancement features for additional sensory enhancement.

Abstract: Disclosed are transceivers using a pluggable optical body. In one embodiment the transceiver comprises a transceiver receptacle body and a substrate assembly. The transceiver receptacle body comprises a front side, a rear side and at least one optical channel at the optical interface with the front side having at least one alignment pin and the rear side having at least one cavity. The substrate assembly comprises a substrate supporting at least one active electronic component and the substrate comprising at least one alignment feature for cooperating with the at least one alignment pin of the transceiver receptacle body. In one variation, one or more alignment pins may extend from the front side into the cavity of the transceiver receptacle body.

Abstract: In a method for identifying a user in a network of broadcast communication receivers, a physical characteristic of a user is analyzed in association with the user accessing a first of the receivers. First biometric information based on the characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the first receiver is generated. Data associated with use of the first receiver by the user is also generated and associated with the first biometric information. The physical characteristic of the user is then analyzed in association with the user accessing a second receiver. Second biometric information based on the physical characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the second receiver is generated. The first and second biometric information are then compared. If the first and second biometric information indicate the physical characteristic of the same user, the data is employed in conjunction with the user accessing the second receiver.

Abstract: A fiber-bundle sub-assembly includes an array of fiber bundles each having at least one optical fiber. The fiber bundles have select relative positions in the array. The sub-assembly includes first and second connecting elements that run along the array and that are secured to axially staggered top and bottom anchors to define first and second connecting spans that cross first and second sides of the array, with the first and second sides defined by first and second sets of fiber bundles. The first and second connecting spans are respectively attached to the first and second sets of fibers bundles to maintain the select relative positions of the fiber bundles even when the connecting spans are cut near one of the anchors during processing. A loose-tube cable that includes the fiber-bundle sub-assembly and a method of connectorizing the fiber bundles while maintaining their select positions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high silica content substrate, such as for a device, is provided. The substrate has a high silica content and is thin. The substrate may include a surface with a topography or profile that facilitates bonding with a conductive metal layer, such as a metal layer for a circuit or antenna. The substrate may be flexible, have high temperature resistance, very low CTE, high strength and/or be non-reactive. The substrate may be suitable for use in circuits intended for use in high temperature environments, low temperature environments, reactive environments, or other harsh environments. The substrate may be suitable for high frequency antenna applications.

Abstract: A fiber-bundle sub-assembly includes an array of fiber bundles each having at least one optical fiber. The fiber bundles have select relative positions in the array. The sub-assembly includes first and second connecting elements that run along the array and that are secured to axially staggered top and bottom anchors to define first and second connecting spans that cross first and second sides of the array, with the first and second sides defined by first and second sets of fiber bundles. The first and second connecting spans are respectively attached to the first and second sets of fibers bundles to maintain the select relative positions of the fiber bundles even when the connecting spans are cut near one of the anchors during processing. A loose-tube cable that includes the fiber-bundle sub-assembly and a method of connectorizing the fiber bundles while maintaining their select positions are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for identifying a user in a network of broadcast communication receivers, a physical characteristic of a user is analyzed in association with the user accessing a first of the receivers. First biometric information based on the characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the first receiver is generated. Data associated with use of the first receiver by the user is also generated and associated with the first biometric information. The physical characteristic of the user is then analyzed in association with the user accessing a second receiver. Second biometric information based on the physical characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the second receiver is generated. The first and second biometric information are then compared. If the first and second biometric information indicate the physical characteristic of the same user, the data is employed in conjunction with the user accessing the second receiver.

