Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for multi-application user media such as smart cards that can be used by users to obtain related benefits. Multiple applications of one type such as transportation may be implemented on user media from a standard or reference of that application type. Hierarchical networks and data structures may be provided in implementing user media. User media may include application identifiers, associated data groups, and data structures that are associated with the data groups. An application may be configured by different originators differently based on sets of defined data groups and/or data structures from which the originator may select in implementing the application. Multiple applications of different types such as financial, health, transportation, etc. may be configured on user media to provide related services.

Abstract: The invention enables a user to obtain a document associated with the program content of a video signal. Coded data on a surface is read by a sensing device which generates indicating data which is a request for the document. A computer system receives the indicating data from the sensing device and extracts document identity data from the video signal, in order to retrieve the document.

Abstract: A system for validating a credit card over a wireless network. The system includes a wireless communication network for receiving a request message including credit card information for identifying a credit card to be validated from a wireless device. The system also includes a gateway in communication with the wireless communication network for receiving the credit card validation request message from the wireless device and an external network in communication with the gateway for providing credit card validation data to the gateway. The gateway is configured for processing the credit card validation data for sending a credit card validation reply message to the wireless device. The gateway includes a database for storing the credit card validation reply message. The database includes a directory structure for associating the wireless device with the credit card validation reply message.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a customer's online enrollment in a promotional reward program by submitting account information, such as, an account code and an identification number. The method may include the steps of receiving account information, validating the account information, verifying the eligibility of the account for the program and enrolling eligible accounts. The method may be executed on a computer system including a data input device, a processing device, a display device and a database.

Abstract: A system for marking parts including an automated parts labeling (APL) software module for producing information labels for marking parts, a processor for executing the APL software module, and at least one of peripheral label device communicatively connected to the processor for receiving part identification information from the processor and marking said information labels.

Abstract: A system and method for locating items includes broadcasting the descriptions of multiple product and their locations to remote devices. Preferably, the remote device compares the broadcasted products with pre-stored products, and displays any matches.

Abstract: A character reading system efficiently and quickly applies an optical verification process to detect magnetic ink character misreads. In the system, a magnetic ink character reading device reads magnetic ink characters on a processed medium and generates magnetic ink character data, an image reading device scans an image of the processed medium and generates image data, and a position calculator calculates positions of magnetic ink characters on the processed medium and generates magnetic ink character position information. A communication controller sends the magnetic ink character data, image data, and magnetic ink character position information to a host device which includes an optical recognition device that optically recognizes select magnetic ink characters from the image data based on the character position information. By selectively applying optical verification (e.g.

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: A data-processing system comprises a microprocessor, a communication device communicating with an electronic module intended to apply a convention signal to the microprocessor, and a hardware circuit allowing inversion or no inversion of the order of bits of a word as a function of the value of the convention signal during transfer of the word between the electronic module and the microprocessor. Such a system allows a time gain during the operation of converting the bits of a word as a function of the convention used, which is beneficial for the real-time constraint. The system concerned may be used, for example, in a terminal using one or more cards of the SIM type, such as a mobile phone.

Abstract: An IC card includes a first support; a second support; an IC module including an IC chip, a reinforcing structural member neighboring to the IC chip and an antenna; the IC module providing between the first and second supports; a first adhesive layer provided between the first support and the IC chip; and a second adhesive layer provided between the first support and the IC chip. The IC card has a rebound coefficient (h/h0) of 0.52 to 0.70, where h0 is a dropping height from which a steel ball is dropped onto the IC card and h is a rebound height to which the steel ball rebounds from the IC card.

Abstract: This thermostat controls to a constant ratio of temperature and humidity to give approximately constant comfort. It is especially suited for residences with air conditioning equipment but without specific humidity lowering equipment. The thermostat significantly reduces air conditioner running time without degrading comfort as humidity declines in its air-conditioned space. During winter operation the thermostat characteristically raises its dry bulb set point as humidity decreases.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an environmental control system comprises input circuitry receiving environmental information and output circuitry for controlling an HVAC system. Processing circuitry in the controller configures the output circuitry based at least in part on the signals received on the input circuitry. Information about the status of the HVAC system may be transferred to system administrators using a wireless link.

Abstract: A track fastener has a top plate spacedly surrounded by a frame and connected to the frame by a body of elastomer bonded to both the top plate and the frame at all surfaces at which the elastomer fills the gap between the two. The frame has hoods overhanging ribs of the elastomer which have inclined flanks covered by the elastomer as the elastomer reaches down from the gap between the hood and the rib to the top surface of the top plate lying below the receiving surface of the top plate on which the rail bears.

