Abstract: A holder and dispenser for golf ball markers includes a body which may be clipped onto a user's belt, waistband, golf bag, or other article. The body has one or more pockets defined therein, with the pockets being configured to snugly and removably receive disc-shaped (or other) golf ball markers. The user may withdraw golf ball markers from the holder for use when needed, and may replace them when the markers are no longer used.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket for carrying a gun case on a vehicle consists of a plate to be attached to the vehicle, a gun case carrier, and an adjustable linkage connecting the plate to the gun case carrier. The adjustable linkage allows the gun case carrier to be rotated to a variety of angles relative to the plate. A lock holds the gun case carrier at the desired angle.

Abstract: A roller and a device for guiding paper webs to a unit of a rotary printing press includes paper web traction devices. These traction devices may be endless or of finite length. The roller that cooperates with these traction devices includes a passage that receives the traction devices. The axial width of the passage is adjustable.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a strip product using a strip fabrication assembly, by entering arm positions for guide arms of the assembly into a guide arm controller device, moving the corresponding guide arms of the strip fabrication assembly to the respective arm positions using the guide arm controller device, and feeding different strip materials through the assembly using the guide arms, after moving them to the entered arm positions. The guide arms are coupled to threaded rods, and are moved by actuating servo motors which are coupled to the threaded rods. The guide arm controller device may include a programmable logic controller, which has been programmed to control the servo motors in response to entry of guide arm positions.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A portable electric nailing gun operating from a power supply. The motor accelerates a flywheel, which at the appropriate energy state is coupled through a mechanism to an anvil acting directly on the nail. The actuation is governed by a control circuit and initiated from a trigger switch. The stored energy delivered from the motor is coupled to the output anvil drives the nail. At least one position of the output anvil is sensed and once the nail is driven, the power is disconnected from the motor. This method uses a direct acting clutch and a harmonic motion nailing mechanism to reduce wear and increase robustness of the nailer. Elastic elements are used to limit stresses during the impact periods. The electrical control circuit and sensors allow precise control and improve safety. The power supply is preferably a rechargeable low impedance battery pack.

Abstract: A motor-driven stapler is disclosed which comprises a table (100) arranged as opposed to a staple drive portion for driving a staple and provided movably up and down on a stapler body, and a driver for driving a staple from the staple drive portion to sheets of paper when the table (100) has been moved to press the sheets of paper against the staple drive portion. The table (100) is moved up and down by allowing the table (100) to rotate about axles (27) that are provided on the side plate portions (24, 25) of the frame (12) of the stapler body (10).

Abstract: A soldering system which reduces the numbers of steps for paste supply and soldering onto a printed circuit board. A printed circuit board has through holes through which a lead of each provided part is to be inserted. A printing mask is matched with the through holes and a paste receiving plate having holes to which solder paste is supplied corresponding to the through holes is disposed. A printing roller is swept by forcibly rotating it to fill with solder paste, then a printing squeegee follows the printing roller to further fill through holes. Parts are loaded on the through holes and reflowing is carried out on the printed circuit board and paste receiving plate, so that the parts are soldered to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A printed circuit board soldering process where a number of pockets containing solder are filled to overflowing with solder and then raised to immerse the terminals to be soldered. The solder pot and the pockets are protected by an atmosphere of hot inert gas introduced under a cover plate which has openings, corresponding to the location of the terminals, through which the pockets pass.

Abstract: A system and method having applications in semiconductor areas for accurate die placement on a substrate that takes into account any positional offset from the reference position due to variations caused by thermal change and other nonrandom systemic effects. The system includes an offset alignment tool having a plurality of internal reflection surfaces and located below a vision plane of the substrate, and an optical detector to receive an indirect image of a bottom surface of the die through the alignment tool, such that the die is accurately positioned on the substrate based on the indirect image received by the optical detector. The method comprises the steps of providing a cornercube offset alignment tool having a plurality of total internal reflection surfaces below a vision plane of the die, and receiving an indirect image of the die tool through the cornercube offset tool.

