Abstract: A vessel incorporating an improved article support surface for supporting an article, such as a food product, during processing (e.g., baking, thawing or freezing), has a surface for supporting a food product or another article and a pattern is formed or otherwise incorporated in the article supporting surface. The pattern incorporated into the support surface is comprised of a raised portion and a low portion or valley and combine to define or create a pocket underneath the supported article or food product in which air circulates or flows during processing. In a preferred embodiment various shapes of baking sheets incorporating a “pebble-grain pattern” is embossed on a metal sheet and the embossed metal sheet is then formed into the desired shape. The sheets are constructed of various aluminum alloys used in the food equipment industry including, but not limited to, 3003, 3004 or 5052 aluminum alloys.

Abstract: A beverage serving apparatus for easily and sanitarily providing accompaniments to a beverage in a container is described. The beverage serving apparatus having: (i) a handling portion designed to avoid contact with the beverage; (ii) a container attachment portion for coupling the apparatus to the rim of the container; (iii) a first accompaniment attachment portion shaped to receive a first accompaniment; and (iv) a second accompaniment attachment portion shaped to receive a second accompaniment. Both the first accompaniment attachment portion and the second accompaniment attachment portion can comprise various designs including an elongated slot, a circular slot, a pressure clip, a pointed end, etc. In addition, the container attachment portion of the described beverage serving apparatus can comprise a flexible slot, a pressure clip, or various other designs.

Abstract: A tool box is formed with two counter bores, and includes a handle formed with headed latches. Each of the counter bores has an upper enlarged section and a lower constricted section confined by an inward flange. Each of the headed latches includes an enlarged head received in the enlarged section of the respective counter bore, and a bifurcated shank having a pair of elastic legs that are respectively formed with barbed ends, and extending through the constricted section of the respective counter bore such that the flange is sandwiched between the enlarged head and the barbed ends of the elastic legs.

Abstract: A medicating device for a hospital or nursing home that provides the correct medication for each individual occupant of a portion of the institution, at the right time of the day. The medicating device includes a control computer that sends instructions to a dispensing device. The dispensing device is then caused to discharge a particular tablet stored therein. The device contains a series of parallel, annular, arcuately shaped plates that are stacked closely together. Resting on each plate are multiple curved tablet trays that are arcuately disposed thereupon. Each tray contains a number of tablets or capsules disposed within individual cells of the arcuate plate. The plates are rotated under the control of the computer by a motor drive. A retrieval mechanism then rises or descends to address one of the plates.

Abstract: A cracker dispenser for dispensing individual crackers in a sanitary manner such as at public cooking events and at wine and cheese tasting events. The cracker dispenser includes a plastic housing for receiving a plurality of stacked crackers from a standard size roll of crackers. The housing is of elongate rectangular shape with a horizontal lower wall of a rectangular shape slightly larger than the individual crackers. Three upstanding walls include a rear wall and opposing side walls which extend from the lower wall to retain the plurality of crackers into a cracker receiving interior chamber defined by the housing in a stacked position. A movable door in the form of a sliding door or a latching hinged door is connected to the housing to selectively cover a cracker roll receiving opening formed at the front of the housing between the two side walls to admit crackers from the roll thereof and closing to cover the cracker roll receiving opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fluid dispenser for dispensing landscape maintenance fluids or the like which contain products such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. The fluid dispenser injects the fluids directly into the mainstream of an irrigation system. The dispensing system operates by shunting a portion of the main irrigation water stream through a bypass to the dispenser containing the product to be dispensed. The water dilutes the product to be applied, and is injected back into the main irrigation stream by the back pressure of the irrigation system. When the irrigation is completed, the fluid flow in the main irrigation stream is reduced or terminated and the pressure drops. After the pressure drops, the fluid ceases to be diverted to the container, and the main irrigation stream drains.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for translating linear movement into rotational movement in an actuator configuration is provided. For example, a rotary actuator assembly includes a housing having a central bore. A piston is disposed within the housing and is linearly movable along an axis of the central bore. A rolling diaphragm is disposed within the housing and coupled with the piston. A bifurcated linkage having an end flange couples with the piston and the rolling diaphragm. An articulatable coupling further connects the bifurcated linkage with a rotating linkage. A spring button, which can be cone shaped, is disposed within the housing. A compression spring is retained between the end flange of the bifurcated linkage and the spring button, for example, by a threaded rod and nut. The assembly is arranged such that when force is applied to the rolling diaphragm the bifurcated linkage is linearly transported, which results in the pivoting of the rotating linkage about a pivot point.

