Abstract: An adaptable and transferable backpacking system that is particularly suited for safe and efficient transportation of photographic equipment. The backpacking system is designed to eliminate unneeded weight and bulk, protect equipment when the backpack itself is open, and to prevent equipment from falling from an unzipped backpack. The backpack system generally includes a plurality of light-weight receptacles for the equipment the user needs for a specific trip and a backer board. The backer board is removably mounted and secured within a backpack of the user's choice. The individual receptacles are operably coupled to a backer board and/or each other and arranged to the user's desire by an attachment means, such as a hook and loop system. Alternatively, the backpack system generally includes an insert that is removably affixable within the carrier. Partitions are positioned within the insert to define a number of compartments for the equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet of partially-formed staple blanks, stacked sheets of partially-formed staple blanks, and a stapler for receiving the stacked sheets. Each blank defines a crown portion lying in a crown plane, a first leg portion connected to a first end of the crown portion and lying in a first leg plane forming an angle with the crown plane between about 5 degrees and about 50 degrees, and a second leg portion connected to a second end of the crown portion and lying in a second leg plane different from the first leg plane and forming an angle with the crown plane between about 5 degrees and about 50 degrees. The first leg portions of the blanks are attached to one another in the first leg plane, and the second leg portions of the blanks are attached to one another in the second leg plane.

Abstract: A spring energized stapler includes a “high start” design wherein a striker has a rest position above the staple track. A handle is pressed to energize a power spring while the striker remains stationary. At a predetermined position of the handle, the striker is released to eject a staple. A subassembly of a cage and the power spring provides a preload to the power spring in the rest position. The subassembly is separately movable from the handle to allow a handle pressing end to move farther than the striker's distance of travel. The handle includes a movable pivot location to enable enhanced motion of the handle pressing end. Alternatively, an optional lever links the striker to the power spring to provide leverage upon the power spring. A release latch may be mounted in front of the striker to be engaged by the lever or the handle.

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

Abstract: A vibration welding apparatus and a method for executing vibration welding of three or more work pieces made of a thermoplastic material to make them integral in a sandwich shape, comprises an upper tool means supporting a first work piece so as to apply a lateral motion to it by a vibration means, a lower tool means capable of supporting a plurality of second work pieces to be welded to at least both surfaces of the first work piece, and a means capable of actuating the lower tool means in such a manner as to move the second work pieces vertically by an elevating means so as to align with the first work piece, and move the second work pieces toward the first work piece laterally by a slide actuating means so as to bring them into contact with the first work piece.

Abstract: A friction stir tool has an axis of rotation and a welding tip that is made of powdered metal material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soldering iron comprising at least one replaceable soldering tip and a tip holder which supports the same and is provided with a handle section and a terminal housing section that adjoins the tip holder. In order to be able to remove a soldering tip from the remainder of the soldering iron in a simple structural manner without using additional tools, the tip holder (3), along with the soldering tip (2), is embodied as a detachable module (5) which can be removably connected to the terminal housing section (4).

Abstract: A method for jointing a golf club head is provided, which uses a brazing joint process to perform the jointing operation. The method includes steps of providing a first component, providing a second component, coating a layer of active metal suitable for jointing with an active metal solder on the first component and the second component, and jointing the first component with the second component, such that the first component and the second component are jointed together. The method for jointing a golf club head effectively reduces the processing cost of introduced protective gas and metal solders, and prevents the high-temperature oxidation of the golf club head. In addition, the process can be performed in a continuous furnace, so as to effectively improve the overall production capacity and yield.

Abstract: A die pick and place tool is used to pick up a semiconductor die and place it on a substrate. The die pick and place tool comprises a moving shaft, an adjustable bearing or an elastic element, and a pick-up head. The adjustable bearing or the elastic element is connected to the moving shaft. The pick-up head is connected to the adjustable bearing, and used to catch the semiconductor die. When the semiconductor die contacts the substrate, a counter force acts to the adjustable bearing to adjust the tilt level of the pick-up head.

Abstract: A rotary friction welding machine and method is disclosed. The rotary friction welding machine has a first rotating spindle and a second non-rotating spindle, where a first component of the components being connected to one another is positioned on the first spindle and a second component of the components being connected to one another is positioned on the second spindle. Several flywheel mass bodies are positioned on the rotary friction welding machine, where the flywheel mass bodies cooperate with the first rotating spindle such that at least one of these flywheel mass bodies can be brought out of operating engagement or into operating engagement with the first rotating spindle, where both the flywheel mass bodies that are in operating engagement with the first rotating spindle and the flywheel mass bodies that are out of operating engagement with the first rotating spindle are positioned on the rotary friction welding machine.