Abstract: A cutting tool 60 cuts along the butted portion between two members 10, 20. A filling material 30 is inserted to the gap 40 formed by said cutting, and a roller 70 presses protrusions 12 and 22 to crimp said protrusions 12 and 22 so as to fix said filling material to position. Next, friction stir welding is performed to the protrusions 12, 22 and the filling material 30 using a rotary tool 80. In another example, instead of cutting, the filling material can be welded and filled to the gap. In yet another example, cutting can be performed so as to approximate the two members before performing the friction stir welding step.

Abstract: Discarded printed circuit boards are sorted according to the alloying elements in solder used on the printed circuit boards. After sorting, the printed circuit boards are heated to melt the solder, and the molten solder is collected.

Abstract: A value housing having overlapped inner and outer members is fabricated by a process including placing the members in position where one side of the joint is accessible for welding and the opposite side is inaccessible, single welding from the accessible side and brazing the opposite side. The brazing step provides for filling of minute gaps in the joint at the inaccessible side. A bronze welding type brazing alloy and heating at a temperature of 1800 to 1900 degrees Fahrenheit are employed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transducer used in sensing or generating magnetic fields in a position detector wherein the transducer has a substrate and a conductor fixed to the substrate in a predetermined pattern. A wire laying device controllably lays wire onto the substrate so as to form the predetermined pattern. Relative movement is caused between the laying device and the substrate, and the wire is bonded to the substrate as it is laid thereon.

Abstract: A method of bonding a bonding element to a metal bonding pad comprises the following steps. A semiconductor structure having an exposed, recessed metal bonding pad within a layer opening is provided. The layer has an upper surface. A conductive cap having a predetermined thickness is formed over the metal bonding pad. A bonding element is bonded to the conductive cap to form an electrical connection with the metal bonding pad.

Abstract: In one embodiment, portions of a plurality of solder balls are placed within a frame and in registered alignment with individual bond pads over a substrate. While the ball portions are within the frame, the balls are bonded to their associated bond pads. In another embodiment, a frame is provided having a plurality of holes sized to receive individual balls. Individual balls are delivered into the holes from over the frame. The balls are placed into registered alignment with a plurality of individual bond pads over a substrate while the balls are in the holes. The balls are further bonded. In another embodiment, a frame is provided having a hole. A solder ball is provided having an outer surface. The ball is retained within the hole in an ambient processing environment which is generally uniform over the entirety of the ball's outer surface. While the ball is within the hole, the ball is bonded.

Abstract: A broadsheet for manufacturing a carton for foodstuffs, such as chips, is described, which container comprises a container and a subcontainer for a garnishing, such as mayonnaise. The broadsheet is composed of a primary sheet of material for forming a container and a secondary sheet of material connected thereto for forming a subcontainer. The primary sheet of material is substantially rectangular and, starting from a first corner point, includes at least two folding lines extending to the opposite corner point and to one of the two sides of the rectangle adjacent thereto, respectively, whilst the secondary sheet of material is connected to one of the sides via a folding line and, starting from one of the corner points adjacent to the side in question, extends substantially along half the length of the side. Furthermore, a carton manufactured from the broadsheet is disclosed.

Abstract: A corrugated plastic box is disclosed. The box is provided with an L-shaped or chair-shaped end panel which can be adhesively secured to a box side panel. The end panel has a lower portion which extends over a relatively great number of box side corrugations, and an upper panel portion which extends over fewer box side corrugations, so as to spread interior box loads across a number of corrugations and inhibit box side bowing. The box sides are also strengthened by providing upper panels which are rolled over along the top edges of the box, the panels are then food or otherwise fastened to the side panels. The rolled-over top edges thus formed strengthen the box, and prevent the entry of contaminants into the otherwise-exposed side panel corrugation flutes. The box is provided with a number of specially shaped box bottom panels which enable the box to be quickly and easily erected by even inexperienced personnel.

