Abstract: A method for altering a color of a light source includes the acts of covering at least a portion of a light source with a flexible, colored material, and removably affixing the flexible, colored material adjacent the light source to alter the color of the light output from the light source.

Abstract: A method for delivering a stored message to a satellite radio receiver is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request to retrieve the message, receiving the message, encoding the message for satellite transmission, and transmitting the message for delivery to the satellite radio receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide scanning, processing and projection capabilities for areas of interest. An emitter emits signals toward an area of interest. Reflected signals are received by a receiver and processed into a resulting image. The resulting image can be projected back upon a surface associated with the area of interest.

Abstract: A overcap is provided which covers the opening of a container. The overcap, in one form, engages an exterior of the container around the rim and along an inwardly directed flange which defines an opening of the container. The overcap snappingly engages with the container to produce an audible indication that the overcap is firmly attached to the container and that air is being expelled from inside the container. In another form, the overcap includes an invertible dome which is transformable between an upward convex position and an upward concave position.

Abstract: A plastic container for a particulate product has a footprint and includes a base and at least two and preferably four sides upstanding therefrom which generally define a container main interior volume. A top connects to the sides and includes a large opening which is closed by a lid. One corner includes a pass-through handle located therein having a generally vertical segment which may define a hollow cavity in communication with the main interior volume. The opening of the top is sufficiently large to extend over a portion of the hollow cavity; or is sufficiently wide to receive about a 5? diameter cylinder therethrough, and has a ratio of a minimum span to a bottom diagonal of at least about ?. A shoulder between the top and sides has an angle of less than about 40°. The handle is configured and sized for easy grasping and holding.

Abstract: A plastic container for a particulate product includes a base and a surrounding wall member upstanding therefrom which generally define a container main interior volume. A top connects to the surrounding wall member and includes a large opening closed by a lid. The surrounding wall member includes a vertical side portion which is arcuate in lateral cross section and in which a pass-through handle is located having a generally vertical segment. The opening of the top is sufficiently large to extend over a portion of the hollow cavity; or is sufficiently wide to receive about a 5? diameter cylinder therethrough, and has a ratio of a minimum span to a bottom diagonal of at least about 90%. A shoulder between the top and the surrounding wall member has an angle of less than about 40°. The handle is configured and sized for easy grasping and holding.

Abstract: A plastic container for a particulate product has a footprint and includes a base and at leas two and preferably four sides upstanding therefrom which generally define a container main interior volume. A top connects to the sides and includes a large opening which is closed by a lid. One side includes a pass-through handle located therein having a generally vertical segment which may define a hollow cavity in communication with the main interior volume. The opening of the top is sufficiently large to extend over a portion of the hollow cavity; or is sufficiently wide to receive about a 5? diameter cylinder therethrough, and has a ratio of a minimum span to a bottom diagonal of at least about 2:3. A shoulder between the top and sides has an angle of less than about 40°. The handle is configured and sized for easy grasping and holding.

Abstract: Messaging interfaces that may be used in conjunction with interactive pagers include a housing that contains a message processing circuit, a user interface, and a communications circuit that is used to forward the text messages between the message processing circuit and an interactive pager. The user interface may be used to forward messages between a user of the interactive pager and the message processing circuit. The user interface may be a keypad (or any other collection of user-selectable keys, buttons, menu items, etc.), a microphone, an internal speaker and/or an external speaker such as the speakers on an automobile stereo system.

Abstract: A coin processing system includes a coin processing machine configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins in a coin input region thereof, process the coins, and determine a total amount of the coins. The coin processing system also includes a sensor configured to measure a pre-determined property associated with a component of the coin processing machine and/or an operational state of the coin processing machine and to output to a controller a signal related thereto. The coin processing system also includes an actuating device disposed to influence the pre-determined property. A controller is configured to monitor the signal output by the sensor and, responsive to a deviation of a value of the signal from an acceptable value for the signal, to execute an error recovery instruction set at least once.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of processing currency in a currency processing machine includes the act of retrieving, from a plurality of input currency bills, characteristic information from each of the bills, the characteristic information itself including at least a first characteristic information relating to fitness. The method also includes the act of assigning to each currency bill one of a plurality of fitness types and fitness levels relating to the first characteristic information of the bill, at least one of the fitness types and the fitness levels being defined by a user. The method also includes the act of outputting each currency bill along one of a plurality of output paths designated by the user to receive currency bills, the output path having a fitness type and/or fitness level assigned to the currency bill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals.

Abstract: A removable coin storage apparatus is used in a coin processing device, and includes a removable bin for storing and transporting coins. The removable bin has a stopped position and a moving position. The coin storage apparatus further includes a brake device that is pivotally coupled to the removable bin for preventing movement of the removable bin in the stopped position. The brake device has a manually moveable element that is movable between a first position and a second position, each one of the first position and the second position corresponding to one of the stopped position and the moving position of the removable bin. The brake device also has a contact surface for exerting a frictional force on a floor surface in the stopped position of the removable bin.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a security grate for limiting access to a coin bin is disclosed. The security grate comprises a plurality of generally parallel upper slats and a plurality of generally parallel slats disposed below the upper slats. The plurality of first slats receives coins and directs coins moving under the force of gravity in a first direction. The plurality of lower slats receive coins from the upper slats and direct the coins moving under the force of gravity in a second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods of directing parking in a parking lot include: (a) detecting the presence and/or absence of a vehicle in respective parking spaces in a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces to monitor the availability of parking spaces; (b) identifying the space location of parking spaces that are available for use based on the detecting and monitoring steps; (c) automatically providing the location of the identified available spaces to prospective users in substantially real-time; and (d) electronically correlating a parking space to a user to allow a parking space to be identified if a patron forgets where he/she parked.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a security grate for limiting access to a coin bin is disclosed. The security grate comprises a plurality of generally parallel upper slats and a plurality of generally parallel slats disposed below the upper slats. The plurality of first slats receives coins and directs coins moving under the force of gravity in a first direction. The plurality of lower slats receive coins from the upper slats and direct the coins moving under the force of gravity in a second direction.