Abstract: A carton blank (10) for a carton is formed from a sheet material and has a plurality of foldably connected panels which form the walls of the corresponding carton. The panels include main panels (11-14) separated by a plurality of longitudinal folds (16-19) and arranged to form pairs of opposing side walls in said corresponding carton. A first pair of main panels (11, 13) are each foldably connected at either end to a respective end panel (22, 23, 26, 27), said end panels being arranged to form opposing end walls in said corresponding carton with each end wall including first and second end panels. A second pair of main panels (12, 14) are each foldably connected at either end to a transverse edge of a respective end flap (36-39).

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses for processing sheet material, such as bank notes. Since a diverting device, located in the transport path, itself has means for transporting even poor-quality sheets through between diverting elements of the diverting device without jamming, and/or a transport monitoring of the position of the sheets in the transport path is only carried out after traversal of an alignment unit, particularly reliable operation of the processing apparatus with a low probability of jams and malfunctions is possible.

Abstract: A tamper evident primary container (20) for storing and/or transporting valuables, particularly currency and other documents comprising: an envelope (14) with tamper evident features; means (34) partitioning the envelope into first (30) and second portions (32) that communicate with each other through at least one path; a first opening (22) in the envelope through which articles can be inserted into the first portion; means (26) for sealing the first opening; and a second opening (36) into the second portion through which a staining medium can be introduced into the second portion when desired. The path is constructed and arranged so as at least to inhibit access to the first portion through the second portion and to indicate tampering if access is breached. The partitioning means (34, 50) is intermittent to form a plurality of paths that can permit a staining medium to be dispensed into the first portion through the second portion.

Abstract: A system and method for weighing and dimensioning an object is described. The system may include a weighing apparatus and a dimensioner. The dimensioner may begin dimensioning the object after receiving a signal from the weighing apparatus. In one exemplary embodiment, a terminal may send the signal. The terminal may also receive and display the results received from the weighing apparatus and dimensioner.

Abstract: A printed publication, such as a book, with a connection is provided. The printed publication has one or more readable codes associated with it which can be read by a scanner or other reader. The scanner provides a connection, preferably via a wireless standard, to a computer. The computer, cell phone, pda or any wi fi system contains software that can decode and relay the information to a platform targeting the proper hyperlinks or directly to those hyperlinks in response to the code can display other the master platform or specific websites.

Abstract: Non video data regarding a point of sale (POS) transaction is received. POS primitives are generated based on the received non video POS data. Video data regarding a corresponding POS transaction is received. Video primitives are generated based on the received video data. An exceptional transaction is inferred based on a corresponding exceptional transaction rule and at least one of the generated POS primitives or video primitives.

Abstract: A shopping system is provided having a first interface surface having first coded data identifying a user of the first interface surface, a shopping receptacle having a shopping receptacle identity, and a sensing device. The sensing device is configured to sense the first coded data, sense second coded data of a second interface surface of a product item, generate indicating data from the sensed first and second coded data, and transfer the shopping receptacle identity and indicating data to a computer system. The second coded data is indicative of an identity of the product item and of a plurality of locations of the second interface surface. The indicating data is indicative of the user and product item identities and at least one of a position and orientation of the second coded data and a position and orientation of the sensing device relative to the second interface surface.

Abstract: A system and method for providing value transfers between stored value systems is disclosed. The system generally comprises a first and second stored value account on a stored value system, and a processor associated with the stored value accounts configured to provide transfer of value from one of either the first or second stored value account to the other one of either the first or second stored value account. The method of transferring value between stored value accounts, generally comprises the steps of: receiving a communication from a user, the communication comprising information sufficient to identify a first stored value account, associating at least a second stored value account with the first stored value account; receiving a request to transfer value from the first stored value account to the second stored value account, the request comprising the amount of value to be transferred; and transferring the value.

Abstract: An anti-fraud apparatus and a method for recognizing authentic credit cards compares the first six numerals of a credit card number located on a front face thereof (the first six numerals are issued in conformity with coding rules and represent an issuing bank and a grade of the credit card) and first six small numerals located in horizontal direction at an upper left portion of a logo on the credit card. The anti-fraud apparatus includes a casing having a pocket for insertion of the credit card and a viewing face corresponding to the pocket. At least a viewing window is disposed on the viewing face and faces an upper left portion of the logo for clearly displaying numerals on the upper left portion. Therefore, cashing operators can accurately and rapidly verify authenticity of the credit card.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a handheld system for associating a selected audio content with an object includes an identifier applied to a surface of the object and having a predetermined graphical format that is configured to encode the selected audio content, and a handheld device operable to encode the identifier and further operable to detect an audio content associated with the identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed are payment system and methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the delivery of an electronic receipt. A delivery address is read from a storage medium carried by a consumer by a complimentary reader. The reader provides the delivery address for association with information related to the terms of a transaction entered into by the consumer. The information related to the terms of the transaction are then sent to the delivery address, thereby providing an electronic receipt. The delivery address in machine readable form is all the information needed to adequately address the electronic receipt for delivery. Accordingly, reference to an external database or other information in order to obtain such address information is not required.

