Abstract: A coupler mechanism comprising plug and receptacle units sealably mates and de-mates first and second reservoirs. In the mating sequence, the plug and receptacle units are brought together so that their end-seals are pressed tightly against each other axially, thus forming a sealed barrier between the units and the outside environment. Once the face-to-face seal between the units has been established, further engagement displaces slidable seal elements laterally, thereby creating an opening between the reservoirs, the opening remaining sealed from the outside environment before, during and after mating. The sequence for demating the units is just the reverse of the mating sequence. One embodiment of the invention applies the aforementioned construction to harsh-environment electrical, fiber-optical, and hybrid electro-optical connectors.

Abstract: A cell phone includes: a device for wireless communication; an imager sensor for capturing an image of an object; a lens system for projecting an image of the object onto the imager; a battery for powering the cell phone; a lens system for focusing images of the object onto the imager comprising: a focus element; at least two electrodes associated with the focus element; a control system to adjust the state of focus of the focus element by controlling the at least two electrodes.

Abstract: A cellular camera telephone includes: a photosensor for capturing an image of a target; at least one illumination source for projecting an aiming pattern to a bar code indicia in the target and illuminating the bar code indicia for image capture; a processor for decoding bar code indicia in the image; a button for activating image capture and decoding; a switchable lens assembly comprising a fixed lens and one or more secondary lens for superimposing over the fixed lens to change focal range of the cellular camera.

Abstract: There is described a focusing apparatus having a deformable membrane that at least partially defines a cavity and an optical fluid disposed in the cavity. An actuator assembly can be provided for imparting a force to the deformable membrane. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly can include a piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A hand held data collection device, such as a bar code scanner, portable data terminal, transaction terminal, or bar code verifier, containing at least one light-emitting diode (LED) that has been modified to improve the efficiency of light energy transmission. The modification involves transition features at the interface between the LED die surface and the ambient environment. Devices using such modified LEDs may offer a number of advantages such as extended read range, decreased read time, and improved battery life.

Abstract: A cellular camera telephone is provided with aiming, illumination, and decoding functionality to enable the economical and ergonomic reading and decoding of bar code symbols. The aiming and illumination are preferably a single system to minimize power consumption, such as by projecting a rectangle of light to both frame and illuminate the image area containing the target bar code. The cell phone is further provided with a lens system that permits switching between the ‘normal’ picture-taking focal range of from a few feet to infinity, and a bar code-reading focal range on the order of from a few to several inches. The lens system may involve, or combine, conventional autofocus/autozoom technology, fluid or adaptive lens technology, and liquid crystal lens technology. The cell phone may both acquire information from scanning bar codes, and transmit information by creating and displaying bar codes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying the feature set of data collection devices are disclosed. Requests are receiving at a computer system different from the data collection device for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of a feature. The identifier may comprise an identifier that is unique for a particular data collection device or an indication of a group of devices. e.g. a model number. Prior to authorizing the new configuration, a determination may be made as to whether the identified data collection device(s) are suitable for the new configuration by consulting a configuration database. To implement the new configuration, an encoded authorization file is generated based on the requested configuration and the identifier of the data collection device(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivative according to the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivatives, and to the use of these derivatives in the treatment of pain, such as peri-operative pain, chronic pain neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A connector may include first and second connector portions being movable between unmated and mated positions. First and second bladders may be in respective first and second connector portions and cooperate therewith so that opposing ends of the first and second bladders are urged together and moved from a closed to an open position as the first and second connector portions are moved from the unmated to the mated position. At least one of the first and second connector portions may define a circular constriction for closing an end of a respective bladder into a circular peripheral shape when the first and second connector portions are in the unmated position. One or both of the bladder ends may define a generally rectangular aperture when in the open position.

Abstract: A connector, such as for harsh environments, may include first and second connector portions being movable between unmated and mated positions. The first connector portion may include a first base, a male contact carried by the first base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a first shell carried by the first base and surrounding the male contact. The second connector portion may include a second base, and a female contact carried by the second base and extending outwardly therefrom. The second connector portion may further include a single-level bladder carried by the second base and defining only a single-level bladder chamber surrounding the female contact, and a second shell carried by the second base and surrounding the single-level bladder. A dual-level bladder connector embodiment may include an end cap defining a seal to end portions of the inner bladder opposite the second base, and an outer bladder surrounding the inner bladder.

Abstract: A connector, such as for harsh environments, may include first and second connector portions being movable between unmated and mated positions. The first connector portion may include a first base, at least one male contact carried by the first base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a first shell carried by the first base and surrounding the at least one male contact. The second connector portion may include a second base, at least one female contact carried by the second base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a bladder carried by the second base and surrounding the at least one female contact. The second connector portion may further include an end cap having at least one passageway therein for retaining and aligning end portions of the bladder opposite the second base, and a second shell carried by the second base and surrounding the bladder and the end cap. The end cap and adjacent portions of the second shell may include respective mating portions to provide a snap fit engagement therebetween.

