Abstract: A holder for securing a phone, smartphone or tablet device while driving in a vehicle. The holder has a frame for supporting the device including a base or socket shaped to receive at least a portion of the device, and a clamping mechanism configured to secure the device in the socket; a locking mechanism connected to the clamping mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a motor actuating a driving member to engage and disengage a driven member of the clamping mechanism to cause the clamping mechanism to lock while tightening its grip on the device and to unlock while loosening its grip on the device.

Abstract: A silo of conventional construction is provided with a collection pan at its bottom to collect effluent. The effluent can be stored and/or processed. Processing can include separation of water to concentrate the effluent. The effluent can contain fermentation product, such as alcohol, generated within the silo prior to collection, and it can also be fermented after collection. Processed effluent can be handled safely without risk of contamination to ground water at the silo site.

Abstract: A display controller system is controlled to provide a display surface zoom using hardware scaling from user input at the operating system, application program or hardware level. User input defining coordinates of a frame portion within a frame buffer memory is obtained, and a resolution of the zoom display device is determined. An aspect ratio of the zoom portion defined by the user input is adjusted to correspond to the zoom display device resolution. The display controller system is programmed to implement the display surface zoom to provide a full screen view of the zoom portion on the zoom display device. In the display controller system, the zoom portion of the frame buffer memory is scaled, converted into a display signal and output.

Abstract: A security system user interface comprising a graphical display, a communication link, a memory, a camera and a display controller. The camera image is converted for display on the graphical display, the latter being used for security system control and viewing the camera image. The interface is best located near an entrance inside a secured premises, while the camera is arranged to monitor visitors outside the secured premises at the entrance. The camera can be connected directly to the user interface or indirectly using a data communications link of the security system interconnecting security detectors to a control panel.

Abstract: A surgical device adapted for use with an image guided surgical system to facilitate monitoring inter-dependently mobile bone elements. A rigidly connected multiple-point anchor assembly is releasably engageable to at least two inter-dependently mobile bone elements and immobilizes the bone elements such that no relative movement therebetween is possible, and a complex rigid body comprising the immobilized bone elements and the multiple-point anchor assembly is formed. A trackable member is fastened to the multiple-point anchor assembly and comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the complex rigid body.

Abstract: A display controller system is controlled to provide a display surface zoom using hardware scaling from user input at the operating system, application program or hardware level. User input defining coordinates of a frame portion within a frame buffer memory is obtained, and a resolution of the zoom display device is determined. An aspect ratio of the zoom portion defined by the user input is adjusted to correspond to the zoom display device resolution. The display controller system is programmed to implement the display surface zoom to provide a full screen view of the zoom portion on the zoom display device. In the display controller system, the zoom portion of the frame buffer memory is scaled, converted into a display signal and output.

Abstract: A security system user interface comprising a graphical display, a communication link, a memory, a camera and a display controller. The camera image is converted for display on the graphical display, the latter being used for security system control and viewing the camera image. The interface is best located near an entrance inside a secured premises, while the camera is arranged to monitor visitors outside the secured premises at the entrance. The camera can be connected directly to the user interface or indirectly using a data communications link of the security system interconnecting security detectors to a control panel.

Abstract: A surgical device adapted for use with an image guided surgical system to facilitate monitoring inter-dependently mobile bone elements. A rigidly connected multiple-point anchor assembly is releasably engageable to at least two inter-dependently mobile bone elements and immobilizes the bone elements such that no relative movement therebetween is possible, and a complex rigid body comprising the immobilized bone elements and the multiple-point anchor assembly is formed. A trackable member is fastened to the multiple-point anchor assembly and comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the complex rigid body.

Abstract: The computer-based translation system allows a person having full understanding and competency in a language of an original source text to confirm the meaning of the source text without requiring knowledge of any other language so that data concerning the meaning of the original language text may be used to translate automatically the original text into the other language or other languages.

Abstract: The computer-based translation system allows a person having full understanding and competency in a language of an original source text to confirm the meaning of the source text without requiring knowledge of any other language so that data concerning the meaning of the original language text may be used to translate automatically the original text into the other language or other languages.

Abstract: An electronic system that provides multimedia product presentations in real-time, by combining locally-stored data and data received from a remote server. Large volumes of data, representing product information such as motion images and sound, are stored locally on the system's data storing unit for fast data access. Small volumes of product time-variable data are received over a network from a remote server, which also has a transaction management function. The purchasing system combines the local and received data in order to provide both real-time and up-to-date product information to customers. Two versions of the purchasing system are provided. The first one is a multimedia public purchasing kiosk for use in malls and shopping centers. The second one is a PC-based purchasing system, equipped with multimedia capabilities.

