Abstract: The tracked drive device particularly protected by its frame or hood as well as by protective plates, so as to prevent any accidental insertion of a finger or any other part of the human body between the track elements. Said arrangement makes access to the track, for replacement or maintenance, particularly difficult. The invention provides a pivoting construction of the driving device, whereby the driving mechanisms become easily accessible, thus facilitating track change.

Abstract: In an electric stapler which includes: a passage (4) formed in a magazine portion (2) of the stapler body (1), for attaching and detaching a staple cartridge (3); and sheet staples (a) accommodated in the staple cartridge (3), wherein both side portions of the lead staple (a1) and the following staples of the sheet staples (a) are successively bent and stricken, a staple detection sensor (7), both sides of the end of the actuator (8) of are tapered, is arranged so that both side portions can be directed to an entrance of the passage (4) and the end of the staple detection sensor (7) can be engaged with an upper or a lower face of the sheet staples (a) of the staple cartridge (3) attached into the passage (4). The actuator (8) is swung and tilted in the perpendicular direction to the longitudinal direction of the passage (4) and biased by a spring so that it can obliquely rise at all times.

Abstract: A tilt top anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling device for performing end-to-end anastomosis of tissue. The tilt top anvil assembly included an anvil head, a center rod and a biasing member. The anvil head is pivotally secured to the center rod about a transverse axis which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the center rod. The biasing member is supported on the anvil assembly at a position to urge the anvil head to a tilted reduced profile position. The anvil assembly includes a first abutment surface which is operatively connected to the anvil head is movable into engagement with a second abutment surface formed on a surgical stapling device during approximation of the anvil assembly to move the anvil head from the tilted reduced profile position to an operative firing position. When the anvil assembly is moved to the unapproximated or spaced position, the biasing member is positioned to return the anvil assembly back to its tilted reduced profile position.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus capable of stably applying a pressure force without enlarging the apparatus, and a robot having thereof are provided. A rotating tool (22) is provided with a rotational shaft (26) and a hollow surrounding shaft (27) is provided to surround the rotational shaft (26). The rotational shaft (26) is movable along an axis-of-rotation (L) and is rotated by a rotation drive motor (25) about the axis-of-rotation (L). The surrounding shaft (27) is rotatably supported by a main frame (29) and an outer threaded portion is formed around the outer peripheral thereof to be threadedly engaged with a nut member (52). The rotating tool (22) is rotatably supported by a header (40), and the header (40) and the nut member (52) are coupled together through a bracket (70).

Abstract: The invention resides in a friction stir welding tool comprising a shaft (532) and a tapered probe (504), said probe having a plurality of helically pitched surfaces (512) extending in the direction from the proximal end (530) of the probe to a distal end (531) of the probe, such that the diameter of the probe, in every longitudinal cross-section of the probe (504), diminishes continously from the proximal end (530) to the distal end (531) of the probe.

Abstract: A soldering station with indicator lights to display system status is provided. The soldering station comprising a power supply and a control board coupled to the power supply. The control board is operable to adjust output of the power supply. The soldering station further comprises a card reader coupled to the control board. The card reader receives a control card from a user. The control card allows the user to change the settings of the soldering station. The soldering station also includes a plurality of indicator lights. The plurality if indicator lights illuminate in patterns that are indicative of the status of the soldering station.

Abstract: Two members 11 and 12 are butted against each other, and the butted portion is cut with a cutter 20 to form a slit 14 thereto, and a filler member 21 is inserted to slit 14 using rollers 22, 23 and 25. Then, friction stir welding is performed to weld filler member 21 and two member 11 and 12 disposed on both sides thereof using a rotary tool 35, and the position of a gap formed between an end of filler member 21 at the upstream side in the rotating direction of rotary tool 35 and one member 11b at the upstream side in the rotating direction is detected using an optical sensor 35. Then, half the width of filler member 21 is added to the detected position, and the calculated position is set as the position of the rotary tool 35.

