Abstract: A friction welding system includes a first spindle and a second spindle. The first spindle and the second spindle securely locate a first part and a second part, respectively. The first spindle defines a first axis. The second spindle defines a second axis. A tailstock fixture is disposed along the first and second axes to securely locate a third part. A motor rotates the first and second spindles. A controller controls the motor and the angular orientation of the first and second spindles. The first spindle is moveable along the first axis. The second spindle is movable along the second axis. The first part and the second part can contact the third pat while rotating to effect two separate fiction welds. The controller controls the rotational position of the first spindle and the second spindle upon completion of the weld.

Abstract: This invention provides a soldering method capable of solving soldering defects due to excess molten solder in the case of soldering while applying an inner pressure into a through-hole of a lead component mounting substrate: (a) In a primary soldering step, a lead component mounting substrate is lowered, and the rear surface thereof is put close to or brought into close contact with an upper end opening edge of a nozzle. Simultaneously, the soldering surface of the molten solder supplied to the nozzle is elevated. (b) In a secondary soldering step, the rear surface of the lead component mounting substrate is relatively spaced from the soldering surface of molten solder by lowering the soldering surface. (c) In a lead separating step, the lead component mounting substrate is elevated while tilting the lead component mounting substrate.

Abstract: A printed circuit board 1 including a group of consecutive soldering lands 3 for soldering a lead-type electronic part 2 with a plurality of leads 2a, includes a solder drawing land 4 having a cross-shaped slit 4a and being provided adjacently to a rearmost portion of the group of the consecutive soldering lands 3.

Abstract: A method of sealing a generator stator bar and a stator bar end fitting receiving the end including the steps of: brazing the fitting to the end of the stator bar with a braze material; applying a powder coating material to the end of the stator bar in the fitting; and curing the powder coating material to form a barrier coating on the end of the stator bar and the adjoining interior surfaces of the fitting.

Abstract: An envelope suitable for use in business or formal correspondence, or other similar purposes, comprises one or more liner sheet(s) shaped and sized so that a portion of the liner(s) extends beyond the boundary of the seal flap of the envelope upon closure.

Abstract: A carton for enclosing and dispensing articles that can be configured to serve as a cooler for articles enclosed within the carton, such as beverage cans. The carton includes retention panels that are formed from a top wall of the carton and a pair of top end flaps that are detachable from end walls of the carton. The retention panels can be rotated to be coplanar with a respective side wall and the top end flaps can be elevated with respect to the end walls such that the retention panels and the top end flaps form a retaining structure.

Abstract: A variable-volume shipping container has both cushioning and insulating characteristics, so that it may be used to ship items which are fragile, or items which require refrigeration, or both. The container includes an expansible volume-varying element which expands in thickness while maintaining its plan-view shape after the container is closed and secured, so that fragile items are held snugly, or so that items needing refrigeration are held in good heat transfer relation to a refrigerant, such as dry ice, placed into the container along with the items to be shipped. Methods of making expansible volume-varying elements of various configurations and having a differing number of expansible elements are disclosed.

