Abstract: This invention is a novel retroreflective traffic stripe comprising a widely spaced repeating pattern of linear light turning prisms over cube corner retroreflective prisms in a critical optimal configuration. The light turning prisms comprise at least two exposed surfaces, one approximately vertical facing the headlights of oncoming traffic, and another opposing the first and sloped by approximately 45 degrees. The approximately vertical surface efficiently accepts light from the headlights and transmits such light to the sloped surface which totally internally reflects such light downward onto an array of cube corner retroreflective prisms, which totally internally reflect such light in approximately the reverse direction.

Abstract: This invention is a novel retroreflective traffic stripe comprising an exposed top surface containing a widely spaced repeating pattern of linear light-turning prisms and a second repeating pattern of linear prisms between the light-turning prisms, over a bottom surface containing cube corner retroreflective prisms. The two types of top surface prisms are operable under dry and wet weather conditions, respectively. Both types of top surface prisms are configured to use refraction and reflection to redirect light from distant headlights into a downward direction onto the bottom surface of the traffic stripe under dry and wet weather conditions, respectively. Cube corner retroreflective prisms on the bottom surface accept the light and return it in the opposite direction.

Abstract: This invention is a novel retroreflective traffic stripe comprising a widely spaced repeating pattern of linear light turning prisms over cube corner retroreflective prisms in a critical optimal configuration. The light turning prisms comprise at least two exposed surfaces, one approximately vertical facing the headlights of oncoming traffic, and another opposing the first and sloped by approximately 45 degrees. The approximately vertical surface efficiently accepts light from the headlights and transmits such light to the sloped surface which totally internally reflects such light downward onto an array of cube corner retroreflective prisms, which totally internally reflect such light in approximately the reverse direction.

Abstract: A retroreflective traffic stripe comprising an exposed top surface containing a widely spaced repeating pattern of linear light-turning prisms over a bottom surface containing two different types of cube corner retroreflective prisms. The light-turning prisms are configured to use refraction and reflection to redirect light from distant headlights into a downward direction onto the bottom surface of the traffic stripe. Cube corner retroreflective prisms of the first type on the bottom surface have optical axes which are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the traffic stripe and are located substantially beneath such light-turning prisms. Cube corner retroreflective prisms of the second type on the bottom surface have optical axes tilted toward the distant headlights by at least 25 degrees and are located substantially between such light-turning prisms. Under dry road conditions, the light-turning prisms and first type of cube corner prisms provide unprecedented levels of retroreflectivity.

Abstract: A retroreflective traffic stripe comprising a widely spaced repeating pattern of linear light-turning prisms over cube-corner retroreflective prisms. The light-turning prisms comprise at least two exposed surfaces: one approximately vertical facing the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, and another opposing the first and sloped by approximately 45 degrees. The approximately vertical surface accepts light from the headlights and transmits such light to the sloped surface which totally internally reflects such light downward onto an array of cube corner retroreflective prisms, which totally internally reflect such light in approximately the reverse direction. Such reflected light once more encounters the sloped face of the light turning prisms which totally internally reflects the light toward the approximately vertical surface, where such light exits and returns toward the headlights and toward the eyes of the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention includes a flexible Fresnel lens assembly which can be efficiently stowed into a small volume, and then deployed with a mechanism, including structural elements, that provides tensioning at the ends of the lens assembly to position and support the lens assembly in proper position relative to a photovoltaic receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for conversion into electricity. The flexible stretched lens assembly includes a transparent prismatic polymer film, comprising a refractive optical element, attached to flexible cords, fibers, or wires that carry the bulk of the tension load in the stretched lens assembly when it is deployed in its final functional position. This present invention represents a critical and mission-enabling improvement to an earlier stretched lens array invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,200 (Reference 1).

Abstract: A reversible pad is provided for use on a vehicle center console. The pad includes a first side provided with a utility surface, a second side provided with a luxury surface, and wherein the pad is configured to engage with a center console with either the first side or the second side uppermost.

Abstract: This invention includes a Fresnel lens assembly positioned relative to an energy receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for collection and conversion. The Fresnel lens assembly includes a thin polymeric film with prisms molded into or attached to the film. This invention also includes an articulating energy receiver which can move closer to or farther away from the lens depending on the longitudinal angle of incidence of the sunlight relative to the lens, to maintain the best focus of sunlight on the energy receiver. The prisms in the present lens are specified to provide acceptable optical performance in the presence of relatively large longitudinal solar incidence angles, relatively smaller lateral solar incidence angles, in combination with the articulating energy receiver. The new lens assembly can further be deployed and supported as a thin flexible stretched membrane with tension maintaining the lens in proper position on orbit.

