Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A solder feeding device having a reservoir, a drive unit, a first lead, and a second lead is provided. The reservoir melts solid solder wire into molten solder, while the drive unit selectively feeds the solid solder wire into the reservoir. The first and second leads are in electrical communication with the drive unit. The first lead is positioned in the reservoir so that it electrically communicates with the second lead through the molten solder when the molten solder reaches a triggering level, but so that it does not electrically communicate with the second lead when the level is below the triggering level. The drive unit feeds the solid solder wire into the reservoir based upon a state of electrical communication between the first and second leads.

Abstract: A system for the welding of motor-vehicle bodies comprises a conveying line, for carrying the motor-vehicle bodies to be welded through a welding station, and a plurality of pairs of side gates mobile on guide means, the gates of each pair being adapted to the configuration of a corresponding type of body to be welded. According to the invention there is provided a plurality of tractors, which are independent with respect to said side gates, each tractor being selectively coupleable in an automatic way to side gates of different pairs, for the purposes of displacement of the latter between an active position, close to the welding station, and at least one parking position, remote from the welding station.

Abstract: After detection of contact between respective solder bumps of an electronic component, sucked and held by a suction nozzle of a head tool, and respective solder portions of a circuit board, the solder bumps and the solder portions are melted by heating. Releasing of the electronic component from suction and holding by the suction nozzle of the head tool is performed, not at a time during solder melting, but at a time after the solder is melted, cooled and solidified. Thus, an electronic component mounting method and apparatus capable of mounting high-end electronic components having narrow-pitched bumps are provided.

Abstract: Configurations for a packing container formed from a single, preformed, rigid unit of generally U-shaped cross-section are disclosed. One configuration utilizes three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated end. Another configuration employs three end closures to enclose an object with an elevated mid-section. A third configuration uses two end closures to enclose an object with random elevations. With three end closures, a fourth configuration encloses two or more dissimilar objects in separate compartments. The fourth configuration is especially useful for items that should be prevented from touching or intermingling during shipping. A fifth configuration combines elements of the other four configurations, allowing a user to ship objects with elevated ends, elevated mid-sections, or random elevations in separate compartments. A sixth configuration encloses one or more objects with two end closures that are about equal in length to one another. A device for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an end cap in combination with a paper tube. The paper tube has one or more inwardly extending flaps at an open end. The end cap has a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall. The end cap receives and engages the inwardly extending flaps when the end cap is disposed in the open end of the paper tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that either the circular sidewall is surrounded by the cylindrical body or the cylindrical body is radially surrounded by the circular sidewall. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.

Abstract: A carton having a dispensing feature adapted for permitting the removal of articles from within the carton. To erect the carton, a plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. At least one removable portion is provided in the erected carton and is defined by an endless tear line. The endless tear line includes multiple portions defined in the top wall, one side wall, and end flaps extending from the top wall and the one side wall.

Abstract: An assembly for a door or wall having a mail slot therein includes a mounting portion and a flap portion. The flap portion is sized to cover the mail slot. A connector is mountable on the door or wall around the slot. A cooperable connector is integral with the flap portion for releasably connecting with the connector. The connector includes one of a ferrous material containing portion and a magnetic portion. The cooperable connector includes the other of the ferrous material containing portion and the magnetic portion. The flap portion is magnetically connectable to the door or wall around the mail slot opening.

Abstract: Methods and a device for storing and tracking a pregnancy progress and for keeping up to a predetermined number of sound messages. The user of the device records sound messages, wherein the sound messages include a fetal heartbeat sound from a doctor's Doppler equipment, other personal messages from family or friends, and milestones (such as baby's first cry, first word, etc). The device includes a display screen that displays footprint icons, each of which corresponds to one of the sound messages stored in the device, whereby the user can count the number of sound messages by counting the icons. The display screen also displays an indication of pregnancy period from inception in weeks and days, and the countdown if the countdown is less than 100. During recording or playback of each sound message, the display screen sequentially displays the footprint icons to perform an animation.

Abstract: A financial scoring system for forecasting the financial behavior of a bank customer holding a direct-deposit-account, commonly referred to as a checking account, to forecast the probability of being a cross sell or up sell acquisition candidate, a default candidate on a loan repayment account, a default candidate on a credit card payments, a default candidate on an off-line debit card transaction, an account closing, attrition, candidate, or a potential fraud candidate, such as money laundering. The financial scoring system can assist the bank in determining profitable and non-profitable account activity and customer groups. The financial behavior scoring will help banks to attract retailers to participate and co-sponsor marketing initiative based on the financial score achieved for a specific group of bank customers.