Abstract: An octagonal bulk bin has sidewalls, end walls and diagonal corner panels interposed between adjacent sidewalls and end walls. Bottom flaps are foldably joined to a bottom edge of the sidewalls, end walls, and diagonal corner panels, and gusset panels connect adjacent side edges of the bottom flaps, facilitating set up of the bulk bin and spacing flap cuts from the corners of the bin to minimize or eliminate initiation of tears in the vertical corners of the bin. A plastic pallet tray has an upstanding lip around its periphery, shaped and sized to closely receive the bottom end of the octagonal bin to reinforce the bottom end and facilitate handling of the bin.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a carton for a diagonally cut sandwich or like foodstuff formed from a blank of card and having triangular end walls connected by rectangular side walls to form a triangular prism-shaped container. One side wall of the container is hinged to another wall of the container to provide an opening for insertion/removal of foodstuff and to form a lid for closing the opening. The edges of the opening have out-turned flanges and the periphery of the lid overlies the out-turned flanges encircling the opening when the lid is in the closed position whereby the lid can be bonded to the flanges to seal the contents of the carton.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collapsible rigid box comprising a rectangular sleeve of rigid chip board and having an exterior panel hingedly connected to the base of the sleeve and dimensioned to fit snugly within the sleeve. An interior shallow tray has a Hymes bottom and integral and overlapping triangular sections which form the base. The blanks for the Hymes bottom have integrally formed marginal wings which are folded to form the shallow tray. An interior panel is hingedly mounted along one side and interior to the tray. One of the blanks making up the Hymes bottom has an aperture therein. One half of a Velcro connector is secured to each of the interior and exterior panels so as to mate through the aperture on opposed sides of the blank. The box is held together by strong cover paper which connects the sleeve side panels. The exterior bottom panel is hingedly connected to the side panel by the cover paper. The interior panel is hingedly secured to one of the bottom blanks of the shallow tray.

Abstract: A packaging box includes a box and a cover. The box and the cover respectively have a plurality of concave folding lines in order for the packaging box to be collapsed and even recycled.

Abstract: A container (100) generally includes an outer shell (102, 108), wherein at least a portion of the outer shell includes a moisture-resistant barrier (902). The container further includes at least one insulating member (104, 106) disposed within the outer shell and having a cellulose-based substrate substantially encapsulated in a polymeric film.

Abstract: A shirt box includes a substrate having a plurality of fold lines including a first set of generally parallel fold lines and a second set of generally parallel fold lines. Notches extend through the substrate in a first direction. First and second sets of panels are separated from one another by fold lines. The panels are foldable along respective fold lines to define a hollow central cavity for the shirt box and peripheral ends of the shirt box. A bond permanently connects two non-adjacent panels in the first set while double-sided tape members are in adhesive contact with panels in the second set. Removable strips overlie a second side of the double-sided tape members while the shirt box is in a collapsible state, and are removable so as to size the hollow central cavity to receive a shirt or a shirt and tie combination.

Abstract: This invention relates to stackable, open-topped, partially-lidded, and/or fully-lidded shipping and/or display container, and more particularly to a corrugated paperboard stackable container for shipping and displaying products such as, for example, agricultural produce.

Abstract: A disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign has a sidewall having a longitudinal seam extending from an open end to an opposing closed end. The sidewall also has an inner surface and an outer surface. An indicia corresponds to a promotional event. The cup has a tab that at least partially conceals the indicia. The tab is associated with the longitudinal seam.

Abstract: A risk assessment system and method. A system is provided that includes: a risk avoidance process for implementing a customer solution, wherein the risk avoidance process includes markers where a risk is assessed; a system for assigning a value to a first risk coefficient associated with a design related process at each of a plurality of the markers; a system for assigning a value to a second risk coefficient associated based on a customer ability at each of a plurality of the markers; and a system for assigning a value to a third risk coefficient for the entire risk avoidance process based on a customer history.