Abstract: A bonding agent for metals or ceramics comprising 0.25 to 18.0% by weight of a powder of Mg and 25 to 50% by weight of a hydroxyl solvent, the balance of its composition being a powder of AlN. The bonding agent having the constituents stated above has a large amount of reaction heat generated by the reaction of its constituents. This reaction heat destroys thermally any strong oxide film existing on the surface of a base body or a part to be joined thereto, and forming a barrier layer hindering their bonding when the base body and the part to be joined thereto are of an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A titanium alloy strip has a reduced cross section in the central region of the strip. By concentrating heat in this central region the process of bonding laser devices to a substrate is greatly improved. Furthermore, the present invention allows for the possibility of removing the laser device from the substrate without destroying the laser device.

Abstract: A highly heat-resistant laminated component for a fusion reactor has at least of a plasma-facing area made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy, a heat-dissipating area of copper or a copper alloy with a mean grain size of more than 100 &mgr;m, and an interlayer of a refractory metal-copper-composite. The refractory metal-copper-composite has a macroscopically uniform copper and refractory-metal concentration progression and a refractory metal concentration of between 10 vol. % and 40 vol. % over its entire thickness.

Abstract: A laser diode bar, solder preform and heat sink are assembled prior to reflowing the solder in a manner to prevent molten solder from being drawn by capillary action over the light emitting end of the diode bar. A recessed pin 30 locates the ends of the laser bar and solder preform with respect to an edge of the heat sink so that the laser bar and solder preform overhang the heat sink edge by respective amounts. When molten, the solder will not be drawn by capillary action to obscure the light emitting end of the laser diode bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reclosable, cuboidal folding box having a rear wall, a front wall, two or more side walls which connect the front and rear walls, a base closure, and a top closure, which is formed by three closure tabs and has an insertion flap. A double-layered hanging tab is articulated on the front wall or the rear wall via a severable tamperproof surface, which is fixed to the insertion flap.

Abstract: A container is provided with a main cavity partitioned into several compartments by dividing walls bridging the main cavity. The container and dividing walls are constructed by providing a single blank and forming the container out of the blank using folds and attachments. The compartments are adapted for holding and dispensing objects having different characteristics from each other, including different dimensions. Under the present invention, a single container allows for customized dispensing means for several types of items.

Abstract: An expandable container generally includes at least two walls pivotably coupled along at least two junctures so as to lie generally flat in a collapsed position. The container also includes at least one flap pivotably coupled to at least one of the walls. A pull cord is coupled to the flap such that pulling the cord pivotably moves the flap relative to the walls thereby expanding the walls apart from one another from the collapsed position to an expanded position.

Abstract: A container is provided with a removable lid which allows for corner reinforcement structures to remain attached to the container after lid removal. According to one embodiment, the lid is removable via a combination of tear-away strips and reverse cuts. The container is preferably manufactured using a unitary blank and designed for easy construction and filling, convenient storage and display, and simple conversion into cooking and serving conformations.

Abstract: An ATM media cassette includes a self-locking arrangement for a media directing guide. The guide is automatically placed in a locked condition during removal of the cassette from an ATM. The guide is automatically unlocked during reinsertion of the cassette into the ATM. The self-locking arrangement enables the guide to be locked during transport.

Abstract: A flag system for use with a mailbox utilizes an elongated body having two opposite ends and which defines a recess which opens out of one end thereof. In addition, a flag member is slidably received by the recess of the body for movement between a retracted position at which the flag member is substantially withdrawn into the recess and an extended position. A channel which is defined in the recess cooperates with the flag member to guide the flag member between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A mailbox comprises a housing and a hinged door, a spring loaded locking mechanism is attached to the housing and the door, a delivered mail detection mechanism 22, and an outgoing mail indicator means operably cooperate with the locking mechanism to enable or disable the locking mechanism under appropriate conditions as described herein. The delivered mail detection mechanism includes an external mail present indicator.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard assembly that is useable with several types of digital devices and software platforms. The keyboard assembly includes a keyboard and universal carriage and can be configured with multiple communication means. The keyboard assembly can be folded into a compact and durable carrying configuration and, when opened, provides an economic interface to an attached device using standard keystrokes.

