Abstract: A method of capturing processing digital images of an object, using a hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system having a trigger switch, an imaging window and a field of view (FOV) projected therethrough and onto an area-type image detection array. The method involves automatically detecting an object within the FOV, and generating a first trigger event indicative of automatic object detection within the FOV. In response to the generation of the first trigger event signal, the object targeting illumination subsystem automatically generates and projects a visible targeting illumination beam within the FOV. The human operator aligns the visible targeting illumination beam with the object in the FOV, and then manually actuates the trigger switch to generate a second trigger event signal.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system having single printed circuit (PC) board with light transmission aperture, wherein a first linear array of visible light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted on the rear side of the PC board for producing a targeting illumination beam, and wherein a second linear array of visible light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted on the front side of the PC board for producing a field of visible illumination within the field of view (FOV) of the system. The targeting illumination beam is centrally disposed within the field of visible illumination.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system includes a housing having an imaging window with an illumination-focusing lens structure integrated therewithin. A printed circuit (PC) board is mounted in the housing and has a front surface, a rear surface, and a light transmission aperture spatially aligned with the imaging window. An area-type image detection array is mounted on the rear surface of the PC board. A linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is mounted on the front surface of the PC board, adjacent the light transmission aperture and aligned with the illumination-focusing lens structure. The LEDs produce a plurality of illumination beams which are transmitted through the illumination-focusing ens structure to generate a field of illumination that is projected within the FOV of the system. Illumination reflected and/or scattered off an object within the FOV is retransmitted through the imaging window and the light transmission aperture, and detected by the area-type image detection array.

Abstract: A smart information carrier comprising a security element having two sides each side being laminated with at least one transparent polymer foil having a melting point higher than 150° C. so that the security element is surrounded by an edge at least 1 mm wide in which the at least one transparent polymer foil on each side of the security element are laminated to one another, the security element comprising an IC-module and a natural fibre-containing or synthetic fibre-containing continuous support exclusive of an antenna, the IC-module comprising an electronic chip and an antenna integrated therein, wherein the support is security printed on at least the side of the support nearer to the IC-module and the IC-module is at least substantially encapsulated with a transparent polymer or polymer mixture with a melting point up to 150° C.

Abstract: A support (10) provided with at least first (12) and second (14) parts capable of displacing relative to one another along a selected axis of displacement (16), and a contactless electronic device (1) mounted in the first part (12) of the support and including an electronic microcircuit (3) and an antenna (2) electrically connected to the electronic microcircuit (3), and capable of being (electro)magnetically coupled with an external reading station (5), the electronic microcircuit (3) being capable of exchanging information with the outside. The second part (14) is provided with electromagnetic coupling attenuating elements, having a resonator circuit (7) coupled to the antenna (2), and situated in line with the antenna (2) when the first and second parts are essentially superimposed one above the other, and are capable of rendering the exchange of information with the outside inoperative or operative according to the distance between the first and second parts.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a chip card and to a method for producing a chip card with a chip module that is contacted with an external contact arrangement arranged in the contact surface of a card body, as well as with an antenna device arranged in a card inlay, wherein the card inlay is initially produced in a first production device and the card inlay is subsequently provided with at least one respective external layer on both sides in a second production device, namely in such a way that the external contact arrangement arranged on the external contact side of the chip carrier is introduced into a recess of the assigned external layer, and wherein a connection between the card inlay and the external layers is subsequently produced in a laminating process.

Abstract: An electronic product identification price display system for installation in a retail environment storing a plurality of consumer products on shelves. The system includes a plurality of remote activator modules installed within the retail environment, and a plurality of remotely-updateable electronic-ink labels applied to consumer products stored in the retail environment. Each remote activator module sends and transmits electromagnetic signals within the space of the retail environment. Each electronic-ink label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The device includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal transmitting structure transmits signals from the antenna structure to the remote activator modules.

