Abstract: A service diagnostic trouble code sequencer and method is disclosed that includes receiving multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), determining which DTCs to diagnose first, and recommending which DTC(s) to diagnose first. The sequencer can recommend a category of DTCs to diagnose first, where the category of DTCs includes one or more DTCs. The sequencer can prioritize the DTCs in the category of DTCs. The sequencer can separate the DTCs into multiple categories of DTCs, and prioritize the multiple categories of DTCs. The sequencer can prioritize the DTCs in an ordered category of the multiple categories of DTCs. The sequencer can receive the plurality of DTCs locally or remotely over a network. The sequencer can output the one or more DTCs to diagnose first locally or remotely over a network. The sequencer can be resident on the machine generating the DTCs.

Abstract: A method of making a hair and skin conditioning composition includes the steps of placing walnuts in water to define a mixture. Boiling the mixture for at least three hours and straining the mixture to remove the walnuts and retain a fluid provided after the straining of the mixture. The fluid may then be used for conditioning a person's skin and hair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital stylus for an electronic device having an input screen. The digital stylus comprising an operative portion adapted to interact with the input screen, and the electronic device adapted to perform one or more functions corresponding to an interaction between the operative portion and the input screen; and a communication module adapted to communicate with the electronic device to set one or more of the following: the functions and one or more characteristics of the functions.

Abstract: A service diagnostic trouble code sequencer and method is disclosed that includes receiving multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), determining which DTCs to diagnose first, and recommending which DTC(s) to diagnose first. The sequencer can recommend a category of DTCs to diagnose first, where the category of DTCs includes one or more DTCs. The sequencer can prioritize the DTCs in the category of DTCs. The sequencer can separate the DTCs into multiple categories of DTCs, and prioritize the multiple categories of DTCs. The sequencer can prioritize the DTCs in an ordered category of the multiple categories of DTCs. The sequencer can receive the plurality of DTCs locally or remotely over a network. The sequencer can output the one or more DTCs to diagnose first locally or remotely over a network. The sequencer can be resident on the machine generating the DTCs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital stylus for an electronic device having an input screen. The digital stylus comprising an operative portion adapted to interact with the input screen, and the electronic device adapted to perform one or more functions corresponding to an interaction between the operative portion and the input screen; and a communication module adapted to communicate with the electronic device to set one or more of the following: the functions and one or more characteristics of the functions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adaptively filtering video content are disclosed herein. An apparatus may include a filter configured to receive a video signal. The filter may further be configured to perform an up-conversion on a plurality of frames of the video signal to provide a plurality of up-converted frames. The filter may further be configured to filter the plurality of up-converted frames to provide a plurality of filtered frames and to perform a down-conversion operation on the plurality of filtered frames to provide a filtered video signal.

Abstract: A method of reading data represented by characters formed of an x by y array of dots, e.g. as printed by a dot-matrix printer, is described. An image of the character(s) is captured by a digital camera device and transmitted to a computer, and by using analysis software operating in the computer to which the camera image has been sent, dot shapes are identified and their positions within the captured image detected, using the similarity of dots to idealized representations of dots using a combination of covariance, correlation or color data. The position information about the detected dots is then processed to determine the distance between dots and to identify “clusters” of adjacent dots in groups of dots close to one another, and to enable such clusters to be mapped on to a notional x by y grid that defines the intended positions of the dots where grid elements intersect.

Abstract: A system of monitoring movable articles, e.g. for detecting counterfeits, is described. It comprises applying to the article (30) a label thereon, coded data in the form of a visually perceptible marking (34) conveniently at the time and place of manufacture and using a digitally controlled printer. Details of the marking are stored in a high capacity memory store. When it is desired to monitor the article, a pictorial image of the marking is sent from the location of the article to a remote computer (37) via a wide area communications network, such as a mobile telephone network (50). Details concerning the location of the article are also transmitted to the remote computer, which is programmed, to extract the coded data from the transmitted image file, and evaluate whether the coded data matches coded data stored in the high capacity memory store. If there is a match, the item is genuine and the remote computer can return a message to that effect.

Abstract: A toy figure is disclosed. The toy figure includes a portion that is configured to be illuminated by a light source. The portion includes a panel member that is transparent or translucent. The panel member has a light input surface and a light output surface. The panel member also includes a reflecting surface that redirects light in the panel member. Light from the light source enters the light input surface and exits from the light output surface. In one embodiment, the light output surface includes several deformities.

Abstract: A method of reading data represented by characters formed of an x by y array of dots, e.g. as printed by a dot-matrix printer, is described. An image of the character(s) is captured by a digital camera device and transmitted to a computer, and by using analysis software operating in the computer to which the camera image has been sent, dot shapes are identified and their positions within the captured image detected, using the similarity of dots to idealised representations of dots using a combination of covariance, correlation or colour data. The position information about the detected dots is then processed to determine the distance between dots and to identify “clusters” of adjacent dots in groups of dots close to one another, and to enable such clusters to be mapped on to a notional x by y grid that defines the intended positions of the dots where grid elements intersect.