Abstract: A historical information recording device provided in a product for storing in a recorder product historical information relating to the product's manufacture, physical distribution, sale, registration, repair, and disposal and transmitting the information in response to information input from the outside, having a plurality of transmission modes and provided with a mode switcher for selecting a first transmission mode at the time of usual use and switching the transmission mode in response to an input signal to a second transmission mode with at least an output, frequency, method of modulation, or transmission time different from that of the first transmission mode, a historical information tamper prevention unit for prohibiting a write operation in the storage unit under predetermined conditions to prevent tampering of the product historical information, and a discriminator for discriminating if the recorder is the specific historical information recorder which should be covered by the recording and/or

Abstract: An automated banking machine (12, 200, 302) is provided. The machine may be operative to install a terminal master key (TK) therein in response to at least one input from a single operator. The machine may include an EPP (204) that is operative to remotely receive an encrypted terminal master key from a host system (210, 304). The machine may authenticate and decrypt the terminal master key prior to accepting the terminal master key. The machine may further output through a display device (30) of the machine a one-way hash of at least one public key associated with the host system. The machine may continue with the installation of the terminal master key in response to an operator confirming that the one-way hash of the public key corresponds to a value independently known by the operator to correspond to the host system.

Abstract: A system for providing tourism service using RF IC card includes an RF IC card having an RF chip and providing a function of pre-paid card and a settlement server affiliated with domestic/international financial institutions, credit card companies, public transportation/communication facilities, and service centers via a public network, and for settling a used amount with the RF IC card at an affiliated corporation.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a requested service at a lodging establishment which relies on personal identification numbers (PINS) and corresponding travel cards. The system includes a travel card reader, and a computer for recording a request of a traveler, for reading a travel card of the traveler, for establishing an assigned personal identification number (PIN), for comparing the assigned PIN to an entered PIN, and for performing the request if the entered PIN equals the assigned PIN.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a conventional POS card reader to interface with PDA's, Wireless Phones, and other Handheld devices, through Infrared or RF media, such that signals received from, the devices can be, converted to conventional magnetic stripe and/or smart card format, as required by the conventional POS card readers. The adapter includes a housing, including at least a reader-insertable portion capable of being inserted in the card reader, a receive circuit in the housing, a processor in the housing connected to the receive circuit; and a point of sale interface in the reader insertable portion of the housing and connected to the processor. The housing may be approximately the size of a conventional credit card and may be fully reader-insertable. The point of sale interface comprises a magnetic stripe emulator, a smart card emulator, or both. The magnetic stripe emulator may comprise at least one electromagnet.

Abstract: An automatic car toll computing and charging method is provided. The method includes steps of employing a cellular phone to process a log in and a log out of a car toll computing; previously storing the connection between a cellular phone number and a vehicle identification number, or keying in said vehicle identification number or other car IDs sufficient to bring out said vehicle identification number in a billing center; and calling a specific number representing a log in of an automatic computing and charging through an on-vehicle cellular communication equipment and before a car enters a toll road or bridge and hanging up, and calling a specific number representing a log out of the automatic computing and charging after leaving the toll road or bridge. Consequently, the toll can be charged through calculating all cell IDs which by a cellular phone system passes theretrough during the log in and the log out.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying locations of objects are provided. A first location of a mobile transceiver unit is determined and a first plurality of objects each having a tag attached to the object are illuminated with electromagnetic radiation. The mobile transceiver unit then simultaneously senses electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tags attached to the first plurality of objects. The identities of the first plurality of objects are determined from the sensed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for delivering supplies from a loading dock to a production line using a supply delivery computer system that interfaces with a conveyor computer system to control transportation of supplies from a conveyor system to pickup stations and a vehicle facility manager computer system to control automated guided vehicles that transport supplies from pickup stations on the conveyor system to delivery stations on a production line. Supplies are labeled with barcodes indicating production line delivery location (i.e., an identifier for a delivery station), load sequence number, load quantity, and lot number to facilitate tracking and routing from the time they are unloaded at the manufacturing plant loading dock on to the conveyor system until they delivered to delivery stations on the production line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing damage to memory cards, memory card connectors, host electronics, and other electronic devices by only allowing intended electronic devices to mate with the connector for which it is intended and/or determining when an electronic device has been inserted into a connector upside down.

