Abstract: Power efficient phased array antenna systems including a multilayered phased array antenna system using row-column phased array architecture and even a multi-unit cell chip which can be associated with several antennas in a phased array antenna system. Unit chips may include but are not limited to multipliers, mixers, amplifiers, local oscillator, radiator, or the like.

Abstract: A kiln for drying and processing lumber packages is provided. The kiln generally includes at least one end chamber, a drying chamber adjacent to the end chamber, a first lumber conveying line configured to transport the lumber packages in a first direction through the end chamber and the drying chamber, and a second lumber conveying line configured to transport the lumber packages in a second direction through the end chamber and the drying chamber. The conveying lines may be countercurrent or uniflow. The kiln may further include a heat distributor in the end chamber to distribute heat into the end chamber in addition to heat from the drying chamber along the first and second lumber conveying lines. The heat distributor may include a distribution duct receiving heat from a drying chamber distribution duct or a heater inlet duct, a heat exchanger, a radiative heating element, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A connector assembly for an electrical connection, the connector assembly includes a plug and a socket. The plug includes a connector and a frame. The connector has a solid core conductor, the solid core conductor has an end portion. The frame surrounds the solid core conductor except for the end portion. The end portion is deformed to overlap the frame. The socket includes a socket conductor and a receiving portion into which the plug engages. The end portion directly contacts the socket conductor to form an electrical contact and causes the frame to deflect and provide a bias to force the end portion and the socket conductor into direct contact with one another.

Abstract: A valuable media handling device is presented having two security processors. A top box for an escrow module of the valuable media handling device includes a master security processor. The master security processor is connected to a slave security processed located within a safe of the valuable media handling device via an internal bus connection. The master security processor controls and validates operations and modules of the valuable media handling device and the slave security processor controls and validates operations that access the safe for depositing or dispensing valuable media from the safe.

Abstract: A deployable antenna structure is provided that, in one embodiment, implements an offset feed, cylindrical parabolic antenna. The antenna structure employs a semi-rigid panel that can transition from a stowed state characterized by the retention of substantial strain energy to a deployed state characterized by less strain energy than in the stowed state but more than if the panel were in a strain-free state and a portion of the panel having a shape that closely conforms to a cylindrical parabolic shape.

Abstract: Provided is a collective group of hotel rooms comprised of individual rooms, each with distinctly compact layouts, able to be selectively configured and serially linked by a customer at booking so as to uniquely and efficiently satisfy the specific needs of customers traveling in groups of any size. Affording customers the flexibility to selectively link the type and number of rooms at booking effectively eliminates the inefficiencies associated with large groups or travelers with unique spatial needs seeking accommodation in a hotel. Various embodiments are directed to a hospitality systems and methods for receiving a reservation request associated with a collective group of linked hotel rooms and accommodate the reservation request by booking a linked room combination associated therewith.

Abstract: A valuable media handling device is presented having two security processors. A top box for an escrow module of the valuable media handling device includes a master security processor. The master security processor is connected to a slave security processed located within a safe of the valuable media handling device via an internal bus connection. The master security processor controls and validates operations and modules of the valuable media handling device and the slave security processor controls and validates operations that access the safe for depositing or dispensing valuable media from the safe.

Abstract: An automated teller machine can use an array of pressure sensors, such as piezo-resistive sensors, to detect the presence of foreign objects, such as staples, paper clips, or rubber bands, in a stack of banknotes. A user can insert a stack of banknotes into an automated teller machine. A pair of opposing clamping surfaces can apply pressure to the stack of banknotes. An array of pressure sensors can sense non-uniformities in pressure over the area of the array. If circuitry coupled to the pressures sensors senses a presence of a high pressure area in the surface area of the banknotes, then the circuitry can generate a signal indicating that one or more foreign objects has been detected. The automated teller machine can then prompt the user to remove the stack of banknotes and remove the foreign object from the stack of banknotes.

