Abstract: A vehicle operator condition monitoring system is provided. In one embodiment, the vehicle condition monitoring system includes a physical condition monitoring unit such as a camera, a data processing system, a navigation system, and a communication system. The physical condition monitoring unit is mounted in a vehicle to monitor at least one physical trait of a vehicle operator. The data processing system is coupled to the physical condition monitoring unit to compare data acquired by the physical condition monitoring unit with rules indicating types of action to be taken. The navigation system is functionally coupled to the data processing system allowing the data processing system to determine the location of the vehicle and the communications system is functionally coupled to the data processing system to allow the data processing system to contact an appropriate entity should the physical condition of the vehicle operator warrant such contact.

Abstract: In a real time food production management system and method, real time data about consumers inside or in the vicinity of a food outlet and an amount of prepared food available to serve and/or an amount of food being prepared is electronically generated. Based on the real time data, a demand for an amount of food to be ordered by the consumers in a specified interval immediately succeeding the generation of the real time data is electronically predicted. In addition, at least one of the following is electronically determined based on the real time data: a predicted amount of additional food requiring preparation; the time at least one prepared food product has been available; a length of time that a cooked food component has been cooked; and an amount of a food component, a condiment and/or a topping resides in a food product assembly buffer.

Abstract: A real-time buffer manager system that calculates optimal food buffer levels, for both completed products and product components, based on real-time counts of restaurant patrons throughout a restaurant's property and the estimated time for them to arrive at a food ordering station. The real-time buffer manager employs a computer vision system, running a series of 2D image processing techniques that detect and track vehicles and people in several camera views. Patron counts are fed from the computer vision system into a queuing model that estimates when each patron will arrive at an ordering station. Thus, instead of analyzing historical sales data, the buffer manager according to the present invention electronically performs direct measurement of probable future demand, and electronically predicts, in real-time, what the future food product demand will be in a predetermined time (e.g., 3-5 minutes) immediately following the direct measurement of the demand.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a camera for use with a power supply is provided. The camera has a voltage detecting circuit adapted to detect a voltage level at the power source and to generate a voltage level signal. An image capture system is also provided and performs a set of image capture operations. A controller receives the voltage level signal and prevents the image capture system from capturing an image when the voltage level signal indicates that there is insufficient power available in the power supply to perform all of operation in the set of image capture operations.

Abstract: Managing performance data includes receiving a record of an agreement between a first party and a second party, where the second party is either a supplier or an alliance partner. Performance data describing the second party is retrieved. An evaluation of the second party evaluated with respect to the agreement and the performance data is received. The record of the agreement, the performance data, and the evaluation of the second party are reported.

Abstract: A bottomless battery container for transporting and storing batteries is constructed of side panels and end panels. Each side panel is provided with an integral cushion assembly defining cutouts for battery terminals and battery filling caps. Each cushion assembly has a plurality of parallel score lines allowing it to be folded into a rectangular form having a top section, and end section and a bottom section with cutouts on the bottom section and an end section being adapted to receive battery filler caps and battery terminal posts. A glue panel extending from the bottom section is fastened to the interior upper portion of the side panel. When the container is assembled the outer walls of the end section of each cushion assembly abut each other with the dimension of the width of the cushion assembly being about one half the width of each end panel.

Abstract: A bottomless battery container for transporting and storing batteries is constructed of side panels and end panels. Each side panel is provided with an integral cushion assembly defining cutouts for battery terminals and battery filling caps. Each cushion assembly has a plurality of parallel score lines allowing it to be folded into a rectangular form having a top section, and end section and a bottom section with cutouts on the bottom section and an end section being adapted to receive battery filler caps and battery terminal posts. A glue panel extending from the bottom section is fastened to the interior upper portion of the side panel. When the container is assembled the outer walls of the end section of each cushion assembly abut each other with the dimension of the width of the cushion assembly being about one half the width of each end panel.

