Abstract: A system and method for payment is provided, wherein consumers pay their bills at supermarkets, large retail chain, or other stores and receive immediate credit from billers for their payments. Payments are made using a bar code printed on the bill or sent to the consumer, e.g., by fax or email. The biller receives good payment funds, deposited directly into his bank account, and error-free electronic payment data for consumer bill payments by the very next business day. The biller backdates the received bill payments to the time and date the consumer actually paid, regardless of the time that the payment data takes to post to the biller's accounts receivable system. In another aspect, a method for person-to-person money transfers is provided, wherein a bar coded deposit slip, card, or other printout permits a sender to remit finds directly into a receiver's bank account, and such funds are quickly accessible for withdrawal at a nearby automated teller machine, or for a debit card purchase.

Abstract: A bill payment system consistent with the invention comprises a biller generating at least one invoice for at least one customer, the invoice comprising a unique bar code comprising data identifying at least the customer and the biller, and a scanning apparatus configured to scan the bar code and, based on the identifying data of the bar code, to effect payment to the biller in a predetermined amount. In method form, a bill payment method consistent with the invention comprises: generating an invoice for at least one customer, said invoice comprising a unique bar code, said bar code comprising data identifying at least said customer and said biller; and permitting a third party to scan said bar code and, based on the identifying data of said bar code, to effect payment to said biller in a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating arcing or dielectric breakdown across a wafer during a semiconductor wafer processing step includes controlling the voltage across the wafer so that arcing and/or dielectric breakdown does not occur. Using an electrostatic clamp of the invention and by controlling the specific clamp voltage to within a suitable range of values, the voltage across a wafer is kept below a threshold and thus, arcing and/or dielectric breakdown is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating arcing or dielectric breakdown across a wafer during a semiconductor wafer processing step includes controlling the voltage across the wafer so that arcing and/or dielectric breakdown does not occur. Using an electrostatic clamp of the invention and by controlling the specific clamp voltage to within a suitable range of values, the voltage across a wafer is kept below a threshold and thus, arcing and/or dielectric breakdown is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Leaks are detected in a vapor compression system using fluorescent and daylight visible in situants which are introduced to a system by way of a carrier and dissolved into the systems oil or lubricant. This invention teaches the use of POE oil as a universal carrier fluid, alone or in combination with an alcohol, and combined with one or more “in situants”. The in situants are compounds which are the same or substantially similar to compounds already present in oils or lubricants. An on-off UV light source, such as a xenon light, can the be used to visually detect the leak from the vapor compression system components.

Abstract: A right angle indexer includes an internal torque limiter. The indexer includes an input shaft with a cam, and an output shaft. The cam on the input shaft rotates a hub on the output shaft. The hub is rotatable relative to the output shaft. The output shaft has a driven surface, and the hub has a drive surface. The drive surface includes a plurality of detents which are irregularly spaced about the drive surface. A plurality of rollers are spaced irregularly about the driven surface. The driven plate is biased into contact with the drive plate, and the rollers are received in the drive plate detents. As long as the rollers are engaged in the drive plate detents, rotation of the hub by the cam will cause the driven plate, and hence the output shaft, to rotate. However, if a predetermined torque load is exceeded, the driven plate will become disengaged from the drive plate, and continued rotation of the hub will not cause rotation of the driven plate or the output shaft.

Abstract: Leaks are detected in a vapor compression system using fluorescent and daylight visible in situants which are introduced to a system by way of a carrier and dissolved into the systems oil or lubricant. This invention teaches the use of POE oil as a universal carrier fluid, alone or in combination with an alcohol, and combined with one or more “in situants”. The in situants are compounds which are the same or substantially similar to compounds already present in oils or lubricants. An on-off UV light source, such as a xenon light, can the be used to visually detect the leak from the vapor compression system components.

Abstract: A method to control microbial growth and other contaminants present in the water of climate control systems includes using tablets or packets to effectively control the growth of microbes such as fungus, molds, bacteria, and virus present in water for an extended period of time. The tablet or packet formulations include at least two metals and at least one chelating agent. Optionally, more soluble salts are also added to the formulations to induce an initial shock of the biologically active compounds in the water followed by a slower release of the less soluble chelating agents and metals.

Abstract: A vest particularly suited for survival purposes is disclosed. The vest has removably attachable pockets as well as a removably attachable hoisting harness so as to facilitate the needs for survival and, in addition, has provisions for easily adjusting the size thereof.

Abstract: Metal powders or granules, comprised of at least 2 alloyed metals selected from the group consisting of alkaline metals, alkali metals, transition metals, metalloids, and rare earth metals are coated with an organic monomer, oligomer, polymer, or other organic compound. The metal powders or granules are in hydride, oxide, or reduced form. The coated metal powders or granules are used to decompose and/or immobilize organic compounds containing at least one hetero atom.