Abstract: An optical scanner for scanning various optical indicia uses one or more tunable optical components for noise reduction purposes. The scanner may include a narrow band-pass tunable optical filter for passing selected wavelengths of incoming light. The scanner may also have a tunable light source, such as a tunable laser source, whereby the wavelength of the generated laser light is sensed and controlled by the scanner's electronic sub-system.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A universal interface driver application specific integrated circuit (UIDA) for a data reading device which supports multiple host interface configurations through the use of shared communications lines. In one application, the UIDA is a 32 or 44-pin TQFP chip located in a bar code scanner, or other data reader, connected to a host processing device such as a computer terminal. The scanner reads and decodes bar codes, transmitting the information to the host processing device through an interconnect cable using a host specific input/output interface protocol. The UIDA contains circuitry to support numerous different host interface protocols, such as RS-232C, IBM46XX, or Keyboard Wedge interface, in order to allow a single data reader to operate with a wide variety of host processing devices.

Abstract: A fully automated package identification and measuring system, in which an omni-directional holographic scanning tunnel is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identification data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

Abstract: A holder and reader for two or more data cards for a radio communication device, the holder including a body having formations for releasably carrying the two or more data cards and being adapted to be removably installed in the data card reader of the device.

Abstract: A financial transaction card is transparent or translucent to human viewing yet detectable by automated card processing equipment. The card includes a substantially planar material sheet having upper and lower surfaces bounded by a continuous peripheral edge. The material sheet has one or more areas that are at least minimally transparent or translucent to human viewing. A filter associated with at least one of the areas provides sufficient opacity to light used by card sensors in the automated card processing equipment to render the card detectable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart card that can be personalized with indicia or graphic designs over an entire surface of one face of the smart card. The entire surface of the one face can be utilized for personalization by placing the contact module on an opposite face of the smart card.

Abstract: A signal sequencing control means is provided for an electronic device. The sequencing control means includes an electronic circuit (2) and timing means, to allow a sequence of control signals to be activated in a pre-determined order for operation of the device and deactivated in a reverse order for disabling the device. The electronic circuit is driven to generate the sequence of control signals in a forward and reverse direction along the same circuit path. The electronic circuit can be a smart card.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a gas-fired heater to maintain temperature within a zone. The gas-fired heater is modulated between a higher firing rate and a lower firing rate within a pseudo steady-state mode until a current firing rate exceeds a predetermined maximum time period ttrans. The gas-fired heater is then modulated between an updated higher firing rate and an updated lower firing rate within a transient mode until an updated current firing rate exceeds a predetermined maximum time period tdiag. Finally, the higher firing rate and the lower firing rate are redefined in a diagnostic mode until the gas-fired heater returns to the pseudo steady-state mode.

Abstract: A shower control system for facilitating a user's control of the temperature and pressure of water used during a shower. The shower control system includes a shower assembly having a pair of inlet pipes. A first of the inlet pipes is designed for being in fluid communication with a building cold water supply. A second of the inlet pipes is designed for being in fluid communication with a building hot water supply. A stem pipe of the shower assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet pipes. A shower head of the shower assembly is in fluid communication with the stem pipe. A mixing assembly is operationally coupled to the shower assembly. The mixing assembly is designed for controlling pressure and temperature of water sprayed from the shower head. A power assembly is operationally coupled to the mixing assembly for providing power to the mixing assembly.