Abstract: A housing mounted to the ductwork of a hot air heating system or a central air conditioning system includes a pressure differential switch to sense the forced air flow in actuating a spray dispenser to discharge a freshening, deodorizing and/or disinfecting spray through a nozzle and provided hose into the ductwork, for a duration and at a repetition rate predetermined in accordance with the cleansing results desired.

Abstract: A system for dispensing controlled amounts of flowable materials having a wide range of viscosities, such as food condiments, caulking or adhesives, from a flexible-walled container or bag includes a housing for holding the flexible-walled container and a piston positioned within the housing to apply pressure to a wall of the flexible-walled container. An enfitment, which has a piercing member and sealing mechanism, is positioned adjacent an opposite wall of the flexible-walled container. By rotating the enfitment about a rotational axis generally normal to the wall of the first container, the enfitment forms an opening in the flexible-walled container and a seal with the container. The flowable material can then be forced through a hollow tube of the enfitment and an exit nozzle coupled to the enfitment.

Abstract: A pouring mouth member for a container includes an intermediate resin layer having barrier property and a fold-back portion is formed on at least one end portion of the intermediate resin layer having barrier property. Further, due to an inner layer resin and/or an outer layer resin provided to an outer periphery of this fold-back portion, the exposure of the resin having barrier property can be surely prevented and, at the same time, a cut edge of the intermediate resin layer having barrier property is effectively sealed between the inner and outer layer resins since the cut edge is also in a fold-back state.

Abstract: A dispenser unit comprises a housing and an actuator movable relative to the housing to cause the contents of two containers to be dispensed simultaneously in mixed or separate state. Each container includes a hollow stem through which the substance is dispensed when the stem is depressed. The dispenser unit includes a fluid-conducting member distinct from the actuator and including two hoods for engaging the two stems of the containers. Depressing the actuator causes the fluid-conducting member to actuate the stems and initiate dispensing of the contents into a single passage or two separate passages of the fluid-conducting member. The fluid-conducting member is movable within the housing for accommodating mismatch in heights of the stems. The actuator includes a single internal channel or two separate channels for receiving the container contents from the fluid-conducting member.

Abstract: A hydration pouch with a releasable coupling is disclosed. The hydration pouch is a flexible bag or pouch with a separate inlet and outlet. A hose or tube is provided for a user to draw refreshment from the pouch. A valve is provided at one end of the tube. Closer to the pouch, or at the pouch itself, a coupling is provided for attaching and detaching at least a portion of the hose. The coupling includes a shutoff or check valve in order to maintain the patency of the pouch when the hose is disconnected. Upon engaging the portions of the coupling, fluid within the pouch is able to feed into the tube. In use, the pouch is generally housed in a backpack. By actuating the coupling, the pouch alone may be removed for refill, chilling or cleaning—leaving the hose behind so it does not also have to be refit in the pack the next time around.

Abstract: A household utensil of the receptacle type, for the reception and dispensing of liquids, in particular a teapot, is essentially constituted by a portion forming the receptacle and by a portion forming a cover, this utensil being provided moreover with a handle device. The utensil is made by gravity molding technique in a sand mold formed of two portions, namely, an external mold portion and an internal mold portion, and is present in the form of two essential portions, namely a portion forming the receptacle and comprising a pouring spout open up to the joint plane, and a portion forming a cover fitting on the receptacle portion and provided with a covering element at the level of the joint plane of the portion forming the pouring spout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flammable liquid storage container having a container body and a pouring spout attached to the body and extending therefrom. A handle is attached to the container body for supporting the container. A cutoff valve is located in the pouring spout pouring end portion having a slidable valve element for cutting off the flow of liquid from the container when in a closed position. An operating handle operatively connects the valve element from moving the valve element between an open position for pouring a liquid from the container in a closed position for shutting off the flow of liquid from the container. A vent chamber is located outside the container body and is sealed from the atmosphere when the valve element is closed. The vent chamber opens to the atmosphere when the valve element is opened and also forms a pressure relief valve for opening when a predetermined pressure is reached within the vent chamber.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a viscous material from a source of the viscous material. The nozzle includes a dispensing orifice, a nozzle throat in flow communication with that orifice; and a transition in flow communication with the nozzle throat and the source of viscous material. These portions of the nozzle have a specific size relationship.