Abstract: Presented are embodiments of pressure relief valves for use in water supply systems to prevent damage thereto caused by over pressure resulting from freezing of the water therein. In one embodiment the pressure relief valve is included in an electromechanical solenoid controlled water valve particularly useful in appliances such as washing machines, water heaters, refrigerators, etc. Prior to the main valving member, a spring loaded pressure relief valving member is included. Once the pressure within the valve exceeds the spring force, which is set below the failure pressure of the water supply system and the valve, the pressure relief valving member opens to allow a flow of water therethrough. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature active device such as a bi-metal disc is interposed between the spring and the pressure relief valving member to provide actuation thereof below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A technique for controlling access to one or more attractions is achieved using a number of access keys, each being issued to one or more users. An electronic queue management part manages a virtual queue in respect of each attraction and receives electronic requests for attraction access, each request relating to an access key and being for the users associated with it to access a particular attraction. Receipt of each request causes the respective users to be added to a corresponding virtual queue. A time at which each group of users reaches the front of the virtual queue and can access the attraction is determined. The users access the attractions by presenting an access key to an access control part, in communication with the electronic queue management part. Only a user presenting an access key at the correct time for accessing the attraction is allowed access to the attraction.

Abstract: An air filter cartridge has Z-media and a gasket arrangement with a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and a side gasket member adjacent to at least a partial extension of a first side panel. The side gasket member includes no portion against second, third, and fourth side panels of the air filter cartridge. The air filter cartridge can be used in a dust collector having a tubesheet and a frame arrangement extending from the tubesheet. The perimeter gasket member seals against the frame arrangement and the side gasket member seals against the tubesheet. A method of servicing includes orienting the air filter cartridge against a guide ramp and moving the filter cartridge until the side gasket member is engaged against the tubesheet sealing surface.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable sub-assemblies having a fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber attached to a circuit board are disclosed. The circuit board includes an active optical component in operable communication with the optical fiber for forming an active optical cable (AOC) assembly. A strain relief device attaches an end portion of the fiber optic cable to the circuit board, thereby forming the cable sub-assembly. Methods of assembling the fiber optic cable sub-assembly are also disclosed and include the step of attaching an end portion of the fiber optic cable to the circuit board.

Abstract: A fiber coupling device comprising a mounting substrate, at least one optoelectronic and/or photonic chip and at least one first fiber coupling element for coupling an optical fiber to the fiber coupling device is disclosed. The optoelectronic and/or photonic chip has a main surface and comprises an optoelectronic and/or photonic active element couplable to a fiber end-piece of a respective optical fiber. The fiber coupling device further comprises at least one second fiber coupling element which is designed to contact and/or engage with a fiber end-piece of an optical fiber and which is mounted to the main surface of the at least one optoelectronic and/or photonic chip in a position aligned relative to the active element.

Abstract: A method can include displaying a user interface on a display of a mobile device. The user interface can include a scrollable payroll data section with multiple selectable fields and a data entry section configured to accept input of payroll data for the multiple fields. The method can further include simultaneously displaying the scrollable payroll data section and the data entry section and, in response to an input, simultaneously scrolling through one or more of the multiple selectable fields of the payroll data section while maintaining the payroll data section in place. A device and computer-readable medium can be configured to implement the method and variations thereof.

Abstract: A model-directed sampling system for automatically delivering a customized feed to a plurality of users from a social media service includes a topic model for mathematically inferring a set of abstract topics from a sample stream of content. Upon receiving a selection of user-relevant topics, a query constructor constructs, and continuously refines, a keyword-based query for each user-selected topic. A filter manager then directly interfaces with the social media service and applies the topic queries to a full, continuous media stream. If necessary, the filter manager distributes each topic query across a bank of filters to yield a plurality of individual output streams that are feed rate compliant. By subsequently merging the output streams together, while removing duplicate and/or non-relevant content, a comprehensive yet focused stream of user-relevant content is provided that complies with query requirements established by the social media service.

Abstract: A method of forming a maintenance free channel is disclosed. The method consists of positioning a plurality of curtain devices along a desired path in a waterway. The curtain devices each consists of an elongated float and an elongated flexible curtain depending from a first side of the elongated float. The elongated curtain has a bottom end with a weight extending along the entire length of the elongated float. The elongated float is configured to be sufficiently buoyant to support the curtain in an upward direction. The length of the elongated float is selected to equal a desired length of the channel. The height of the elongated flexible curtain is selected to be approximately equal to the depth of the waterway such that the elongated weight remains on the bottom while the elongated cylindrical float remains on the surface.