Abstract: A method for locally applying solder to a set of preselected conductor areas on a printed circuit board without causing thermal damage to adjacent sensitive surface mounted devices and connectors. Before solder is applied, molten solder within a solder reservoir is pumped upwardly through a set of solder wave nozzles so as to clean and preheat the nozzles. The preselected conductor areas on the board are then aligned with the nozzles. At this time, the board is maintained at a height slightly above the nozzles to the extent that the molten solder is prevented from escaping from between the board and the nozzles. A relatively low wave of solder Is produced through the nozzles to cause the low wave of solder to contact and preheat the preselected conductor areas on the board. A relatively high wave of solder is then produced through the nozzles to locally solder the preselected conductor areas on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A metalworking support system has an elongate c-channel support member and a magnet in the channel acting as anchoring device for attaching the support member to a weldable element, such as an automobile body. A pry tool inserts into an orifice in the support member and is used as a lever for removing the support member from the weldable element. The support system provides support to the weldable element and acts as a heat sink to reduce warping from the welding or other operations.

Abstract: Process for welding duplex steel in the presence of a shielding gas without use being made of welding aids and with nitrogen being added to the shielding gas and with an austenitic-ferritic duplex steel with a chromium content of between 28 and 35 wt. % and a nickel content of between 3 and 10 wt. % being used.

Abstract: The present invention is a disassembly apparatus and method for disassembling a workpiece having at least two layers joined together by welding or other bonding processes at bonding points. The method includes the steps of securing the workpiece into a fixture to prevent movement of one of the layers. The apparatus includes a sonotrode and a holding device. The method further includes moving the sonotrode to contact the workpiece to apply a predetermined amount of contact pressure to the workpiece. The sonotrode in contact with the layer on a side opposite the anvil is then vibrated at a predetermined frequency until the layers become disassembled. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A paperboard container for releasably dispensing contents contained therein is convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the substantially sealed orientation. The paperboard container comprises a tubular container member, a bottom member and a top member, with the top member being telescopically received within the container member to seal the top member to the container. The top member is pivotable about the hinge portion and is pivotable to the sealed orientation to substantially reseal the container member.

Abstract: A box with gusseted corners includes a plurality of walls each connected to and extending generally upright from a base wall thereby forming the box and a plurality of corner gussets each extending between and strengthening adjacent walls. Each corner gusset includes a gusset corner formation (GCF) wall section foldably connected to and extending from one of the walls, the GCF wall section having a first fold extending generally parallel with the foldable connection to the one of the walls, the first fold dividing the GCF wall section into an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending generally perpendicular from the wall and the upper portion angled towards the wall to form an acute angle therebetween. Finally, the upper portion includes a glue flap section adapted for adhesive connection to the wall such that the upper portion and the lower portion of the GCF wall section cooperate with the wall to form one of the corner gussets.

Abstract: An electronic voting system with a headquarters unit, a plurality of precinct units, a plurality of voting stations associated with each precinct unit, and a plurality of mobile memory units (MMUs) to contain data that can be transported back and forth between the headquarters unit and the precinct units. The MMUs include FLASH memory, wherein each memory location can be written to once and read many times. Each memory location can thus only be subsequently written to after all the data in the entire FLASH memory has been erased. The system includes the ability to store images of the cast ballots at multiple locations for verification and authentication. The system includes the ability to store a direct representation of the voter's selections as displayed to the voter as a redundant image of the ballot. The system also includes the ability for each voting station to automatically read the particular ballot overlay thereon to verify the proper ballot style is being used.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument for calculating the measurements necessary to prepare any number of servings or serving sizes from a printed food recipe which utilizes two concentric rotating wheels, the lower one of the wheels having instructions printed thereon in a 120 degree segment and measurement data thereon for use in conjunction with said upper wheel, the upper wheel having twelve segments with alternate segments being blank and transparent and the remaining segments having measurement data displayed thereon for use in conjunction with the lower wheel.

Abstract: A combination ball marker and stroke indicator device (10, 20) has a first disc member (12, 22) having a ground piercing pin (12b, 22b) extending from a bottom face surface rotatably received through a pin receiving aperture (14a, 24a) in a second disc member (14, 24). Stroke indicating indicia (14b) are arranged on the top face surface of the second disc member and selectively alignable with a window (12a, 22a) formed in the first disc member. A ground traction surface configuration (24e, 24e′, 24e″) is preferably formed on the bottom face surface of the second disc member. An annular recess (22d) may be formed in one of the disc members, for example, in the bottom face surface of the second disc member, to provide clearance between the indicia on the second disc member and the facing surface of the first disc member.