Abstract: A communication terminal device is connected to an information processing apparatus that controls history information of a medium in which identification information is stored. The communication terminal device includes a reading unit for reading the identification information stored in the medium; a communication unit for transmitting the identification information thus read to the information processing apparatus and receiving the history information corresponding to the identification information from the information processing apparatus; a display unit for displaying the history information; a history selection unit for selecting specific history information from the history information; a format storage unit for storing a plurality of print formats; a format selection unit for selecting a specific print format from the print formats; and a printing unit for merging the specific history information thus selected with the specific print format thus selected to be printed.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes serving spouts in fluid connection with inlet pipes locatable within beverage receptacles. The serving spouts have receptacle identifiers and are associated with prices/price groups or points/points groups. Product data sets in computer memory include a product identifier and have associated receptacle identifiers and prices or points. A reading device calculates value from a stored value device. Stored value device data sets in computer memory include stored value device identifiers and stored values. A user selection component obtains a serving spout selection, and dispenses a volume of beverage from the selected serving spout by comparing the prices or points associated with the selected serving spout and the stored value. User data sets and transaction data sets in computer memory include user identifiers, stored value device identifiers, stored value device identifiers, and receptacle identifiers.

Abstract: A kiosk machine vends stored value cards (i.e., pre-paid and gift cards). The kiosk is self-service and will allow a user to select, purchase and pay for a stored value card without requiring the presence or assistance of a sales clerk. The kiosk can vend one or more cards in a single transaction. The kiosk is a computer-based vending machine having a touch-sensitive video screen and a card reader. The touch screen provides a user interface for a user to receive information and provide input selections. The card reader can be used to read a transaction card (e.g., an American Express card or credit card) to facilitate payment for the stored value card(s) being purchased.

Abstract: A log file is generated from data supplied by cards readers that are part of an access control system and that read access control cards in connection with restricted areas. Probabilities of card holders entering the restricted areas are computed based on the data in the log file. Unusual access patterns are detected from the data in the log file based on the computed probabilities. Group associations between card holders are detected based on common movement of the card holders in connection with the restricted areas. A new log file is created based on those of the detected unusual access patterns that are not associated with the group associations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software are described for authorizing transactions undertaken with a negotiable instrument which is pre-allocated a specific amount of funds. A host computer system may receive a request to allocate funds to a negotiable instrument. The host may verify the availability of funds, and allocate the funds to the negotiable instrument. The host may then receive a request to authorize the transaction in which the negotiable instrument is used. The host may verify that the particular instrument has been allocated the specific amount indicated, and thereby authorize the transaction.

Abstract: A medical device inventory management system, including one or more radiofrequency identification (RFID) transponder or “tag” associated with one or more medical devices or attached to the medical device packaging. One or more RFID readers may be used, which may take the form of a handheld device or a shelf or shelving system for holding medical devices, or a handheld device may be used in conjunction with a shelving system. The RFID reader communicates automatically with a computer or computer network, providing such information as inventory status, whether a specific medical device is present in inventory, inventory amount of medical devices, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for managing inventories of orthopaedic implants includes receiving a medical image of a bone of a patient from a healthcare provider, performing a digital templating procedure on the medical image to determine an orthopaedic implant for use with the bone of the patient; transmitting the digital templated medical image to the healthcare provider, and shipping the orthopaedic implant to the healthcare provider in response to an electronic approval of the digital templated medical image received from the healthcare provider. Implant constraint data may also be received from the healthcare provider and used in determining the orthopaedic implant. In addition, a number of orthopaedic implants having a range of different sizes based on the size of the determined orthopaedic implant may be shipped to the healthcare provider. In some embodiments, the healthcare provider may perform the digital templating procedure on the medical image.