Abstract: A panel 15 has a plurality of keys 12 and associated LEDs 14. The panel 15 is divided up into product characteristic columns 16 and at least one recommended product column 18. The array of product characteristic selection keys are used for inputting at least one selection of a plurality of product characteristics. The LEDs associated with the product characteristic selection keys indicate selected ones of the plurality of product characteristics. A logic controller interprets the key presses and accordingly controls the illumination of the LEDs. Selection of a product characteristic from each of the categories 16 will typically cause at least one recommended product to be indicated in the group of products 18. Pressing on one of the keys 12 in column 18 can optionally cause an automatic indication of all product characteristics which can be associated with the selected product.

Abstract: The electronic funds acceptor has a memory for storing the maximum value of a vending machine product to reduce the number of coin or bill received signals to be generated and sent to the electronics in the vending machine which authorize purchase of goods from the vending machine. The acceptor also has a memory for recording incomplete transaction records so that a purchase transaction can be completed later in the case that the user removes the medium from the vending machine once the transaction is in progress. The acceptor also has a memory for storing the total amount of goods purchased using electronic funds so that the total purchase amount from all vending machines can be compared to the total amount of funds loaded onto the electronic funds recording medium to check for fraud or abuse of the system.

Abstract: The safety barrier system prevents a person from being caught under a wheel of a vehicle and is provided with a sensing system to inform the driver of the presence of the person on the barrier during start up. The sensing system combines a first sensor (for example, a pressure sensor) with an infrared sensor, and includes a snow switch for selectively using the first sensor and/or the infrared sensor depending on the weather conditions. The barrier is mounted to the vehicle by a motor drive mechanism to lower the barrier when stopped and to raise the barrier after the vehicle has travelled a given distance. The system is particularly suitable for school buses.

Abstract: The desk comprises a metal base including leg attachment means and a sheet, the sheet providing a bottom of a storage compartment of the desk, two wood side panels having upper, lower, rear and front edges, the lower edge resting on and being protected by said sheet, the side members being connected to said base, a front panel member connected to said base and covering said front edges of the two wood side members, a rear panel member connected to said base and covering said rear edges of the two wood side members, and a top cover member hingedly connected to said rear member for covering said storage compartment formed by said sheet and said side, front and rear panels. The special construction reduces finishing costs for the wood and metal desk.

Abstract: The scintillation camera includes a plurality of individually pulsible light emitting devices associated with a number of the photomultiplier tubes. By pulsing the light emitting device, certain ones of the photomultiplier tubes of the camera receive substantial amounts of light. Values from the certain photomultiplier tubes are compared to one another for carrying out an effective gain adjustment of at least one of the certain tubes. The gain calibration is independent of the amount of light emitted from the light emitting devices. There is also provided a method of adjusting the effective gain of the camera by using the readings resulting from a gamma ray induced scintillation instead of the pulsible light emitting devices.

Abstract: The person's head is supported and moved continuously along a path in a manner compatible with a possible movement of the person's head. The apparatus is used to induce relaxation or reduce tension, and may comprise: a head support for securely holding the person's head; a base; a motor provided on the base; and a mechanical linkage driven by the motor and connected to the base and to the head support for supporting the head support on the base and for moving the head support along the path when the person rests on a first surface and the base is supported by a second surface, the second surface being fixed with respect to the first surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for dispensing a viscous liquid, the apparatus to be connected with a reservoir for holding the liquid (at least a part of the reservoir being resiliently squeezable), the apparatus comprising a measuring channel for measuring therein a quantity of the liquid to be dispensed, a spout in communication with an upper part of the channel, and an air trap including an air chamber, the air trap being in communication with a lower end of the channel and with substantially the bottom of the reservoir. The air trap is able in use to release an air bubble from the chamber into the lower end and to replenish the chamber with air.

Abstract: There is disclosed a squeeze-container for dispensing a viscous liquid comprising a reservoir for holding the liquid (at least a part of the reservoir being resiliently squeezable), a measuring channel for measuring therein a quantity of the liquid to be dispensed, a spout in communication with an upper part of the channel, and an air trap including an air chamber, the air trap being in communication with a lower end of the channel and with substantially the bottom of the reservoir. The air trap is able in use to release an air bubble from the chamber into the lower end and to replenish the chamber with air.

Abstract: There is disclosed a guiding device for use with a computer mouse, the device comprising a body, a friction strip provided on an edge member of the body for securing the mouse to the body while allowing the mouse to operate on a working surface, a bearing fixed to the body, a roller including a horizontal shaft having a longitudinal axis and two ends, the shaft being rotatable in the bearing, the bearing being axially translatable on the shaft, the roller further including working surface engaging wheels fixed to each end of the two ends, the roller substantially supporting the body, and a sight connected to the body for guiding the device to trace an image on the working surface, the device being able to be moved on the working surface in a direction of the axis by a translation of the bearing on the shaft and in a direction perpendicular to the axis by a rolling of the wheels on the working surface.