Abstract: A data displaying apparatus that can efficiently display a plurality of data on a relatively small display screen. The data displaying apparatus includes a user input unit for outputting a data display request signal if there is a data display request from a user, a memory unit for storing a plurality of data and a plurality of identification information corresponding respectively thereto, a display unit, and a controller. The controller controls the display unit to display the plurality of data.

Abstract: A self-service machine, such as an automated teller machine (70), that includes a plurality of vacuum pick mechanisms (10) for picking media (12), such as banknotes, each vacuum pick mechanism (10) including a pump (18), a pickline (20) connected the pump, a drive mechanism for moving the pickline (20) between a media pick position and a media release position, and a motor (33) for driving both the pump (18) and the drive mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a point of sale device to obtain authorization from a customer to convert the customer's promissory transaction to a direct debit transaction. In an embodiment, the point-of-sale device prints an authorization form for the customer's signature.

Abstract: An IC module (secure element with an IC card function) mounted on a portable device executes a process relating to a service, via contactless communication with a service terminal located at a certain place. At least one of the IC module and the portable device judges whether a change, made in state data related to the service and made by the process with a user's check eliminated, satisfies a condition set as requiring an attraction of a user's attention. According to the result of the judgment, a user interface function of the portable device notifies a user.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a status of a plurality of products, such as prepared food, located in product locations within stations throughout a restaurant. The status of each product indicates whether that product exists in a particular storage location, and whether that product has exceeded its shelf life or hold time. The storage time which has elapsed for each product is automatically counted and compared to the hold time. A cook time, which is that duration of time required to cook a particular product, is also maintained for each of the products. The status indicates when additional product should be cooked in order to have new product prior to the expiration of existing product by indicating when the hold time less the cook time has elapsed. The status also indicates which product is the oldest to facilitate the transfer and use of the oldest product first.

Abstract: A point-of-sale (“POS”) system includes POS devices and associated monitoring and diagnostic applications. POS peripherals in a POS device include data memory for storing device configuration and status information. A diagnostic application installed in the POS device monitors and diagnoses the POS device. The diagnostic application monitors the interactions between hardware in the POS device and applications that interface with the hardware. The diagnostic applications analyze these interactions, the configuration and status information and any logs it creates to provide diagnostic information. The POS device also includes several interfaces to access the diagnostic application.

Abstract: A method and system for building and utilizing a database containing images of transactions. As transactions are performed, a camera takes images of the transactions. These images are correlated to data that outlines the details of the transaction that includes date, time and sometimes the amount of money exchanged. The images and data are stored in a database for easy retrieval using query instructions so that a particular transaction and its corresponding image are quickly retrieved.

Abstract: A luggage collection installation, located at a place of arrival where passengers disembark from an aircraft or other means of transportation with passenger coupon parts (31) of boarding passes, is arranged to facilitate luggage delivery. The passenger coupon parts (63) contain encoded luggage identification corresponding to identification data on transported luggage. The installation comprises at least one reader/writer (5) for the passenger coupon parts (63) and means (4) for reading luggage identification data carried by luggage to be collected on a conveyor (2), and which corresponds to encoded luggage identification data stored in the passenger coupon part (63) of the boarding passes.

Abstract: A medication-dispensing unit is provided for tracking medical products having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag uniquely associated therewith. The dispensing unit includes compartments for receiving medical products therein, and readers for reading the RFID tags associated with the medical products in the compartments. A processor is coupled to the readers for receiving and processing readings of the RFID tags in the compartment to identify the medical products in the compartments. The processor may identify a medical product removed from a compartment by determining a difference between readings of the RFID tags in the compartment taken before and after the medical product is removed from the compartment. The processor may verify that the medical product removed from the compartment is authorized to be removed or confirm that an identified patient is intended to receive the medical product being removed from the compartment.

Abstract: Items, for example grocery items in a shopping cart or warehoused items being inventoried, are counted by electronically registering flickers from tags attached to, or incorporated into, the items. The registration takes place during an interval of time equal to the flicker repetition rate of the tags. For example, each item's tag might flicker out an identifying signal (preferably from an LED in the tag) in about a thousandth of a second, and repeat this flicker once a second. A detector registers all of the flickers from all of the items during a one-second interval, and thereby counts the items because each will have flickered once during that time. Other items, with different identifying flickers, can be counted during the same interval. Thus, large numbers of various tagged items can be counted rapidly.