Abstract: A device for counting people or objects in a passageway including an information processing control until and an optical sensor positioned above the passageway, the optical sensor including two identical charge coupled modules which are linear and fixed parallel to each other and transversely to the passageway and separated from each other by a distance D enabling the processing unit to determine in real time an entering and leaving direction of each movement in the passageway and a total number of movements in the passageway, wherein the processing unit monitors the temporal evolution of background noise sensed by the optical sensor for extracting crude modifications due to the passage of a person or object.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for an ATM having a display, a logic server coupled to the display, and a memory coupled to the logic server. The logic server dynamically controls the content of screens to be displayed on the display. The memory, which is accessible to the logic server, contains a profile of at least one user.

Abstract: An electronic business card system (EBC) wherein access to information specific to a principal and one or more specific agents of the principal is through the Internet. Such access is through a suitable accessing medium, linking or interfacing the user to the information contained on a data base. The accessing medium may be a CD-ROM type EBC. The principal or agent may change their respective information via the Internet without affecting the accessing medium or the link to the data base. By this system, information of the principal and the agent may be kept current at all times without requiring new EBCs to be made or re-recordable EBCs to be re-recorded.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a printing operation using information printed on paper or similar material. Information data is input via an input processor, such as a computer, and the information data is converted to a descriptive indicia, which can be printed on a data card. The data card can be used with a peripheral device, such as a printer to allow access to a data, such as a print job.

Abstract: A transaction card for financial transactions has a data carrier encoded with information identifying an associated financial institution, and visible information identifying a transaction card type and card holder's name but not including visible identification of one or more of the issuing financial institution, expiry date and account number of the card. A financial transaction system using said card is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transaction processing method is provided for a transaction management system which processes transactions using settlement cards. In the transaction processing method, a transaction process is executed based on individual control information that is input at each transaction and transaction information for the transaction. A judgment is made based on the transaction information whether or not the transaction satisfies at least one count-up condition indicating a predetermined range of transaction types. When the transaction meets the count-up condition, numerical information indicative of the number of transactions satisfying the count-up conditions is added. A determination is made whether or not a numerical value represented by the numerical information after the addition is within a range specified by extraction conditions.

Abstract: A method for presenting proprietary information in the SIM card of a mobile station, which includes at least an updatable address space (11), in which there are areas for at least the application data (11.2, 11.3) of different mobile communications network systems and for end-user or similar subscriber data (11.4), as well as a possible microcontroller (10). A proprietary address space (25.1), which contains proprietary information in a set manner, is reserved in the address space (11).

Abstract: A method for remote verification in which a first party at a first telephone confirms their identity to a second person at a second telephone. The fingerprint of the first person is read and compared to a stored fingerprint pattern. If the stored and sensor fingerprint patterns match, the first telephone transmits a signal to the second telephone which controls a display on the second telephone to display an image of the first person.

Abstract: A method and system for electronic ticket recognition and acceptance. The method includes the step of facilitating a purchase of an electronic ticket from a networked ticketing computer. Another step is downloading the electronic ticket to a portable computing device having a data output. An additional step is enabling activation of the electronic ticket to communicate the electronic ticket via the data output. This allows the displayed electronic ticket is optically communicated to a ticket receiving unit.

Abstract: A system and method for managing use of items having usage rights associated therewith. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for a license associated with an item on behalf of a license requesting user, the license requesting user having an associated identification mechanism. The method also includes determining whether the identification mechanism associated to the license requesting user is in an access list associated with the item, the access list having identification mechanisms associated with authorized users. The method further includes issuing the license associated with the item to the license requesting user upon determining that the identification mechanism associated to the license requesting user is in the access list.

Abstract: A method is provided of automated rail loading of automotive vehicles. The method includes the steps of attaching tags to the automotive vehicles and performing an automated railcar identification. The method also includes the step of generating an automated load makeup based on the identified railcar and the automotive vehicles. The method includes the step of locating the automotive vehicles and loading the automotive vehicles on a railcar specified in the automated load makeup. The method further includes the step of shipping the automotive vehicles via the railcar to a final destination specified in the automated load makeup.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for tracking the shipment of goods in a network-based supply chain management framework utilizing barcodes. In general, a distributor is sent an order for goods from a supply chain participant utilizing a network. The goods are then tracked utilizing a bar code. The results of the tracking are stored in a database so that the supply chain participant can be allowed to access the results of the tracking utilizing a network with TCP/IP protocol.

