Abstract: A method and system for tracking each item in a cluster of items. Each item has an associated item ID. The method and system involve the following steps. Storing a plurality of item records. The plurality of item records includes, for each item in the cluster of items, an associated item record for storing the associated item ID for the item. Each item record in the plurality of records is then linked to the other item records in the plurality of item records. Using the associated item record for each item in the threshold number of items, and the link between each item record and the other item records, the item records for the associated item ID of each item in the cluster that are not in the threshold number of items are determined.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking each item in a cluster of items. Each item has an associated item ID. The method and system involve the following steps. Storing a plurality of item records. The plurality of item records includes, for each item in the cluster of items, an associated item record for storing the associated item ID for the item. Each item record in the plurality of records is then linked to the other item records in the plurality of item records. Using the associated item record for each item in the threshold number of items, and the link between each item record and the other item records, the item records for the associated item ID of each item in the cluster that are not in the threshold number of items are determined.

Abstract: A reader for a radio frequency identification system capable of simultaneously reading tags operating a multiple frequencies. The reader includes a radio frequency module for each operating frequency of the tags. The radio frequency modules are coupled to a bus which is connected to an interrogator control module. Each of the radio frequency modules receives the return signal from the tags at the associated operating frequency and converts the return signal into a pulse sequence. The interrogator control module locks to and decodes the pulse sequence according to the protocol associated with the tag type.

Abstract: A reader for a radio frequency identification system capable of simultaneously reading tags operating a multiple frequencies. The reader includes a radio frequency module for each operating frequency of the tags. The radio frequency modules are coupled to a bus which is connected to an interrogator control module. Each of the radio frequency modules receives the return signal from the tags at the associated operating frequency and converts the return signal into a pulse sequence. The interrogator control module locks to and decodes the pulse sequence according to the protocol associated with the tag type.

Abstract: A reader for a radio frequency identification system capable of simultaneously reading tags operating a multiple frequencies. The reader includes a radio frequency module for each operating frequency of the tags. The radio frequency modules are coupled to a bus which is connected to an interrogator control module. Each of the radio frequency modules receives the return signal from the. tags at the associated operating frequency and converts the return signal into a pulse sequence. The interrogator control module locks to and decodes the pulse sequence according to the protocol associated with the tag type.

Abstract: A reader for a radio frequency identification system capable of simultaneously reading tags operating a multiple frequencies. The reader includes a radio frequency module for each operating frequency of the tags. The radio frequency modules are coupled to a bus which is connected to an interrogator control module. Each of the radio frequency modules receives the return signal from the tags at the associated operating frequency and converts the return signal into a pulse sequence. The interrogator control module locks to and decodes the pulse sequence according to the protocol associated with the tag type.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking each item in a cluster of items. Each item has an associated item ID. The method and system involve the following steps. Storing a plurality of item records. The plurality of item records includes, for each item in the cluster of items, an associated item record for storing the associated item ID for the item. Each item record in the plurality of records is then linked to the other item records in the plurality of item records. Using the associated item record for each item in the threshold number of items, and the link between each item record and the other item records, the item records for the associated item ID of each item in the cluster that are not in the threshold number of items are determined.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking each item in a cluster of items. Each item has an associated item ID. The method and system involve the following steps. Storing a plurality of item records. The plurality of item records includes, for each item in the cluster of items, an associated item record for storing the associated item ID for the item. Each item record in the plurality of records is then linked to the other item records in the plurality of item records. Using the associated item record for each item in the threshold number of items, and the link between each item record and the other item records, the item records for the associated item ID of each item in the cluster that are not in the threshold number of items are determined.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of evaluating and installing a wireless system, and is suited for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. The apparatus determines the suitability of a particular site for use with specific RFID tag types. The apparatus comprises a tag evaluation module having a drobe, a wireless transmitter, and a processor. The probe is coupled to a tag under evaluation and information, such as tag power and data, is collected and stored by the processor. The information may be processed into logs which are transmitted to a computer for further processing. The tag evaluation apparatus may be utilized as a site survey tool before installation of a RFID system, or after installation as a diagnostic or performance optimizing tool.