Abstract: A method of operation of a plasma torch and the plasma apparatus to produce a hot gas jet stream directed towards a workpiece to be coated by first injecting a cold high pressure carrier gas containing a powder material into a cold main high pressure gas flow and then directing this combined high pressure gas flow coaxially around a plasma exiting from an operating plasma generator and converging directly into the hot plasma effluent, thereby mixing with the hot plasma effluent to form a gas stream with a net temperature based on the enthalpy of the plasma stream and the temperature and volume of the cold high pressure converging gas, establishing a net temperature of the gas stream at a temperature such that the powdered material will not melt or soften, and projecting the powder particles at high velocity onto a workpiece surface.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle for dispensing anaerobic adhesives/sealants in an automated dispensing system, is provided. More specifically, the nozzle having a hollow body with an entry port and an exit port, the body having a wall with an internal wall surface which defines an elongate conduit arranged about a longitudinal axis of the nozzle, and linking the entry port to the exit port, where at the exit port the internal wall surface alternates in distance from the axis of the nozzle between axis proximate positions and axis distal positions, thereby forming a dispensing opening in the exit port of non-circular cross sectional area. The wall is flexible radially outwardly in the regions of the axis proximate positions.

Abstract: In an atomizer device for the production of a liquid-gas mixture (4), the mixture (4) is introduced, particularly for compression, into a nozzle arrangement (3) in which the kinetic energy of the mixture (4) is in large part converted into compression energy by a pressure rise of the air. The atomizer device (2) includes a central air feed (16) and a nozzle chamber (18) for the supply of liquid surrounding the air feed. At or in the atomizing device, means (17) are arranged in the nozzle chamber for producing a swirled liquid flow in the nozzle chamber (18), and the swirled liquid flow emerges via a nozzle aperture (19) surrounding the air feed.

Abstract: A control module (1) for an injector of an accumulator injection system is used to control and guide a valve body (8). The control module comprises a high pressure supply line (2) for supplying fuel, and a guiding device (3) for guiding the valve body (8). A control room (4), an inlet throttle (5) and an outlet throttle (6) are also provided. The inlet throttle (5) connects the high pressure supply line (2) to the control chamber (4) and the outlet throttle (6) connects the control chamber (4) to a control valve (15). A control piston (7) is arranged in the control chamber (4), the end of the control piston opposite the control chamber (4) being connected to a high pressure region (9) on the valve body (8).

Abstract: A cover assembly for a food processor having a cover cooperative with a working bowl or container, an accessory being selectively cooperative with at least one cavity in the cover, a safety system including a disengaging assembly cooperative with the cover and/or the accessory to selectively deactivate or disengage the safety system. The cover and the accessory can be simultaneously separated and/or removed from the food processor or adjusted relative to each other and/or the food processor.

Abstract: A food processor (1) with two bowls (20, 21), which are of different constructions and each comprise a bottom wall (22, 31) and a tubular inner portion (28, 34) rising from the bottom wall (22, 31) into the bowl interior, comprises two transmission pieces (60, 61) which are preferably of different constructions and by means of which the formation of an inadmissible combination of a bowl (20, 21) and a tool (42, 45, 46), which can be introduced into the bowl (20, 21) and is associated with one of the bowls (20, 21), can be prevented in a simple manner.

Abstract: A mashing tool is provided having a pair of arms attached to a mashing plate and a blade on each arm formed of a flexible resilient material in order to provide for scraping members and mixing members of the mashing tool. A non-scratch, noise-reduction, flexible coating is provided on the majority of the surfaces of the mashing tool and an improved fabrication method is provided thereby.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge case consisting of an upper half and lower half; a magnetic tape pulling-out port formed at a corner of side wall of the cartridge case, a curved door opening/closing the tape pulling-out port, a guide groove guiding the door to universally slide in its opening/closing directions, a door-side spring hooking portion protrusively provided with the door, a case-side spring hooking portion formed in an inner surface of the cartridge case, a tensile coil spring, of which one end of the coil spring is hooked in the door-side spring hooking portion and the other end of the coil spring is hooked in the case-side spring hooking portion, energizing the door to a closing position of the tape pulling-out port, and a spring putting platform provided neighboring the door-side spring hooking portion, and for receiving the tensile coil spring in a state in which the tensile coil spring is temporarily assembled on the door side spring hooking portion.