Abstract: A thickness sensor assembly (200) for a self-service terminal (SST) arranged to dispense media from at least one media cassette. The sensor assembly comprises a platform (202) and a resonant circuit (300) mounted on the platform (202) and resiliently biased towards a rest position, the sensor assembly (200) being arranged such that the displacement of the resonant circuit (300) can be detected by an SST in which the platform (202) is mounted. In use, the platform (202) is mounted in an SST adjacent to a feed path (72) of media being dispensed thereby such that media moving along the feed path (72) displaces the resonant circuit (300). Such a sensor assembly (200) can be used to detect, for example, when two media sheets have been picked up instead of one.

Abstract: A product management system has a database, an owner identification device, a card issuance device, and a checking device. The database correlates and stores therein product and owner information in relation to the owner of the product. The owner identification device wirelessly reads out information from an IC tag, which is fixed to the product and has stored therein product information, and also reads out from the database product information and correlated owner information. The card issuance device issues a card having a storage medium for storing the information. The checking device checks and compares information read out from the card, information read out from the IC tag, and information read out from the database, to thus validating the owner of the product. The product management system prevents a product which has been sold from being illegally used by or dealt with a person other than a valid owner.

Abstract: A shopping receptacle for receiving and retaining a product item having an interface surface associated therewith, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, wherein the receptacle comprises: (a) a receptacle body adapted to receive and retain the product item and having an opening through which the product item may be placed within the receptacle body; (b) a sensing device adapted to sense at least some of the coded data on the interface surface of the product item as the product item is placed within the receptacle body, and generate indicating data indicative of the identity of the product item; and, (c) a weighing device for sensing the weight of the product item, and generating weight data indicative of the sensed weight, the weight data and the product item identity being provided to a computer system which: (i) determines, using the indicating data, an

Abstract: A point-of-sale (POS) terminal includes a commodity information input part for inputting commodity information on commodities; a quantity input part for inputting a quantity for the commodities; and a storage part for storing the quantity and the commodity information, as item information. The POS terminal further includes a calculation part for calculating an amount of money involved in the transaction in dependence on the item information stored in the storage part; a quantity correction indication part for indicating correction of the quantity; and a quantity correction part for correcting the quantity. When the correction is indicated, the quantity correction part corrects the quantity by replacing the quantity in the item information last stored in the storage part with another quantity newly input by the quantity input part. The calculation part recalculates the amount of money based on the new quantity.

Abstract: On-line transactions may be managed between an on-line transaction service and a product vendor inventory management system by providing allocations of dedicated inventory from the system to the service. The service then may complete on-line transactions against the allocation without needing to contact the service to authorize each transaction. This may speed up the rate at which on-line transactions are completed and increase the number of transactions that can be completed by the on-line transaction service.

Abstract: Routing telecommunications to a user including receiving a call, determining that the call is intended for the user, receiving an RFID signal from a user's RFID tag, determining the location of the user in dependence upon the RFID signal, and forwarding the call to a telephony device in dependence upon the user's location. In typical embodiments, determining that the call is intended for the user also include prompting the caller for the name of the user, receiving from the caller as speech the name of the user, converting the speech to a text, and retrieving a user record in dependence upon the text.

Abstract: A universal card reader is disclosed. The universal car reader includes a housing having a card slot and a dynamic input area for a memory card provided in the card slot. A controller chip is connected to the dynamic input area for the reading and/or writing of data on the memory card.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus adapted to receive power to operate a clock generator from a first power supply, such as a radio signal transmitter, or a second power supply, such as an internal power supply for a portable communication device. The data processing apparatus is configured to use a lower clock frequency when drawing power from the radio signal transmitter, and a higher clock frequency when drawing power from the internal battery.

Abstract: Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of operating conditions not conforming to preestablished standards, and adjust power to the laser to enhance reader performance without violating prevalent safety standards.

Abstract: An imaging scan engine includes both a solid-state camera and an illumination source in the same package. The scan engine unit simplifies the integration of swipe imaging components into new and existing scanners.

Abstract: In a store, a method of using a processing unit for marking down a package having an associated package specific price and an associated special package specific price is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) in the processing unit, receiving identifying information regarding the package; (b) identifying a discount for the package; (c) applying the discount to establish both a reduced package specific price and a reduced special package specific price; and (d) printing at least one discount label by a printer associated with the processing unit, including printing on the label each of (1) a scannable discount bar code, (2) the reduced package specific price and (3) the reduced special package specific price.

