Abstract: A pre-feed system and method for a liner-less label printer includes a drive roller that is configured to peel liner-less labels from a reel and pass print stock comprising the labels to an in-line label printer at a consistent rate. An idler roller disposed in proximity to the drive roller creates a nip for pulling labels from the reel. Label stock is fed to one or more print heads while supported by a support plate comprising projections extending from a planar surface, contacting an adhesive side of the labels. The projections are aligned in rows substantially perpendicular to a travel direction of the moving print stock and in a plurality of columns substantially parallel to the travel direction of the moving print stock, with projections on alternate rows offset from projections on adjacent rows and projections on alternate columns offset from projections on adjacent columns.

Abstract: Described herein is a combination of mixed-signal hardware and software that is capable or realizing hybrid chaotic oscillators that can be tuned digitally. This includes the type/class of chaotic oscillator, initial conditions, nonlinear elements, thresholds, nonlinear event surfaces, delays, etc. At the same time, tunable methods of how to use the chaotic oscillator information to encrypt and decrypt both analog and digital information is presented. This will make the secure information not vulnerable by digital information compromises or hardware breach.

Abstract: Described herein is a combination of mixed-signal hardware and software that is capable or realizing hybrid chaotic oscillators that can be tuned digitally. This includes the type/class of chaotic oscillator, initial conditions, nonlinear elements, thresholds, nonlinear event surfaces, delays, etc. At the same time, tunable methods of how to use the chaotic oscillator information to encrypt and decrypt both analog and digital information is presented. This will make the secure information not vulnerable by digital information compromises or hardware breach.

Abstract: A mixed-signal system for performing Taylor series function approximations is disclosed. The mixed-signal system includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), multiple resistor-to-resistor (R2R) ladders, various digital registers, a digital processor and an analog integrator. The digital processor calculates coefficients F, Fx, Fy, Fxx, Fxy, Fyy of a Taylor series equation and calculates distance functions. The digital processor also includes a digital register for storing a magnitude scaling factor ?(x0,y0) of the Taylor series equation. The DAC control register uploads a lead term F(x0,y0) of the Taylor series equation from the digital processor to the DAC. The first-order digital registers controls resistances of the R2R ladders. The second-order digital registers uploads coefficients Fx, Fy, Fxx, Fxy, Fyy of the Taylor series equation from the digital processor to the DAC. The analog integrator adds outputs from the DAC and the R2R ladder to generate approximation results for the Taylor series equation.

Abstract: A mixed-signal system for performing Taylor series function approximations is disclosed. The mixed-signal system includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), multiple resistor-to-resistor (R2R) ladders, various digital registers, a digital processor and an analog integrator. The digital processor calculates coefficients F, Fx, Fy, Fxx, Fxy, Fyy of a Taylor series equation and calculates distance functions. The digital processor also includes a digital register for storing a magnitude scaling factor ?(x0,y0) of the Taylor series equation. The DAC control register uploads a lead term F(x0,y0) of the Taylor series equation from the digital processor to the DAC. The first-order digital registers controls resistances of the R2R ladders. The second-order digital registers uploads coefficients Fx, Fy, Fxx, Fxy, Fyy of the Taylor series equation from the digital processor to the DAC. The analog integrator adds outputs from the DAC and the R2R ladder to generate approximation results for the Taylor series equation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for diagnosing the state of a system. The system may be mechanical, chemical, electrical, medical, industrial, business operations, manufacturing related, and/or processing related, among others. The method may measure a signal from the system. Further, the method may compare the signal to an expected signal. The method may calculate a signal strength and/or a noise. The signal strength and noise may be functions of a frequency. Further, the signal strength and noise may be used to determine a channel capacity and/or a rate of information. A comparison of the rate of information and the channel capacity may yield information associated with the state of the system. The information may be used in diagnosing the state of the system. Further, the expected signal may be derived from a model. The model may be tuned to the measured signal. The model may have parameters that are associated with features and/or faults of the system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce wear on surfaces in sliding contact by inducing vibratory movement in one or more of the surfaces. The movement is substantially perpendicular to a plane of contact between the surfaces and substantially nonuniform across the area of contact. The nonuniform vibratory motion of one surface with respect to another results in small rotational vibration of one surface with respect to another even as contact is maintained between the surfaces. Rotational motions tend to decrease surface wear due to thermal mounding by moving the zone of actual contact with time; rotational motions also open temporary gaps between the surfaces which allow the escape of wear particles, thus decreasing subsequent abrasive wear. The invention may be applied to sliding electrical contacts, either linear or rotating, and to sliding frictional contacts, as in brakes and clutches.

Abstract: A treatment agent for use in the production of vermicular graphite cast iron is formed by compacting a mixture comprising particulate iron, magnesium, titanium and rare earth.

Abstract: Treatment agents are described for use in nodularizing cast iron in the production of ductile iron and also useful in deoxidizing steel and desulphurizing cast iron. The agents take the form of a compacted mixture comprising particulate iron, magnesium and calcium, and are distinguished by(a) a magnesium content of 5 to 15% by weight(b) a weight ratio of magnesium to calcium in the range of from 1:1 to 8:1(c) the iron having a purity of at least 95% by weight and a particle size of all less than 0.5 mm and(d) being compacted into a body of density at least 4.3 gm/cm.sup.3.The high density allows the agent to be used effectively by a simple overpour technique.