Abstract: A process and system to transform a digital photograph of a text document into a scan-quality image is disclosed. By extracting the document text from the image, and analyzing visual clues from the text, a grid is constructed over the image representing the distortions in the image. Transforming the image to straighten this grid removes distortions introduced by the camera image-capture process. Variations in lighting, the extraction of text line information, and the modeling of curved lines in the image may be corrected.

Abstract: If retrieved information from a storage area network resource does not enable simple and direct mapping of the respective unknown type of storage area network resource to a known type of storage area network resource with sufficient certainty (because the collection of data does not match any known unique groupings of data associated with known types of resources), then a mapping function attempts to automatically map the storage area network resource to a respective known type of storage area network resource. For example, the mapping function attempts to identify the specific identity of the storage area network resource in question. After repeating a process of mapping and determining identities of one or more different resources in a storage area network environment, an advisory process applies a set of configuration rules to identify whether an arrangement of resources will work properly.

Abstract: Harmful algal bloom (HAB, also termed red tide) has increasingly caused tremendous damage to fisheries worldwide. Since the formation process of HAB is still to be uncovered and the causes of HAB occurrence are largely unknown, it is impossible to take effective measures of prevention. At the present, the only viable measure against HAB is to forewarn and predict the occurrence of large scale HAB, which relies on a viable and efficient indexing method. Unfortunately, there is currently no reliable method to forewarn the occurrence of HAB. The HaiDex method is of a diffusion-characterized water pollution indexing technology, which is invented to effectively forecast HAB, independent of water regions around the world. To ensure forecast accuracy, the HaiDex method is invented (and claimed) to: 1) Characterize statistically a continuous formation process with imperfect panel data of water quality (e.g.

Abstract: In a retail business environment, sales employees interact with customers and generate retail sales. Employee skills, product knowledge, and performance are particularly relevant to sales generated, and hence to cash flow. Periodic assessments are typically performed to monitor the progress and growth of the business and to identify areas of strength and flag potential weaknesses. Such assessments typically take the form of sales data outlining generated revenue, for example, gross receipts or the net profit of a particular employee or store. A system for measuring and analyzing performance data including collecting data indicative of performance and analyzing the data to compute an aggregate synopsis of performance of an employee provides quantitative data for providing employee specific feedback and direction to the employee for improving performance. A hypothesis is formed from the aggregate synopsis to determine one or more actions, such as training and skill practice, directed to improving performance.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism includes a housing, a hinge plate pivotally connected to the housing, a ring member attached to the hinge plate, and an actuator attached to the housing and operatively connected to a locking device. The locking device is rotatably connected to the housing and is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A safety lighter includes a lighter body comprising a casing defining a liquefied gas chamber for containing a predetermined volume of liquefied gas therein, a supporting frame having an outer sealing surface engaged with an inner surface of the casing, a gas emitting nozzle mounted on the supporting frame to communicate with the liquefied gas chamber, and an ignition device supported by the supporting frame for ignition. A sealing arrangement includes upper and lower sealing rims spacedly and integrally provided along an opening portion of the inner surface of the casing in a step-shouldering manner wherein the upper and lower sealing rims are sealed with the outer sealing surface of the supporting frame to form two sealing lines along the upper and lower sealing rims respectively to sealedly mount the supporting frame on the lighter body for sealedly retaining the liquefied gas within the liquefied gas chamber.

Abstract: A compact capacitively coupled electrode structure for use in a gas plasma reactor/generator is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a parallel plate type anode and cathode spaced to define a gas flow path or volume therebetween. A plurality of electrically conductive fin elements are interposed in the space between the anode and cathode. The fin elements substantially increase the ratio of electrode surface area to volume, and subdivide the gas flow path or volume, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of plasma gas processing that is possible over a broad range of operating parameters, without substantially increasing the spacing between the anode and cathode. Static or closed operation is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a multi-anode/multi-cathode electrode assembly embodying the basic electrode structure and a highly efficient and compact gas plasma reactor/generator employing the assembly.

Abstract: A blister package (12) of transparent plastics material having an actuation portion (18), an electrical device such as a flashlight (14) with a slider switch (32) disposed at least partially within the package, the device including a battery power source (22) and an activatable component such as a LED or light; and a package switch (46) with actuation element (66) having an activation condition and a deactivation condition and being changeable from its deactivation condition to its activation condition. The package and device combination being configured for the power source to form part of a closed electrical circuit with, and to activate, the activatable component when the package switch is in its activation condition, and for the circuit to be open once the package switch has changed to its deactivation condition. The consumer can test the operation of the packaged flashlight by operating the switch (46) to illuminate either the LED (24) or the fluorescent tube (26).

Abstract: An antenna suitable for use in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is disclosed. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete loop antennas (130, 140, 150) disposed concentrically on a substrate. Each one of said plurality of loop antennas is electrically isolated from each other one of said plurality of loop antennas.

Abstract: A compact capacitively coupled electrode structure for use in a gas plasma reactor/generator is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a parallel plate type anode and cathode spaced to define a gas flow path or volume therebetween. A plurality of electrically conductive fin elements are interposed in the space between the anode and cathode. The fin elements substantially increase the ratio of electrode surface area to volume, and subdivide the gas flow path or volume, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of plasma gas processing that is possible over a broad range of operating parameters, without substantially increasing the spacing between the anode and cathode. Static or closed operation is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a multi-anode/multi-cathode electrode assembly embodying the basic electrode structure and a highly efficient and compact gas plasma reactor/generator employing the assembly.

