Abstract: A method can include determining a distance of a person's face from a camera that captured an image of the person's face, determining a size of a display in communication with the camera, and scaling the image based on the determined distance of the person's face and the determined size of the display.

Abstract: A method can include determining a distance of a person's face from a camera that captured an image of the person's face, determining a size of a display in communication with the camera, and scaling the image based on the determined distance of the person's face and the determined size of the display.

Abstract: A computing device configured to render time-varying geographic data or other Cartesian data, for example on a map. The computing device includes a memory device, and processing hardware configured to access, from the memory device, data defining a three-dimensional object representing time-varying geographic data, the three-dimensional object defined in a three-dimensional coordinate space; to determine a two-dimensional plane in the three-dimensional coordinate space, the two-dimensional plane corresponding to a time value of interest; and to render, on a map, a shape defined by an intersection of the two-dimensional plane with the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A safety valve is positioned in supply plumbing that supplies a fluid medium such as natural gas to a point of use structure such as a home. A mechanical actuator is provided remote from the safety valve but mechanically connected to the safety valve. This allows the actuator to be positioned, for example, directly on the point of use structure, avoiding the need for separate bracing for the valve. The valve can be provided with a tee fitting or can be a separate gate valve. The mechanical actuator can be actuated by seismic disturbance, manually, or by activation by remote sensor or home security system.

Abstract: A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.

Abstract: A security container for holding an object includes a frame forming a storage chamber. The frame has an access opening for inserting and removing the object into and from the storage chamber. A lock mechanism is mounted on the frame and movable between locked and unlocked positions. The lock mechanism selectively blocks and unblocks the access opening. The locked mechanism includes at least one mechanically activated locking element and at least one magnetically activated locking element. Each of the locking elements includes a cantilevered locking finger that is movable between locked and unlocked positions. The magnetically activated locking finger is movable to the unlocked position through use of a magnet while the mechanically activated locking element is moved to the unlocked position through use of a pin. Each locking finger engages a blocking plate that is disposed on the sliding member of the locked mechanism.

Abstract: A security container for holding an object includes a frame forming a storage chamber. The frame has an access opening for inserting and removing the object into and from the storage chamber. A lock mechanism is mounted on the frame and movable between locked and unlocked positions. The lock mechanism selectively blocks and unblocks the access opening. The locked mechanism includes at least one mechanically activated locking element and at least one magnetically activated locking element. Each of the locking elements includes a cantilevered locking finger that is movable between locked and unlocked positions. The magnetically activated locking finger is movable to the unlocked position through use of a magnet while the mechanically activated locking element is moved to the unlocked position through use of a pin. Each locking finger engages a blocking plate that is disposed on the sliding member of the locked mechanism.

Abstract: A security container for holding an object includes a frame forming a storage chamber. The frame has an access opening for inserting and removing the object into and from the storage chamber. A lock mechanism is mounted on the frame and movable between locked and unlocked positions. The lock mechanism selectively blocks and unblocks the access opening. The locked mechanism includes at least one mechanically activated locking element and at least one magnetically activated locking element. Each of the locking elements includes a cantilevered locking finger that is movable between locked and unlocked positions. The magnetically activated locking finger is movable to the unlocked position through use of a magnet while the mechanically activated locking element is moved to the unlocked position through use of a pin. Each locking finger engages a blocking plate that is disposed on the sliding member of the locked mechanism.

Abstract: A nestable security package for a media storage box includes a housing having a hanger end and a compartment. The compartment is formed by a front wall, a pair of spaced, parallel side walls, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and a top flange. These walls are disposed and configured to receive a media storage box. A locking mechanism is provided that may be moved from a locking position to an unlocked position wherein the media storage box is lockingly retained in the compartment when the locking mechanism is in the locked position. The object of the invention is to provide a security package which does not substantially increase the storage footprint depth of the media storage box. This object is achieved by providing wall configurations that allow one security package to nest with an adjacent security package such that the storage footprint depth of the media storage box is only increased by a single wall thickness.

Abstract: A method for invoking an action on a multi-dimensional database includes associating a procedure with a plurality of cells and invoking the procedure when at least one cell in the plurality is accessed. The method may be embodied on an article of manufacture.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance security device securable to an article to be protected from theft where the device includes a strap that is wrapped around or inserted through the article, and then tightly secured within a housing of the device that includes an electronic article surveillance tag. The housing has smooth tamper resistant seams and edges and a locking device for securely holding the strap once inserted therein. The strap includes ribs that are engageable within the housing by locking fingers and lips, all of which define a one-way locking mechanism that allows for insertion of the strap but denies removal once inserted. In at least one embodiment of the invention, a locking mechanism is provided that may be unlocked such that the security device may be reused with various articles.

Abstract: A reusable plastic package for securely holding and displaying a rectangular article such as a compact disc. This reusable plastic package includes a housing having a rectangular-shaped storage compartment for selectively storing an article in the compartment. The storage compartment has an access opening for inserting and removing the article into and out of the compartment. An adjacent smaller compartment functions as a lock compartment whereby a slide plate is slidably mounted thereon and selectively movable across a portion of the access opening of the storage compartment for releasably securing the article in the storage compartment. Deflectable locking levers are formed within the lock compartment and engage with mating projections formed on the slide plate when the slide plate is in the locked position for securing the article within the package due to a portion of the slide plate blocking the access opening.

Abstract: A reusable plastic package for securely holding and displaying a rectangular article such as a compact disc includes a housing having large and small compartments formed on opposite ends for selectively storing an article in the larger of the compartments. The large compartment has an access opening for inserting and removing the article into and out of the compartment. The small compartment functions as a lock compartment whereby a lock plate is slidably mounted thereon and selectively movable across a portion of the access opening of the larger storage compartment for releasably securing the article in the larger storage compartment. Magnetically releasable locking levers are formed within the lock compartment and interengage with mating projections formed on the lock plate when the lock plate is in a selected locked position for securing the article within the package due to a portion of the lock plate blocking the access opening.

Abstract: A security container for storing various articles such as recorded media, includes a parallelipipedic frame with an internal storage chamber and an access opening communicating therewith. A slide plate is slidably mounted on one end of the frame and is movable linearly toward and away from the access opening. A separate tab is slidably mounted on the frame adjacent the access opening and is automatically moved linearly in a direction perpendicularly to the linear movement of the slide plate between a blocking position across the access opening and an unblocking position by a camming engagement with the slide plate. A lock mechanism releasably locks the slide plate in a fixed position to retain the tab in the blocking position until released by a key device.