Abstract: A machine for and method of manufacturing concrete U-wall type construction blocks by molding each concrete u-wall construction block from concrete poured about a block cage made from reinforcing material while said block cage is loaded within the machine. The method involves providing a system of molding jacket panels, including a core molding assembly having a pair of inside stem jacket panels that are adjustably supportable in a substantially parallel manner during a molding process, and arranged is such a manner that the front wall portion is molded in downwardly facing direction toward a horizontal support surface and completely enclosed in one or more molding jacket panels. Before block molding operations, the thickness of the front wall portion of the U-wall construction block is set by determining the thickness of a front wall surface liner and installing the front wall surface forming liner within the system of molding jacket panels.

Abstract: A reversible pad is provided for use on a vehicle centre console. The pad includes a first side provided with a utility surface, a second side provided with a luxury surface, and wherein the pad is configured to engage with a centre console with either the first side or the second side uppermost.

Abstract: A mobile device comprises one or more sensors; a plurality of additional sensors; and logic configured to: obtain one or more first data outputs from the one or more sensors in a first state; obtain one or more second data outputs from the one or more sensors; determine whether there has been a transition from the first state to a second state, based on a difference between the one or more first data outputs and the one or more second data outputs; obtain one or more third data outputs from the plurality of additional sensors if there has been a transition from the first state to the second state; and compare the one or more third data outputs with stored data outputs obtained using the plurality of additional sensors in a third state, thereby determining whether the mobile device is in the third state.

Abstract: Universal cards are used in place of all the other traditional cards which a person may want to carry. The universal card can include a short range communications transceiver to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can include a user interface and an e-wallet application so that the user can interface with the e-wallet application for programming the universal card via the short range communication link. Once programmed, the universal card emulates a function of a traditional card.

Abstract: A machine for and method of manufacturing concrete U-wall type construction blocks by molding each concrete u-wall construction block from concrete poured about a block cage made from reinforcing material while said block cage is loaded within the machine. The method involves providing a system of molding jacket panels, including a core molding assembly having a pair of inside stem jacket panels that are adjustably supportable in a substantially parallel manner during a molding process, and arranged is such a manner that the front wall portion is molded in downwardly facing direction toward a horizontal support surface and completely enclosed in one or more molding jacket panels. Before block molding operations, the thickness of the front wall portion of the U-wall construction block is set by determining the thickness of a front wall surface liner and installing the front wall surface forming liner within the system of molding jacket panels.

Abstract: This invention includes a Fresnel lens assembly positioned relative to an energy receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for collection and conversion. The Fresnel lens assembly includes a thin polymeric film with prisms molded into or attached to the film. This invention also includes an articulating energy receiver which can move closer to or farther away from the lens depending on the longitudinal angle of incidence of the sunlight relative to the lens, to maintain the best focus of sunlight on the energy receiver. The prisms in the present lens are specified to provide acceptable optical performance in the presence of relatively large longitudinal solar incidence angles, relatively smaller lateral solar incidence angles, in combination with the articulating energy receiver. The new lens assembly can further be deployed and supported as a thin flexible stretched membrane with tension maintaining the lens in proper position on orbit.

Abstract: This invention includes a flexible Fresnel lens assembly which can be efficiently stowed into a small volume, and then deployed with a mechanism, including structural elements, that provides tensioning at the ends of the lens assembly to position and support the lens assembly in proper position relative to a photovoltaic receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for conversion into electricity. The flexible stretched lens assembly includes a transparent prismatic polymer film, comprising a refractive optical element, attached to flexible cords, fibers, or wires that carry the bulk of the tension load in the stretched lens assembly when it is deployed in its final functional position. This present invention represents a critical and mission-enabling improvement to an earlier stretched lens array invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,200 (Reference 1).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reducing the fuel consumption of an engine, particularly during a cold start or an engine warm-up period. A magnetorheological fluid having a low viscosity is used to lubricate the engine. When viscosity is to be increased, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetorheological fluid. The magnetic field can be selectively applied to electromagnets proximate engine bearings.

Abstract: Universal cards are used in place of all the other traditional cards which a person may want to carry. The universal card can include a short range communications transceiver to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can include a user interface and an e-wallet application so that the user can interface with the e-wallet application for programming the universal card via the short range communication link. Once programmed, the universal card emulates a function of a traditional card.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reducing the fuel consumption of an engine, particularly during a cold start or an engine warm-up period. A magnetorheological fluid having a low viscosity is used to lubricate the engine. When viscosity is to be increased, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetorheological fluid. The magnetic field can be selectively applied to electromagnets proximate engine bearings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes associated with the preparation of [2-(8,9-dioxo-2,6-diazabicyclo[5.2.0]non-1(7)-en-2-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (perzinfotel).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reducing the fuel consumption of an engine, particularly during a cold start or an engine warm-up period. A magnetorheological fluid having a low viscosity is used to lubricate the engine. When viscosity is to be increased, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetorheological fluid. The magnetic field can be selectively applied to electromagnets proximate engine bearings.