Abstract: A force limiter is provided on a belt retractor. The belt retractor comprises a belt spool (1) that is rotatably mounted in a frame (10) and has at least one flange (1a) and a disk (2) that can be non-rotatably blocked on the frame. The disk (2) and the flange (1a) of the belt spool (1) are adapted to be coupled by a cutting element (3). The cutting element (3), with a relative rotation between the disk (2) and the flange (1a), comes into a coupling position and cuts material when the relative rotation is continued.

Abstract: An extendable wing system for a fluid-born body has a forward wing and an aft wing pivotably coupled together at a location outward of their wing roots. A linkage mechanism mounted on the body provides both pivoting of the wing roots about a pivot point and translation of the wing roots and their pivot points to extend the joined wings from a stowed position to a deployed position. Translation of the forward wing root pivot point allows the stowed wing system to occupy additional space toward the nose of the body, thereby allowing use of wings having a longer wingspan and greater aspect ratio. The linkage mechanism can also be used to incorporate flight control, such as roll and pitch control, directly into the wing system. In another embodiment, the wings can incorporate actuator elements on or within the wings to effect flight control by deformation of the wing structure.

Abstract: A suspension part for mounting a turbojet engine includes two ends equipped with two elements, juxtaposed in a widthwise direction of the suspension part, for fixing the suspension part to the fixed structure. The ends are shaped into pairs of yokes respectively flanking connecting rods and each including fixing elements and a bearing of a journal of a connecting rod which bearing is situated underneath a fixing element. The suspension part also includes slots passing through the two ends of the suspension part and running between the yokes without running over a central portion of the suspension part. Each of the yokes has an upper portion with an additional thickness located on an inside of each of the yokes.

Abstract: An inertial reference system for an aircraft includes two accelerometers and a gyrometer. One accelerometer is located at a front portion of the aircraft, the other is located at a rear portion of the aircraft. The gyrometer is located at a center portion of the aircraft. The system also includes a control computer linked to the accelerometers and to the gyrometer. The center portion can include the aircraft's center of gravity.

Abstract: A drag reduction system extends from an underside of a VTOL aircraft forward of a four-point sling system. The four-point sling system carries an external load close to an underside of the airframe and oriented along the aircraft longitudinal axis. The drag reduction system includes a retractable shield mounted beneath the underside of the aircraft which reduces drag of the external sling load and reduces the airloads on the external load.

Abstract: An overhead area access staircase system (10) for an aircraft (12) includes an aircraft overhead module (20) and multiple stair segments (40). The stair segments (40) are actuated relative to each other when deployed and are configured to be in proximity with the overhead module (20). The stair segments (40) are in contact with the overhead module (20) when deployed. The stair segments (40) include step elements (42) and support members (44) coupled thereto.

Abstract: This invention control system having: means (12) for detecting an irregularity in aircraft handling during flight; means (18) for causing temporarily a rigid body excitation in at least a portion of the aircraft; means (20) for monitoring an actual response to the excitation; means (22) for comparing the actual response and a target response to the rigid body excitation; and means (14) responsive to an output from the comparison means for determining the need for a modification of the current flight plan and for generating a corresponding control output. The invention also provides a corresponding method for controlling an aircraft.

Abstract: A baby bottle holder with a wide base for stability with a concaved based portion for resting upon an infant is disclosed. The bottle holder has two self adjusting arms that grip the infant for hands free feeding leaving the care giver free to perform other tasks. Cylindrical like walls grip the bottle firmly and thereby allowing for easily insertion or removal of the baby bottle. The baby bottle holder retains the bottle at an angle that allowing the flow of liquids for comfortable feeding. The baby bottle holder also is shaped to act as a handle allowing the infant child to easily grip the bottle; and can be used as a teething toy.

Abstract: A disappearing shelf support for furniture comprises a casing (13, 113) having a seat (14, 114) in which a pin (15, 115) is housed, which pin axially slides in the seat between an operating position, at which the pin has its front portion projecting from a front wall of the casing (13, 113) and out of the shelf edge, and a non-operating position at which the pin is retracted in its seat so that it does not project from the shelf edge. A working element (16, 116) laterally projects from the pin (15, 115) and slides in a groove (17, 117) in the casing that is open on a side face (18, 118) of said casing to enable manual operation of the pin (15, 115) between the two positions thereof. Also present in the casing is fitting means (20, 120) for an unstable maintenance of the pin in the retracted position, which fitting means is disposed between the side wall of said groove (17, 117) and said working element (16, 116) sliding therein.