Abstract: A compact capacitively coupled electrode structure for use in a gas plasma reactor/generator is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a parallel plate type anode and cathode spaced to define a gas flow path or volume therebetween. A plurality of electrically conductive fin elements are interposed in the space between the anode and cathode. The fin elements substantially increase the ratio of electrode surface area to volume, and subdivide the gas flow path or volume, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of plasma gas processing that is possible over a broad range of operating parameters, without substantially increasing the spacing between the anode and cathode. Static or closed operation is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a multi-anode/multi-cathode electrode assembly embodying the basic electrode structure and a highly efficient and compact gas plasma reactor/generator employing the assembly.

Abstract: A compact capacitively coupled electrode structure for use in a gas plasma reactor/generator is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a parallel plate type anode and cathode spaced to define a gas flow path or volume therebetween. A plurality of electrically conductive fin elements are interposed in the space between the anode and cathode. The fin elements substantially increase the ratio of electrode surface area to volume, and subdivide the gas flow path or volume, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of plasma gas processing that is possible over a broad range of operating parameters, without substantially increasing the spacing between the anode and cathode. Static or closed operation is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a multi-anode/multi-cathode electrode assembly embodying the basic electrode structure and a highly efficient and compact gas plasma reactor/generator employing the assembly.

Abstract: A safety lighter includes a lighter body comprising a casing defining a liquefied gas chamber for containing a predetermined volume of liquefied gas therein, a supporting frame having an outer sealing surface engaged with an inner surface of the casing, a gas emitting nozzle mounted on the supporting frame to communicate with the liquefied gas chamber, and an ignition device supported by the supporting frame for ignition. A sealing arrangement includes upper and lower sealing rims spacedly and integrally provided along an opening portion of the inner surface of the casing in a step-shouldering manner wherein the upper and lower sealing rims are sealed with the outer sealing surface of the supporting frame to form two sealing lines along the upper and lower sealing rims respectively to sealedly mount the supporting frame on the lighter body for sealedly retaining the liquefied gas within the liquefied gas chamber.

Abstract: A compact capacitively coupled electrode structure for use in a gas plasma reactor/generator is disclosed. The electrode structure comprises a parallel plate type anode and cathode spaced to define a gas flow path or volume therebetween. A plurality of electrically conductive fin elements are interposed in the space between the anode and cathode. The fin elements substantially increase the ratio of electrode surface area to volume, and subdivide the gas flow path or volume, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of plasma gas processing that is possible over a broad range of operating parameters, without substantially increasing the spacing between the anode and cathode. Static or closed operation is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a multi-anode/multi-cathode electrode assembly embodying the basic electrode structure and a highly efficient and compact gas plasma reactor/generator employing the assembly.

Abstract: A folding frame comprises four vertical legs and at least one shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs, each shelf being capable of folding vertically upward. The folding frame further comprises two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being pivotally connected to two of the four vertical legs and capable of folding horizontally inward. The folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally inward.

Abstract: A safety arrangement, which is incorporated with a piezoelectric lighter, includes two axle holders, each having a blocking member, provided on two inner sides of the casing respectively, and an ignition cap including a pivot arm extended downwardly into an ignition cavity of casing and two pivot axles outwardly extended from two sides of the pivot arm into the axle holders respectively so as to pivotally and radially support the ignition cap on the casing wherein the blocking members normally bias against the pivot axles respectively to block up a downward movement of the ignition cap. When the ignition cap is radially slid, the pivot axles are rotatably moved to release the blocking up of the ignition cap with respect to the blocking members respectively, such that the ignition cap is capable of sliding downwardly to depress a piezoelectric unit so as to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.

Abstract: A folding frame comprises four vertical legs and at least one shelf pivotally connected to each of the four vertical legs, each shelf being capable of folding vertically upward. The folding frame further comprises two support beams positioned beneath and on opposite ends of each shelf, each support beam being pivotally connected to two of the four vertical legs and capable of folding horizontally inward. The folding frame is moveable between an extended position with each shelf being horizontal and supported by two of the support beams, and a collapsed position with each shelf being folded vertically upward and the support beams being folded horizontally inward.

Abstract: A safety arrangement, which is incorporated with a piezoelectric lighter, includes two axle holders, each having a blocking member, provided on two inner sides of the casing respectively, and an ignition cap including a pivot arm extended downwardly into an ignition cavity of casing and two pivot axles outwardly extended from two sides of the pivot arm into the axle holders respectively so as to pivotally and radially support the ignition cap on the casing wherein the blocking members normally bias against the pivot axles respectively to block up a downward movement of the ignition cap. When the ignition cap is radially slid, the pivot axles are rotatably moved to release the blocking up of the ignition cap with respect to the blocking members respectively, such that the ignition cap is capable of sliding downwardly to depress a piezoelectric unit so as to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.

Abstract: A safety lighter includes two wheels axles coaxially supported on two sides of a spark wheel respectively. Two driving wheels, each having a receiving cavity provided on an out side of said driving wheel, are supported by two driven bodies of the wheel axles respectively wherein each driving wheel is adapted for turning on the respective driven body in a free rotating manner. Two positioning discs are disposed in the receiving cavities of the two driving wheels and firmly supported by the two driven bodies of the two wheel axles respectively wherein the positioning discs are adapted to hold the two driving wheels in position respectively, so as to prevent lateral movements of the driving wheels with respect to the wheel axles.

Abstract: A barbecue lighter incorporates with a safety arrangement which includes an actuating member including a pusher arm disposed in a trigger cavity of the barbecue lighter in a movable manner, and a resilient element disposed between the pusher arm and an ignition trigger for applying an urging pressure against the pusher arm so as to normally retain the pusher arm in a safety position. In the safety position, the pusher arm is positioned away from a depressible end of a gas lever with a predetermined distance. To ignite the barbecue lighter, the pusher arm is required to move to a position that when the ignition trigger is depressed downwardly, the pusher arm is driven downwardly to depress the depressible end of the gas lever for releasing gas, so as to ignite the barbecue lighter.