Abstract: A digital information recording media system including a digital information recording media device, and a digital information reading and writing drive unit for writing digital information to, and reading digital information from the digital information recording media device. An electronic-ink display label is provided to the digital information recording media device for displaying graphical indicia on the electronic-ink display label representative of information relating to the digital information recording media device and/or digital information recorded thereon. An activation module is arranged in communication with the digital information reading and writing drive unit, for providing instructions employed in the determination of determined graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display label. The electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material.

Abstract: A radio-frequency-identification tag antenna includes a film base, a plurality of antenna patterns for transmission and reception, which is formed in parallel on the film base, and a cut line that is formed on the film base between adjacent antenna patterns along the antenna patterns from an inside to an outer edge of the film base. A part of the film base on which the antenna patterns are formed is folded or bent in a predetermined direction using the cut line.

Abstract: There is provided an accessory device for a financial transaction token. The accessory has an onboard power storage device that enables a financial token or card that is in communication with the accessory to operate when the card or token is not in the proximity of a merchant terminal (e.g.; a POS terminal). In one implementation, the onboard power storage device includes a rechargeable battery or capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power the accessory's onboard electronics and/or the electronics of a financial token in communication with the accessory. The accessory may be a subcomponent of another consumer device such as a computing device, communications device, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a PDA, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a purse, a briefcase, or a personal organizer.

Abstract: A method of making a transaction card comprising cutting a first sheet of metal to create a card body, cutting a second sheet of metal to create a back panel, applying an adhesive to said back panel and bonding said back panel to said card body.

Abstract: A value card comprising a substantially planar substrate with first indicia applied to a surface of the substrate is provided. An obscuring layer formed from an opaque material is disposed over the first indicia so as to prevent at least a portion of the first indicia from being viewed. The obscuring layer is configured so that the opaque material can be removed to reveal the at least a portion of the first indicia but cannot be reapplied over the first indicia. The value card further comprises a security device comprising second indicia comprising a predetermined pattern. At least a portion of the second indicia is formed on the obscuring layer so that removal of the opaque material to reveal the at least a portion of the first indicia also removes the at least a portion of the second indicia.

Abstract: A vote-by-mail return envelope that includes a pouch portion for containing the ballot and a stub portion on which the voter applies his/her signature and method for processing are provided. Each portion of the envelope contains a respective barcode that identifies the respective portion. When the envelope is received at the vote-counting location, the stub is separated from the pouch, thereby separating the voter's signature, name, etc. from the ballot. The signature is then verified from the stub, and subsequent processing of the pouch uses the pouch barcode identifier as a link to the stub barcode identifier and/or to the result of the signature verification, to determine whether the ballot in the pouch is eligible for counting or whether some remedial procedure is necessary.

Abstract: Relatively constant temperatures are maintained in a space by varying the capacity of heating or cooling equipment. A proportional band is used to adjust capacity to compensate for changes in heating or cooling load, and the proportional band is adjusted to bring the actual temperature within the space closer to the set point temperature. Such an adjustment may be made by determining the difference between the present temperature and the set point temperature, and adjusting a floating temperature set point by a percentage (e.g., ten percent) of the difference. Such a process may be repeated, for example, at regular intervals, such as once per minute. As a result, the temperature within the space approaches (e.g., asymptotically) the set point temperature whether the heating or cooling load is high or low. Methods, systems, and apparatuses are contemplated, including HVAC units and controls, including for residential applications, including using variable-speed drives.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a water heater to limit the effects of stacking in a water heater tank are disclosed. In some cases, the water heater controller may determine a rate of change of the water temperature in the water heater tank. If the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, the controller may adjust the water heater temperature set point downward to help reduce stacking in the water heater. In some cases, the water heater temperature set point may be returned to the original water heater temperature set point when stacking is no longer likely to be of a concern. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller may track the time that the heater of the water heater is in the “on” state, or the time that the heater is in the “off” state, during subsequent heating cycles. The controller may then compare the “on” time or the “off” time to respective recovery threshold times.

Abstract: An integrated controller for controlling a vapor compression based heating and cooling system. The integrated controller includes modules for independently controlling dry bulb temperature, humidity level, and incorporating a fault detection module therewith. The fault detection module being capable of detecting abnormal refrigerant levels using only temperature sensors on the condenser with thermal expansion valve or evaporator with fixed orifice type of expansion valve.