Abstract: In order to identify an item (1), on which a return deposit can be imposed, an element (11), which can at least be read in the radio frequency range and/or optionally one which can be switched or activated, are/is provided on the item (1). This element is activated optionally before or upon handing over the item and/or payment of a deposit for the item. The element is activated in such a manner that enables the item to be identified as one on which a deposit has been imposed. Before or upon returning the item (1), the element is read and, optionally when reimbursing the deposit the element (11) is activated and or deactivated in such a manner that enables the item to be identified as one on which a deposit is not imposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system or method for printing, within a user network, a label to be used for the return of a component. The system comprises an appliance connected to the user network. The appliance itself includes at least one removable component, the component being provided with a first memory means containing information for the identification of the removable component. The appliance further comprises a first means to detect a condition relating to the end of lifetime of at least one of the removable components located in the appliance. The system also comprises a second means, which is connected to the user network and is adapted to communicate, through a second network, with at least one remote server. The second means is adapted to send the remote server a request to receive data representing a label to be used for the return of a component, when the condition regarding the end of lifetime of the component located within the appliance has been detected by the first means.

Abstract: A waste disposal system comprises a waste disposal unit, including a processor, a scanner, a network interface coupled to a network, and a remote processing system coupled to the waste disposal unit via the network. The remote processing system includes a database storing user sample preferences, wherein the sample preferences are used to select samples to be provided to the user, and instructions configured to receive scanned information from the waste disposal unit for a first item, determine from the received scanned information that the first item is a sample, receive an indication via the waste disposal unit whether the user wants to order a replacement for the sample, locate replacement options for the sample, transmit the replacement options to the waste disposal unit, and receive from the waste disposal unit an option selection by the user.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and systems for waste disposal and information distribution. A discard information processing apparatus comprises a discard unit including a processor, a scanner, the scanner configured to scan a code on items deposited in the discard unit, a network interface coupled to the processor and configured to communicate over a network, a database storing information related to the discard unit's contents, and a profile associated with a user of the discard unit. A remote processing system is coupled to the discard unit via the network, the remote processing system including instructions configured to receive information from the database, wherein the received information provides an indication as to when at least a first item is to be replenished, and to provide at least a portion of the received information to at least a first supplier so that the first supplier can predict inventory needs.

Abstract: A method of facilitating interaction between a user and a computer system using a product item having an interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, the interaction being mediated by a sensing device, wherein the method includes:

Abstract: A method of enabling electronic redemption a plurality of tokens, wherein each the plurality of tokens is disposed on a product label and includes coded data that can be used to determine a unique product identifier of the product label with which it is associated, the method including the steps of:

Abstract: An IC card operation system is disclosed which enhances the added values of data stored on IC cards to promote acceptance of the cards. The storage area of each IC card is divided into a private and a public area. The private area accommodates a transport fare value while the public area stores reward points issued by shops. The shop-issued reward points are convertible to a transport fare value. The public area is further divided into a shop-specific point area and a common point area, the shop-specific point area accumulating points shop by shop, the common point area retaining points common to all shops. Each shop accumulates points to both of the shop-specific and common point area. Points are deducted from the common point area for use as a transport fare value. That is, only the points accumulated in the common point area of the IC card are used as transport fares while the points accumulated by individual shops are kept unchanged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for registering network information in a mobile terminal using a smart card. The method includes the steps of: receiving system network set-up information into a mobile terminal from a wireless communication system; connecting a smart card in the mobile terminal and determining if there exists network set-up information in the smart card; storing the newly-acquired network set-up information in a network set-up information file stored in the smart card if there is no network set-up information present in the smart card; and comparing the existing network set-up information stored in the smart card with the newly-acquired system network set-up information obtained from a wireless communication system and updating difference between the existing network set-up information and the newly-acquired system network set-up information in the network set-up information file if there is the network set-up information present in the smart card.

