Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to a test card for use in automated testing of a POS terminal. In some embodiments, the test card comprises a substrate including at least one track, wherein the substrate is configured to interact with a magnetic card reader, an electrical contact configured to receive magnetic stripe data from a database, and an electrical trace, wherein the electrical trace is programmable with respect to the received magnetic stripe data, wherein the electrical trace forms a continuous conductive pathway, wherein the electrical trace forms a stair step configuration comprising a plurality of linear segments including a first set of linear segments and a second set of linear segments, wherein the second set of linear segments includes at least one segment, and wherein the at least one segment connects ones of the first set of linear segments.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to automating testing of transactions at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. In some embodiments, a system comprises a handheld scanner including an electronic switch electrically coupled to a physical trigger of the handheld scanner, wherein the handheld scanner is configured to read a product identifier, a first display device configured to present the product identifier, the POS terminal including a second display device configured to present a transaction record for a transaction, and a control circuit configured to determine a test case to execute, determine the product identifier, cause presentation of the product identifier, transmit a signal that mimics a pull of the trigger, capture, from the second display device, an image including at least a portion of the transaction record, and analyze the image to determine whether the transaction record includes a record associated with the product identifier.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to a test card for use in automated testing of a POS terminal. In some embodiments, the test card comprises a substrate including at least one track, wherein the substrate is configured to interact with a magnetic card reader, an electrical contact configured to receive magnetic stripe data from a database, and an electrical trace, wherein the electrical trace is programmable with respect to the received magnetic stripe data, wherein the electrical trace forms a continuous conductive pathway, wherein the electrical trace forms a stair step configuration comprising a plurality of linear segments including a first set of linear segments and a second set of linear segments, wherein the second set of linear segments includes at least one segment, and wherein the at least one segment connects ones of the first set of linear segments.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to automating testing of transactions at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. In some embodiments, a system comprises a handheld scanner including an electronic switch electrically coupled to a physical trigger of the handheld scanner, wherein the handheld scanner is configured to read a product identifier, a first display device configured to present the product identifier, the POS terminal including a second display device configured to present a transaction record for a transaction, and a control circuit configured to determine a test case to execute, determine the product identifier, cause presentation of the product identifier, transmit a signal that mimics a pull of the trigger, capture, from the second display device, an image including at least a portion of the transaction record, and analyze the image to determine whether the transaction record includes a record associated with the product identifier.

Abstract: A flexible container is used in conjunction with a magnetic mixer. The flexible container is in the form of a bag, and is designed to rest on top of a magnetic mixer. The bag is comprised of a flexible, but impermeable-film material. A stand may be used in conjunction with bag to support larger volume flexible containers when filled with solution, permitting the exterior body of the flexible container to rest against the sides of the stand. A baffle may be interposed between the stand and bag. The baffle contacts, and thereby deforms (indents) the flexible film membrane of the container, when the container is filled with solution. So, when a stir bar of the mixer spins and fluid circulates, the baffle causes fluid to circulate erratically around a protrusion caused by the baffle, and imparts turbulence when fluid mixes around it. This prevents backflow from occurring.

Abstract: A flexible container is used in conjunction with a magnetic mixer. The flexible container is in the form of a bag, and is designed to rest on top of a magnetic mixer. The bag is comprised of a flexible, but impermeable-film material. The bag is flat with no seams on the bottom. A stir bar is encapsulated in a nonabrasive and soft material, such as silicone. The non-abrasive material around the stir bar permits the stir bar to directly touch the flexible film material, and prevents scratching or deteriorating of the film, as the stir bar rotates on the bottom of the flexible container.

Abstract: A wallbox dimmer switch includes an actuator mounting frame having a platform portion that is receivable in a rectangular wallplate opening having standard toggle-type dimensions. The dimmer switch includes a pushbutton actuator for a switch and an adjacently located dimmer actuator that extend substantially parallel to a first side of the platform portion. The pushbutton actuator includes a user-engageable portion having an outer surface of which at least the end portions are defined by a portion of a substantially prolate spheroid for minimization of undesirable coupling between the adjacent actuators during actuation by a user. The switch may also include an actuator for an airgap switch extending through the platform portion and an array of indicator lights that are displayed through openings extending to an actuator-presentation surface of the platform portion.

Abstract: A wallbox dimmer switch includes an actuator mounting frame having a platform portion that is receivable in a rectangular wallplate opening having standard toggle-type dimensions. The dimmer switch includes a pushbutton actuator for a switch and an adjacently located dimmer actuator that extend substantially parallel to a first side of the platform portion. The pushbutton actuator includes a user-engageable portion having an outer surface of which at least the end portions are defined by a portion of a substantially prolate spheroid for minimization of undesirable coupling between the adjacent actuators during actuation by a user. The switch may also include an actuator for an airgap switch extending through the platform portion and an array of indicator lights that are displayed through openings extending to an actuator-presentation surface of the platform portion.

Abstract: A wallbox dimmer switch includes an actuator mounting frame having a platform portion that is receivable in a rectangular wallplate opening having standard toggle-type dimensions. The dimmer switch includes a pushbutton actuator for a switch and an adjacently located dimmer actuator that extend substantially parallel to a first side of the platform portion. The pushbutton actuator includes a user-engageable portion having an outer surface of which at least the end portions are defined by a portion of a substantially prolate spheroid for minimization of undesirable coupling between the adjacent actuators during actuation by a user. The switch may also include an actuator for an airgap switch extending through the platform portion and an array of indicator lights that are displayed through openings extending to an actuator-presentation surface of the platform portion.

Abstract: A wallbox dimmer switch includes an actuator mounting frame having a platform portion that is receivable in a rectangular wallplate opening having standard toggle-type dimensions. The dimmer switch includes a pushbutton actuator for a switch and an adjacently located dimmer actuator that extend substantially parallel to a first side of the platform portion. The pushbutton actuator includes a user-engageable portion having an outer surface of which at least the end portions are defined by a portion of a substantially prolate spheroid for minimization of undesirable coupling between the adjacent actuators during actuation by a user. The switch may also include an actuator for an airgap switch extending through the platform portion and an array of indicator lights that are displayed through openings extending to an actuator-presentation surface of the platform portion.

Abstract: A bracket for securing an electrical box or other electrical component can be used in either of two ways. Firstly by attachment to the open face of cross-sectionally U-shaped metal channel studding or secondly to the reverse face of the same studding or to another substantially flat surface. The clip comprises a back plate with stepped wing portions on two opposite sides. Marginal areas of the second stepped wing portions on both sides of the clip are removed to allow insertion of the clip behind lips conventionally found in channel studding. The free edges of the wing portions lie in a plane parallel to the back plate allowing mounting on a flat surface using screws or similar means for which the clip provides holes. The clip may be attached in either of the two ways without intervening modification of its design.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating particulate material from fluids. Essentially, the process and apparatus involves passing a dispersion of particulate material in a fluid through a porous, solid tubular member, which can retain the particulate material within the tubular member but permits passage of the fluid therethrough. The process and apparatus disclosed are especially useful in washing and/or adjusting the concentration of particulate materials dispersed in fluids by recycling the dispersion through the porous member until the concentration of dispersed particulate material is increased to a predetermined degree.