Abstract: A humidifier apparatus for building humidification. The apparatus includes a water reservoir with a removable cover, at least one aperture through a side wall of the water reservoir, a removable heat exchanger insertable into the aperture, and a steam exit.

Abstract: A concrete railroad grade crossing comprised of a precast concrete gauge panel extending between the rails and precast concrete approach panels which extend between each rail and the roadway. Elastomeric gauge seals are provided on the opposite sides of the gauge panels for sealing the space between the sides of the gauge panels and the rails. Elastomeric approach seals are provided on the inner ends of the approach panels for engagement with the outer sides of the rails. The inner end of each of the seals has a lobe formed therein which is embedded in the respective panels. Each of the lobes has an elongated bore or opening formed therein which has a rebar positioned therein. Portions of the lobe are cut away to expose the rebar. The exposed portions of the rebar are connected to DBAs in the panel by tie wires to firmly attach the seal to the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus imparts movement to a fluid dispersing nozzle with a mechanism for converting rotational movement about an axis of rotation into orbital movement about the axis of rotation, and an elongate member is connectable to the mechanism at one end and is connectable to a fluid nozzle at an opposite end from the mechanism. The orbital member provides orbiting movement of the opposite end in response to rotation of the mechanism about the rotational axis, and provides stationary centered positioning of the opposite end in response to a non-rotating mechanism. A speed multiplier transmission or gearbox can be provided between the motor shaft and drive spindle if desired. A separate mixer is positionable within the member and is moveable longitudinally with respect to the member during use. The mixer includes a valve member connected to one end for movement relative to a valve seat defined by an inner surface of the cone.

Abstract: A two-medium spraying nozzle is provided with a mixing chamber arranged in a housing and with one connection duct respectively leading into this mixing chamber for the feeding of a gaseous and of a liquid medium. A mouthpiece is connected behind the mixing chamber, in which mouthpiece a rotationally symmetrical central outlet opening is provided. In the bore of the mouthpiece, a swirl insert is arranged, and the outlet opening has a diameter which corresponds to no more than half the diameter of the bore of the mouthpiece. Such a two-medium spraying nozzle is unsusceptible to clogging and is particularly suitable for atomizing low-viscosity fluids for the cooling of continuous-casting systems for the production of steel.

Abstract: An applicator is provided which through the use of valve assemblies and separate first and second tubing member delivers two separate materials separately to a mixing head. The mixing head is provided with two separate passageways which terminate into an outlet passageway. To help create equal pressure between the materials at the point where the materials meet, an impinger can be placed in one or both of the mixing head passageways. Material flowing into each mixing head passageway first meet and are mixed in the outlet passageway. A tip is attached to the mixing head and a static mixer can be disposed within the tip for further mixing of the combined materials prior to their application out of the tip onto the intended surface. Material is supplied to the valve assemblies by various methods such as hoses.

Abstract: A nozzle unit of a liquid spray apparatus is constituted by a conduit tube having an outer portion spreading and curvature shape upper inner wall, a disc shape flat plate cover arranged on an upper portion of the conduit, and a coupling. Between the flat plate cover and the conduit tube a spray port of the nozzle unit is formed. From the spray port of the liquid spray apparatus, a thin film liquid (a thin film spray body) is sprayed. To this thin film liquid a swirl component (a squint direction component) is given and run down, to the thin film liquid a liquid pressure fluctuation generates, the pulsation movement is given to the thin film liquid. In a case where a nozzle unit has a ring shape spray port a melon shape spherical thin film spray body is formed and in a case where a nozzle unit has a linear shape spray port a circular shape thin film spray body is formed.

Abstract: A fragrance dispenser having a reservoir to receive an aroma carrier, the fragrances of which can escape at least partially through a dispensing opening when pressure is exerted onto the reservoir. The reservoir may have the shape of a bottle, wherein the dispensing opening, which is preferably designed as a snap-off opening, is disposed in the thinner region, i.e at the neck of the bottle. A packaging element preferably extends beyond the dispensing region of the reservoir, the packaging element being designed in that region in such a way that it interacts with a seal of the dispensing opening of the reservoir. The reservoir or packaging element may be designed as a free-standing package.