Abstract: The invention provides a cartridge (10) for dispensing fluent materials into creases of garments to render them more permanent. The cartridge comprises a plastic elongated body (50) having an integral tongue (16) projecting laterally of the body at one end and through which the fluent composition (40) is dispensed by passing a piston (32) along the inside of the body. The tongue is a narrow member and is aligned with integral laterally projecting fins (18, 20) which fit into the crease of a garment to be rendered permanent. The tongue has a narrow rectangular bore into which fits a nozzle also having a narrow rectangular bore. The tongue bore and the nozzle bore are aligned with the fins, so as to provide maximum exactness in alignment of the body, crease and ribbon of composition which is dispensed from the nozzle. The design maximises application efficiency by ensuring registry with the crease and nozzle.

Abstract: An adjustable clothing hanger is a clothes hanger that is adjustable in size. Each side of the hanger has an adjustment mechanism, thus allowing for a variable width. The adjustment mechanism consists of a series of spring loaded pushbuttons (or snap fasteners) on a smaller diameter tube that engages a series of orifices or apertures on a larger diameter tube. It allows for the hanging of larger sized shirts, blouses, jackets, coats and the like without allowing the shoulder sections to sag. The adjustable clothing hanger also provides a swivel joint near the hook of the hanger where it joins the horizontal section. This joint allows the hanger to swivel in the closet and allows the hanger to be at any angle to the closet rod versus the perpendicular manner as required of conventional hangers.

Abstract: There is provided an engaging mechanism of a system in which the flange-like protrusion at the portable equipment is engaged with or locked to an engaging part at a belt clip, wherein both fitting and removing for the portable equipment are simplified. The system such that the flange 5 at the portable equipment 1 is constituted by the disc 6 and the annular frame 7, the protrusion 8 directed inwardly from the annular frame 7 with its circumferential sides being applied as slant surfaces 8b and 8c; the engaging plate 23 of the belt clip 21 (refer to FIG.

Abstract: A console with adjustable pivoting arms. The preferred embodiment has a pair of drink holders each having an adjustable arm that pivots to vary the size of drink holder. The arms can preferably be locked into position. A ledge is positioned below the pivoting arms to support drinks held therein. The body of the console preferably contains several storage sub-compartments, which may be configured to retain specific items such as CD's, cassettes, sun glasses, telephones, flashlights, change, and etc. The console is also preferably provided with several electrical sockets, a power cord configured to plug into a power source such as the 12 volt DC cigarette lighter socket present in most automobiles, and a circuit to operatively connect the console sockets to the power source. The circuit may be provided with a power inverter so that at least one of the sockets can provide alternating current.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier adapted for use with outer body surfaces of a vehicle that are curved or non-parallel to one another. The article carrier includes a pair of non-linear slats that are secured in spaced apart relation to one another on the outer body surfaces. A cross bar supporting assembly has a pair of connecting members that support a cross bar at its outermost ends. The connecting members are secured to slider members, and the slider members are adapted to be secured to the slats. The connecting members are secured to the outermost ends of the cross bar and each have bores that enable the outermost ends to be gradually received therewithin as the cross bar is moved along portions of the slats where the distance between the slats decreases, thus effectively shortening the cross bar. Conversely, this coupling enables the length of the cross bar to be effectively lengthened to accommodate increases in the distance between the slats.

Abstract: A side entry storage net useful for securing items in a storage area comprises an upper and lower front panel, a back panel, and two sides formed from a piece of netting folded at upper and lower folds. Edges of the folds are spaced apart to form an opening to allow items to be placed inside the net from the side. The storage net further includes a plurality of elastic cords that allow the storage net to be opened and to hold stored items in place without shifting. The storage net also includes means for attaching the net to a desired external surface, such as a storage area in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A backpack with an adjustable lumbar support belt, having a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel which define an interior capable of containing various items which create a load weighty. The front panel has a front panel extension which extends below the bottom surface of the pack. The lumbar support belt having a pair of lumbar belt straps which attach around the waist and a lumbar support body which is positioned against front panel extension and immediately below the bottom surface of the pack for supporting a portion of the weight of the pack upon the waist and hips.