Abstract: A packing system is provided having an object to be packed which has an interface surface having coded data identifying the object, and a sensing device for sensing the coded data to generate indicating data indicative of the object identity and at least one of a position and orientation of the sensed coded data and a position and orientation of the sensing device relative to the interface surface. The sensing device is configured to transfer the indicating data to at least one of: a packing device which is responsive to the indicating data to pack the object; a computer system which is responsive to the indicating data to cause a packing device to pack the object; and a packing device which is responsive to the indicating data to determine the orientation of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing voter participation during election day. A poll worker uses an Internet enabled portable device to record when a registered voter votes and transmits that information to a central database in real time. Campaign headquarters view and manipulate real time voting data submitted by poll workers to create targeted phone and walk lists and various other reports for use during election day to increase the number of votes and after the election for statistical analysis.

Abstract: An information code has a positioning layer for coding position information and a data layer for coding arbitrary non-positional data. Both the positioning layer and the data layer may be formed by circularly shifted instances of a window sequence. A product with the information code, methods for coding and decoding the information code, and an apparatus for decoding the information code are disclosed.

Abstract: A storage device includes a recording medium having a user-area and a system-area. The storage device conducts a self-diagnostic test on a recording medium. When conducting the self-diagnostic test, a writing/reading unit performs writing of data in and reading of data from the system area at a user-area write/read frequency that is a frequency for writing of data in and reading of data from the user area.

Abstract: By concealing the existence of an area using a function (which is referred to as IC privacy function) capable of concealing the data area corresponding to each service (behaving as if the data area does not exist), an existing function provided in the contactless IC card, an access to the data necessary for a service can be inhibited, so as to control to inhibit (lock) use of the contactless IC card on a service-by-service basis.

Abstract: A digital form scoring system that does not require that the targets on the marked form be digitally captured with a drop-out scanner. This is accomplished by locating each target, and in the mark interpretation logic, sensing an area within the outline of the target, then digitally removing all or most of thin lines of print that form a symbol or character within the outline, and removing the shading in the background, before applying the logic that determines whether a region of dark gray scale values in the sensing area should be considered a valid mark entered by the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading a target object with an image reader that includes an illumination source that illuminates an area corresponding to an indicia area when the imager is acting within an operating range of the indicia, a two-dimensional array sensor capable of collecting data from a captured image corresponding to an image reflected from the indicia area by the illumination source when the imager is acting within the operating range of the indicia, a starting coordinate located substantially about the center of the captured image, and a processing source including a search routine originating at the starting coordinate capable of analyzing the captured image by employing a plurality of scan paths associated to an algebraic equation.

Abstract: This present invention discloses one type of two-dimensional bar code and its encoding and decoding method. The two-dimensional bar code is represented as circular element modules (CEMs), between which there are spaces. As a CEM remains a CEM after deep defocusing imaging, it can be restored well to be the same shape as that of a CEM after the filtering by the Unsharp Mask. This design enables the image processing algorithm to become insensitive to the selection of the binarization threshold value. Since there is space between modules, it is less likely that the adjacent modules will stick together after binarization so that each module can be positioned independently. The present invention is very reliable for reading and decoding even under imaging conditions of deep defocusing and low illumination. Its features include easy-to-read, strong error correction capability and low requirement for reading devices, which makes it a potential popular application.

Abstract: An imaging-based bar code reader that includes an imaging and decoding system. When used on a stand to image documents, typically neither the stand or document is moving. Therefore blurring due to motion is not an issue. A sensor detects when the scanner is mounted to a stand. When commanded to take an image the scanner electronics and software modifies an auto-exposure process to minimize gain and lengthen exposure. This modification results in the scanner that is effective for scanning bar codes and yet also takes excellent pictures when mounted to a stand.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a book in which a content is impressed on its pages by invisible ink, and lighting means (e.g. a lamp, a LED, etc.), for exposing the content. According to one embodiment of the invention the lighting means is mounted on a track, therefore enabling the lamp to move along the track. According to another embodiment of the invention, the lighting means is mounted on a pen used for impressing invisible ink, thereby enabling a user thereof to view the impressed content while being impressed. A page of the book may further comprise a light sensor; and an audial unit, for producing sound upon sensing light. A page may further comprise at least two polarizers and a picture underneath, thereby upon changing the angle between the polarizers, a visibility of the picture is changed correspondingly.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system for ensuring quality duplication using recognized optical disks. A media cartridge is described that confines a plurality of optical disk and utilizes a mechanical lockout mechanism to release the optical disk while preventing a user from inserting unauthorized optical disk into the media cartridge. The mechanical lockout mechanism may use a securing arm and rack, a securing member and locking member, or a plurality of biased fingers to lockout the optical disk. In addition, a cartridge identification tag (CID) may be used to recognize the media cartridge, and a medium identification tag (MID) may be used to recognize the optical disk. By preventing unauthorized optical disk from being used for duplication, the system may ensure that any duplicated optical disk is consistent in quality.