Abstract: A two-part housing grips and surrounds a portion of a pipe, with ports at first and second ends of the housing through which the pipe extends. An annular end seal of elastomeric material at each end of the housing provides a seal between the pipe and housing. The end seals each have one slit for allowing the seals to be engaged transversely over the pipe. Each port has an annular recess for enclosing the respective end seals. The cross-sectional area of each end seal in a relaxed condition is greater than the cross sectional area defined between the outer surface of the pipe and the annular recess in the housing when the housing is closed around the pipe, so that the end seals are squeezed between the opposing surfaces of the pipe and housing when the two parts of the housing are secured around the pipe. Face seals extend between the end seals on opposite sides of the housing to seal the intersection between the two housing parts.

Abstract: A tubular cable seal member of elastomeric material has at least one axial slit for allowing the seal member to be installed transversely over a cable. The seal member is installed in an annular seating cavity in a housing which encloses at least part of the cable, and is squeezed between opposing surfaces of the cavity and cable to provide a sealing pressure. At the same time, opposing surfaces of the axial slit are squeezed together with the same sealing pressure. The housing may be a clamshell-like, two part housing and may have an internal chamber extending between two cable seal members which provide a seal between opposite end ports and the cable at opposite ends of the chamber. Side runner face seals extend between the cable seal members along opposite sides of the chamber to seal the chamber when the housing parts are closed together.

Abstract: An elongate face seal of elastomeric material which may be formed as a continuous ring is adapted to provide a seal between two opposing, substantially flat surfaces. The seal is of relatively soft material to conform to the opposing surfaces to be sealed, and is of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape with opposing, generally flat seal faces for sealing engagement with the opposing surfaces to be sealed. Opposite side edges of the seal are rounded. The seal is elongated in the transverse direction to provide a greater area of contact with the surfaces to be sealed, allowing the seal to bridge over larger irregularities than would be possible with an O-ring face seal.

Abstract: A reagent system comprises a first reagent which includes a high pH phosphate buffer, and a second reagent which includes luciferase, luciferin, a magnesium salt and an enzyme stabilizer. The second reagent has a low pH and a buffer with a pK which is near the optimum pH for activity of luciferase. The reagent system may be used in a process for measuring total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and/or dissolved extracellular ATP, in a fluid containing microorganisms. The reagent system may also be used in a microbiological remediation or production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivative according to the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivatives, and to the use of these derivatives in the treatment of pain, such as peri-operative pain, chronic pain neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A dry mate connector has first and second connector modules, and a coupling member or slidable retention sleeve mounted on the first module. Resilient latch formations are provided for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position. The modules each have at least one contact for communication with the contact of the other module within a closed, locked and sealed contact chamber formed by the coupling member and modules in the mated position. Mating, locking and sealing are achieved by movement of the parts in a single, mating direction, and the modules are separated by motion in a single direction opposite to the mating direction, using the same two grip surfaces for both mating and unmating. A collapsible fluid-filled hose with bellows portions may extend between a first connector module and a second connector module in an optical cable arrangement using the dry mate connector.

Abstract: A dry mate connector has first and second connector modules, and a coupling member mounted on the first module for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position. The modules each have at least one contact for communication with the contact of the other module within a closed, locked and sealed contact chamber formed by the coupling member and modules in the mated position. Mating, locking and sealing are achieved by movement of the parts in a single, mating direction, and the modules are separated by motion in a single direction opposite to the mating direction, using the same two grip surfaces for both mating and unmating.

Abstract: In the fields of environmental and industrial pollution control there is a need for improvements in the removal of fine particulates, especially of sizes in the sub-micron ranges, from gas streams. The disclosure relates to an apparatus including a container for a liquid submerged in which in some embodiments, is a pipe transporting a particulate-containing gas. The pipe permits passage of the gas through the liquid before it exhausts from the container. The liquid is such as to wet the particulates, thereby retaining them in the liquid while the gas passes through the liquid to the exhaust.

Abstract: There is described a method of chemically depositing a substance. The method is of utility in the direct manufacture of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of a photomask for use in production of integrated circuits. The method involves the use of a compound which degrades into a deposit and a residue when a radiant beam (e.g. a laser beam) or a particle beam (e.g. an electron beam) is applied. The residue and any unreacted compound may be washed off the substrate to which it has been applied. Nanoscale dimensions of the deposit can be achieved. A particularly suitable organometallic compound is tetra-sec butyl diaurum difluoride.