Abstract: An aiming indicia is provided for a bar code comprising a sequence of parallel code bars and intervening code spaces disposed along a longitudinal code axis in accordance with a predefined standard. The aiming indicia comprises a non-encoded graphic element disposed on the longitudinal code axis adjacent the bar code and spaced apart from the nearest code bars by a distance of at least 10 times a minimum unit width for the code bars.

Abstract: A visual code system wherein camera-equipped mobile phones (or similar devices, such as wireless PDAs) are used to identify and decode images that contain one or more “visual codes.” By recognizing a code tag, the device can determine a bit pattern or an integer number encoded in the tag (the code value), the targeted object or image element, as well as additional parameters, such as the viewing angle of the camera. Code recognition is performed on the mobile device itself. When the mobile device is equipped with a wireless communication channel, it can be used to retrieve online content or to access information on the Internet based on the sensed code and its parameters. The retrieved content can then be presented on the mobile device.

Abstract: A bioptical laser scanning system employing a plurality of laser scanning stations about a two independently controlled rotating polygonal mirrors. The system has an ultra-compact construction, ideally suited for space-constrained retail scanning environments, and generates a 3-D omnidirectional laser scanning pattern between the bottom and side-scanning windows during system operation. The laser scanning pattern of the present invention comprises plurality of groups of intersecting laser scanning planes that form a complex omni-directional 3-D laser scanning pattern within a 3-D scanning volume capable of scanning a bar code symbol located on the surface of an object presented within the 3-D scanning volume at any orientation and from any direction at the POS station so as to provide 360° of omnidirectional bar code symbol scanning coverage at the POS station.

Abstract: A machine-readable symbol reader includes a microfluidic lens assembly providing responsive, reliable auto-focus functionality. A range finder may provide distance to a planar target (e.g., barcode symbol) information for use in auto-focusing, with or without localization. Illumination system, if included, is selectively controlled based on the distance to target and auto-focusing functionality to substantially reduce power consumption. The localization may color optical sensors.

Abstract: A light scanning arrangement includes a frame or a base plate directly moved by an inertial drive in order to oscillate a scan element supported by a hinge on the frame at high scan rates and with minimal electrical power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus packaging components of an optical reading device which may include illumination optical elements, receive optical elements, and signal processing elements. In one embodiment a single circuit board can carry multiple elements such as an image sensor together with illumination elements. In one embodiment, a control circuit can be provided that is coupled to a light source and an image sensor.

Abstract: A strap-on mounting apparatus includes a chassis having a frame formed by a pair of spaced-apart brackets having flexible couplings for removably mounting the mounting apparatus on a wearer's arm or leg extremity. The chassis rotatably supports a cradle that is structured for removably mounting a hand-held portable device of a type normally carried by people on their person. The cradle is rotatable relative to the chassis between different relative orientations. For example, the cradle is rotatable relative between a normal operational orientation that is substantially cross-wise to the arm or leg extremity, and a normal stored orientation that is substantially aligned with the extremity, with the cradle passing through a continuous series of intervening rotational orientations any of which may be useful as an operational orientation.

Abstract: A system for direct optical control of electronic power semiconductors includes an optical triggering circuit at a first location, wherein said optical triggering circuit generates an optical trigger signal, a power circuit located at a second location remote from the first location, wherein said power circuit includes a photoconductor that is responsive to the optical trigger signal generated by the optical triggering circuit, and an optical cable coupling the optical triggering circuit to the power circuit. In operation, the power circuit is directly driven by the transmission of the optical trigger signal from the optical triggering circuit to the power circuit via the optical cable.

Abstract: An IC card module includes first external connecting terminals and second external connecting terminals both exposed to one surface of a card substrate, a microcomputer connected to the first external connecting terminals, a memory controller connected to the second external connecting terminals, and a volatile memory connected to the memory controller. The shape of the card substrate and the layout of the first external connecting terminals are based on a standard of plug-in UICC of ETSI TS 102 221 V4.4.0 (2001-10). The second external connecting terminals are disposed outside the minimum range of the terminal layout based on the standard for the first external connecting terminals. The first and second external connecting terminals include signal terminals electrically separated from one another.

Abstract: An electronic payment system for making electronic money payments for transactions. A payment terminal stores a balance of electronic money for payment on a dealing by electronic money. A demanding terminal communicates with the payment terminal to demand the payment and a payment apparatus communicates with the demanding terminal and stores a balance of electronic money to correspond to an identification number of the payment terminal for allowing settlement on the dealing. The demanding terminal receives from the payment terminal the balance stored in the payment terminal and transmits the balance to the payment apparatus. The payment apparatus detects an improper use by checking the balance stored in the payment terminal, which was received from the demanding terminal, with the balance stored in the payment apparatus. The system of the present invention provides secure and convenient electronic money payment for a user's transaction.