Abstract: A technique for re-mapping the input elements disposed on a hand-held electronic device to an executable function that is different than the pre-loaded or pre-assigned function(s) provided in software applications may include receiving configuration settings for a software application or a class of software applications, including at least one physical input element, such as a key, rotary dial, or a button, associated with at least one function, such as a shifting or index function or insertion of a specific character; modifying a mapping function, such as a keyboard device driver, a device layout or a translation layer, based on the configuration settings; and executing the function associated with the physical input element upon an activation, e.g., a press or actuation, of the physical input element during operation of the software application.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed that that acquires image/audio information in response to an operations command and generates predetermined electronic data from the acquired information. The information processing apparatus includes a user information storing unit that stores and manages information for identifying an operator issuing the operations command, a personal information storing unit that stores and manages personal information of the operator, a gathering information storing unit that stores or describes a personal information managing service managing personal information that is subject to processing, and an information extracting unit that analyzes the personal information managing service of the gathering information storing unit and extracts relevant personal information from the personal information of the operator stored in the personal information storing unit corresponding to the personal information managing service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing the shifting of fees associated with accepting various forms of electronic payment from the retailer to the customer by using a credit proxy. A credit proxy is provided that adds a fee to the monetary value of a transaction, and obtains authorization to approve the transaction from the issuer of the customer's account. In an approved transaction, the customer is charged for the monetary value plus the fee, and the retailer is credited with the monetary value. Thus, the retailer receives the full value of their goods and/or services, and the customer pays for the fees associated with electronic payments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for verifying the legitimacy of a financial instrument used by a shopper is disclosed. A seller accepts details about goods and services to be delivered, and information about a financial instrument to be used in a purchase by a shopper. Identifier information is send to a financial institution issuing the instrument. The legitimate user of the instrument must access the instruments issuer's database to obtain the identifier information and derive verification information needed to answer a question posed by the seller. If the shopper can prove possession of the verification information then the goods are shipped or delivered to the shopper and payment is settled. The questions used to prove the shopper has the verification information may come in a variety of forms such as simple math equations, anagrams, or word to symbol matching problems.

Abstract: A goods sales management system includes a plurality of goods vending machines 1 having a container capable of storing a plurality of goods and a vending machine management apparatus 80 connected to the goods vending machines 1 via a communication line. The goods vending machine 1 includes a time adjustment management unit 64 for making the time managed by itself coincide with the time information managed by the vending machine management apparatus 80, a delivered-goods number counting unit 63 for counting the number of the goods delivered from the container, a goods number setting unit 62 for setting the number of the goods storable in the container, and the information transmitter/receiver unit 65.

Abstract: A card dispensing apparatus is described herein. A product package is provided that contains a consumable or a non-consumable. A debit card or a credit card having a magnetic stripe is removably positioned in the product package, and/or removably coupled to the product package. The card can be coupled to the package using an adhesive or other coupling mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a content management server for providing a content to a target user. This server includes a protected content generator which encapsulates an original content to generate a protected content corresponding to the original content, and an accessibility setting unit which sets access right to access the protected content to a user of the content management server.

Abstract: A radio frequency system and a password management method applied to a storage device of the radio frequency system are provided, in which a first access password is stored for deciding whether to permit access to information and a first changed password. The first changed password, a second access password, and a second changed password are received, and the first access password is changed to the second access password, and the first changed password is changed to the second changed password. Accordingly, information access authority in the storage device and a password change authority can be exclusively transferred according to the transfer of management of the storage device, and information leakage caused by a previous manager's password leakage or a third person's password leakage can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention has been made to allow a user to easily grasp the operation area and thereby to easily and quickly perform the operation even in the case where the operation area extends across the entire system. An operation guidance display unit displays the entire appearance of a system to be operated as well as displays the operation position, in a specific manner, relative to the entire appearance of the system to thereby provide guidance of the operation position in the entire system and further displays, in an enlarged manner, the operation method related to the operation position displayed in a specific manner to thereby provide guidance of the operation method.

Abstract: A retail checkout system includes a customer-operated portable terminal with a data reader, such as a barcode scanner, and a customer-operated self-checkout station with an automated payment-accepting subsystem. Customers use the portable terminal to identify and log products that are selected as they move through a store. Item identification data is then transferred to the self-checkout station, where the customer pays for the selected products using the automated payment-accepting subsystem.

Abstract: A kiosk dispenses and receives recorded optical media using an interconnected central server, through an Internet Service Provider. The central server has databases and processing capabilities and is connected to a credit verification system. The databases collect inventory administration information and customer data (e.g., credit card information and email addresses) from the kiosks. The central server initiates credit verification, sends receipts to customers via email and maintains databases for remote inventory-control and administration of the kiosk network. A kiosk may identify a recorded disk for automated restocking and perform quality assessment of a recorded disk. The kiosk may provide publishing-on-demand or act as a portal for remotely served advertisements. The kiosk preferably includes a rotatable carousel with a selection of DVDs. A digital camera captures a digital image of a disk barcode and internal software rotates the image to “read” the barcode, to control inventory and access issues.

