Abstract: A propeller shield apparatus for mounting to a trolling motor having an exposed propeller with a horizontal axis includes a vertical fin and an arcuate propeller shield. The arcuate propeller shield is oriented concave downward and fixed to the vertical fin. The vertical fin is carried by the trolling motor. The vertical fin spaces the propeller shield above the propeller. A curved bracket is provided, connected to the vertical fin, and is clamped to the trolling motor. Angular fins can be provided at opposite ends of the propeller shield which extend substantially radially from the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A hearing instrument includes a faceplate and a shell. The faceplate is a round plate that has a moat defined in the surface of the plate and at least one feature associated with the plate for joining with a hearing instrument component. The moat is a trench or channel that is defined in the surface of the faceplate and includes a wall structure for coupling with a shell of a hearing instrument. The moat may be defined symmetrically about the at least one feature. The moat may be oval in shape and have a rectangular cross-section. A cut out is positioned on the faceplate for use in speeding the excising of material from the faceplate once the shell has been coupled to the faceplate.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for renting or purchasing products, preferably digital media. The system comprises a self-check station and unique locking apparatus for the media. The method includes a procedure to both rent and return the media without the aid of borrowing facility personnel.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining library patrons' interests without having to identify the patron or otherwise invade his/her privacy based on the library patron's current use of library assets. The system and method involve categorizing the library's assets using broad mapping user interest categories, associating a user interest category with a specific library asset that is checked out, reserved or otherwise used by a library patron and providing that patron with a confirmation item containing that user interest category, providing the library patron with feedback about the library assets and the broad mapping user interest categories, allowing library patrons to access and register for a library rewards program using the user interest category number and having advertisers provide relevant information and rewards to library patrons who request such additional information.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for installing a positioning system, the positioning system comprising two or more base stations (BS1 to BS4), and comprises the steps of; collocating the base stations (BS1 to BS4); quantifying any lack of synchronisation between the clocks of the base stations; relocating one or more of the base stations (BS2? to BS4?) to their fixed, operational positions and measuring the time of flight of a signal from each of the relocated base stations; determining from the time of flight and quantified lack of synchronisation data the relative separation of the base stations (BS1, BS2? to BS4?) and hence the configuration of the installed positioning system, and recording the configuration of the installed positioning system.

Abstract: method of indicating the location of a relatively mobile object, comprising the steps of.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of polysaccharide-grafted polymer particles wherein the polysaccharide is preferably a ?-1,4 linked polysaccharide, comprising miniemulsion polymerisation.

Abstract: Testing the production of semiconductor elements on a substrate, the semiconductor elements having a plurality of cell types, by providing at least one test structure on the substrate with a number of test cells having cell types similar to one or more of the plurality of cell types, each of the cell types having at least a first and a second local interconnect layer structure to be connected to predetermined supply voltages during use, a plurality of first and second polysilicon layer structures to provide control voltages to first and second electronic component structures, respectively, connecting in the test structure all of the plurality of first polysilicon layer structures to one another to provide an interconnected first polysilicon layer structure, and connecting in the test structure all of the plurality of second polysilicon layer structures to one another to provide an interconnected second polysilicon layer structure, providing predetermined test voltages and measuring currents resulting from the

Abstract: A primary station (10) for use in a communication system is described, the system operating according to a predetermined protocol. The primary station is capable of managing a plurality of piconets having secondary stations (12a, b, c) which communicate with the primary station on individual logical radio channels. In particular, the capacity available on the channels is monitored (20,25) and the channels in use controlled thereby enabling the secondary stations to communicate even in periods of heavy use. The primary station is suitable for application as a wireless access point in public spaces (airports, train stations) and in business or home scenarios where robust low power multiple radio networks are required.

Abstract: A system and method for renting or purchasing products, preferably digital media. The system comprises a self-check station and unique locking apparatus for the media. The method includes a procedure to both rent and return the media without the aid of borrowing facility personnel.

Abstract: A method and system for anonymously and opportunistically tracking the location of a portable device in a wireless infrastructure is described. The system comprises an installed infrastructure (12) in for example a shopping mall, the infrastructure having short range radio stations (14a,14b) primarily installed as wireless information access points. Standard communication between a users device (10a) and a station (14a) is according to a short range radio protocol such as ZigBee in which devices are assigned unique identifiers. In an exchange, the identifier is correlated with location, time and date data and uploaded via a backchannel connection (16) to a database (20) which a user may connect with at a later time. The user, knowing his objects identifier, can therefore access the data to determine where his object last interacted with a station.

Abstract: An interactive system which makes use of interactive electronic tags (ID) includes a tag reader (24) and a processing terminal (32). Profile information stored on an interactive tag (ID) can be altered using profile data, which may be promotional data, carried by another tag (PRINF) in accordance with operating instructions, for example cut, copy, paste, delete and so on, carried by a further tag (ACT), when said interactive, another and further tags are read in conjunction by the tag reader (24).

Abstract: A portable colour sampling device (10) facilitates comparison of a colour sampled from an object using an optical sensor (11) with a database (30,42,43,44) of stored colours. The database (30,42,43,44) of stored colours includes a merchandise database of articles for sale, and an indication of the location of those articles, including an indication of some or all of retailer identity, store location, in-store location, article description or product ID, class of article and the like. A user points the colour sampling device at an article to be sampled, and a colour definition data file is generated for transmission to a database of articles. The database returns to the sampling device a list of merchandise that matches the sampled colour or colours and any other matching criteria such as class of article, product code, and geographic proximity.

Abstract: A method of generating a secure transaction log recording transaction data established between a first 10 and a second 20 data processing device. The transaction log includes transaction data derived from the first device that is digitally signed by the second device, and then digitally re-signed by the first device, with copies being stored locally to both devices. Any interference with the data by either device, or during transfer of data between them is evident to both devices. The transaction data may include data received and signed by an independent third party as a trusted third party.