Abstract: A method for providing information regarding a vehicle that follows a route and stops at a stop along the route. The method includes the following steps: (1) Generating a signal including identification information for the vehicle, (2) Transmitting the signal from a transmitter sub-system on this vehicle, (3) Receiving the signal at a receiver sub-system near the stop on the route; and (4) Processing the signal at the receiver sub-system to identify the vehicle and to estimate a time period to arrive at the stop.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating ozone from an oxygen supply. The apparatus comprises electrodes mounted in an enclosure and a high voltage circuit coupled to the electrodes for generating an electric field. The high voltage circuit receives AC power and includes a control circuit for producing a linearly controlled high voltage output from the AC feed for energizing the electrodes. The apparatus also includes an in-line sensor for determining the level of ozone being produced without affecting the ozone concentration. The high voltage circuit is also suitable for other applications where a precisely controlled high voltage output signal is needed.

Abstract: A soleplate for a steam iron includes steam openings spaced a predetermined minimum distance from its perimeter to avoid lost steam from escaping. In a preferred embodiment, the steam openings include at least one longitudinal slot centrally aligned between lateral edges of the soleplate surface. The maximum width of the slot is limited so as to avoid permitting an edge of fabric from entering. The slotted shape of the steam opening reduces lint cutting and helps avoid stain spots. Other shapes of steam openings are disclosed.

Abstract: An automatically controlled recirculating high velocity hot air sterilization device includes a housing having a sterilization chamber with a temperature sensor mounted therein, a hot air plenum including a blower in fluid communication with a heating element and sterilization chamber for inputting hor air into and receiving hot air from the sterilization chamber for recirculation, and a control chamber having a temperature sensing circuit connected to the temperature circuit for producing electrical inputs representative of the sterilization chamber temperature, power circuits connected to the heating element and blower, a controller connected to the temperature sensing circuit for monitoring the temperature, and to the heating element and blower circuits for controlling their operation, and a control panel including cycle selection switches for operation, an on/off switch, and temperature and timer/error displays.

Abstract: A data transmission network includes a number of access controllers connected to a central hub. The hub includes an arbitrator to select only one access controller for data transmission. Upon selection of one controller all other controllers are disabled to prevent collision of data packets. An interlock prevents enablement of a disabled controller until the data packet received by the transmitter has terminated to prevent transmission of part of a data packet. Synchronization between the data and a master clock is obtained by an initial coarse synchronization and a subsequent fine synchronization. The coarse synchronization is obtained by generation of a number of identical signals with a time delay between each signal. A clock pulse latches to one of the signal paths to provide the initial coarse synchronization.

Abstract: In a steam iron having a connected handle with a steam control thereon, a fill opening to an interior water tank, a ported soleplate having a steam generating boiler with a coverplate thereover forming steam distribution passages and with a water sight gauge connected to the tank, an improvement is provided in the gauge of an opening in the top of the tank within the confines of the handle and disposed in the opening is a closed top vertically directed tube extending through the opening so that it extends both into the tank and into the handle and is sealed to the tank preventing leakage. An aperture is provided through the tube inside the tank in the upper portion thereof for venting the tube inside the tank and a window is provided in the handle and is sized to extend along part of the tube and including the top. Float structure is disposed in the tube with the float being covered by the window when the tank is empty.

Abstract: In a steam iron with the water tank above an electrically heated soleplate with steam apertures, a primary steam generator is disposed in the soleplate and fed from the tank by a metering water valve for steam generation. A cover plate over the soleplate forms distributing passages connecting the primary generator with the apertures and a separate surge generator is provided and fed by a surge valve for intermittent steam generation. A duct connects the surge generator in upstream flow series relation so surge steam flows through the duct into the primary generator and then through the distributing passages to the apertures for a surge of steam. To this general arrangement, an improvement is provided comprising a converging nozzle means forming the exit from the duct and discharging centrally of the primary generator whereby the nozzle increases the surge steam velocity into the primary generator to scrub the generator before entering the distribution passages to the soleplate apertures.

Abstract: A steam iron having an interior water tank and steam generating soleplate with a loop-shaped heating element therein and steam ports in the soleplate. An improvement in steam generating capacity is provided of a main generator inside the loop fed by a metering water valve and directly connected to first distributing passage means supplying steam to the ports. A separate soleplate generator is supplied separately from the main generator on the outside of the loop and a second circuitous separate passage means extends generally parallel to and over the heating element with the separate passage means being completely separate from the distributing passage and later connecting to it.