Abstract: A delivery product management system for managing a delivery product with an RFID tag includes: a delivering site terminal provided with a delivering site reader-writer for reading and writing, or for reading information stored in the RFID tag; and a receiving site terminal provided with a receiving site reader for reading information stored in the RFID tag, wherein, the delivering site terminal reads identification information from the RFID tag of the delivery product by using the delivering site reader-writer, and writes delivery information containing at least delivery address information of the delivery product in the RFID tag after checking that the delivery product is correct based on the identification information, and the receiving site terminal reads the delivery address information from the RFID tag of the delivery product by using the receiving site reader, and checks whether or not a receiving site is correct for receiving the delivery product.

Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for securely voting by providing a secure voting module in communication with a voting device. A voter signs onto the voting device using a unique voter identification, and the voter's voting selections are written to the voting device. A scrambled voter identification is generated using the unique voter identification and a unique encryption value of the secure voting module, whereby the voting selections and the scrambled voter identification are stored in the secure voting module. Once voting has ended, first and second fuses are blown within the secure voting module for destroying the unique encryption value and for permanently storing the voting selections and scrambled voter identification in a read only secure voting module that maintains voter anonymity while preventing any further physically writing thereto. The voting results may then be counted, re-counted or validated.

Abstract: A secure device for electronic voting is employs a write-once vote-recording cartridge, preferably based on an e-fuse array. The cartridge has two distinct modes of operation: write mode and read mode. When in write mode, the array can only be written—it cannot be read. When in read mode, the array can only be read—it cannot be written. The array starts out in write mode. When switched to read mode, it cannot be switched back. A hardware mechanism provides successful write confirmation. The e-fuse array is installed (like a cartridge) into a vote-recording device. The voting device has an encryption/authorization mechanism that combines polling parameters (entered by the polling authority) with user (voter) information (Voter ID confirmation, poll selections, etc.) to produce a “fuse string” to be written into the e-fuse array. Upon completion of each vote, the fuse string from is written to the array, with hardware confirmation of successful writing.

Abstract: A host device is configured to read and write information from and into a card and to supply a supply voltage that belongs to a first voltage range or a second voltage range which is lower than the first voltage range, and issues a voltage identification command to the card. The voltage identification command includes a voltage range identification section, an error detection section, and a check pattern section. The voltage range identification section includes information indicating which one of the first voltage range and the second voltage range the supply voltage belongs. The error detection section has a pattern configured to enable the card which has received the voltage identification command to detect errors in the voltage identification command. The check pattern section has a preset pattern.

Abstract: A non-contact reader/writer for an IC card includes an antenna substrate provided with a loop antenna and a capacitor on its upper surface, a control substrate provided with a transmitting/receiving circuit and a chip coil on its upper surface, and a magnetic sheet disposed between the antenna substrate and the control substrate. A magnetic flux generated by the chip coil on the control substrate passes through the loop antenna to cause magnetic coupling, so that the loop antenna and the transmitting/receiving circuit need not be connected to each other through a communication cable.

Abstract: A wireless device may alert a wireless smart card reader that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is probably imminent by sending an activation alert. Upon receipt of the activation alert, if the wireless smart card reader is in a low-power state, the wireless smart card reader may enter a higher-power state. If the wireless smart card reader is in the higher-power state upon receipt of the activation alert, the wireless smart card reader may remain in the higher-power state until a timeout period has expired. The wireless device may instruct the wireless smart card reader to enter the low-power state by sending a deactivation alert if the wireless device identifies that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is not likely to occur within a specified period of time.