Abstract: Mounting system for mounting an adjustable arm for a peripheral device. The system includes a set of components which may be configured to create a clamp mount, a wall mount, a reverse wall mount, or table or flat mount, a panel mount and a slat mount. The components include a shaft holder for receiving the shaft of the arm apparatus and a pair of L-shaped brackets. One of the brackets includes a pair of extending pins which are received within openings within the other flange when assembling the components.

Abstract: Structures for securing a fluid containment cylinder at the neck portion of the cylinder include a mounting frame having a bore disposed therein and a slot disposed orthogonally to the central axis of the bore. The neck of the cylinder passes through the bore and a u-bolt passes through the slot, registering against a shoulder on the neck of the cylinder, thereby securing the cylinder within the block. In other embodiments, the securing structure includes a collar for preventing rotation of the cylinder or for accommodating a certain degree of misalignment of the cylinder with respect to the securement structure.

Abstract: A computer unit holder for supporting a computer unit under a desk or other work surface is disclosed. The computer unit holder includes a cable that extends downwardly and underneath the computer unit to support it. The cable may be supported by two side panels, one of which includes an adjustment mechanism for changing the length of the exposed cable. One of the side panels may be adjustable toward and away from the other side panel. A movable mount may also be included so that the load of the computer unit will always be centered under the mount.

Abstract: A support structure of a portable keyboard includes two front support and a rear support. The front supports and the rear support can rotate to two predetermined angles respectively to form a confine within which a portable computer may be placed and supported. The rear support supports a backside of the portable computer, and the front supports push against a lower edge of the portable computer. Furthermore, both the front supports and the rear support can be closed onto an upper surface of the portable keyboard.

Abstract: A seat slide device including two slide assemblies each having an upper slide element which is slid by a drive unit along a lower track element via a flexible drive transmission element. The drive unit is provided in the seat and the flexible drive transmission element is arranged between the drive unit and two slide assemblies, such that a part of the flexible drive transmission element extends along a direction in which the two slide assemblies extend. An auxiliary flexible drive transmission element may be added to insure imparting a drive force to the upper slide element. A lock operation/control system is provided to insure precise locking and unlocking of the upper slide element with respect to the lower track element, while simultaneously effecting selective switch-over operation of the drive unit to cause forward and backward movement of the upper slide element along the lower track element.

Abstract: A self-aligning bracket for use in mounting a planar surface such as a roof to a fixed structure such as a bank of fuel cylinders mounted to the roof of a vehicle frame. The bracket provides a locating block on a saddle mount which co-operates with a depression formed on the inner surface of the roof to align fasteners depending from the roof with a coupling fastener on the bracket. The coupling fastener is laterally moveable within an oversized hole in the bracket and engages the locating block to permit co-rotation. An anchor is attached to an end of the coupling fastener so that when the roof fastener is actuated in the coupling fastener, the anchor is drawn towards the coupling fastener, tightening the locating block, coupling fastener and anchor to the saddle mount, preventing further lateral movement.

Abstract: A bracket for connecting to and supporting a beam of a walkway releasably attaches to a helical anchor. The bracket includes a beam restrainer for supporting a beam and a connecting plate releasably attached to a connector assembly. The connector assembly releasably attaches the helical anchor to the bracket and accommodates differences in spacing at various installation locations.

Abstract: A portable post support provided with a body to be supported on a horizontal surface, an upwardly opening body chamber and a top portion having a central vertical support opening there through, and one or more separate openings spaced from the central opening for receiving flowable ballast material into body chamber, body top securable to said body and means for securing a post to the body bottom.

Abstract: A thruster gas control mechanism for controlling a flow of thrust gas through a gas nozzle, the mechanism having a plunger movable into and out of the gas nozzle, the plunger being connected to two movable baffles. The two baffles form two channels with two side walls of the mechanism. A movable armature controls flow of other thruster gas through either of the two channels, or through both channels, to cause the baffles and plunger to move toward or away from the gas nozzle, and causing the plunger to move into or out of the gas nozzle.

Abstract: A differential pressure valve simplified in construction includes a piston integrally formed with a main valve element and arranged on the upstream side of a main valve to define a chamber for introducing refrigerant from an inlet port. The piston has an orifice and a refrigerant passage for communicating with a chamber on a back surface side of the piston. The chamber is configured such that it can be connected, via a refrigerant passage and a pilot valve element, to a chamber on the downstream side of the main valve, which communicates with an outlet port.