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: Systems and techniques for control of RFID devices. An RFID device has an antenna connected with a switch or switches whose states can be changed so as to disable or reduce the effective range of the antenna. The RFID device includes a transceiver that uses the antenna to carry on communications with an RFID reader. The transceiver can set the states of switches in order to set the reader to a desired state. The reader is capable of issuing commands to the RFID device, acted on by the transceiver in order to set states of switches in order to achieve a desired state for the RFID device. The reader may issue commands through RF communication, or alternatively may issue commands through a close proximity interface, for example through contacts or through an inductive connection, allowing the state of the device to be reset after the RF capability of the device has been disabled or reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying hazardous material in a mail stream in which hazardous particulates or material in or on mail pieces in a mail stream are detected and the mail piece bearing the hazardous material is identified. A bar code applicator applies a unique bar code to the wrapper of each mail piece identified as potentially containing hazardous material. The bar code applicator is an ink jet which applies the bar code on-the-fly. The bar code applied is encoded with specific information about the detection parameters at the time of the event in addition to specific information about the date, time of day, machine identification, temperature and humidity conditions, etc. present at the time of the event.

Abstract: A scanned beam image capture apparatus is adaptable to use in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: An image capture system having an image capture module and a terminal unit captures both photo images and coded images. An alterable optical path of the system operates in a first configuration when capturing coded images and in a second configuration when capturing photo images. Captured images are presented on a display as they are captured. A user of the system may parse through captured images to select one or more of the captured images for permanent storage and/or transmission to a remote location. The system operates to identify coded targets within captured images, to prompt the user to select one or more of the identified coded targets and to decode the selected coded targets. The image capture system may direct a user to reposition the system so that a decodable coded image will be captured. The image capture system communicates over wireless and wired networks with remote computer systems, personnel, and mobile units.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a smart card having multiple applications installed thereon. One of the multiple applications is designated as a default application which is activated whenever the card is reset. The default application is required to implement a first operation to provide a canonically ordered listing of the multiple applications on the card. The default application may further implement a second operation to allow one of the multiple applications to be selected for activation via an index into the listing.

Abstract: A memory chip and embedded microprocessor (‘smart memory card’) with a sputtered memory ring for additional memory capacity. The card configuration allows use with ISO 7816 compliant readers. The smart memory card has a spring bolt-hole which allows use of the smart memory card on an adaptor with compact disc and digital video disc drives. The memory chip and sputtered memory ring have sufficient capacity for high-density memory applications such as high-level encrypted security systems, biometric identification systems, and combination access systems. The processor configuration may include a wireless transceiver for 802.11 series, Bluetooth™ and other wireless systems.

Abstract: A thermostat system includes a temperature sensor, an LCD for selectively displaying alphanumeric and graphic devices on a touchscreen with virtual buttons, a processor having a memory for storing program and data information, and means for establishing communication with a remote correspondent. In one embodiment, the communication from the remote correspondent includes functional programming adding functions or virtual buttons to the thermostat not previously available to it. A communications interface connects the processor and a remote correspondent which is a source of functional programming.

Abstract: A water spreader arrangement for use in an evaporative air cooler in which the spreader includes an inlet leading to generally vertical projections disposed over several levels. The projections are adapted to divide a single stream of water entering the inlet into many outlet streams, all of which have a predetermined ratio of flow rates. The outlet streams can be fed to an evaporative pad of an evaporative cooler. In a preferred form, the outlet streams have substantially the same flow rate. Preferably, a cooler incorporating this water spreader arrangement would include several spreaders around the upper periphery of the evaporative pads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a level sensing spray applicator. In one embodiment, the spray applicator includes a gun that receives a liquid and a supply vessel coupled to the gun. The vessel includes a level sensor responsive to the volume retained by the supply vessel. In another aspect, a level-sensing supply vessel includes a level sensor responsive to a volume of liquid retained by the supply vessel, the sensor including a sensor element to detect the volume by sensing a resistance property of the liquid. In still a further aspect, a method of sensing a level of a liquid retained within a storage vessel includes sensing a first liquid volume, removing a portion of the first volume to define a second volume, determining if the second volume is less than a minimum volume, and generating an alarm signal if the second volume is less than the minimum volume.

Abstract: A speed limiting mechanisms for turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. Dynamic viscous damping of the turbine output power train is used to control the rotational speed of the turbine. This prevents overspeeding when the turbine is air driven, and also when the turbine is water driven, under abnormal conditions such as blockage of a bypass area designed to control the turbine speed by limiting flow to the turbine. The same mechanism can be used to impose a lower rotational speed in the turbine during normal operation in conjunction with a turbine optimized for lower speed operation to reduce the required gear reduction in the power train.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that determines the temperature and/or firing resistance of a thermal fluid-ejection nozzle as the fluid-ejection nozzle is fired. The method determines whether the fluid-ejection nozzle ejected fluid upon firing based on the temperature and/or firing resistance of the fluid-ejection nozzle.