Abstract: A system of monitoring movable articles, e.g. for detecting counterfeits, is described. It comprises applying to the article (30) a label thereon, coded data in the form of a visually perceptible marking (34) conveniently at the time and place of manufacture and using a digitally controlled printer. Details of the marking are stored in a high capacity memory store. When it is desired to monitor the article, a pictorial image of the marking is sent from the location of the article to a remote computer (37) via a wide area communications network, such as a mobile telephone network (50). Details concerning the location of the article are also transmitted to the remote computer, which is programmed, to extract the coded data from the transmitted image file, and evaluate whether the coded data matches coded data stored in the high capacity memory store. If there is a match, the item is genuine and the remote computer can return a message to that effect.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adaptively filtering video content are disclosed herein. An apparatus may include a filter configured to receive a video signal. The filter may further be configured to perform an up-conversion on a plurality of frames of the video signal to provide a plurality of up-converted frames. The filter may further be configured to filter the plurality of up-converted frames to provide a plurality of filtered frames and to perform a down-conversion operation on the plurality of filtered frames to provide a filtered video signal.

Abstract: A chewing gum composition containing at least 25 wt. % water-soluble portion containing a least one simple sugar and at least one water-soluble fiber; and at least 25 wt. % water-insoluble portion containing at least 10 wt. % chewing gum base filler and at least 10 wt. % chewing gum non-filler base composition. Such a combination of water-soluble and water-insoluble materials produces a healthy amount of fiber, while creating a chewing gum with an acceptable mass duration, elasticity, cohesion, flavor delivery, and sweetness delivery.

Abstract: A toy figure is disclosed. The toy figure includes a portion that is configured to be illuminated by a light source. The portion includes a panel member that is transparent or translucent. The panel member has a light input surface and a light output surface. The panel member also includes a reflecting surface that redirects light in the panel member. Light from the light source enters the light input surface and exits from the light output surface. In one embodiment, the light output surface includes several deformities.

Abstract: A package for a product is provided. The package has a speaker arranged to emit sound in a first direction. The package includes a wall is disposed adjacent the speaker and shaped to reflect sound emitted from the speaker in a second direction around the product within the package. The reflected sound is then emitted through a side of the package.

Abstract: A vehicle flasher hazard function is implemented on an electrical controller having control over vehicle exterior lights. The flasher hazard function features an optimized duty cycle and operational frequency, consistent with legal requirements for the flasher rate. The point in time that individual bulbs are turned on is staggered in time to avoid all bulbs being simultaneously activated. This distributes the current surges associated with bulb activation being distributed in time. When a vehicle battery can no longer sustain the legally mandated flasher rate an optional path for flasher operation at a reduced rate is provided.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the contacts, and a trip unit cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the contacts. The trip unit includes a sensor structured to sense current flowing through the contacts, a processor structured to output a trip signal responsive to the sensed current, and a trip actuator. The trip actuator includes a housing including a recess, a coil within the recess, the coil having an opening therethrough, a magnet within the recess, a thermoplastic bushing including a conduit therethrough, the thermoplastic bushing being coupled to the housing, and an armature disposable within the opening of the coil and slidably disposed within the conduit of the thermoplastic bushing. The magnet attracts the armature toward the housing. A spring biases the armature away from the housing, in order to cause the operating mechanism to trip open the contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the contacts, and a trip unit cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the contacts. The trip unit includes a sensor structured to sense current flowing through the contacts, a processor structured to output a trip signal responsive to the sensed current, and a trip actuator. The trip actuator includes a housing including a recess, a coil within the recess, the coil having an opening therethrough, a magnet within the recess, a thermoplastic bushing including a conduit therethrough, the thermoplastic bushing being coupled to the housing, and an armature disposable within the opening of the coil and slidably disposed within the conduit of the thermoplastic bushing. The magnet attracts the armature toward the housing. A spring biases the armature away from the housing, in order to cause the operating mechanism to trip open the contacts.

Abstract: A vehicle flasher hazard function is implemented on an electrical controller having control over vehicle exterior lights. The flasher hazard function features an optimized duty cycle and operational frequency, consistent with legal requirements for the flasher rate. The point in time that individual bulbs are turned on is staggered in time to avoid all bulbs being simultaneously activated. This distributes the current surges associated with bulb activation being distributed in time. When a vehicle battery can no longer sustain the legally mandated flasher rate an optional path for flasher operation at a reduced rate is provided.

Abstract: A handheld inspection apparatus for inspecting an object in a non-contact manner is provided, the apparatus comprising: a telecentric lens arrangement comprising a telecentric lens arranged to collect light rays projected or reflected from an object to be inspected; a mobile image sensing device such as a CCD digital camera arranged with respect to the telecentric lens to receive the lights rays collected by the telecentric lens and convert these into an image representative of the object, wherein the telecentric lens is arranged such that movement of the apparatus in a direction away from or towards the object causes the image to remain of the same size on the image sensing device. Preferably an illumination unit is provided which is detachably mounted on the camera and is interchangeable depending on the purpose.