Abstract: A cooling method and system, the system comprising a magnetic bearing centrifugal refrigeration compressor that uses liquid refrigerant from the condenser to supply cooling to its motor assembly; and a refrigerant pump installed in a motor cooling refrigerant supply line of the condenser; the refrigerant pump extending a low lift operating range of the compressor by allowing a controlled amount of liquid refrigerant to be pumped from the condenser.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of administering hydrogen sulfide (H2S) slowly and sustainably to an individual in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of administering hydrogen sulfide (H2S) slowly and sustainably to an individual in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of administering hydrogen sulfide (H2S) slowly and sustainably to an individual in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of administering hydrogen sulfide (H2S) slowly and sustainably to an individual in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A smoking machine is disclosed for the automatic smoking of a smoking article. The smoking machine (10) includes a flexible seal (30) for occluding holes (40) in the smoking article (28) while the smoking article is smoked. This can allow “intensive” smoking tests to be carried out by occluding filter holes (40) in the smoking article.

Abstract: A method of procuring goods and/or services using a merchant server coupled to a computer network is disclosed. The network (100) comprises at least one smart card (120) having a memory device (122) programmed with access information corresponding to and associated with one more icons (124) formed on a surface of the smart card (120). The smart card (120) is locatable with a reader device (160) coupled to the network (100) to permit a reading of the memory device (122) to associate the access information with one of the icons (124) selected by a user depressing a touch panel (162) of the reader (160) device overlying the icons (124). The method transmits the access information from the reader (160) to the merchant server (200) in response to selection of the one icon (124). The method utilises the merchant server (200) to provide the goods and/or services for retrieval by the user according to the access information.

Abstract: A user programmable smart card interface system is disclosed having a smart card (10) and a reader/writer (1) which is able to read data from, and write data into, an electronic memory (19) carried by the card. A user terminal (100) having processing capacity can be used by a user to write customised data into the electronic memory (19). The user is then able to utilise his own data to control a data controlled equipment (120) as the user desires. A storage apparatus (1000) for smart cards and smart cards (501) with a tactile operating surface arc also disclosed.

Abstract: The method provides services using a smart card 10 (100 or 200). The services are provided by a third party other than the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) of the smart card. The method comprises the following steps. The method generates 1506 a plurality of data, where each of the data comprises information for activating a service associated with an electrical apparatus. The method also generates 1505 an indicium associated with each data. The method then programmes 1518 a smart card by loading the plurality of data into a memory of the smart card and applying each indicium 1516 to a surface of the smart card. The method also comprises loading the smart card into a smart card reader 1604 and selecting 1608 any one of the indicia. The method then activates the service by communicating 1614 the selected data to the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A virtual image album system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12) having a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (24) formed on the substrate, the indicia (24) being representative of image data, and function data stored within the memory device (19) and associated with the indicia (24); and a reader (1) for the card (10), the reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay said card (10) and through which the indicia (24) are visible, the reader (1) being adapted to output the specific function data associated with a user selected one of said indicia (24), thereby to reference the specific image data.

Abstract: A customizable user interface system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12), a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (70, 72) formed on said substrate (12) and user interpretable to relate to functions stored within said memory (19); and a reader device (1) for said card (10), the reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive device (8) arranged to overlay said card (10), and through which said indicia (70, 72) are visible, characterized in that said touch sensitive device (8) comprises a membrane via which said indicia (70, 72), arbitrarily arranged on said substrate (12), may be selected.

Abstract: A method of procuring goods and/or services using a merchant server coupled to a computer network is disclosed. The network (100) comprises at least one smart card (120) having a memory device (122) programmed with access information corresponding to and associated with one more icons (124) formed on a surface of the smart card (120). The smart card (120) is locatable with a reader device (160) coupled to the network (100) to permit a reading of the memory device (122) to associate the access information with one of the icons (124) selected by a user depressing a touch panel (162) of the reader (160) device overlying the icons (124). The method transmits the access information from the reader (160) to the merchant server (200) in response to selection of the one icon (124). The method utilises the merchant server (200) to provide the goods and/or services for retrieval by the user according to the access information.