Abstract: A valve, actuator and control system that allows minimizing the size of the actuator and operation of the control system in a manual mode that automatically prevents accidental operation by pipeline pressure is disclosed. The actuator uses gas pressure from the pipeline to power the actuator. In the event gas pressure is unavailable, a pair of manual hand pumps are incorporated to allow operation of the actuator and valve.

Abstract: An electrostatic microvalve has a partition dividing a first and a second valve chamber from each other and having a through duct extending through it, such through duct opening at a first and a second opening into the first and the second valve chamber. In the first valve chamber there is a valve member for the control of first duct opening.

Abstract: A control element for media, for instance, a pneumatic valve or a hydraulic valve, comprising a valve body in which one or several channels are arranged, at least one moving element arranged in a channel and means for carrying out a relative movement of and/or deforming the moving element. The means are directly arranged on and/or directly act upon the moving element.

Abstract: A lightweight, low cost throttle body and throttle valve placed in the body, both formed of resins, that resolve the problem of excessively large gap formation is disclosed. Circumferentially oriented filler contained in a resin forming a throttle valve compensates to make the radial linear expansion coefficient of the throttle valve substantially equal to that of a bore. Grooves are formed on concentric circles in the throttle valve to orient filler circumferentially. A throttle valve provided with circumferentially oriented filler can be formed by impregnating an aggregate formed by circumferentially arranging the filler with a resin and curing the resin. A rib is formed in a part near a throttle shaft to control molding shrinkage so that the roundness of the bore is small.

Abstract: A power unit comprises a rectangular chassis having a forward end and a rearward end and including a pair of parallel lift arms having rearward ends slidably mounted along the rearward end of the chassis, and a pair of connecting arms having forward ends pivotally mounted at the forward end of the chassis and having rearward ends pivotally mounted near the mid point of the lifting arms. The power unit further includes an actuator mounted at the rearward end of the chassis and attached near the mid point of the lift arms for translating the rearward ends of the lifting arms for raising and lowering the forward ends of the lift arms. The forward ends of the lift arms are typically for use with the jack stand for raising and lowering the jack stand, and are alternatively further for use with a lift bridge.

Abstract: A pulling tool for pulling nails, screws, rivets, pegs, or other protrusions includes a jaw which may be opened to receive the head of the protrusion. The jaw is then at least partially closed against the protrusion, and when the handle of the tool is pulled, the jaw is both urged shut and also away from the surface from which the protrusion extends. Thus, as the protrusion is pulled, its shaft is also more tightly grasped, which helps to pull the protrusion from the surface without stripping off its head/cap. The pulling tool can be provided as a part of a hammer, crowbar, or other conventional tool.

Abstract: A fence rail clip for attaching a fence rail to a vertical fence post is disclosed. The rail clip has a bracket with a raised central area flanked by two lower lateral areas and a rail connector that, vertically or horizontally, slidingly engages the central area of the bracket. The lateral areas define locations for connecting the bracket to a vertical post. The rail connector has a rail receiving receptacle into which an end of a rail may be inserted. The bracket may include indicia for determining the correct position of attachment of the rail connector to the bracket. When the position of the rail connector is altered by sliding the rail connector relative to the bracket, the angle of the rail receiving receptacle is altered, thereby changing the angle at which a rail may be attached to the post.

Abstract: Air is mixed with water passing through a liquid feed line. An internal nozzle carried within the feed line includes an exit diameter smaller than the diameter of the feed line for creating a liquid stream for mixing with air from a vent line directed into a mixing chamber within the feed line. Through the force of the nozzle, the aerated water is focused into an exit channel having a flat entrance face and an exit bore diameter greater than that of the internal nozzle.

Abstract: A more efficient process and method for dispersing gas or other fluids into a liquid which may have solid suspension. More particularly, the process includes maximizing the transfer of oxygen by an impeller by selecting a Froude Number value and/or Surface Power Density value and analyzing these two relative to the desired Standard Aeration Efficiency value desired for the impeller.

Abstract: A spring holding cone (1) for a spring end of a spiral torsion spring (13), especially a sectional door spring for an industrial door or a garage sectional door, has an outside surface (2) for supporting the spring end of the torsion spring (13) at its inside diameter and fixing means for fixing the spring end to the spring holding cone (1) in a torque resistant way. The fixing means comprise a flank (5) which protrudes from the outside surface (2) and engages between the first spring turn (12) and the second spring turn of the torsion spring (13) at the spring end. The flank (5) extends over less than 180° of the circumference of the outside surface (2); and a securing element (6) extends over a flank-free area of the outside surface (2).