Abstract: Described herein is a composite panel that includes a first layer made from an electrically non-conductive material. The composite panel also includes a resistance heater printed onto the first layer. Further, the composite panel includes a second layer adjacent the resistance heater, the resistance heater being positioned between the first layer and the second layer. The second layer is made from an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: A thermoforming system and related methods for manufacturing thermoplastic parts, such as interior panels for aircraft, may include a roll-to-roll operation and a forming press having at least one selectively rotatable tool. The rotatable tool, which may include a mold and/or a die, may be multifaceted, such that different faces of the tool have different mold arrangements for different forming characteristics.

Abstract: Lighting panels and methods of manufacturing lighting panels are described. An example lighting panel includes a substrate that has a planar surface, electrically conductive traces printed onto the planar surface of the substrate, and light sources mounted onto the electrically conductive traces at mounting positions such that the electrically conductive traces form an electrical interconnection between selected ones of the electrically conductive traces and associated ones of the light sources. The lighting panel also includes a polymer sheet provided over the light sources, and a composite base upon which a stack-up of the substrate with the printed electrically conductive traces, the light sources, and the polymer sheet is applied. The light sources are embedded into the composite base and are also flush with a top surface of the stack-up, and the substrate is also embedded into the composite base underneath the light sources at the mounting positions.

Abstract: A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver's head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.

Abstract: Described herein is a composite panel that includes a first layer made from an electrically non-conductive material. The composite panel also includes a resistance heater printed onto the first layer. Further, the composite panel includes a second layer adjacent the resistance heater, the resistance heater being positioned between the first layer and the second layer. The second layer is made from an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: An inductive-charging device mounts into a through hole of a furniture item, such as a desk. The device generally includes a housing that mounts into the through hole and that provides a compartment for a controller, primary coil, and other electronic components used to provide inductive charging. The device might be mounted so that it at least partially extends above a work surface of a desk. Alternatively, a top of the device might be flush with the work surface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus are provided for monitoring transactions involving a conserved resource, for example to monitor operation of a network of cash dispensing machines. The method comprises receiving into a computer monitoring system a plurality of data feeds relating to the transactions to be monitored, each data feed comprising successive rows of data, each data row in a given data feed comprising multiple data elements in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The method further comprises performing, within the computer monitoring system, a grouping analysis, on the received data feeds. The grouping analysis determines at least one data element in a first data feed from said plurality of data feeds corresponding to provision of said conserved resource, and at least one data element in a second data feed from said plurality of data feeds corresponding to consumption of said conserved resource.

Abstract: An inductive-charging device mounts into a through hole of a furniture item, such as a desk. The device generally includes a housing that mounts into the through hole and that provides a compartment for a controller, primary coil, and other electronic components used to provide inductive charging. The device might be mounted so that it at least partially extends above a work surface of a desk. Alternatively, a top of the device might be flush with the work surface.

Abstract: A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver's head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.

Abstract: A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver's head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use when a hypodermic needle, partially protruding from a limb, is to be withdrawn fully from the limb to leave a puncture wound. The apparatus comprises an absorber, a receiver and, optionally, a strap. The absorber includes a medium which is able to absorb blood. In use, the absorber is placed in overlying, abutting relation to the needle prior to withdrawal of the needle from the limb. Following withdrawal of the needle from the limb, absorber is urged against the puncture wound to promote hemostasis. The receiver in use, is releasably connected to the absorber. The strap can be coupled to the receiver to define, in use and in combination with the apparatus, a tourniquet. The absorber can be disposable and the strap and receiver can be reusable.

Abstract: In an approach to financial management, a data representation is formed that defines a number of data elements and relationships between the data elements according to one or more regulatory requirements. Data characterizing availability of particular ones of the data elements for a financial institution are accepted, and actual or potential compliance by the financial institution with at least some of the regulatory requirements is then analyzed. The analysis can include identifying gaps in collection of values associated with the data elements for the regulator requirements, which can relate to calculation requirements and/or to reporting requirements for the regulations. Data representing computations associated with the regulatory requirements can be stored and the computations can then be executed to validate other implementations of the calculation.