Abstract: A substantially noiseless fastening system for a carrying pack includes a flap attached to the shell of the carrying pack along one edge of the flap, a fastener button attached to the flap near a second edge of the flap, and a button receiver attached to the shell. The button receiver has a tapered interference fit slot terminating in a notch for receiving the fastener button, the slot narrowing towards the edge of the flap attached to the shell. The fastening system also includes a pouch attached to the shell, a locking channel attached to the pouch, and a locking groove attached to the shell. The pouch has an edge that forms an opening between the pouch and the shell, and the locking channel engages the locking groove in an interference fit to close the opening.

Abstract: A tablet cutting apparatus of the present invention comprises a conveyor 20 for conveying a tablet in a horizontal transport direction; a cutter 22, disposed above the conveyor 20, for cutting a notch in the tablet disposed on the conveyor 20; a divider roller 23, disposed downstream of the cutter 22 above the conveyor 20, for dividing the tablet into two halves along the notch formed by the cutter 22; and a collecting chamber or box 47, 54 for collecting halves of the tablets that have been divided by the divider roller 23. Thus, after notching the tablet by the cutter 22, the tablet is divided into two by the divider roller 23, whereby the tablet is precisely split into halves and collected into the collecting chamber or box 47, 54.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus comprises a base, a roller post about which a tape is wrapped for tape loading, and a carrying member for carrying the roller post. The roller post includes a rotation shaft and a roller rotating about the rotation shaft, and a shaft engagement member is provided on the base for holding the roller post at a predetermined position, the shaft engagement member directly contacting and pressing one or both ends of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for controlling an electronic nail gun, comprising a trigger link rod and a trigger. If a user triggers a fine-tune switch, the controller will control a three-outlet pneumatic valve to switch the three-outlet airflow according to the shooting mode set by the user, so that the valve rod of a cylinder will generate a predetermined number of times of the back and forth movements in a predetermined time to drive the trigger link rod, and the trigger will be pulled for a predetermined number of times in a predetermined time.

Abstract: A combustion-engined setting tool for driving fastening elements in a constructional components includes at least one mechanically controlled valve (14) arranged in a feeding conduit (12) that connects a reservoir (11) with an oxidation agent or fuel with the tool combustion chamber (13), a switch element (15) for time-delayed opening of the mechanically controlled valve (14) upon being actuated, and at least one normally open, electronically controlled valve (24) likewise arranged in the feeding conduit.

Abstract: An arm member is provided for protection of a power source and for facilitating storage of a power tool. In a closed position, the arm member is configured for partially encircling a portion of the power source and re-directing an impact directed towards that portion away from the power source. In an open position, the arm member is configured for engaging a projection or structure to enable hanging and/or other storage of the power tool.

Abstract: A combustion tool employing a replaceable pressurized fuel cell includes a fuel condition monitor system for monitoring and indicating fuel cell fuel condition. The fuel condition monitor system includes a fuel condition monitor for monitoring at least one of fuel cell pressure and fuel flow from the fuel cell, a control unit connected to the monitor for receiving fuel condition data sensed by the monitor, comparing the sensed data with preset values and determining fuel level in the fuel cell based on the determinations, a metering valve connected to the control unit, providing the exact amount of fuel based upon fuel cell condition, and an indicator connected to the control unit for providing an indication of fuel level.

Abstract: A setting tool for driving in fastening element includes a bolt guide (12) axially displaceably arranged in the tool housing (11), a magazine (15) projecting sidewise from the bolt guide (12) and displaceable in a direction opposite the setting direction (40) against a biasing force of a first spring (22) relative to the bolt guide (12), a second spring located between the housing (11) and the magazine (15) and having a maximal biasing force acting in the setting direction (40) and an excursion greater than a maximal biasing force and an excursion of the first spring (22); and an annular element (23) which surrounds the piston guide (13) of the tool and is located in a receiving space (20) formed in the housing (11) for transmitting a biasing force of the second spring (21) to at least one engagement surface (19) provided on the magazine (15).

Abstract: A stapler for ejecting at least one staple of resilient thermoplastic material having a base member and two legs extending from the base member to sharp ends and wherein the legs include overlapping distal portions for engaging body tissue. The stapler includes a pair of jaws movable between open and closed positions, a handle and trigger assembly for controlling operation of the jaws, an elongated tubular structure connecting the handle and trigger assembly to the jaws, an ejector for ejecting at least one staple from one of the jaws against the other of the jaws, and posts for holding normally overlapping distal portions of legs of the staple generally parallel until after the staple is ejected from the stapler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controllably dispensing flux on a substrate having a plurality of conductive terminals. Flux having a viscosity range between 10 centipoises and about 150 centipoises is sprayed on the substrate and the conductive terminals at a valve pressure range between about 1.5 psi and about 30 psi via a dispense nozzle of a flux dispenser. Upon a subsequent high temperature solder reflow process, the sprayed flux on the substrate is mostly removed by thermal decomposition to volatile species, thereby significantly reducing flux residue remaining on the surface of the substrate between the conductive terminals.

