Abstract: An information display system for targeting information to a plurality of viewers proximate to an information display includes at least one sensor for determining features of a subset of the plurality of viewers. The sensor(s) include at least a visual sensor for determining one or more physical features of the viewers, or an audio sensor for determining one or more audible features of the viewers. The information display system further includes a database comprising a plurality of information files, where each information file is targeted to at least one class of viewers associated with at least one physical feature or audible feature. An information file selection module selects one or more information files to display on the information display, based upon at least one determined feature of the subset of the plurality of viewers.

Abstract: A proximity sorting system, method and computer program product for sorting data is provided including a communication device featuring a processor operative to access a plurality of records and position information. The communication device can include a processor operative to sort the plurality of records based on a first detected position and is operative to resort the records based on a second detected position. The device can further feature a detector that detects a change in position of a user device.

Abstract: A method of increasing the reliability of an inkjet printer containing at least one pressure chamber provided with a nozzle for jetting ink drops therefrom and wherein when a disturbance in the pressure chamber is detected, the jetting of the ink drops is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. During this “waiting time” no active restoration operations are carried out, but rather the pressure chamber is left on its own to re-establish its normal operating condition prior to resuming the jetting of the ink drops from the nozzle.

Abstract: A system is provided including at least one remote input device for recording remote data and a host computer for receiving and storing the remote data from the remote input device. Also included is at least one local input device coupled to the host computer for retrieving the remote data within the host computer. Associated therewith is at least one local output device that is coupled to the host computer for retrieving the data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including at least one ink duct provided with an electromechanical transducer, a driver circuit provided with a pulse generator and operatively associated with the transducer to energize the transducer, a measuring circuit operatively associated with the transducer for measuring an electrical signal generated by the transducer in response to energizing by the pulse generator, a device for breaking the circuits in such a manner so that when the drive circuit is open, the measuring circuit is closed, wherein measurement of the electrical signal takes place when the printing apparatus is in a printing mode.

Abstract: A system is provided including at least one remote input device for recording remote data and a host computer for receiving and storing the remote data from the remote input device. Also included is at least one local input device coupled to the host computer for retrieving the remote data within the host computer. Associated therewith is at least one local output device that is coupled to the host computer for retrieving the data.

Abstract: A method of facing a substrate comprises applying a plurality of facing bodies to a carrier in a pattern corresponding to the desired pattern of the bodies on the faced substrate. The carrier has holes positioned centrally with respect to each body. Each body has, on a contact face to be fixed to the substrate, spaced raised weld elements which serve to locate the contact face parallel to and spaced from the substrate. The carrier is applied to the substrate with the contact faces of the bodies facing the substrate and then each body is electrically welded to the substrate by applying a welding tip to the body through each hole. A gap remains between the contact face and the substrate. Finally, the bodies are brazed to the substrate and brazing material flows between the bodies and the substrate. A facing kit comprises a carrier strip with facing bodies adhered thereto, each having raised weld elements in the form of dimples or lines.

Abstract: A method determines a random permutation of input lines that produced a permuted set of bits in a bitstream. In a source design, the method replaces a logic element whose input lines are permutable with a test function. The source design is processed by a design tool to generate the bitstream including the permuted set of bits. The test function is probed with test values, and the probe results are compared with the permuted set of bits to discover the permutation of the set of bits. The test values can include a message.

Abstract: A method of operating a H2—O2 fuel cell fueled by hydrogen-rich fuel stream containing CO. The CO content is reduced to acceptable levels by injecting oxygen into the fuel gas stream. The amount of oxygen injected is controlled in relation to the CO content of the fuel gas, by a control strategy that involves (a) determining the CO content of the fuel stream at a first injection rate, (b) increasing the O2 injection rate, (c) determining the CO content of the stream at the higher injection rate, (d) further increasing the O2 injection rate if the second measured CO content is lower than the first measured CO content or reducing the O2 injection rate if the second measured CO content is greater than the first measured CO content, and (e) repeating steps a-d as needed to optimize CO consumption and minimize H2 consumption.

Abstract: A multi-bit DAC (109) is provided as part of a digital-to-analog data converter (DAC). The multi-bit DAC is comprised of a plurality of single-bit DACs (503) which have the values thereof selected through a digital encoder (505). The digital encoder (505) performs dynamic element matching (DEM) on an input data value. The sequence of selection is performed such that the element mismatch noise response of the DAC (109) is shaped. The outputs are summed at a summing junction (507) and then filtered with a low pass filter (113). In the noise shaping response, a cyclical second order response is provided with a Data Weighted Averaging (DWA) technique wherein the outputs of the DACs are restricted to one of two states. To achieve this, select ones of the output values are changed in order to comply with this restriction, thus deviating from a uniform element selection algorithm. This provides a constrained second order response which accounts for mismatching of the DAC elements (503).

Abstract: Audio data processing circuitry 300 includes a plurality of analog inputs 101 for receiving analog audio data and a digital input 105 for receiving digital audio data. A analog mixer 312 mixes analog data received at said plurality of analog inputs 101 to generate a mixed analog audio stream. An analog-to-digital converter 313 converts the mixed analog audio stream to a digital audio stream and a digital mixer 315 mixes digital data received at the digital input 105 with the digital audio stream from the analog mixer 312 to generate a mixed digital audio stream.