Abstract: A nozzle for a spray device comprising a mixing chamber (3) for a first fluid and a second fluid, said mixing chamber (3) having an exit orifice (24), an inlet feed (8) from an inner tubular passage (4) suitable for carrying the first fluid, and an inlet feed (5I) from an annular passage (5) surrounding the inner tubular passage (4) and suitable for carrying the second fluid, characterised in that the nozzle comprises a means for causing spiral flow around the inner tubular passage (4) of a fluid passing through the surrounding annular passage (5).

Abstract: An adjustable spray nozzle with adjustable arc of coverage as well as spray elevation angle and flow rate. A very simple adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle configuration is also disclosed which may be easily assembled for a particular precipitation rate and/or range of coverage at a selected nominal pressure. Also disclosed is a simple fixed arc of coverage spray nozzle with selectable ranges for a particular precipitation rate.

Abstract: A dispenser bottle comprising two receptacles for two (preferably different) fluid active substances wherein both receptacles have outlets arranged next to one another in such a way that both active fluids can be applied to a common application field. The receptacles are compressible and provided with discharge nozzles so that the active fluids are mixed with one another only after exiting from the discharge nozzles. The nozzle channels of the discharge nozzles taper towards each other and are preferably substantially parallel. The nozzle channels have an annular construction below the outlet on the inner periphery and have edged transitions with a chamfer forming a bevel on the influx side.

Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.

Abstract: A material reduction apparatus for reducing materials having an admixture that resists reduction. The mechanism incorporated into the apparatus to provide a bypass of such admixture while avoiding shut down interruption of the materials reduction operation.

Abstract: A diverter valve housing has two outlets and one inlet for receiving a flow of air conveying a continuous strip of material, and a diverter duct or tube is pivotally supported within the housing on a pivot axis adjacent the inlet. The diverter tube has an outlet end portion supporting a pair of inclined cutting blades which cooperate with a cutting blade supported by the housing between the outlets for alternately and quickly chopping or cutting the strip of material when the outlet end portion of the diverter tube pivots between the two outlets of the housing. Sealing members connect the diverter tube to the housing and form stops for the diverter tube. A fluid cylinder is pivotally connected to the housing and has a piston rod pivotally connected to the diverter tube for rapidly pivoting the diverter tube between the two outlets.

Abstract: An oscillation device axially oscillates a spool with handle rotation, and includes a driving gear, a cam gear, a slider, and a guiding portion. The driving gear is arranged on a master gear shaft, so as to be spaced apart from the master gear. The cam gear has a cam pin on its side surface, and is arranged on the fishing rod attachment side of the oscillation device relative to the master gear shaft. The cam gear is attached to the reel unit rotatably about an axis substantially parallel to the master gear shaft, so as to rotate in cooperation with the driving gear. The slider has a cam receiving portion engaging with the cam pin of the cam gear, and is axially immovably attached to the rear of the spool shaft. The guiding portion is provided in the reel unit and guides the slider movably in the axial direction.

Abstract: A drag mechanism is arranged between a spool and a spool shaft and includes at least one first drag washer, at least one second drag washer and a drag knob. The at least one first drag washer has on an outer circumferential portion with at least one interlock protrusion. The at least one second drag washer is arranged with respect to the first drag washer along an axial direction of the spool. The drag knob is configured to be threaded onto the spool shaft to selectively adjust an amount of pressure acting on the first and second drag washers.

Abstract: A reel comprises a hub onto which recording tape is wound and a flange that is disposed on an end portion of the hub and retains a width-direction end portion of the recording tape, wherein plural cutout portions that locally divide the hub and the flange are formed in the flange. The cross section of the hub in plan view has a substantially equilateral triangular shape and positions where constricting force resulting from the tape reaches a maximum are caused to protrude in advance.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a take-up drum with webbing wound therearound, a torsion bar coupled to a first end of the take-up drum non-rotatably relative thereto, and a ratchet wheel coupled to a second end of the torsion bar non-rotatably relative thereto. The seat belt retractor further includes a deformable member provided on a second end of the take-up drum for rotating integrally therewith, an internal tooth element (8) provided non-rotatably relative to the torsion bar, and planet gears in mesh with a gear surface of the internal tooth element and in engagement with the deformable member, the planet gears being assembled non-rotatably relative to the torsion bar. The planet gears revolve around the deformable member while biting into the surface of the deformable member to plastically deform the deformable member when the webbing is paid out to cause the sun element and the internal tooth element to rotate relative to each other after an emergency locking member is locked.