Abstract: A memory card reader may be included with an automotive entertainment system to allow playing back of music and other information from memory cards recorded at the user's home or office.

Abstract: An optical scanner to be used for an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine comprises a light source such as a semiconductor laser for emitting a light beam, a deflection element such as a rotary polygon mirror for deflecting the emitted light beam, and an imaging optical system for focusing the deflected light beam on a surface to be scanned, typically a photosensitive drum surface. The imaging optical system includes at least first and second optical elements as well as a reflector mirror arranged on the optical path between the first optical element and the second optical element for reflecting the light beam coming from the former and leading it to the latter so that any displacement of the scanning spot in the sub-scanning direction may effectively be eliminated.

Abstract: An inventory locating device including an optical scanner for reading bar code labels containing product identifying information. A pair of measuring wheels, one positioned on each side of the scanner, is provided for running along a supporting surface as the optical scanner reads bar code labels on the surface. By means of an endless belt, rotational motion of the measuring wheels is transmitted to a shaft encoder permitting the distance traveled by the device to a given label to be calculated and tracked. Information gathered by the optical scanner and shaft encoder is relayed by a radio frequency transmitter to a remote receiver for storage and processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of graphically demodulating a graphical bar code (i.e., an image that contains inconspicuous graphical modulations that encode information embedded in an original base image) are described. The graphical bar code may be graphically demodulated automatically without foreknowledge of the original unmodulated base image, but rather based upon a base image that is derived based upon intrinsic features of the graphical bar code.

Abstract: A method for use in processing an analog signal from a laser scanning bar code reader containing information representative of reflected light from indicia including regions of different light reflectivity, and including narrow and wide elements of the same reflectivity of the indicia, by locating edge transitions between narrow and wide elements; estimating the edge shift associated with such transitions; and changing the edge position to correct for convolution distortion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a system for reading text display information, which is formed by a reader mechanism which reads information of an information recording element which is provided at an information display member such as a poster and to which necessary and/or optional information is inputted and a display portion for displaying the information.

Abstract: An interface card (16) comprising a substrate (60) with indicia (14) formed thereon is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into a read device (1). The read device (1) has a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) so as to present the indicia (14) to a user of the read device (1) through the membrane (8). The card (16) comprises a memory (19) for storing a distinguishing identifier and a service identifier for identifying a service to be received via an external device (100, 601) according to indicia selected by the user and data stored in the memory (19) and associated with the indicia (14).

Abstract: An improved method of encoding data within directory files on an integrated circuit (IC) smart card is shown. Advantageously the improved method no longer imposes a limitation in placing the pointer data start address prior to encoding of data, since after encoding a single continuous block of unused memory within the directory file results, enables encoding applications to make better use of this memory space thereby eliminating the deficiency of having two non-sequential empty memory blocks as provided by prior art systems.

Abstract: A memory (1) in a non contact type IC card (100) includes a data protection region (B2) storing data requiring security and an region (B1) storing other data. A main control circuit (2) generates data to be stored and designates a location for data storage in the region (B1) or the data protection region (B2) according to a content of the data. An address non selecting circuit (4) selects whether the generated data is to be written into the location in the data protection region (B2) designated by the main control circuit (2) according to a state of a state setting circuit (3).

Abstract: A product is provided with a coding pattern, which codes position information in the form of coordinates for a plurality of points on the product with the aid of a plurality of marks belonging to each point. The marks have a first parameter which varies for coding of the position information. The marks additionally have a second parameter which varies for coding of further information in the coding pattern. A method and a device for coding of the coding pattern and a method and a device for decoding of the coding pattern are also described.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a power supply for providing appropriate current and voltage to modules of the control apparatus. A user interface microprocessor module provides the necessary architecture to handle user inputs as well as programmable control logic. Furthermore, there is a communications microprocessor module initiating data traffic signals among all control apparatus modules through a wireless transceiver module. Finally, a remote control node module through a transceiver interprets and acts upon wireless traffic signals to control an operation.