Abstract: A voltage block comprises first and second reservoirs and a switching device including an inlet port, an outlet port, a first reservoir port and a second reservoir port. The switching device is mounted in a third reservoir for movement between a first position and a second position. The third reservoir includes an electrically non-conductive fluid medium in which at least a portion of the switching device is immersed.

Abstract: A system for retaining and locating a jewel of the type comprising a nozzle for a water cutting system includes a first support structure component having a water discharge passageway extending therethrough and having an exterior locating surface formed at the water receiving end of the water directing passageway. A second support structure component has a water directing passageway formed therein and has a jewel receiving cavity formed therein at the discharge end of the water receiving passageway. The second support structure component further comprises a chamber for receiving and retaining the first support structure component with the locating surface thereof positioned in engagement with the locating surface of the jewel.

Abstract: An automatic lift faucet includes a hydraulic cylinder vertically mounted under a working top, the hydraulic cylinder having an inlet. A lifting faucet is mounted in motion fitting connection within the hydraulic cylinder and includes an inlet and a faucet outlet. A lifting piston is attached to the lifting faucet for controlling fluid communication between the hydraulic cylinder and the lifting faucet inlet. An accumulator cylinder is mounted to the bottom end of the lifting faucet and includes a baffle-plate, a valve stern and left and right tow pistons to thereby divide the accumulator cylinder into three sub-chambers. The accumulator cylinder also includes three through-holes, one of each communicating with one of each of the three sub-chambers. A pressure release valve selectively controls fluid communication to the through-holes and to the hydraulic cylinder inlet via first and second branch pipes.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a coating material dispenser including a nozzle for the discharge of coating material and a cap having a plurality of orifices arrayed in a spatial orientation with respect to the nozzle to supply a flow of gas or a mixture of gases to aid in dispensing of the coating material from the nozzle. The retaining ring is adapted for retaining the cap on the coating material dispenser with the plurality of orifices in the spatial orientation. The retaining ring includes first and second members. The second member is adapted for coupling to the coating material dispenser. The first member includes a first torque limiting driving member. The second member includes a second torque limiting driven member for engaging the first torque limiting driving member to limit the torque which the second member can apply to the coating material dispenser in response to manipulation of the first member.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a gas or mixture of gases through a passageway in a coating material dispensing device includes first and second valve portions. The first valve portion is adjustable with respect to the second valve portion selectively to adjust the flow through the passageway. One of the first and second valve portions includes a first engagement member and the other of the first and second valve portions includes a second engagement member. Engagement of the first and second engagement members indicates the relative orientation of the first and second valve portions.

Abstract: A hand-held dispenser for precisely controlling the flow rate of water therethrough and for precisely controlling the metering of a liquid chemical into the water passing through the apparatus.

Abstract: A food press having an upper handle rotatably connected to a lower handle. A press chamber and a slicer chamber are formed in the lower handle, and a press foot and a slicer foot are pivotally connected to said upper chamber and positioned to engage the press chamber and slicer chamber when the upper and lower handles are rotated together. At least part of the slicer chamber is a separately formed unit that has a plurality of blades, and that is inserted into the lower handle. The slicer foot has a plurality of ribs that are sized and shaped to be inserted between the blades such that the ribs extend beyond the blades when the upper and lower handles are rotated together. A cleaning piece is removably attached to the upper handle for cleaning the press chamber, slicer chamber and slicer foot.

Abstract: A grinder roll assembly (500) is provided herein. The grinder roll assembly (500) includes a grinder roll (505), a shaft (510) in a through bore of the grinder roll, a first tapered sleeve (615A), and a second tapered sleeve (615B). The first tapered sleeve (615A) fits between the shaft (510) and the grinder roll (505) in one direction, and the second tapered sleeve (615B) fits between the shaft (510) and the grinder roll (505) in an opposite direction to form at least one friction lock that mounts the grinder roll (505) to the shaft (510).

Abstract: A spinning reel has a reel body and a rotor. The rotor has a base pivoted to the base, a first arm pivoted to an end of the base, a second arm pivoted to the other end of the base, an arc connected between the first arm and the second arm, a guiding block disposed between the first arm and the arc, and a wheel disposed between the guiding block and the first arm. The guiding block has a cone portion connected to the arc and a base portion connected to the wheel. The cone portion has a hole into which the arc is inserted and two tip ends located at opposite sides of the hole.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers for dispensing products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products. A dispenser includes a housing, an electrical power source, a user input device, a dispensing mechanism, and motor control apparatus. The user input device generates a signal responsive to a user request for product. Motor control apparatus de-powers the dispensing mechanism based on a determination of dispenser conditions representing discharge of the product.