Abstract: A receptacle for the safe storage and disposal of used cutting blades, the receptacle being configured as a closed receptacle having an insert slot at opposite ends for the insertion of the used cutting blades into the receptacle. Each insert slot includes an angled guide for guiding the used cutting blade toward the insert slot. Interiorly, the angled guides act as detents inside the closed receptacle to inhibit the inadvertent dislodgement of the used cutting blade outwardly through the adjacent insert slot. The top wall of the receptacle is angled inwardly into the receptacle to serve as a deflector to prevent a used cutting blade from passing directly from one insert slot to the other insert slot. The receptacle is configured to be belt mounted or to be releasably secured to a toolbox, wall, or the like. The receptacle is also configured to be readily disposable when filled with used cutting blades.

Abstract: A method for purifying conventionally treated blood plasma to remove substantially all residual leukocytes while maintaining useful flow rates for medically useful amounts of plasma utilizes a disposable, heat-sterilizable filter employing one or more depth-type prefilters and at least one intermediate hydrophilic microporous membrane followed by at least one final hydrophilic microporous membrane having a smaller pore size than the intermediate membrane within a common housing. The purified plasma is preferably subjected to chemical treatment to destroy infectious agents such as hepatitis and HIV.

Abstract: In a relaxed bus protocol for transferring bursts of data from a slow device to another device, a predictor generates an advance signal. The advance signal is used to load next data into an output register of the slow device, the next data can then be transferred to the other device. A validator/corrector receiving a ready signal from the second device, the validator/corrector determines that the advance signal is correctly generated by the predictor. Heuristics and a higher level protocol adjust the size and frequency of the bursts of data to achieve optimal performance, and maintain correctness of transmitted data.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for wet/dry and other processing of manufactured articles. Belts mounted on pulleys provide support while minimally contacting article surfaces for maximum exposure to chemical, radiation, or other wet/dry processing treatments.

Abstract: A process for making a coated bleach component which may be incorporated into a detergent composition comprising hydrogen peroxide solution. The process includes the steps of dispersing the bleach component in a continuous liquid phase to form discrete islands of dispersed phase and subsequently forming a polymeric coating at the interface between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. The coating formed is resistant to hydrogen peroxide solution and is removable when the liquid continuous phase is diluted with aqueous wash liquor. In this way particulate material which reacts with hydrogen peroxide can be incorporated into an aqueous detergent liquid which contains dissolved hydrogen peroxide, whilst maintaining stability.

Abstract: The CO concentration in the H.sub.2 feed stream to a PEM fuel cell stack is monitored by measuring current and/or voltage behavior patterns from a PEM-probe communicating with the reformate feed stream. Pattern recognition software may be used to compare the current and voltage patterns from the PEM-probe to current and voltage telltale outputs determined from a reference cell similar to the PEM-probe and operated under controlled conditions over a wide range of CO concentrations in the H.sub.2 fuel stream. The PEM-probe is intermittently purged of any CO build-up on the anode catalyst (e.g., by (1) flushing the anode with air, (2) short circuiting the PEM-probe, or (3) reverse biasing the PEM-probe) to keep the PEM-probe at peak performance levels.

Abstract: In a cell switched communication system in which a source is connected to a network for transmission of cells to a network destination via a network element having a plurality of ports, said source generating resource cells containing information concerning a bandwidth allocated to the source for transmitting cells, a method of providing flow control at the network element comprises the steps of: (a) detecting a resource cell as it is received at an input port of the network element; (b) routing the resource cell to a resource cell processing means common to all the ports of the network element; (c) modifying information contained in the resource cell concerning the bandwidth allocation for the source on the basis of a determination of current utilisation of ports of the network element; and, (d) passing the modified resource cell to an output port of the network element for subsequent return to the source.

Abstract: Digital-to-analog conversion circuitry 100 is shown including a path for processing data in a 1-bit format. First portion of an analog finite impulse response filter 300 includes pre-selected number of delay elements 301 for receiving stream of data in the 1-bit format and outputting a plurality of signals in response. A switched capacitor digital-to-analog converter 106 forms a second portion of the finite impulse response filter 301 and has a plurality of elements each receiving one of the plurality of signals as selected to effectuate a set of filter coefficients, converter 106 summing the plurality of signals and outputting an analog data stream.

Abstract: The CO concentration in the H.sub.2 feed stream to a PEM fuel cell stack is monitored by measuring current and/or voltage behavior patterns from a PEM-probe communicating with the reformate feed stream. Pattern recognition software may be used to compare the current and voltage patterns from the PEM-probe to current and voltage telltale outputs determined from a reference cell similar to the PEM-probe and operated under controlled conditions over a wide range of CO concentrations in the H.sub.2 fuel stream. A CO sensor includes the PEM-probe, an electrical discharge circuit for discharging the PEM-probe to monitor the CO concentration, and an electrical purging circuit to intermittently raise the anode potential of the PEM-probe's anode to at least about 0.8 V (RHE) to electrochemically oxidize any CO adsorbed on the probe's anode catalyst.