Abstract: A rail that requires minimum force to slide an object. It can be assemble by rail pieces until obtaining the desired length.

Abstract: Fitted carriageway for rail vehicles having rails fixed on sleepers, which are supported by a structure engineered in concrete or a concrete composite, in which case the sleepers are embedded in the structural concrete of the engineered structure or in a protective concrete layer or are mounted direct on the structural concrete or the protective concrete layer.

Abstract: A method for joining multiple lengths of pre-cut strips of interconnected model railroad ties, interconnected track switch ties and other track components to form a single flexible assembly of trackwork. A clip fashioned from various thicknesses of plywood or other materials works with existing model railroad scales and is designed to match and connect together pre-cut flexible strips of interconnected wood or plastic railroad ties, PC board railroad ties, or other ready-to-run track components that are used to produce finished trackwork for model railroads.

Abstract: A dispersion of a hydrophobic silicic acid in water is delivered by means of the dispersion being conveyed onwards by means of a squeezing motion.

Abstract: An active material emitting device includes an ultrasonic atomizer disposed within the device for volatilizing an active material. The device further includes an opening disposed adjacent the ultrasonic atomizer for emitting the volatilized active material therethrough. A vent is disposed in the device, wherein the vent creates an air passageway for air to enter the device and exit the device through the opening to carry the volatilized active material away from the device.

Abstract: A diffusion device includes a housing and an opening in the housing adapted for insertion of a container having an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom. The device further includes a heater disposed in a rear portion of the housing and spaced from the wick when a container is inserted into the housing. A vent is disposed in a front portion of the housing. An active material diffusion-interference member is disposed directly above and axially aligned with the wick when the container is inserted into the device, wherein the diffusion-interference member inhibits diffusion of the active material from the housing such that heat generated by the heater is trapped around the wick, thus increasing volatilization and dispersion of the active material from the diffusion device as compared to a diffusion device that does not have a diffusion-interference member.

Abstract: A graffiti prevention system for preventing application of graffiti to a surface(s). The system includes a control component (11) coupled to one or more modular components (21, 31). The control component (11) has a solenoid valve (12) which is coupled to a liquid supply. A motion sensor (19) upon sensing movement near surface(s) activates the solenoid valve (12) to cause liquid to flow from a pressure manifold (13) to spray pipes (14) so that liquid issues from spray nozzles (15, 16) onto the surface(s) to prevent graffiti from being applied to surface(s).

Abstract: A fuel injector includes first and second electrical actuators positioned within an injector body. First and second pairs of electrical conductors extend from a socket connector outside of the injector body to the first and second electrical actuators, respectively. The electrical conductors extend through an elastomeric sealing member that seals against fuel leakage from the fuel injector. The elastomeric sealing member provides annular sealing ridges in sealing contact with an access passage of the injector body and includes individual conductor seal passages that form seals around the outer surface of the individual electrical conductors. The elastomeric sealing member includes features that facilitate assembly of the fuel injector in a manner that reduces risk of damage to the sealing strategy.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fuel injector includes a reduced part count and complexity over similar fuel injectors without a substantial reduction in performance capabilities. This is accomplished by using a one-piece needle that is hydraulically balanced and biased toward a closed position with a spring positioned in the needle control chamber. Although subtle, this injector has some ability to control the fuel pressure when the needle valve is opening and closing by adjusting a relative timing of a pressure control valve opening relative to a needle control chamber, using separate electrical actuators. The disclosure is particularly applicable to fuel injectors that cycle through high and low pressure states during and between injection events, respectively. Cam actuated fuel injectors being particularly well suited.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising: a fuel supply conduit for conveying fuel from a base end of the fuel injector to a tip end of the injector; a nozzle at the tip end of the injector for injecting the fuel into a combustion chamber; thermal conductor means for conducting heat from said nozzle at the tip end of the injector to the base end of the injector to cool the nozzle; and a housing for said fuel supply conduit, said nozzle and said thermal conductor means, wherein said thermal conductor means is thermally insulated from said fuel supply conduit between said tip and base ends of the injector.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of multiple capillary tubes 10 for the evaporation of volatile active substances, in particular aromatics and/or insecticides from a liquid reservoir 40. The intent is to incorporate individual capillary tubes 20 in a single piece made ideally out of a polymer that can resist both heat and organic compounds. The multiple capillary tubes 10 could replace twisted, braided or woven wicks that are currently used in electronic vapor emanation systems that utilize heat 50 or atomization 60. The multiple capillary tubes 10 are extruded in a single piece and then cut to length or individual capillary tubes are extruded, bundled and then cut to length.