Abstract: A credit transaction system and a method thereof using fingerprint information strengthen an authentication function of a card user's identity. The system includes a terminal for credit transactions which has a function of authenticating the identity of the card user using the fingerprint and transmits transaction particulars and card information of the card user; a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal; and a management server, connected to the terminal, for mutually communicating the fingerprint information and the card information with the terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting sales transactions in a manner that permits a user to access all aspects of their finances to debit or withdraw funds from an account to fund a sales transaction. The system employs a universal account card that permits the user to link to a server associated with a given account. Linking may be achieved through a terminal, which may be employed to read information from the universal account card, and a network that relays information between the server associated with the given account and the terminal.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing stored-value card data over a communications network between a plurality of terminals and a central processor is provided. Each of the terminals is accessible to respective users and is located in a respective location generally remote relative to the central processor. The stored-value card data is configured to securely process in real time stored-value cards transacted by respective users to enable charging prepaid stored-value services to a recipient of the transacted stored-value card. The method allows for providing a database coupled to the central processor. The method further allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card. An associating step allows for associating in each stored record respective identifiers to uniquely match a respective stored-value card and a respective terminal.

Abstract: A shopping receptacle for receiving and retaining a product item having an interface surface associated therewith, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, wherein the receptacle comprises:

Abstract: A method of packing an object, the object having an interface surface having coded data disposed thereon or therein, wherein the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the object, wherein the method includes, in a sensing device:

Abstract: An RFID device detection system includes a proximity locator, which generates an electric field for reading an antennaless RFID device, or for reading other, antennaed RFID devices. An antennaless RFID device includes non-antenna conductive leads coupled to a chip. The proximity locator includes one or more conductors forming a transmission line structure arranged to set up a strong RF electric field in proximity to the locator. The strong RF electric field may be a short-range field that provides significant RF energy only over a relatively short distance, when compared with traditional RF fields that are set up over a relatively large distance. The short-range RF field allows coupling to antennaed and antennaless RFID devices that are near to the proximity locator. The RFID device detection system may be employed in a variety of tasks, including inventory control and theft detection.

Abstract: A system for projecting a display onto an item or parcel is disclosed, using an acquisition device to capture indicia on each parcel, a tracking system, a controller or computer to select the display based on the indicia, and one or more display projectors. In one embodiment the display includes or connotes a handling instruction. The system in one embodiment includes a laser projection system to paint the selected display directly onto a selected exterior surface of the corresponding parcel, for multiple parcels simultaneously. The system may be configured to move each display in order follow each moving parcel so that each display remains legible to a viewer in a display zone where handling takes place. This Abstract is provided quickly inform a reader about the subject matter, and not for use interpreting the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a status of a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, the method including, in a sensing device:

Abstract: A ballot system including a printed ballot wherein the locations intended for marking voter choices are pre-treated with invisible ink, the remainder of the ballot being untreated; a marking pen containing an activating chemical which makes the invisible ink change to visible and produce permanent marks; and an optical scanning system which detects and tallies the marks made visible by the activation.

Abstract: An electronic voting system has a voting administrative module connected to a plurality of voting modules connected via a network. A voter initiates the voting process by inserting a voting key into a voting key reader of a voting module. The voter then makes voting selections, which include casting votes, on a touch screen display of the voting module. Alternatively, the voting module may verbally guide the voter through the voting process using an audio headphone. The voter may also make voting selections verbally through a microphone using voice recognition technology, or by using a tactile keypad. After the voter is finished casting votes, a voter verifiable paper ballot is printed and an electronic ballot is saved on the electronic voting system. The voter can review the paper ballot.