Abstract: The invention is a spinning roll dispenser product for dispensing items from a roll, for example a roll of paper towels. The product holds the roll on a spindle and spins around a spindle axis as the items are pulled from the roll. The product has a plurality of wheels and a tapered spindle portion for holding and dispensing the items.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting system (100) inserted between an aircraft engine (2) and a rigid structure (4) of an attachment strut (6) fixed under a wing (8) of this aircraft, the system including a forward mount (16), an aft mount (18) and a device (20, 120, 220) for resisting thrusts generated by the engine (2). The system also comprises additional means (23) for opposing the longitudinal bending of the engine (2), these additional means (23) being designed to resist loads only starting from a predetermined deformation of this engine (2). According to the invention, the additional means (23) comprise at least one connecting rod (32) capable of opposing longitudinal bending of the engine (2), each connecting rod (32) being connected firstly to the rigid structure (4) of the strut (6) and secondly to a fan casing (26) of the engine (2), so that it is only stressed starting from the predetermined deformation of this engine (2).

Abstract: A flying vehicle-launching apparatus and method for launching a winged flying vehicle by accelerating the vehicle in a predetermined direction includes a flying vehicle-supporting platform, a guide device, and a driving device. The flying vehicle-supporting platform supports the winged flying vehicle so that it can lift off therefrom. The guide device supports the flying vehicle-supporting platform across two or more separated and parallel guide ways and guides the flying vehicle-supporting platform along the guide ways. In the flying vehicle-launching method, a propulsive engine of the winged flying vehicle is started after initiating acceleration with a flying vehicle-accelerating device. The winged flying vehicle is released from the flying vehicle-accelerating device in a predetermined angle of attack that is positive to a direction of acceleration after reaching a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surface temperature control is provided. Surface temperature control is achieved by flowing coolant in and then out of a low strength porous layer attached to a structural plenum. A semi-permeable layer may be attached to the outer surface of the porous layer to prevent erosion of the porous layer and to facilitate surface film cooling.

Abstract: To allow for optimum arrangement of the rows of seats for any individual flight, the distance between rows is adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the passenger plane, optionally according to sections, by storing in a control device an actually desired arrangement of rows, and automatically displacing (via the control device) every row whose position has to be changed to achieve the actually desired arrangement of rows on its fastening rails to the position determined by the actually desired arrangement of rows. In this way, it is possible to provide a passenger plane, preferably prior to landing, with the data of the actual passenger distribution and the resulting optimum arrangement of rows for the next flight so that it can be prepared after landing for the next flight in the shortest possible time.

Abstract: A crew rest berth support system includes a crew berth assembly having first and second berths. Hook assemblies suspend the first berth from mobile platform structure. Pin assemblies suspend the second berth from the structure. Cam assemblies connect the first and second berths. The hook assemblies permit first berth rotation in a first path and the pin assemblies permit second berth rotation in a second path substantially perpendicular to the first path. When the first and second berths are connected using the cam assemblies the crew berth assembly is restrained from motion in either the first or the second paths. An entrance cap rotatably mounted to the platform structure prior to the first and second berths is also provided.

Abstract: An improved seating apparatus for an aircraft comprising: a seat assembly and a positive lock device for securing the seat assembly to the aircraft. In the preferred embodiment, the positive lock device comprises: an adjustable force applicator for selectively applying force, a track fitting for insertion into an aircraft seat track, a rigid force bearer having a top region and for transferring force to an aircraft seat track, and a lock plate biased toward the applicator head. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat leg.

Abstract: Provided is a method for providing fire shield protection to an aircraft auxiliary power unit, or portion thereof, or to other aircraft systems.

Abstract: An adjustable stand for rotatably and releaseably supporting a flat panel display is disclosed together with a display device usable with the stand. The display includes a boss projecting from a rear surface thereof, which boss is received in an arc-shaped channel in a plate portion of the stand. The stand further includes two hingedly connected legs and selective locking devices for controlling the angle between the legs, thereby allowing the stand hold the display in a variety of orientations with respect to a horizontal support surface.

Abstract: A bracket for holding accessories on a boat includes a pair of mounting plates which are laterally spaced apart from one another and interconnected by a plurality of threaded screws and wing nuts, wherein the mounting plates have a set of aligned open through surfaces through which the screws extend and are retained by the nuts. Connected between the plates to the screw are a set of interconnecting plates which form a slot therebetween to removably receive a support plate which is configured to attach to an accessory. Each screw has a plastic sleeve thereabout serving as a spacer between one of the mounting plates and the remaining interconnecting plates and wherein each spacer is approximately the width of a rail of a boat.