Abstract: A multi-station screen printer is provided with components which simplify maintenance, reduce repair and increase ease of use. The printer includes at least one printing head which defines a printing station, a screen holding device positioned thereunder for holding a screen, and at least one arm for carrying substrates positionable below the screen holding device. A flood bar and squeegee carriage is slideably mounted to the printing head and is shiftable by a telescoping cable which shifts the carriage between a print position wherein the squeegee is lowered to the screen and a non-print position wherein a flood bar is lowered near the screen. The arm for carrying platens is provided with a ball and socket system of registration which reliably positions the arm at each station and releases the arm therefrom after printing on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for isolating segments of a horizontal wellbore drilled through an unconsolidated formation and treating the well to control rates of fluid flow into selected segments of the wellbore. The methods include screen segments separated by blank pipe segments to provide isolation outside the tubulars upon collapse of the surrounding formation around the blank pipe segments.

Abstract: A toning method and member for electrostatography wherein a recording member containing information on its image bearing surface in the form of electrostatic latent images of one polarity is toned by attracting to such latent images toner material of opposite polarity including providing a carrier or toning member according to the invention containing on at least one surface thereof a dry pre-toner coating; activating such pre-toner coating with an insulative solvent to thereby solvate and confer opposite polarity to such pre-toner coating contained thereon while rendering such pre-toner coating releasable from the carrier member; establishing virtual contact between the activated and releasable pre-toner coating on the carrier member and the image bearing surface of the recording member; transferring the pre-toner coating in image configuration onto the recording member by attraction to the latent images to form toner deposits thereon; and separating the carrier member from the recording member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying liquid toner to fractional areas of a photoconductive recording member in processes involving microimagery. The method includes the steps of providing a photoconductor disposed over a conductive substrate having at least one fractional area thereon that is to be toned, providing a carrier member having a conductive layer, electrostatically depositing liquid toner on the carrier member to form thereon a toner pre-deposit of desired density in an area corresponding to the fractional area to be toned on the photoconductor, contacting the toner pre-deposit on the carrier member with the fractional area on the photoconductor, and toning the fractional area on the photoconductor by transferring toner thereto from the toner pre-deposit so that the quantity of liquid transferred to the photoconductor is minimal and can be rapidly removed therefrom without affecting the toner pre-deposit on the photoconductor.

Abstract: In accordance with a first arrangement, a non-coherent, pulse radar transmitter emits N-sequential signals of differing frequencies at predetermined time intervals, the transmitted pulses being directed toward a given target area of interest. Further included is a radar receiver for detecting and processing the composite radar return signal samples of N differing frequencies which are reflected from a plurality of point scatterers located in the area of interest. The varying D.C. interference signal of the plural radar return signal samples occasioned by the differing frequencies are detected and a one-dimensional Fourier transformer is performed on that composite radar return signal samples to facilitate target identification. A programmed processor is used to dervie a plurality of feature characteristics from the Fourier transform of the detected radar return signals and the features so computed are compared with features characteristic of known potential targets on a best-match basis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a quickly assembled prefabricated metal concrete pouring form for slabs and the like that remains in place as an integral part of the finished structure. The basic elements of the structure are exterior wall sections with each containing a series of vertically-aligned pairs of slots arranged in parallel horizontal rows throughout the length thereof and which can be telescoped into overlapping relation to place selected pairs of these slots in registry with one another to receive the hook-forming elements of one or more types of connectors that lock the sections together in freestanding assembled condition. Two of these connectors, namely, a ground stake and a detachable endpiece of a spreader subassembly both include a vertically-spaced pair of downturned hook-forming elements to effect the locking action while the corner sections employ horizontally-spaced pairs of horizontally-disposed tongues for this same purpose.

Abstract: A method for reducing fluid flow from and to a subterranean zone contiguous to a hydrocarbon producing formation which includes the steps of initially extending a common fracture horizontally into the zone and into the formation to locate a portion of the fracture in each of the zone and the formation, then introducing a porous bed of solid particles into that portion of the fracture located in the zone. A removable diverting material, such as a gel, is then introduced into the portion of the fracture located in the formation and adjacent the locus of the bed of solid particles to block the portion of the fracture occupied by the diverting material to a selected fluid sealing material. The selected sealing material is then introduced to the interstices of the particles in the porous bed, and is set to a fluid-impermeable seal to impede fluid flow to and from said zone. The diverting material is then removed to facilitate hydrocarbon production from the formation.