Abstract: Soldering apparatus designed to apply soldering, by means of jetting out streams of molten solder, which is gathered in a solder bath, to a piece to be soldered carried in a predetermined direction. While jetting out molten solder from the solder bath, a drive means in the apparatus supplies drive for setting the relative position between the end of the jet-stream nozzle and the piece and a control means also available outputs control signals matching a predetermined condition to the drive means to carry out micro-adjustment of the jet-stream nozzle in short time with high accuracy. At the same time, remote operation can also be performed.

Abstract: On a main shaft 30 of a numeric control type machine tool, a rotary tool 50 is installed. The main shaft 30 is not inclined in the machine tool. A first member 70 and a second member 76 to be subjected to friction stir welding are fixed on a table 20. Relative to an axial center of the rotary tool 50, a non-linear welding portion of the first member 70 and the second member 76 is inclined by inclining the table 20. Then, by rotating the table 20 and relatively moving the portion to be welded into contact with the rotary tool 50, welding of the first member to the second member is carried out according to friction stir welding. The above-stated inclination is the inclination required for the friction stir welding. In this way, welding along a path of ring shape or circular shape (including a circular arc) using friction stir welding can be carried out easily.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for joining at least two adjoining workpieces by friction welding, a rotatable shaft is provided at its front end with a friction welding tool which is biased toward the workpieces to plasticize an area of the workpiece into which the tool enters while the plasticized material is displaced and stored in, or around, the tool. Upon passing through the top workpiece and entering the lowermost work piece, the tool is removed and the stored plasticized material is returned to the void provided by the tool upon removal thereof from the workpieces for joining the workpieces.

Abstract: An effective method for cleaning flux residues produced in process of fabricating semiconductor devices, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor devices including this cleaning method are provided. The flux cleaning method for cleaning the solder bump electrodes formed using a flux comprises the steps of: applying a pretreatment process including coating of the solder bump electrode with the flux and applying a heat treatment thereto, and carrying out the flux cleaning to clean the heat-treated flux.

Abstract: A system and method of joining together first and second electric terminals includes providing the second terminal with an aperture extending therethrough and a notch therein. The first and second terminals are positioned in overlapping relationship with one another so the aperture overlaps the first terminal to provide access to the first terminal through the second terminal, and so the notch overlaps the first terminal. Heat is applied to the first terminal through the aperture in the second terminal to heat the first and second terminals. The end of a solder wire is positioned in engagement with the notch of the heated second terminal to locate the solder wire with respect to the terminals and to melt the solder wire to form a solder pool that contacts the first and second terminals.

Abstract: Surfaces of a downhole tool, e.g. a drill bit, a reamer shoe or a stabilizer, are protected by at least temporarily fixing a super-hard material (6) to the surfaces of the down-hole tool, and spray fusing a binding material (2) around the super-hard material to permanently bind the super-hard material to the down hole tool.

Abstract: A bulk box of corrugated cardboard has a readily repulpable water vapor barrier material incorporated in the outer liner, increasing the resistance of the box to penetration by moisture in humid conditions, and especially reducing hysteresis effects in conditions of cyclic humidity. The box has increased strength and bulge resistance, and achieves performance equally as good as or better than a conventional box without the water vapor barrier, while at the same time enabling less pulp fiber to be used in the construction of the box.

Abstract: A curbside mailbox wherein the outgoing mail compartment is located under the incoming mail compartment behind a single carrier service door. The incoming mail, when inserted, drops behind the outgoing mail compartment and falls into a deep mail storage area, to be retrieved by the owner through a locking rear access door. The rear access door retains a mechanical key lock and acts like a hasp fitting over a flange that is built into a upper rear wall. This feature allows the owner to double lock for added security or single lock placing a combination lock on the flange if the owner desires not to carry a key or give access to key for someone authorized to remove mail. The locking mailbox further includes a channel on top for a highly visible address display, a mounting channel on lower front to allow for quick and easy engagement, and a post cover assembly for safe and attractive installation.