Abstract: In some hydraulically actuated fuel injectors, a pressure communication passage extends from a pilot valve to the underside of a spool valve to control movement of the same. For the spool valve to move, a substantial amount of fluid flow past the pilot valve is required due to the relatively large amount of fluid that must be displaced by movement of the spool valve member. However, during cold start, when the oil in the pressure communication passage is relatively viscous, it is difficult to move enough fluid past the relatively small flow area through the pilot valve to allow the spool valve to advance to its upper position. Therefore, the fuel injector of the present invention includes a pressure communication passage that is connected to the underside of the spool valve to be separated from the branch that passes through the pilot valve.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and a method for injecting a pressurized liquid fuel by applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a die housing which defines a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized liquid and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid. The die housing further includes an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized liquid, and an exit orifice defined by the walls of a die tip. The exit orifice is adapted to receive the pressurized liquid from the chamber and pass the liquid out of the die housing. When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited, it applies ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip.

Abstract: A fuel injector, for example, for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition is provided, including a valve-seat member, into which grooves are introduced upstream from a valve-seat surface, and a guide disk, which cooperates with the grooves of valve-seat member to form closed swirl channels. The swirl channels discharge with a tangential component into a swirl chamber, where the inflowing fuel obtains a velocity component in the circumferential direction given an open fuel injector.

Abstract: A deer scent emitter including a housing, a scent container in the housing, at least one first opening in the housing, at least one second opening in the scent container, a timer in the housing, and a linkage coupling the timer to the scent container for periodically effecting communication between the first and second openings.

Abstract: An apertured container for holding perfume and perfume impregnated material comprising two halves which are easily opened and closed for placing fresh perfumed material therein and removing spent perfumed material therefrom, and locking means for holding said halves together. A suspension means is attached to the container, and can be used to attach the container to any desired spot. The container is in the form of a sporting device such as a baseball, football, soccer ball and the like.

Abstract: A wet-pipe sprinkler system, method of supplying water to the system, and method of dealing with a leakage of the system are provided, wherein the wet-pipe sprinkler system includes a sprinkler head; a plurality of interconnected pipes for supplying water to the sprinkler head; at least one water supply connected to one end of the pipes; an electric main valve for controlling inflow of water to the pipes; an electric drain valve to drain water from the pipes; a first electrical control circuit in a central control studio which outputs a drain valve opening signal to the electric drain valve and a main valve closing signal to the electric main valve when a leakage is detected, thereby blocking the water from entering the pipes and draining the water from the pipes. Accordingly, a leak may be dealt with promptly, thereby minimizing damage caused by the leakage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid droplet spray device for atomising a liquid substance, comprising a housing comprising a first substrate, a second substrate superposed on the first substrate and a space enclosed by said first and second substrates for containing the liquid substance. An outlet means is arranged in at least one of said first or second substrates and comprises at least one outlet nozzle (19) and at least one output channel (20) connecting the space (12) to each outlet nozzle (19). A vibrating element (18) is disposed to vibrate liquid in said space (12) so as to eject said liquid substance as a spray through said outlet nozzles (19).

Abstract: A spray gun having a relatively simple outer heat jacket designed to accommodate a multiplicity of fluid supply lines connected to the spray gun while effectively heating and maintaining the supply fluids directed through the gun to the desired temperature for optimum spraying. The heat jacket is mountable and removable from the spray gun without disconnecting the fluid supply lines to the spray gun or the heating fluid supply line to the heat jacket. The illustrated heat jacket is formed with a plurality of external, longitudinally extending open-ended slot each for receiving a respective fluid supply line connected to the spray gun and an internal heating fluid passageway composed of a plurality of interconnected, longitudinally extending heat transfer chambers through which heating fluid is directed in swirling fashion.

Abstract: A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle includes a washer fluid reservoir having washer fluid therein and a separator for receiving washer fluid from the reservoir and for adjusting the concentration of hydrocarbon additive within the fluid contained within the reservoir as a function of referenced temperature.

Abstract: A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle includes a fluid reservoir, a pump mounted within the fluid reservoir, a heater mounted in proximity to the pump so as to provide heat to the fluid contained within the reservoir and a nozzle operatively associated with the pump for applying fluid from the reservoir to an outside surface of the automotive vehicle at an even sub-freezing temperatures, with aqueous-based fluids either none, or minimal freezing point depressants contained therein.