Abstract: A reader/writer is provided. The reader/writer performing radio communication with a radio communication terminal in close proximity thereto, includes: an antenna which transmits a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency and which receives a composite wave of the carrier wave and a modulated signal of the carrier wave transmitted from the radio communication terminal; a demodulating unit which demodulates the composite wave received by the antenna; a judging unit which judges whether or not it is difficult to detect a modulated component included in the composite wave received by the antenna when the radio communication terminal is in close proximity; and a carrier-wave control unit which reduces a component of the carrier wave input into the demodulating unit when the judging unit judges that it is difficult to detect the modulated component.

Abstract: An optical reading head of a scanning apparatus includes a casing, a lens, a base and a sliding frame. The base is used to support an image sensing module and movable on the casing. The sliding frame is coupled with the base for fixing and driving the lens to move along a gliding track on the casing. During the focusing operation, the lens' position is adjustable by moving the sliding frame and the optical signals are clearly imaged onto the image sensor of the imaging sensing module. During the magnification correcting operation, positions of the lens and the imaging sensing module are adjustable by moving the base and the tolerance of magnification for the optical reading head would be equal to or less than an acceptable preset value.

Abstract: A bar-like side-emitting light guide suitable for re-directing an incident light beam such that the light beam emerges from each side of the structure. The guide structure includes a light guiding bar having an upper surface and a lower surface and extending along a longitudinal direction. On a cross-sectional plane of the light guiding bar, there is a first line interval on the upper surface. A second line interval, a third line interval and a coupling part are located at the lower surface. The coupling part couples with the second line interval and the third line interval. The distance from the lower surface of the light guiding bar to a reference plane of the upper surface varies such that the thickness gradually decreases from the coupling part to the sides. In addition, a planar light source module can be constructed by arranging the foregoing light guiding bars in parallel.

Abstract: A machine-readable symbol reader is operable to read one and two-dimensional machine-readable symbols such as barcode or matrix code symbols. The reader includes an imaging subsystem and a scanning subsystem. The reader initially attempts to acquire a symbol operating as a conventional imager. If unsuccessful, the reader then attempts to acquire a symbol operating as operating as a conventional scanner. If unsuccessful, the reader then employs an image sensor array of the imaging subsystem along with a scanning beam produced by the scanning subsystem, operating as a neither a conventional imager nor a conventional scanner.

Abstract: A method for reading and displaying a two-dimensional code is to enable the display of digital information with high cell density and to enable an accurate reading of digital information, while responding to the various conditions. An image pattern that can be distinguished from surrounding cells is detected from an image data containing the two-dimensional code by verifying an image on the image data with a predetermined verification pattern. The detected image pattern includes the image of one or more data marks.

Abstract: An optical reader that is configured for classifying an image. The optical reader includes an image analysis component that is configured for classifying the image by evaluating a result of attempting to locate and process a portion of the image as graphical symbol, and configured for classifying the image as an image including a graphic symbol if and when attempting to locate and process a portion of the image as graphical symbol is successful, and configured for classifying the image as an image excluding a graphic symbol if and when attempting to locate and process a portion of the image as graphical symbol is unsuccessful.

Abstract: The invention concerns a particle having a grey scale code embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the particle.

Abstract: A label for a product includes an electronic display for displaying label information. The digital label includes a processor, a memory, and a display configured to store and display label information about a product to which the label is attached. The digital label also stores product authentication data for authenticating the product to which the label is attached.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes an extraction unit to extract layer levels of each packet included in partial encoded data, an estimation unit to calculate the number of layer levels of each packet based on the extracted layer levels of each packet and estimates a greatest layer level of each packet, a writing unit to write the greatest layer level of each packet in a management table, and a formation unit to form a layer data table in which each layer has the greatest layer level. The writing unit changes the layer levels of each layer written in the management table to the layer levels of each layer included in newly received partial encoded data when the layer levels included in the newly received partial encoded data are larger than the layer levels written in the management table.