Abstract: A method for secure, electronic, distributed voting using existing automated teller machines (ATMs), comprising issuing each voter an access card that can be read by an ATM and a personal identification number (PIN); enabling the ATMs to read access cards and accept PINs; in response to the reading of an access card and appropriate PIN entry, displaying at the ATM information relating to the vote to be cast; allowing the user to cast votes using one or more ATM functions; identifying a particular ATM function as an indication of finalization of the vote; and in response, automatically tallying the finalized vote.

Abstract: A method for printing a label pair made up of a destination address label and a corresponding destination Information-Based Indicia Program (IBIP) indicia label on a label stock in a system for printing one or more labels uses a unique identifying mark for each label of the label pair. The unique identifying marks allow a user to match a destination address label to a corresponding destination address IBIP indicia label. The software defines the method used to generate the unique identifying marks and the positioning of the labels with respect to each other.

Abstract: An automated media library gathers information about each readable cartridge label using a camera. From the label information, the orientation of the cartridge may be determined. For each cartridge with an unreadable label or no label, the media library attempts a get/put operation. If the get/put operation fails, the cartridge is marked as incorrectly oriented. Alternatively, the tape library may attempt a get/put operation on all removable media cartridges. A similar process is performed when a cartridge access port is closed and the cartridge access port is marked inaccessible to the host when an incorrectly oriented cartridge is detected.

Abstract: A data code label including a QR code and an ID tag including a memory having an identification code area and a decode data writing area. A data code in the QR code showing an error in decoding is corrected and stored in the memory in the ID tag while the degree of defection of the QR code is low. When the defects advance, the error rate will increase. If the error occurs after advance of defects, the decode data in the memory is read when the error is detected. If the decode data cannot be read, the error correction is effected. If the error rate is higher than a reference, the decode data is obtained from the memory. If this decreases the error rate under the reference, the error correction is effected.

Abstract: Mirrors having different optical properties are selected to change the cross-section of a beam electro-optical reader for reading bar code symbols.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating and decoding a graphical bar code (i.e., an image that contains inconspicuous graphical modulations that encode embedded information) are described. In one aspect, an invertible graphical operation is applied between regions of a base image and information-encoding graphical templates that are selected from a predefined template set to produce a graphical bar code with regions from which graphical templates are recoverable by applying an inverse graphical operation between graphical bar code regions and corresponding base image regions. In another aspect, an invertible graphical operation is applied between regions of a graphical bar code and corresponding regions of a base image to produce a set of measurement blocks, and information-encoding graphical templates corresponding to the set of measurement blocks with the highest estimated probability is selected from a predefined template set.

Abstract: A system for improved detection and decoding of a supplemental bar code label accompanying a primary bar code label is described. A supplemental label is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary label. A scanner in a bar code reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary label. Upon detection of a primary label, the system looks for the bar code encoded on the label in a database containing a set of bar codes with a value associated with each bar code. The value determines how long a search is to be conducted for a supplemental label accompanying the primary label which was scanned. The duration may suitably be based on the probability that a supplemental label will be present. It may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting a supplemental label which may be present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. An image analysis circuit determines if the acquired image should be characterized as a color photograph or as including a graphical symbol. A processing circuit processes the imaging data based on the image analysis circuit's determination of whether the image is a graphical symbol or a color photograph. The present invention allows a user to acquire and process both color images and graphical symbols, such as bar codes, text, OCR symbols or signatures. The optical reader of the present invention is also configured to associate an acquired image with at least one other acquired image.

Abstract: An insertable device, for use with electronic data processing equipment storage units, e.g., disk drives or cassette units. The device includes a housing for insertion at least partially into the storage unit of a size and shape designed to fit the storage unit, an interface disposed in the housing for facilitating the transfer of data between the device and the electronic data processing equipment, and a processor disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the interface, for performing processing of data.

Abstract: This invention concerns a card with a plastic card body (2) and a snap-off module (3) held to the said card body (2), by three ties (12, 13, 14), this snap-off module (3) including, firstly, a substantially rectangular thin plastic body (4) of which one edge (6) in the corner is cut so as to form a means of foolproofing and, secondly, a microcontroller electrically connected to contact pads (5) flush with the surface of the said module (3). The card (1) according this invention is characterized in that a first tie (12) connects the cut foolproofing edge (6) of the module (3) to the card body (2). The invention applies in particular to ISO format smartcards.