Abstract: A camera module for a portable electronic device includes an actuator assembly with at least one coil segment. The coil segment includes a dielectric substrate with two surfaces. Over each surface is formed a trace that follows a path defining a multi-turn coil. The coils of each side of the dielectric are conductively coupled together to define a single inductor/coil. The two-layer coil segment can be encapsulated as a component suitable for pick-and-place and/or SMT manufacturing. In many constructions, the actuator assembly includes a stack of coil segments, coupled together in series or parallel.

Abstract: Drones are engineered with sensors for use in insurance applications. After locating an object of interest, a drone performs an investigation by probing the object of interest. Sensors receive feedback from the object of interest. An electronic fingerprint of the drone is produced. Afterward, perils are computed based on the feedback and the fingerprint of the drone is used in insuring the object of interest. The act of probing includes thumping, drumming, or radiating ultrasound waves against the object of interest. The sensors can be turned off when they are within a geographic zone of prohibited operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an arched metallic profile, in a continuous in-line process. The method comprises forming the metallic profile; and arching the formed metallic profile in a continuous in-line process. The apparatus includes a roll forming station configured to receive flat metallic composition and output a given profile. An arching device is configured to receive the metallic profile and bend the metallic profile having a desired radius of curvature wherein a portion of the arching device is displaced with respect to said roll forming station vertically and/or horizontally.

Abstract: An aerosol nozzle adaptor (10) for a nozzle head (11), the adaptor (10) comprising a mounting attachment (13) capable of maintaining a supporting engagement with an aerosol container (12) and a tube (14) having an internal passage and first (15) and second (16) tube ends, said first tube end (15) being adapted to engage the nozzle head (11) so as to provide a continuous fluid passage therewith and said second tube end (16) being adapted to direct the fluid upon the expulsion therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for motivating students in mathematics education, computer technology education and information encoding. The apparatus consists of a container holding multi-state sources and a reading device, if necessary, that can determine the state of the sources in the container when it is closed. Students determine the states of the sources and use a predetermined algorithm to determine the information or data represented in the container. The apparatus and method can be presented to an audience as a magic trick.

Abstract: An optical stack includes an intrinsic polarizer, such as a K-type or thin KE polarizer sheet. Optically functional coatings are disposed on one or both of the surfaces of the intrinsic polarizer. The optically functional coatings include a hardcoat, a transflector coating, a reflector coating, an antireflection film, a liquid crystal polymer retarder coating, a diffusion coating, an antiglare film, a wide view film, and an electrode. An optical stack including an intrinsic polarizer and an optically functional coating may have a thickness of less than 25 microns.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and algorithm for the economical, intuitive rotational control of a three dimensional object displayed on a computer monitor. The computer input device consists of a tracked ball, with a directed source emanating from it, that is housed in an enclosure which allows for the free rotation of the ball. The ball sits on a bearing within a base equipped with an array of sensors. Activated sensors are grouped in such a way that the positions of the detected sources can be determined. A 3×3 orientation matrix is then computed to allow applications programs to present a graphical object in the same orientation as the orientation that the user has given to the ball in the input device.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and algorithm for the economical, intuitive rotational control of a three dimensional object displayed on a computer monitor. The computer input device consists of a tracked ball, with a directed source emanating from it, that is housed in an enclosure which allows for the free rotation of the ball. The ball sits on a bearing within a base equipped with an array of sensors. Activated sensors are grouped in such a way that the positions of the detected sources can be determined. A 3×3 orientation matrix is then computed to allow applications programs to present a graphical object in the same orientation as the orientation that the user has given to the ball in the input device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for retail display of a cassette in a box and for storage of a cassette at home or in an automobile using a flat plastic holder having a window and four protrusions into the window. These protrusions fit into holes in the box. A pair of protrusions on one side, which are longer than on the other side, are inserted into matching holes in the box. As the other side is then moved into the window, the other (shorter) pair of protrusions snap into the remaining holes in the box. The holder has an extension at one end with a hole for receiving a rod of a display rack. For storage, the holder slides into slots on the inside of a case. The extension then seves as a tab for lifting the holder out of the case.