Abstract: A spooling assembly is mountable between a marine anchor and a rotatable winch spool to facilitate spiral winding of the anchor line of the spool. The spooling assembly has an independent power source, which moves a chain and a trolley connected to the chain along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spool. The trolley has rotating element, between which the anchor line is engaged. The anchor line is oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spool. When the trolley moves to and fro along set tracks the anchor line is guided to wind on the winch spool in a spiral manner. An emergency release air clutch allows freespooling of the anchor.

Abstract: Inductive coupling modules for providing power to secondary devices placed in proximity thereto on a surface are described. The modules include above-surface, flush, recessed, and sub-surface mounting configurations. The modules further include dual housing, single housing, low-profile, and adjustable configurations. Inductively coupled power distribution circuits are also disclosed. The circuits comprise a plurality of segments that are inductively couple together to eliminate wired connections between segments. Each segment may be attached to a section of a modular furniture component to allow ease and safety in rearranging the modular furniture and ease in reconnecting the circuit.

Abstract: A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver' s head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use when a hypodermic needle, partially protruding from a limb, is to be withdrawn fully from the limb to leave a puncture wound. The apparatus comprises an absorber, a receiver and, optionally, a strap. The absorber includes a medium which is able to absorb blood. In use, the absorber is placed in overlying, abutting relation to the needle prior to withdrawal of the needle from the limb. Following withdrawal of the needle from the limb, absorber is urged against the puncture wound to promote hemostasis. The receiver in use, is releasably connected to the absorber. The strap can be coupled to the receiver to define, in use and in combination with the apparatus, a tourniquet. The absorber can be disposable and the strap and receiver can be reusable.

Abstract: Obtaining physiological data from a living being using non-contact sensors is disclosed. The non-contact sensors are disposed within, for example, a vehicle seat or bed. Signals detected by the non-contacting sensors, which include both physiological signals and ambient noise, are transmitted to a processing device which is positioned nearby; such as in the vehicle seat or bed. The processing device employs a stochastic resonance function whereby a signal-to-noise ratio of the physiological signals is improved. A wavelet multi-scale decomposition function and an adaptive threshold function are then used to identify the physiological signals and distinguish them from the ambient noise. The resulting signals are measured and then made available at an output of the processing device for transmission to and use by a human-machine interface.

Abstract: Inductive coupling modules for providing power to secondary devices placed in proximity thereto on a surface are described. The modules include above-surface, flush, recessed, and sub-surface mounting configurations. The modules further include dual housing, single housing, low-profile, and adjustable configurations. Inductively coupled power distribution circuits are also disclosed. The circuits comprise a plurality of segments that are inductively couple together to eliminate wired connections between segments. Each segment may be attached to a section of a modular furniture component to allow ease and safety in rearranging the modular furniture and ease in reconnecting the circuit.

Abstract: An bedding apparatus is provided that allows a user the ability to control a bedroom environment using one selectable control. The apparatus includes an adjustable bedding unit and a computing unit coupled to the adjustable bedding unit. A number of controllable electronic appliances, having an effect on the bedroom environment, are electrically coupled to the computing unit. These electronic appliances are capable of being controlled by the computing unit. A user interface control unit is coupled to the computing unit. The user interface presents the user with a number of user-selectable settings that cause an adjustment in the position of the adjustable bed and at least one of the electronic appliances.

Abstract: In an approach to financial management, a data representation is formed that defines a number of data elements and relationships between the data elements according to one or more regulatory requirements. Data characterizing availability of particular ones of the data elements for a financial institution are accepted, and actual or potential compliance by the financial institution with at least some of the regulatory requirements is then analyzed. The analysis can include identifying gaps in collection of values associated with the data elements for the regulator requirements, which can relate to calculation requirements and/or to reporting requirements for the regulations. Data representing computations associated with the regulatory requirements can be stored and the computations can then be executed to validate other implementations of the calculation.