Abstract: The limiter of the invention uses as a diode a stacked gate thin film transistor (TFT) including a floating gate. When the TFT including a floating gate is used, the threshold voltage may be corrected by controlling the amount of charge accumulated in the floating gate even in the case where there are variations in the threshold voltages Vth of the TFT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a smart card that has a printed surface with a tri-dimensional effect. The method includes applying a metallic ink on at least one surface of at least one plastic layer, coating at least partially said metallic ink with a varnish, laminating an overlay layer on the printed layer. Thus, the lamination of an overlay layer above the printed layer results in a difference in aspect between the metallic ink, which remains brilliant, and the varnish, which becomes dull, and, thus, contributes to obtain the required three-dimensional visual effect. Moreover, the overlay allows the smart card to achieve a flat surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making smart cards capable of operating with or without contact called mixed cards and contactless smart cards. In order to avoid the risk of deteriorating the antenna the method consists in producing an antenna comprising at least two turns, on a support sheet, said antenna having its turns located outside the connecting pads, and in providing an insulating bridge so as to connect each of the antenna ends to a connection pad respectively.

Abstract: An insulated rail joint assembly comprises a rail with a thick web section, held in place by joint bars and secured with electrically isolated fasteners. The joint bars have non-uniform cross-sections, being shaped with a thicker midsection area and thinner ends. Electrically non-conductive shear pins through the rail and the joint bars provide shear resistance and prevent glue bond failure. High strength cloth between the rail ends and between the rail and the joint bars strengthens the joint, as does an insulating rail clip resiliently fastened to an insulating tie plate, which itself may be supported on a cross tie of increased width.

Abstract: A dispensing device, a storage device and a method for dispensing powder in which powder is dispensed through a duct with a flat cross section to de-agglomerate the powder and to generate a spray with fine particle size. A storage chamber for the powder may be closed by a bursting element which is burst by pressurized gas for discharging the powder, the gas pressure reaching or exceeding a peak value before the bursting element bursts so that the powder is dispensed at a lower gas pressure. The powder may be forced through the duct by a gas pressure of less than 300 kPa to de-agglomerate the powder and/or to generate the spray. The storage device can have multiple storage chambers and associated ducts or nozzles, so that each dose of powder can be dispensed through a separate duct or nozzle.

Abstract: A fluid product spray device comprising a fluid product distribution pump (10) and a spray head (20) for manually actuating the pump (10). The device comprises distribution detection means (30) which are used to detect the distribution of a dose of product, said detection means (30) being adapted in such a way as to be able to provide a signal informing the user that a dose of product has been distributed by said pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol can comprising a body containing a propellant and an aerosol product, a valve whose actuation enables said aerosol product to be sprayed, and a spray head (1) which serves to discharge the aerosol product to the environment when the valve is actuated. The spray product discharge rate of the inventive aerosol can is adjustable by means of an adjusting device provided in the spray head (1). Said invention can primarily be used for aerosol paint cans in view of the fact that for such applications a controlled and uniform discharge rate is of particular importance in order to avoid painting defects.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for an aerosol system for dispensing liquid material. The dispensing assembly comprises a base member defining an alignment groove, an actuator member defining a plurality of finger portions, an outlet member defining an outlet opening, a selector member defining a flange portion and a selector threaded portion, and a collar member defining an opening surface and a collar threaded portion. The outlet member is arranged within the plurality of finger portions such that the actuator member and the outlet member define a dispensing path in fluid communication with the outlet opening. The collar member engages the actuator member such that the opening surface is adjacent to the finger portions. The selector threaded portion engages the collar threaded portion. The flange portion of the selector is arranged within at least a portion of the alignment groove.

Abstract: A device (1) and a spray head (5) for atomization of a preferably cosmetic liquid and a process for producing such a device are proposed. Very simple and accurate throttling of the liquid flow is achieved in that on the supply connection (14) of the spray head (5) a radially open throttling channel (22) is formed which is radially overlapped at least in sections by a connector piece (17) when the spray head (5) has been slipped on.

Abstract: A system for spraying an aqueous composition, the system comprising: a container having an inner wall and at least one entry port; a valve connected to the entry port, wherein the container and valve are adapted to contain pressurized materials within the container; an inner layer that is resistant to corrosion from contact with water, wherein the inner layer is in contact with, and at least substantially covers, the inner wall; an aqueous composition; and, at least one propellant, wherein the aqueous composition and the propellant are each disposed within the container and are in contact with each other.