Abstract: A shank-mounted opener assembly connected to a seed distribution system is provided for both till and no-till operations. The opener assembly includes a spike member that is supported on the shank, a firming point, a seed sensor connected to the seed supply, a seed boot, a seed locking mechanism, and a multi media delivery tube assembly. The seed boot encloses the seed sensor and includes a pair of lateral side walls. The seed boot protects the seed sensor from moving soil and debris. The seed locking mechanism pushes the seed into the soil and forms a shallow layer of soil over the seed dispensed through the seed sensor. If desired, assistive media can be dispensed into the furrow at the same time as seeding. The assistive media are dispensed through the multi-media delivery tube assembly. The assistive media are not dispensed to the furrow until after the seed locking mechanism covers the seed with a shallow layer of soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a damaged, disconnected or disabled RF load in an RF communications system wherein an RF source sends forward RF signals to the RF load. In general, the apparatus consists of an alarm circuit, and a device which passes RF signals reflected from the RF load to the alarm circuit. In one illustrative embodiment, the device is a circulator electrically connected to the RF source, the RF load and the alarm circuit such that, when there is an impedance mismatch between the RF source and the RF load, a portion of the forward RF signal reflects back through the circulator to the alarm circuit. The alarm circuit then checks whether the reflected portion of the forward RF signal (i.e. the reflected signal) meets a particular criterion indicating that a substantial impedance mismatch exists between the RF load and the RF source, thus indicating that the RF load is damaged disconnected or disabled.

Abstract: A repeater for extending the range of communications between a base station and a mobile unit without rendering the mobile unit incapable of communicating directly with the base station. In general, the polarization of the repeater input-antenna is different from the polarization of the repeater output-antenna such that sufficient isolation exists between the input and output antennas without substantially reducing the ability of the input antenna and the output antenna to receive signals from and output signals to the base station and the mobile units. In a preferred embodiment, the repeater input antenna is circularly polarized in one direction while the repeater output antenna is circularly polarized in a direction opposite from the input antenna.

Abstract: A seed planter distribution system for transporting seeds from a source into a plurality of seed metering bins, the system including a manifold duct and a plurality of seed flow diverting structures that extend from the manifold into each metering bin, whereby each metering bin is filled in accordance with the flow of air available thereto.

Abstract: Method and compositions for reducing or removing ice formation from surfaces where the compositions consist essentially of (i) one or more polyhydric alcohols and (ii) one or more non-potassium, low carbon percentage organic compounds, and optionally one or more non-potassium, non-halide inorganic compounds and/or monohydric alcohols, whereby the freezing point of the composition is depressed.

Abstract: A method and system decomposes or immobilizes organic wastes using a metal alloy agent comprised of at least two metals selected from transition metals, alkaline metal and/or and rare earth metals. The method first uses hydrogen and oxygen, with and without mechanical agitation, to decrepitate and activate the metal alloy powders. The organic waste compounds are then introduced to the activated metal alloys. This method of decomposing organic materials effectively destroys organic compounds which contain halogens, sulfur, phosphorous, oxygen, and higher order bonds.

Abstract: In a information distribution system, a control channel modem that provides independent communications channels for bi-directional message traffic between a service provider and a set-top terminal located within a subscriber's home. The modem transmits messages, control information and status information between the service provider and the subscriber's set-top terminal using an independent channel (downstream path) that is different from the channel (upstream path) used for sending requested information such as movies from the service provider to the subscriber's home.

Abstract: A packet encoder includes various sources of data, a state machine and additional circuitry. The state machine provides an S-bit output signal. N of the output bits of the state machine, (N<S), are coupled to directly control a multiplexer without an intervening state decoder. The multiplexer combines data from the various sources into a packet signal.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure Intramedullary reamers are well known in orthopaedic procedures for reaming out a tubular passage within a bone for accommodating an implant such as a femoral nail. The reamer head of this invention is designed to accommodate a press fit connection to a reamer shaft. Heretofore, such press fit connections placed a hoop stress on the neck of the shaft such that the hoop stress significantly exceeded the yield strength of the material. Therefore in such prior art heads, the neck of the head would begin to crack adjacent the opening of the neck. The reamer head of this invention substantially reduces the hoop stresses on the neck of the head at its opening and provides for a smoother transition of stresses along the neck by forming a counter bore through the neck while maintaining a satisfactory press fit connection between the head and the shaft.

Abstract: A co-extruded welting for fixing a seat cover to a vehicle seat frame, the welting comprising an elongated, single-piece strip including a web having opposite ends and a pair of edges extending between the opposite ends, and the strip also including a sheath extending along one of the edges between the opposite ends, the wed and the sheath being made of a first plastic material, and a core surrounded by the sheath and made of a second plastic material which is different from the first plastic material.