Abstract: A non-contact IC card reader/writer device includes antennas that perform carrier wave transmission and reception with a non-contact IC card, an A/D converter that detects the voltage level of each carrier wave received from the non-contact IC card through the antennas, and a control unit that calculates the location of the non-contact IC card from the voltage levels detected by the A/D converter.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal in accordance with the present invention includes a non-contact IC card into which an external IC-card reader/writer can write transaction information. The mobile communication terminal, when transaction information is written into the non-contact IC card, transforms the transaction information into an electric mail, and transmits the electric mail to a predetermined address.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises placing an image capture device into a packaging, inserting at least a portion of a locking insert into a housing of the image capture device through the packaging, and engaging the portion of the locking insert with a carriage disposed in the housing to substantially immobilize the carriage.

Abstract: A signal processing means (40) outputs a signal (41) representing a number when a combination of at least two imagers (11), (12) detects a spatial arrangement of a plurality of code portions of a coded data source (60)—where the spatial arrangement of the plurality of code portions represents the number, and where imager combinations can comprise spatial, temporal, and light property combinations.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging module including a frame supporting various optical components and a circuit board, which, in one embodiment, carries essentially an entirety of illumination and aiming LED's of the module. The frame may include resilient fingers which enable the frame to receive certain optical components in a snap-fit arrangement. Further, the module may be arranged so that the outer walls of the module provide a containment for preventing structural damage to sensitive internal components of the module.

Abstract: A method of identifying a face of an object, the object having a plurality of faces, each face having coded data disposed thereon or therein, wherein the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions provided at respective positions on each face, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the object, and wherein the method includes, in a sensing device:

Abstract: A method of determining an orientation of a respective object, the object having an interface surface having coded data disposed thereon or therein, wherein the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions provided at respective positions on the interface surface, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the object, and wherein the method includes, in a sensing device:

Abstract: An optical encoder, including a light emitting section; a light receiving section; and a resinous code plate disposed movably relative to the light emitting section and the light receiving section. The resinous code plate includes, on the plate face thereof, a plurality of tracks respectively provided with molded code-pattern surfaces different from each other, and a local structured-surface area formed between the tracks arranged side-by-side relative to each other, the local structured-surface area possessing a surface configuration different from the molded code-pattern surfaces of the tracks. The molded code-pattern surface of each of the tracks includes a flat surface area and an irregular surface area, adjacent to each other as seen in the extending direction of the track.

Abstract: A method of conducting a business transaction involving information recorded in an encoded indicium using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, attempts to decode for a decodable 1D symbol which may be represented in the image data, and captures a full frame of image data if the image data reading reveals a 2D symbol is likely to be present in a full field of view of the 2D image sensor.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing a product item provided in a sensing region, wherein the product item includes an interface surface having disposed thereon at least one of:

Abstract: A scanning device adapted to scan an interface surface provided on a product item, the interface surface having disposed thereon coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, the product item being provided in a sensing region, the scanning device including: a beam generator for emitting at least one scanning beam, the scanning beam being directed in first and second orthogonal directions to thereby generate a raster scan pattern over a scanning patch provided in the sensing region; at least one beam controller for directing the at least one scanning beam along selected ones of a number of patch beam paths, each patch beam path extending into the sensing region at a respective angle; a sensor for sensing at least some of the coded data on the interface surface of the product item as the product item passes through the sensing region; and a processor for determining, using at least some of the sensed coded data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item.

Abstract: A method for producing an ink-spread compensated variant of an existing optical code encodation scheme, wherein the existing encodation scheme has printed areas and spaces having a length in at least one dimension being a function of a given unit length for encoding information. In the method, the pattern of printed areas and spaces for a given data input is determined and a given length is added to the length of each space while the length of the printed areas remains unchanged to enlarge the overall length of the resulting code symbol in the at least one dimension.

Abstract: A scanning device adapted to scan an interface surface provided on a product item, the interface surface having disposed thereon coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, the product item being provided in a sensing region, the scanning device including: a beam generator for generating at least one scanning beam having a predetermined spectrum; at least one beam controller for directing the at least one scanning beam into the sensing region through a scanning surface, the scanning surface being transmissive to radiation of at least a portion of the predetermined spectrum; a sensor for sensing at least some of the coded data on the interface surface of the product item; and generate, using at least some of the sensed coded data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item.