Abstract: A battery-free wireless network is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to a wireless router, switch or other network device, the timer/clock circuitry, and a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the timer/clock circuitry remain powered at all times, the timer/clock circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the network device such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the network device, there will still be sufficient power stored in the capacitive network to maintain the timer/clock circuitry.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing mounted to a wall and defining an interior space for receiving toweling comprising a roll of towels, the interior space comprising a curved surface configured to receive the roll of towels in floating engagement therewith such that the roll of towels rolls and slides on the curved surface during unwinding of the roll of towels. The towel dispenser further includes a loading door configured to rotate relative to the main body, when the main body is mounted to a wall, between a closed position in which the loading door extends over a top of and closes off the interior space of the main body in which toweling is received, and an open position, in which the housing is configured to receive toweling therein without obstruction by the loading door, with the loading door extending upwardly above and over a top of the housing.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for textual analysis by generating models of the progression of writing and writing abilities are provided. A set of examinee-generated responses for one or more test items may be identified based upon at least one index. One or more data-based profiles may be assembled from the identified set of examinee-generated responses. Writing characteristics may be quantified from the assembled one or more data-based profiles based on the at least one index.

Abstract: A battery-free security system is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to a load, the timer/clock circuitry, and a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the timer/clock circuitry remain powered at all times, the timer/clock circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the load such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the load, there will still be sufficient power stored in the capacitive network to maintain the timer/clock circuitry.

Abstract: A battery-free wireless network is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to a wireless router, switch or other network device, the timer/clock circuitry, and a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the timer/clock circuitry remain powered at all times, the timer/clock circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the network device such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the network device, there will still be sufficient power stored in the capacitive network to maintain the timer/clock circuitry.

Abstract: A battery-free device is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to the device, a remote monitoring or controlling function, and, optionally, a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the monitoring or controlling function remain powered at all times, the control circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the other features of the device such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the other features, there will still be sufficient power stored in capacitive network to maintain the monitoring or controlling function.

Abstract: A method for tuning resonant spring assembly systems used in appliances such as power toothbrushes, particularly leaf spring systems, includes the step of measuring the frequency-dependent amplitude of the appliance workpiece, and then removing a portion of the spring member so as to decrease its spring rate sufficiently that the resonant frequency of the spring member closely approximates the drive frequency of the appliance.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature a within an interior volume of a cargo trailer adapted to transport perishable goods is described herein. The system includes a fluid distribution assembly and a monitoring system operatively coupled to the fluid distribution assembly for selectively channeling a flow of cryogenic cooling fluid into the cargo trailer interior volume to facilitate adjusting a temperature within the interior volume. The monitoring system includes at least one sensor for sensing an environmental parameter of the cargo trailer, and a controller coupled to the sensor and to the fluid distribution assembly. The controller is configured to receive a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed environmental parameter, determine an environmental condition of the cargo trailer as a function of the environmental parameter, and provide a notification signal if the determined environmental condition is different than a predefined environmental condition.

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A battery-free wireless network is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to a wireless router, switch or other network device, the timer/clock circuitry, and a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the timer/clock circuitry remain powered at all times, the timer/clock circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the network device such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the network device, there will still be sufficient power stored in the capacitive network to maintain the timer/clock circuitry.

Abstract: A battery-free device is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to the device, a remote monitoring or controlling function, and, optionally, a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the monitoring or controlling function remain powered at all times, the control circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the other features of the device such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the other features, there will still be sufficient power stored in capacitive network to maintain the monitoring or controlling function.