Abstract: An accessory bracket is provided for mounting an accessory, such as a mirror or other instrument, close to the field of vision of a pilot of a boat, for instance. The bracket is mounted to a tower or other structure with a mount forming a clamp so that the bracket and an attached accessory are above the lines of sight of the pilot, thereby avoiding obstructing the pilot's view of the environment of the boat. The bracket includes an arm extending from the mount and a post extending from the arm. The mount is adjustable relative to the structure, and the bracket is accordingly adjustable. The accessory is mounted to the post and is adjustable relative to the post such that the accessory may rotate around the post and may pivot relative to the post. The arm may include a hinge for raising and lowering a portion of the arm and the attached post and accessory.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for testing electrical or optical devices. The invention includes a test fixture having a base component, a first rail and a second rail coupled to the base component, a top component coupled to the first and second rails, and an interposer coupled to the first and second rails.

Abstract: A member tilting mechanism includes a housing rear having a concave spherical portion, a cap support having a convex spherical portion, a plate pivot having a pivot portion, which is a tubular portion with an arc-like cross section, a spring plate which presses against the cap support towards the housing rear in such a manner that the plate pivot is allowed to tilt in such a state that the pivot portion is held by the concave spherical portion and the convex spherical portion, a tapping screw for fixing the spring plate to the housing rear, and a stopper that is fixed to the housing rear for restricting the deformation of the spring plate in an anti-pressing direction. According to this structure, the stopper restricts the deflection of the spring plate in the anti-pressing direction so as to prevent the excessive tilt of the plate pivot.

Abstract: A load-bearing, pressurized-fluid column apparatus and method for supporting a load or mine ceiling with respect to a support surface or mine floor includes an elongated, flexible sleeve and bladder retain a substantially incompressible liquid. The sleeve and bladder have a collapsed and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the sleeve and bladder are not filled, and have a first, shorter length. In the expanded configuration, the sleeve and bladder are filled with the liquid, and have a second, longer length sized to extend to and between the load and the support surface. A valve allows the liquid to be added and prevents escape of the liquid. A base can seal a lower end of the sleeve, and can be disposed on the support surface. A cap can seal an upper end of the sleeve, and can be capable of abutting the load.

Abstract: Setting foot provided with a base and a carrier of which the level can be set with respect to the base by means of a lifting mechanism, in which the base is provided with an axial cylindrical opening having a diameter with internal screw thread, whereas the cylindrical carrier is provided with an external screw thread which cooperates with the internal screw thread of the carrier for the axial setting of the carrier, provided with a lifting mechanism, characterized in that, the coupling device comprises:—a setting bolt with an external screw thread and an outer diameter, and a coupling device between the setting bolt and the carrier;—a hollow (10) along a substantial part of the length of the setting bolt;—a coupling member between the hollow (10) and the setting bolt (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging a medical device is provided. The apparatus includes a shaft, a mounting portion coupled to an end portion of the shaft and configured for mounting the apparatus for movement with respect to the medical device, and a hook portion positioned at an opposite end portion of the shaft and configured for hanging the apparatus from a support. The shaft is configured to permit rotation of the hook portion with respect to the mounting portion, thereby facilitating orientation of the hook portion with respect to the support.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated valve having the diaphragm attached at its lower end to a valve closure plug, and movable therewith, and attached at its upper end to a portion of valve body that forms the pressure cavity. The diaphragm has a stepped portion between its upper and lower ends which folds back on itself when the valve opens. The valve body has shoulder portions that support the diaphragm when the valve is closed to avoid stressing the diaphragm material due to pressure in the pressure chamber. This allows the outside diameter of the diaphragm to be minimized, and eliminates the need for fabric reinforcement. A filter screen is positioned flush with the surface of the valve plug so that high velocity flow across the screen while the valve is opening and closing removes accumulated dirt thereby making the screen self cleaning.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated valve having the diaphragm attached at its lower end to a valve closure plug, and movable therewith, and attached at its upper end to a portion of valve body that forms the pressure cavity. The diaphragm has a stepped portion between its upper and lower ends which folds back on itself when the valve opens. The valve body has shoulder portions that support the diaphragm when the valve is closed to avoid stressing the diaphragm material due to pressure in the pressure chamber. This allows the outside diameter of the diaphragm to be minimized, and eliminates the need for fabric reinforcement. A filter screen is positioned flush with the surface of the valve plug so that high velocity flow across the screen while the valve is opening and closing removes accumulated dirt thereby making the screen self cleaning.