Abstract: The present invention features a fluid flow regulator that functions to significantly influence fluid flow across the surface of an object, as well as to significantly effect the performance of the object subjected to the fluid. The fluid flow regulator comprises a pressure recovery drop that induces a sudden drop in pressure at an optimal pressure recovery point on said surface, such that a sub-atmospheric barrier is created that serves as a cushion between the molecules in the fluid and the molecules at the object's surface. More specifically, the present invention fluid flow regulator functions to significantly regulate the pressure gradients that exist along the surface of an object subject to fluid flow. Regulation of pressure gradients is accomplished by selectively reducing the pressure drag at various locations along the surface, as well as the pressure drag induced forward and aft of the object, via the pressure recovery drop.

Abstract: An automobile accessory pertaining to safety in its operation for its driver and any passengers within is disclosed. The total body apparatus (10) provides an implement for a secondary or alternative method of applying a liquid fluid, such as water or a commercially available cleaning and ice melting solution, onto a windshield surface of an automobile if that particular vehicle's windshield washers are not working properly or they have no fluid to disperse from its storage repository. The driver (operator) of the total body apparatus (10) can accomplish this operation from the safety of a seating position from the front seating area by simply rolling or ‘cracking’ a window an amount sufficient to extend the front adapter part (11) outside the planar line of the door window glass towards the demarcation line whereas the front door jamb corner meets the end side of the windshield or windshield frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a personal cooling device for use during the operation of a motorcycle to provide a mist of water to keep a rider or passenger cool during hot weather. The device in a first embodiment consists of a water reservoir connected to an electric motor driven by the bikes electrical system to push water through tubing toward and out nozzles mounted on the motorcycle's handle bars.

Abstract: A showerhead with a turbocharger mechanism including a showerhead housing and a turbo-compressor unit is provided. The showerhead housing has a water inlet port for introducing a water flow, a case wall that gradually expands, and a water drainage panel. The turbo-compressor unit is accommodated in a housing chamber and includes a compressor compartment where the water flow is converted into a vortex flow, a turbo-pump impeller accommodated in the compressor compartment, and a turbo-generator capable of generating electric energy The turbo-generator is electrically connected to an illumination means, so as to emit light beams. The present invention is provided with the turbocharger mechanism, so as to make use of the water flow flowing through the showerhead effectively to generate electricity for illumination.

Abstract: A spray nozzle designed to be mounted in a push button of a liquid distribution system, including a body equipped with an assembly tube that is defined by a front wall in which a distribution orifice is formed, wherein the inside face of the front wall is equipped with a vortex chamber that communicates with the distribution orifice, at least two radial tubes to supply liquid to the vortex chamber, and an annular duct to supply liquid to the upstream end of the tubes, in which the lateral inside wall of the tube is equipped with at least two axial grooves which respectively extend between an upstream end opening onto the rear edge of the tube and a downstream end opening onto the annular duct, wherein the grooves are positioned angularly so that each downstream end of a groove is equidistant from the two upstream ends of the tube adjacent to it on either side along the length of the annular duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle for atomization of one or more fluids by letting two streams of fluid impinge. In a nozzle according to the invention the fluid is divided in a number of streams each given kinetic energy. The amount of kinetic energy given to streams is so that when the streams impinge at conditions where substantial opposite directed velocity components of the streams exist the streams will break up into a spray having a small droplet size.