Abstract: A temperature control system having a re-circulation loop that uses valves to selectively circulate a temperature control fluid through a cooling system, through a heating system, or through a through passage so as to controlling the temperature of the temperature control fluid, which, in turn, controls the temperature of a target. A temperature sensor monitors the target's temperature. A controller controls valve operation in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor to obtain a predetermined target temperature. Beneficially, the controller controls the target's temperature according to a predetermined temperature profile. Continuous etching along a predetermined temperature profile is possible.

Abstract: The temperature in a water tank (e.g., a residential water tank) is monitored, and a controller switches between a high temperature mode of operation and a low temperature mode of operation (e.g., based on a daily or weekly program). During the low temperature mode of operation, the controller generates signals to selectively activate a water heater to keep the water's temperature within a first range of values, (e.g., between 105 and 113° F). During the high temperature mode of operation, the controller generates signals that cause the water heater to heat the water to a temperature that is above the first range of values. This arrangement may be used for saving energy by operating in the low temperature mode at night and during those parts of the day when nobody is home, and by operating in the high temperature mode in the morning and evening when the demand for hot water is typically high.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting heat from a heat source comprising a housing having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. The housing includes an internal compartment therein and the first end of the housing is connected to said heat source. A channel extends from the housing for providing access to the internal compartment. A hollow conduit is positioned within the internal compartment extending between the first opening and the second opening. A plurality of members are positioned on an exterior surface of the conduit and along the length thereof. The members are able to absorb heat from within the conduit and release the absorbed heat into the internal compartment creating heated air. The apparatus includes a means for drawing air through and expelling air from said conduit and means for moving said heated air out from said internal compartment to a second compartment. The apparatus is activated via means connected to each of the drawing means and the moving means.

Abstract: An amount of time that air has been delivered from an air handler to a space is tracked, and based on the tracked amount of time, at least one turn-on time or one turn-off time of the delivery of air from the air handler to the space is controlled. Other features relate, among other things, to controlling a replacement air vent, and to user interfaces.

Abstract: An amount of time that air has been delivered from an air handler to a space is tracked, and based on the tracked amount of time, at least one turn-on time or one turn-off time of the delivery of air from the air handler to the space is controlled. Other features relate, among other things, to controlling a replacement air vent, and to user interfaces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite molded member, which includes the steps of: setting the main body inside an injection mold; closing the injection mold to fix the main body inside the injection mold; and forming the cushion members on the edges of the main body through heat and pressure of the injected elastic polymer material. The elastic polymer material is injected from an injection gate into one of the first and second edges at the back surface side of the main body of the molding cavities to flow the elastic polymer material into one of the molding cavities. The elastic polymer material flows into the other of the molding cavities through the connecting flow path, and fills the molding cavities with the elastic polymer material.

Abstract: A nozzle chip (3) for ejecting a liquid such as in an electrospray device is built from a substrate chip having grooves (5, 7) on a top surface. A lid (25) is attached to the top surface closing the grooves to form channels one of which has an open outlet end (9). At the outlet end a nozzle is formed at or attached and it has an outlet opening from which the liquid is to be ejected. Alignment recesses (13, 15) are made at edges of the substrate chip and they are accurately positioned in relation to the outlet opening, the alignment recesses allowing an accurate mounting of nozzle chip giving the outlet opening of the nozzle a reproducible position in the device where it is to be used. At the outlet end a recess (17) in the substrate chip can be provided and the nozzle can then be located in the recess to mechanically protect it.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing device for dispensing vapor into an environment is provided self-regulates vapor pressure of a reservoir with an evaporation chamber and allows lower volatile ingredients to return to the reservoir. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vent is in communication between an emitter pad in the evaporation chamber of the dispensing device and the reservoir. This vent allows lower volatility ingredients to flow back into the sealed reservoir extending the useful life of the vapor dispensing device.