Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of insulinotropic peptides that are synthesized using a solid and solution phase (“hybrid”) approach. Generally, the approach includes synthesizing three different peptide intermediate fragments using solid phase chemistry. Solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to the third fragment which is then coupled to the second fragment and then the first fragment in solution. Alternatively, a different second fragment is coupled to the first fragment in the solid phase. Then, solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to a different third fragment. Subsequently, this different third fragment is coupled to the coupled first and different second fragment in the solution phase. The use of a pseudoproline in one of the fragments eases solid phase synthesis of that fragment and also eases subsequent solution phase coupling of this fragment to the other fragments.

Abstract: A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include initiating a transaction with the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving at least one price from the point-of-sale terminal, determining whether the at least one price satisfies a price warning condition, and transmitting a first audible signal if the at least one price satisfies the price warning condition.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a lighting circuit and a control circuit. The lighting circuit includes a first sub-circuit comprising one or more solid state lighting (SSL) devices and having a diode electrical characteristic, and a second sub-circuit comprising one or more SSL devices and having a diode electrical characteristic. The first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit are electrically connected in series with the cathode of the first sub-circuit and the anode of the second sub-circuit electrically connected at a first/second electrical connection. The control circuit includes an electrical drive voltage or current supply connected to drive the lighting circuit, and an adjustment current source connected with the first/second electrical connection to increase electrical current flowing in one of the first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit without adjusting electrical current flowing in the other of the first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for using biological material to discriminate an agent. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of providing at least one cell, exposing at least one cell to an agent, measuring the response of the cell to the agent in terms of a physical quantity related to at least one of the cellular physiological activities of the cell, and identifying the agent from the measured response. The method further includes the step of quantifying the agent from the measured response.

Abstract: An otoscopic instrument includes an instrument head attached to a handle and a speculum tip actuator mechanism for receiving, retaining and selectively ejecting an otoscopic speculum tip element. The tip actuator mechanism includes an actuator knob rotatably attached to the instrument head in which the instrument head includes annular securement slots sized for receiving external engagement features of a speculum tip element which are rotatably fitted into the slot(s). The actuator knob further includes a pin for displacing a secured speculum tip element from the securing slot upon rotation in a predetermined direction in order to eject the tip element.

Abstract: An electrode that includes a transparent substrate having a first and second surface; a conductive layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and an electrode layer disposed on the conductive layer, wherein the electrode layer includes doped tin oxide nanoparticles and an organic binder, and wherein the electrode layer is transparent. Also disclosed is a method of making such an electrode and electrochromic articles including such an electrode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sonication in connection with preparing a cellular sample containing DNA or RNA for performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or for other reasons where it is important to break down the cell walls and other cellular structures to release cellular contents including DNA. The same methods and apparatus may be used to release DNA or RNA from virus for PCR or other uses. A novel apparatus which is capable of releasing cellular contents or releasing the DNA or RNA of virus without the aid of beads or chemicals is described herein. The apparatus is designed to deliver high levels of sonic energy through optimizing the geometry the apparatus and optimizing the force created by a piezoelectric transducer. The apparatus is capable of processing samples which are contained within fluid in a short amount of time between 30 seconds and two and one half minutes. The apparatus is small and can be field deployable or used in a standard molecular biology laboratory.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or complex performance lead acid battery separators, such as improved flooded lead acid battery separators, batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred battery separator of the present invention addresses and optimizes multiple separator properties simultaneously. It is believed that the present invention is the first to recognize the need to address multiple separator properties simultaneously, the first to choose particular multiple separator property combinations, and the first to produce commercially viable multiple property battery separators, especially such a separator having negative cross ribs.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of an electromagnetic generator and a pressure bladder located within a biological body in such a position to take advantage of the pressure fluctuations found within that body to produce electrical power. The invention uses these pressure fluctuations to displace the moving parts of a generator, to produce electricity in accordance with the Faraday principal, to power implanted devices.

Abstract: A travel management system is configured to facilitate the resolution of issues related to transaction posted to a transaction account. The travel management system provides a communication portal that allows a transaction account owner to communicate efficiently with a transaction account provider and a travel service provider or other merchant to quickly resolve issue related to particular transactions. The system allows payment deadlines for transactions with associated issues to be suspended while the issues are resolved. Moreover, the system allows user and transaction account providers to evaluate the issue resolution performance of travel service providers and other merchants.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly includes a container and a closure. The container defines an opening and includes a lip positioned around the opening. The closure includes a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt, a first and second blocking structure, a tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs, a plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and a plurality of first rib extensions. The skirt defines an internal closure space and including (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the first skirt portion. The second skirt portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The first blocking structure is secured to the skirt. The tab extends downwardly from a second part of the first skirt portion and is positioned in the gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of moving heated pockets, and a plurality of mixers. Each heated pocket is capable of holding an egg product portion, and each mixer is capable of stirring an egg product portion held in a heated pocket to yield a stirred egg product portion. The apparatus can further include a plurality of groupers. Each grouper is capable of gathering stirred egg product portions held in a moving heated pocket. Methods for producing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale are also described.

Abstract: A light assembly for a hand-held medical diagnostic instrument. The light assembly includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a light source mounted to the top surface, and the bottom surface having first and second electrical terminals. The light assembly further includes a circuit board disposed inclined to the substrate, the circuit board having first and second electrical terminals, a first connector mounting and electrically connecting the first electrical terminal of the substrate to the first electrical terminal of the circuit board, a second connector mounting and electrically connecting the second electrical terminal of the substrate to the second electrical terminal of the circuit board, a heat sink, and a thermal conductor thermally connecting at least one of the first and second electrical terminals of the substrate to the heat sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple platform architecture data reporting system for managing attribute data. The system comprises: a system manager for collecting attribute data from multiple platforms and a user interface connected to the system manager for displaying the collected attribute data to a user. Also disclosed is a method for managing attribute data in a multiple platform architecture comprising the steps of polling at least two platforms for attribute data, collecting the attribute data from the at least two platforms in response to the step of polling, and then displaying the collected attribute data on a user display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore and is subjected to ionizing radiation that alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.

Abstract: A method for pairing elements of a first set of elements {x(i)} with elements from a second set of elements {y(j)} subject to a plurality of pairing restrictions. In accordance with one embodiment of the method, for each of a plurality of iterations of the method, or until a set of pairings is found that satisfies the plurality of pairing restrictions, a random set of pairings between elements of the second set of elements and elements of the second set of elements is selected. The set of mismatched pairings is identified and, if the number of pairings in the set of mismatched pairings is not greater than a maximum number, pairings in the set of mismatched pairings are interchanged. If the number of pairings in the set of mismatched pairings is greater than one, each mismatched pairing is swapped with another pairing if the resulting pairings satisfy the plurality of pairing restrictions.

Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light source including a lighting device, such as a solid state lighting device, which emits light, a phosphor material which converts at least a portion of the light emitted by the lighting device to light of a different wavelength. A controller adjusts a ratio of on time to off time of a current waveform supplied to the lighting device. This enables the color of light emitted by the light source to be controlled.