Abstract: A trigger spray dispenser (8, 40) that comprises a container (14, 42) for a liquid, the container comprising a reservoir (16, 46) with a base (18), a forward face (30, 48), and a rear face (32, 50), and a neck (15, 52) extending upwardly from the reservoir (16, 46), and a spray discharge head (10, 44) for dispensing the liquid in a generally forward direction (D-D, 58). The neck (15, 52) and head (10, 44) are attached or attachable, the head (10, 44) is in fluid connection with the liquid in the container (14, 42) when attached to the neck (15, 52), at least a portion of the neck (15, 52) is inclined to impart an inclination to the head (10, 44).

Abstract: A fuel injecting device and method of controlling the fuel injection device. The fuel injection device includes a cylindrical body, a needle whose end includes with a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the end of the cylindrical body, an actuator made of an electroactive material, including a rod and that displaces the head such that the valve is opened, and a prestressing device holding the needle and a counterweight such that they are pressed against the rod opposite end. The needle extends coaxially to the cylindrical body in a form of a rigid bar and axially resonates when exposed to axial pulses at a determined excitation frequency by the actuator.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for comminuting a polymeric shaped article to particles having an average particle size smaller than 6 mm by using a grinding apparatus, characterized in that the shaped article prior to grinding is subjected to a milling step in a milling apparatus to substantially fully convert the shaped article into chips, after which the chips are fed into the grinding apparatus for further comminuting giving at least 25 wt. % less particles having a size less than 1 mm than obtained by the grinding step only.

Abstract: Inner and outer grinding elements have a space therebetween which defines the size of the ground product. A shaft is connected at its bottom end to the inner element for operating the grinder. A sleeve extends about the outer grinding element and is mounted for rotation about the central axis of the grinding elements. Mating screw threads are formed on the sleeve and outer grinding element such that rotation of the sleeve moves the outer grinding element axially for adjusting the size of the ground condiment. A knob accessible from the exterior of the lower housing is fixed to the sleeve and rotates in a circumferential slot in the lower housing.

Abstract: An adjustable grinder, includes a container, a stator, a rotor, a drum, and a rotary slide. The container can hold a product to be ground. The stator is positioned on the container. The rotor is positioned opposite to the stator and can rotate with respect to the stator. The drum is positioned around the rotor. The rotary slide includes a pointer that can be adjusted such that a distance between the stator and the rotor increases or decreases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and a method for forming elongated material. A device (824-864) according to the present invention for forming elongated material, is characterised in that the device comprises a track (821) for guiding the material in the device, wherein the track is arranged to guide the movement of the material into a desired form when the material is fed into the device, and the device comprises an opening (823, 824) along the entire length of the track for removing the elongated material from the device after the formation. With this invention it is possible to make knots and other structures of desired geometry easily and efficiently.

Abstract: A composite spacer strip material for manufacturing spacers for window units, comprises a first layer made of an elastically-plastically deformable material, preferably a plastic material, and at least one second layer made of a plastically deformable material, preferably metal or curable matrix or a composite layer or a multi-layer material, which at least one second layer is materially connected to the first layer to form the composite spacer strip material, which composite spacer strip material extends in a longitudinal direction with a predetermined width in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a predetermined thickness in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions, wherein the first layer extends over the complete width in the width direction, and wherein the at least one second layer extends over at least a part of the width in the width direction.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for motor vehicles with a vehicle-sensitive or belt webbing sensitive controllable locking device, or both, for the belt shaft, having a profiled head that acts as a support for a displaceably mounted locking member that locks the belt shaft in the housing, and a two-stage force limiting device having two force limiting elements that are switchable between a high level and a low level of force limitation via an interposed coupling (19, 20) that is controlled by means of a control device having a countergear which determines an amount of belt webbing that is extended from the belt shaft.