Abstract: A structural damping assembly includes a bonding plate, a stiffener layer, an elastomeric layer, and a constraining layer. The elastomeric layer is boned between the stiffener layer and the constraining layer. The bonding plate and the stiffener layer extend between, and are preferably in contact with, webs which form a pocket on a substrate such as a transmission support beam. The structural damping assembly uses the energy dissipating properties of the elastomeric layer that is sandwiched between the vibrating stiffener layer and the constraining layer to combat noise due to resonant response while operating as a stiffener that increases the frequency of resonance to a range where coincidental placement with an excitation frequency is reduced.

Abstract: A transmission gearbox for a rotary-wing aircraft includes a main gearbox and a variable speed gearbox in meshing engagement with the main rotor gearbox. The variable speed gearbox permits at least two different RPMs for the main rotor system without disengaging the engine(s) or changing engine RPMs. The variable speed gearbox includes a clutch, preferably a multi-plate clutch, and a freewheel unit for each engine. A gear path drives the main gearbox in a “high rotor speed mode” when the clutch is engaged to drive the main rotor system at high rotor rpm for hover flight profile. A reduced gear path drives the main gearbox in a “low rotor speed mode” when the clutch is disengaged and power is transferred through the freewheel unit, to drive the main rotor system at lower rotor rpm for high speed flight. The variable speed gearbox may be configured for a tail drive system that operates at a continuous speed, a tail drive system that changes speed with the main rotor shaft or for no tail drive system.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a turboprop under an aircraft wing includes a rigid structure and a device for fastening the turboprop on the rigid structure. The rigid structure is composed of a box, and the device for fastening includes at least two lateral connecting rods resisting the engine torque generated by the turboprop, the connecting rods being arranged on each side of the box and each having a forward end connected to a gear box of the turboprop, and an aft end connected to the box.

Abstract: A cryogenic fuel tank assembly 10 is provided comprising a cryogenic fuel tank wall 22. A foam assembly 24 is affixed to the cryogenic fuel tank wall 22, the foam assembly 24 having an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32. A first solid film 40 bonded to the outer surface 32 to provide a uniform outer bonding surface 42. A thermal protection system assembly 38 is bonded to the uniform outer bonding surface 42.

Abstract: A railroad signaling method includes measuring a track current on a first track section, measuring a local voltage on the railroad line wires, determining whether a magnitude of the track current meets or exceeds a threshold value independent of the local voltage, and determining whether the track current and the local voltage are nominally in phase with one another in a manner that is independent of the track current measuring step. A first signal is provided only if the magnitude is determined to meet or exceed the threshold and the track current and local voltage are determined to be nominally in phase. The first signal is an indication that a train is not present in the track section, that the track section does not have a broken rail, and that the insulated joints that bound the track section do not include a fault condition. An associated relay arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly (100) for mounting an electronic device (D) to a surface (S). The mounting assembly (100) generally includes a base (102) including a mounting ball (110) and a socket assembly (104) operable to frictionally engage the ball (110) to removably couple the socket assembly (104) to the base (102). The base (102) may be removably coupled with the surface (S) and the socket assembly (104) may be removably coupled with the electronic device (D). Such a configuration enables the electronic device (D) to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base (102) to the surface (S), then attaching the socket assembly (104) to the base (102) and positioning the socket assembly (104) in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device (D) to the socket assembly (104).

Abstract: A special hangtag for plaster trowel, which is in flat shape, has a hanging hole on top. The limit section of the grip is placed in the middle of the hangtag, which can be lifted up forward, and the structure is designed to place the grip of the plaster trowel. On one side of the hole for supporting rod is a guiding slot coming from one side of the hangtag, which makes the supporting rod that is located between the grip and the low profile of the plaster trowel to be located in the hole for supporting rod from the guiding slot. Thus, the grip of the plaster trowel and the supporting rod are horizontally and vertically supported by the limit section of the grip and the hole for supporting rod, and forms a one-unit position with hangtag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand for holding silk floral arrangements that includes a substantially-tubular piece having a longitudinal axis and defining a first cross-sectional interior area at a first position along the longitudinal axis and a second cross-sectional interior area at a second position along the longitudinal axis. The stand also includes a base piece attached to an end of the substantially-tubular piece, the base piece configured to support the substantially-tubular piece in an upright alignment. The stand further includes a first area-adjustment piece configured to engage the substantially-tubular piece at the first position along the longitudinal axis, the first area-adjustment piece defining a third cross-sectional interior area that is smaller than the first cross-sectional interior area defined at the first position of the substantially-tubular piece.