Abstract: A cellular communication device having a processor and a memory, the communication device including a wireless interface unit that transmits and receives communication signals to a second communication device over a wireless network, an application unit operating an application that transmits and receives communication signals from the second communication device over the wireless network, a speaker and a microphone, a switching unit communicatively coupled to the speaker, microphone, application unit and wireless interface unit, wherein, in an assistant mode and in response to a communication request, the application unit transmits an audio communication signal to the second communication device via the switching unit and the wireless interface unit, and the switching unit transfers audio communication signals from the second communication device to the speaker via the wireless interface unit.

Abstract: The planter receptacle is for use on a railing of a balcony, deck, porch, or patio, or for use on a fence, or the surface of a balcony/deck/porch instead. The planter receptacle is made to securely rest on the railing top, straddle a railing when using two planter receptacles, hang down the side of a railing, or be used in combinations of such installations at the same location of the railing for more elaborate planter arrays. No tools or hardware, except a flexible line such as a length of rope, are required to secure the planter receptacle to the railing or fence. When the planter receptacle is used in a hanging position, it can be readily adjusted for leveling and/or to accommodate the vertical height of flowers as they may quickly grow, thereby improving their viewing from both sides of the railing throughout the season. The planter receptacle can be constructed and finished to coordinate in appearance with the railing or fence, or the structure to which the railing is attached, if preferred.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system which may exhibit inconsistent RFID tag reporting behavior. The method includes the steps of (i) establishing a timeout setting indicative of the time that each interrogating antenna transmits RF energy within a respective read field, (ii) evaluating/comparing reporting results over multiple interrogation cycles to determine when an RFID tag exhibits inconsistent reporting behavior within the read field and (iii) increasing the timeout setting of the respective interrogating antenna to enhance the energy harvested by an RFID tag/device during each interrogation cycle. In lieu of, or in addition to, increasing the timeout setting, the method evaluates the responses received over multiple cycles and accepts such responses as being valid only when the same response is obtain over consecutive/sequential interrogation cycles.

Abstract: A method for adaptively controlling a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system having a plurality of interrogating antennas and RFID tags. The method comprises the steps of establishing a timeout setting indicative of the time that each interrogating antenna powers a read field during a respective read period and a threshold time period indicative of the time required to transmit energy/exchange data between the RFID tag and the interrogating antenna. A period differential is then calculated which is indicative of the difference between the timeout setting and the time elapsed for the final RFID tag within a respective read field to communicate its RFID tag information. The timeout setting for each interrogating antenna may then be adaptively tuned or varied in accordance with the period differential. To expedite and/or refine the adaptive tuning feature, a variance may also be calculated indicative of the difference between the threshold time period and the period differential.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).

Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).

Abstract: A system and method for determining the thickness of a mail piece is provided. A first image of at least a portion of a surface of a mail piece is captured using a first optical axis for a feature on the surface of the mail piece. A second image of the feature is captured after the mail piece has moved a distance using a second optical axis that is angled with respect to the first optical axis. The first and second images are correlated to determine a displacement of the feature, and the thickness of the mail piece is determined based on the displacement and the angle between the first and second optical axes.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a printed text. A system operates in accordance with the method to: receive a message signal created by an author and representative of the semantic content of a printed text; produce a text signal in response to the message signal; analyze the message signal to determine a non-semantic indicator of the author's state of mind; determine a non-semantic characteristic of the printed text as a function of the determined non-semantic indicator; and printing the printed text in response to the text signal and the determined characteristic. The message signal can be a voice signal. A physiological signal such as pulse rate or variations in the pace, volume, tremulation, or average wavelength of the author's speech can also be used to determine the author's state of mind.

Abstract: A method for communicating mailing preferences of a mail recipient including a messenger for use in connection with an unsolicited mailpiece received by a mail recipient. The messenger functions to communicate a mailing preference to the sender of the unsolicited mailpiece that the mail recipient desires some change regarding future unsolicited mail communications from the sender. The mailing preference may include an instruction to discontinue future mail communications from the sender. The messenger may be affixed in combination with the unsolicited mailpiece and re-introduced into the mail distribution system by the mail recipient. Further, the messenger may be mailed to and received by a mail service provider to act on behalf of the mail recipient for the purpose of communicating the mailing preference or instruction to the sender.

Abstract: A gap cover device for covering a gap between clothes washer and dryer appliances having generally parallel juxtaposed sidewalls defining a gap between the appliances. The gap cover device includes a flexible elongated member having a generally T-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defining a gap spanning portion of sufficient transverse width to span the gap between the appliances, and an insert arm portion disposed generally normal to an underside of the gap spanning portion and adapted to be inserted into the gap. The insert arm portion has outwardly facing side surfaces at least one of which has a magnetic strip carried thereon operative to releasably secure the gap cover device to a selected one of the appliances to prevent objects from falling into the gap.

Abstract: A gap cover device for covering a gap between clothes washer and dryer appliances having generally parallel juxtaposed sidewalls defining a gap between the appliances. The gap cover device includes a flexible elongated member having a generally T-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defining a gap spanning portion of sufficient transverse width to span the gap between the appliances, and an insert arm portion disposed generally normal to an underside of the gap spanning portion and adapted to be inserted into the gap. The insert arm portion has outwardly facing side surfaces at least one of which has a magnetic strip carried thereon operative to releasably secure the gap cover device to a selected one of the appliances to prevent objects from falling into the gap.

Abstract: A system for ensuring that printed matter is properly printed on a print medium including a printer having a feeding device and a plurality of detecting devices disposed along a length of the feeding device. The print medium has a plurality of signaling components, and each of the detecting devices is able to detect the presence of each of the signaling components. The system determines a first feed orientation of the print medium based on an order in which the detecting devices detects the presence of the signaling components when the print medium is being fed into the printer. Alternatively, the first feed orientation may be based on identifying information contained in the signaling components. The printer causes the printed matter to be printed in a proper location and in a proper orientation on the print medium based on the first feed orientation.

Abstract: An implant for stabilizing a bony segment includes a flexible body sized and shaped to extend intravertebrally between at least first and second bony portions. In use the body is attachable intravertebrally to each of the first and second bony portions to distract each of the first and second bony portions while allowing motion between each of the first and second bony portions.

Abstract: Method for making a medicated IUD including a preexisting contraceptive intrauterine platform and an attachment formed as a cylindrical sleeve of base polymer containing a drug such as an antifertility agent. Local controlled release administration of the drug is added to the contraceptive effect of the preexisting platform. The IUD attachment can be made by centrifuging a medical grade of RTV silicone rubber to remove reinforcing fillers therefrom. A selected quantity of the drug is mixed into the fillerless silicone rubber, and the drug and silicone mixture is injected into a multicavity mold. After the mixture sets and the sleeves are removed from the mold, the sleeves are trimmed, then swollen by immersion in a solvent, and slipped onto a stem of the chosen IUD to shrink about the stem. An outer covering over the sleeve can control the drug release rate and impart greater strength to the fillerless silicone rubber of the attachment.