Abstract: The Multi-task Fly Line Machine uses spools to hold or store fly line in different phases of the operations to transfer fly line for storage or to another fly reel, clean and/or lubricate the fly line as well as a movable guide which performs the cleaning and lubricating of the fly line. There is also a removable platform to facilitate the addition of new fly line or other materials into the system. The machine functions either by use of a hand crank or use of an external power device such as a hand drill to operate the machine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for winding coreless and soft-core rolls (11), of film materials (10). The film (10) is made to advance, at differentiate speeds (S1, S2), between a first and a second drawing unit (12, 21) making the film (10) to perform a floating loop (19). The film (10) is fed in a controlled way, making it adhere to a grooved embossing drum (22) by an air jet (29) to emboss cross corrugations in the film (10) while it is being wound up; the corrugations of the film (10) traps air and prevents the implosion of the roll (11). A programmable electronic unit (32), controls the drawing units (12, 21) in relation to control signals (E1, E2) related to the feeding and winding up speeds (S1, S2) of the film (10), and in relation to a control signal supplied by a sensing device (28) for detecting the position of the floating loop (19).

Abstract: A mobile wire dispensing apparatus for carrying and moving spools of wire to desired locations. The mobile wire dispensing apparatus includes a conventional hand truck having a longitudinally extending frame with wheels at one end and a handle at the other end, and a foot plate at the wheeled end projecting at a right angle to the frame. The hand truck is converted to a wire dispensing apparatus with a kit which includes upper and lower V-shaped frames having an apex and two legs diverging from the apex to distal ends, whereby the distal ends of the V-shaped frames are securable to the frame of the hand truck at spaced locations with the V-frames being aligned and the lower V-shaped frame engaging the inside of the footplate. A hub socket is provided on the apex of the lower V-shaped frame and protrudes upwardly towards the apex of the upper V-shaped frame to receive a wire spool core end over the hub.

Abstract: Coiled conduits such as the plastic water tubing commonly used by plumping contractors may be effectively unwound and strung at a construction site using a unique conduit dispensing device of this invention. The dispensing device includes a container for housing the coiled conduit and a reel for unwinding the coiled conduit from the container. The dispensing device may be equipped with a suspending mount which when mounted at a dispensing position allows a single worker to more effectively install the conduit at the work site.

Abstract: A spooling tool for paying out a fiber optic cable prewound on a spool region of a drop box or on an associated spool, when installing a cable at a user's premises. In one embodiment, the tool includes a base plate and a stud projecting from one side of the plate. An elongate arbor has one end secured to the stud in such a manner as to support the arbor perpendicular to the base plate. The arbor is dimensioned to pass through an axial passage in the box so that the box pivots on the arbor when the cable is unwound by an installer. A cap mechanism at the opposite end of the arbor retains the drop box on the arbor, and applies enough drag on the box to inhibit it from free wheeling on the arbor.

Abstract: An elongated web of flexible material having a covering of excelsior across a portion thereof has an elongated edge portion uncovered. The elongated covered portion is folded over upon itself a number of times, and the elongated uncovered side portion (a tail) are wound upon a roll for utilization after unrolling, as a sediment barrier, properly staked into the ground.

Abstract: A guidable projectile has a central shaft, a projectile body, and a surface control assembly. The projectile body is arranged to rotate around at least a portion of the central shaft during flight of the guidable projectile to provide stabilization. The surface control assembly is supported by the central shaft. The surface control assembly includes a movable member arranged to control a trajectory of the guidable projectile during flight of the guidable projectile, and an electromagnetic actuator interconnected between the central shaft and the movable member. The electromagnetic actuator is arranged to control movement of the movable member relative to the central shaft.

Abstract: A mount for an aircraft turbojet engine. The mount includes a central box formed by an assembly of two side panels joined via transverse ribs and two side boxes secured to a forward part of the box and arranged either side thereof, each side box including an aft closure frame. One of the ribs forming the box includes two side extensions made in a single piece with the rib and respectively projecting from the two side panels outwardly from the box, the two extensions being fixedly mounted on the frame of each of the two side boxes, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nacelle (1) of a turbojet engine (4), which nacelle is intended to be attached to a structure (2) of an aeroplane by a connecting pylori (3) and comprises at least one moving part (9?, 9?) above to be opened in order to provide access to the interior of the nacelle, characterized in that the said moving part is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis (25) directed along a line more or less perpendicular to the plane of the structure of the aeroplane to which the nacelle is attached.