Abstract: A windshield washing apparatus for marine craft includes a reservoir container having a bracket pivotally connected thereto. The bracket can be connected to vertical, horizontal or sloping surfaces on the marine craft while the container remains level. There is a pump mounted on the reservoir. A filler fitting has a connector for mounting the fitting on the surface of the marine craft remote from the reservoir. A first conduit connects the reservoir to the filler fitting. The apparatus includes a spray nozzle and a second conduit for connecting the pump to the spray nozzle. Preferably the reservoir has positions thereon for a plurality of pumps.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for cleaning headlamps on motor vehicles by means of cleaning fluid to be discharged through at least one spray nozzle (7), wherein the spray nozzle (7) in the rest position is arranged concealed or recessed in the bumper (2) or the bodywork of the motor vehicle and can be positioned by means of an actuator in a cleaning position. The cleaning device (1) according to the invention is distinguished in that the spray nozzle is arranged on a mounting which is secured pivotably to the bodywork and which in the rest position is pivoted into the bodywork and which can be pivoted out into the cleaning position by the actuator.

Abstract: A material dispenser having a dispensing tube assembly having an outlet end with an orifice from which material is dispensed onto a surface, and an inlet end having an opening adapted to receive material from a supply during a dispensing operation; and means for imparting orbital motion to said outlet end relative to an axis; the tube assembly having a first section having the inlet end at a first end thereof, a second section having the outlet end at a first end thereof, and a third section that flexibly joins the first and second sections. In one embodiment the flexible third section includes a plurality of rings or hoops to increase hoop strength. A shield liner and air wash features are used to reduce the amount of dispensed material that collects on and in the gun. The dispensing tube is arranged to prevent pivoting movement at a primary pressure seal.

Abstract: A spraycoating apparatus with a tubular, hollow affixation element (16) to affix an adapter (8) to a casing (2), a coating-material tube (14) running through the hollow affixation element (16) into the casing (2).

Abstract: An irrigation system for conveying a fluid. The irrigation system comprises a a first irrigator span having a first end and extending to a distal end. A first drive system moves the first irrigator span. A second irrigator span extends from the distal end of the first irrigator span. A second drive system moves the second irrigator span. An alignment mechanism interconnects the first irrigator span and the second irrigator span to maintain alignment between the first and second irrigator spans within a predetermined limit. One of the drive systems is variable speed and the alignment mechanism includes a potentiometer for measuring the magnitude of misalignment between the first and second irrigation spans. The potentiometer is used to vary the speed of one of the drive systems to realign the first and second irrigator spans to maintain the predetermined limit.

Abstract: A wheel drive assembly for sprinkler irrigation systems includes an input shaft having a first bevel gear, a wheel gear, and a reduction gear assembly interconnecting the first bevel gear and the wheel gear. The reduction gear assembly has a first spur gear and a second bevel gear mounted on a common shaft. First and second input openings are disposed on respective sides of a housing of the wheel drive assembly. An input shaft extends through one of the input openings, and the other input opening is covered by a cover member. The housing has threaded bolt holes for attaching the housing to a support tower in selected positions. The wheel drive assembly is convertible between left-hand and right-hand operation by reversing the mounting position of the second bevel gear on the common shaft, interchanging the input shaft and cover member, and rotating the housing to a different mounting position.

Abstract: A food waste disposer having devices to reduce noise is disclosed. The disposer has a food conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section. To reduce the emitted noise that may result when food waste impacts the various components of the grinding section, in one embodiment, the present invention uses sound reduction layers attached to the external surfaces of the food conveying section, the motor section, and/or the central grinding section. The sound reduction layers may be made of materials that absorb, block, or dampen the emitted noise. The rotating shredder plate may have a first metallic layer, a second damping layer, and a third metallic layer. The stationary shredder ring may be made of a high-mass material or have a high-mass ring in connection with a stationary shredder ring. These devices may be combined with various disposer inlet baffles.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The chamber is defined by at least one wall having an external surface for contacting a transducer device. The transducer device has a vibrating surface for contacting the wall and for vibrating at an operating frequency and amplitude sufficient to generate pressure waves or pressure pulses in the chamber. The transducer device is coupled to the wall with a preload force sufficient to create a stress within the wall. The natural frequency of the wall, when the wall is stressed by the preload force, is equal to the operating frequency of the transducer device or differs from the operating frequency by less than 50% of the operating frequency.