Abstract: The invention relates to an irrigation control system comprising; at least one porous capsule sensor, a pressurized gas source in fluid communication with the at least one capsule sensor, and a pressure sensor configured to detect a change in gas pressure in the capsule sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to control irrigation. The invention also relates to a method for monitoring soil moisture conditions comprising, providing at least one porous capsule sensor, placing the at least one porous capsule sensor in the ground, pressurizing the at least one porous capsule sensor with gas, and monitoring a gas pressure associated with the at least one porous capsule sensor. The irrigation water is controlled based on the gas pressure in the capsule sensor.

Abstract: A variable pressure fuel injection system and multi-flow rate injector is provided which produces multiple fuel injection flow rates from a common source of pressurized fuel to enable reductions in emissions, combustion noise and particulates while improving fuel consumption. The present invention includes inner and outer needle valve elements biased into respective closed positions against respective valve seats for controlling the flow through corresponding sets of injection orifices. The movement of each valve is controlled by an injection control valve controlling the drain flow of control fuel from respective control volumes positioned at outer ends of the valve elements. Valve element bias spring preloads along with control flow orifices and needle valve element surface areas are selected to cause, for example, single valve operation at low fuel supply pressure and dual valve operation at high supply pressure.

Abstract: A valve (1) for regulating fluids has a piezoelectric unit (4) for actuating a valve member (3). The valve member is embodied with a control piston (9), adjacent to the piezoelectric unit (4), and with at least one actuating piston (14), adjacent to a valve closing member (15). A hydraulic chamber (16) functioning as a hydraulic booster is disposed between the pistons (9, 14). The valve closing member (15) cooperates with at least one valve seat (18, 19) and divides a low-pressure region (20) from a high-pressure region (21). An electric control unit (12) specifies the trigger voltage for the piezoelectric unit (4) as a function of the pressure level in the high-pressure region (21), a leakage loss from the low-pressure region (20) and the hydraulic chamber (16), and the refilling of the low-pressure region.

Abstract: A paint system including at least one spray gun located, a paint line changing assembly and a plurality of differently colored paint sources. The paint line changing assembly is configured to selectively connect the at least one spray gun with one of the plurality of differently colored paint sources. The paint system further includes a controller for maintaining at least one of the plurality of differently colored paint sources in a partially fluidized state when not connected to the at least one spray gun and for maintaining the one of the plurality of differently colored paint sources in an operative fluidized state when connected to the at least one spray gun.

Abstract: An improved wheeled support assembly for a trailer spraying device including a tank for liquid to be sprayed mounted on a main frame of the device, and a spray assembly adapted to spray liquid from the tank in a predetermined pattern through a spray boom projecting from both sides of the frame. Two large wheels are mounted on each side of the main frame by a rigid wheel adapting frame fixed to the main frame that comprises two elongate support members each spaced from a different one of the sides of the main frame to provide wheel clearance spaces between those elongate support members and the sides of the main frame.

Abstract: A nozzle where the sector into which noise reduction is sought (the direction of populated areas) has a moving lip, driven by actuators in an oscillatory, periodic or sinusoidal motion, around the mid position, to and from the axis, so as to cause the shear layer to become more irregular and turbulent, thus enhancing scattering effects on the sound of internal sources, including back reflection into the jet, widening the directivity pattern and spreading the acoustic energy into a broader spectrum, so as to reduce the acoustic energy transmitted in these sensitive directions; the nozzle lip may also be corrugated, undulated or have vortex generators, in the sector over which noise reduction is sought. In all other sectors, for which noise radiation is of no concern, even if enhanced, the nozzle lip is smooth and fixed, leading to a thin shear layer, across which sound is more easily, so that acoustic energy exits from the jet in these harmless directions.