Abstract: Electronic transaction receipts in remote non-networked sales equipment are sent through infrared or radio frequency means to portable electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA's)/smart cellular telephones that are in the possession of the consumer. These portable devices are possessed by the consumer and are in very close proximity to the POS device transmitting the information. Security procedures also verify the receiving device to avoid inadvertent transmissions and to provide addition security for the transmission. The information and records received by these portable devices may be stored and uploaded into other electronic media at the discretion of the consumer.

Abstract: To improve upon existing ERP and other business logic handling system implementations, the claimed system and method provides direct customer access to functionality and data available in a merchant's business logic handling system. The claimed method and system includes installing functions of the business logic handling system at a portable computing device provided by the merchant or owned by a customer, and downloading data corresponding to functions installed at the portable computing device. The customer inputs requests to perform functions of the business logic handling system, and the functions are performed at the portable computing device and/or a system server, and the output of the function is displayed to the custom at the device.

Abstract: A container screener apparatus that uses container barcode (e.g. Universal Product Code) scanning, and one or more container and/or container content property measurements (e.g. photograph, description, weighing, acoustic measurement), and container comparison data stored in a database to determine if a container passes or fails a container screening based on predetermined pass/fail criteria.

Abstract: Provided is a print engine controller for a printer having a pagewidth printhead. The controller includes a serial interface, a JPEG decoder, a fax decoder, a halftoner/compositor unit, a tag encoder, a line loader/formatter unit, and an interface to the pagewidth printhead. These components together define a print control pipeline.

Abstract: A magnetic ink character reading apparatus has a magnetic detection unit for detecting magnetic ink characters on the check and generating magnetic detection signals, a noise data generator for generating magnetic noise data by accumulating magnetic detection signals before the check passes the magnetic detection unit, and a magnetic noise cancellation unit for removing magnetic noise by subtracting the magnetic noise data from the magnetic detection signals.

Abstract: An electronic menu display system for use in a restaurant, including a plurality of portable menus. Each portable menu includes an electronic-ink display label for displaying graphical indicia on the electronic-ink display label. One or more activation modules are located within the restaurant, for providing instructions employed in the determination of graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display labels of said portable menus. The electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink display label 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 receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure.

Abstract: A card-sized electronic data storage device including an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The card-sized electronic data storage device includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data. The integrated circuit structure also includes a programmed processor in communication with the storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from an activation module, using the antenna structure. The card-sized electronic data storage device displays the determined graphical indicia on the addressable display assembly.

Abstract: A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for storing, retrieving and delivering unit dose blisters in their natural, raw state (i.e., without over-wrapping or repackaging). In particular, a plurality of unit dose blister mounts are configured to position a corresponding plurality of different types of unit dose blisters in a predetermined, repeatable orientation, so that they can be retrieved and delivered using, for example, an automated retrieval system. The storage apparatus (or unit dose blister mount) may include a cavity that is configured to receive a unit dose medication or medication cavity of the unit dose blister in such a way that the unit dose blister lies substantially flat in the horizontal plane, enabling any identification information displayed on the underside of the unit dose blister (i.e., the side opposite the unit dose medication, or medication cavity) to be viewed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading a target object having areas of differing light reflectivity on the target such as a handheld bar code reader having a first illumination pattern, a detector for measuring a distance from the reader to a target object, a system threshold, and a comparator for evaluating the measured distance against the threshold. Should the reader's internal circuitry and/or software determine that the measured distance is greater than the threshold, a second illumination pattern is activated that has power effective illumination for increasing the operable reading distance between the reader and the target object. The second illumination pattern can be generated from a secondary illumination source or through a lens internal to the reader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a mobile service with the use of a code pattern is disclosed In one embodiment, the method comprising: taking a photograph of a code pattern image, decoding the photographed code pattern image so as to obtain code information, extracting uniform resource locator (URL) information corresponding to the code information, transmitting a content information request message to a service provider server corresponding to the URL information, and receiving content information corresponding to the URL information from the service provider server. According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide various and convenient mobile services to mobile terminal users using a mobile terminal, having a camera, and a code pattern containing the URL information.

Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted at a point-of-transaction workstation for capturing images of one- and two-dimensional indicia and is operated at high speed to resist image blurring due to relative movement between the target and the imager. Dedicated hardware assistance and computation resources are allocated to decode multiple, continuous and simultaneous video streams from multiple imagers at the workstation.

Abstract: A portable data terminal including an elongated housing and a vertical grip. The housing has a battery well that extends traverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A battery pack has a longitudinal axis that, when seated in the battery well, extends traverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing, the battery pack having an integrated latch that engages a recess in the battery well.

Abstract: A medium management system includes an identification information acquisition unit that acquires first identification information uniquely identifying a first medium surface and second identification information uniquely identifying a second medium surface and being associated with the first identification information, and a code image generating unit that generates a first code image to be printed on the first medium surface from the first identification information, and a second code image to be printed on the second medium surface from the second identification information.

Abstract: A handheld electronic book reader device is equipped with dual displays. The device includes a first display for presenting visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a second display positioned alongside the first display. The second display includes a plurality of graphic elements that correspond to portions of the first display. Also, the second display is responsive to user input to one of the graphic elements to perform an action on the content that is shown in the portion of the first display that corresponds to the one element.

Abstract: In a cellular phone, a central control section generally locks a noncontact IC card function as an invalid state. When an ID of an external device to which the cellular phone approaches is already registered in a registration list, the central control section releases the lock to execute electronic payment processing. After that, the central control section locks the noncontact IC card function as the invalid state. Meanwhile, when the ID of the external device is not registered yet, in the case that a user instructs to release the lock, the central control section releases the lock to execute the electronic payment processing. When the external device is not registered yet, the ID of the external device is automatically registered in the registration list.

Abstract: A portable RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and slots or recesses for insertion of contactless smart card fobs, including ID card, and having a wireless interface for communicating with a token plugged into a computer, provides physical and logical access.

Abstract: A smart card includes a plurality of function blocks, and a laser attack detector configured to detect an external laser attack on at least one of the plurality of function blocks. The laser attack detector may include a plurality of chain blocks connected in a chain configuration, and each of the chain blocks is configured to change the level of a detection value stored therein in response to an external laser attack.

Abstract: An accessed object having a non-contact IC module including a semiconductor device and a module-side antenna formed extending over two sides of an accessed object, wherein the module-side antenna consists of a first module-side antenna and a second module-side antenna continuous to the first module-side antenna, wherein the first module-side antenna secures a necessary antenna effective area by coming into face-to-face relation with a first apparatus-side antenna on communication apparatus to communicate with the accessed object, and wherein the second module-side antenna is disposed close to the second apparatus-side antenna in an access direction different from the direction in which the first apparatus-side antenna makes access to the accessed object.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system for a multi-level space is provided that comprises at least one lower level return air duct and at least one upper level return air duct, and a thermostat for controlling the operation of the heating or cooling system through either a low voltage cooling activation signal or a low voltage heating activation signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostat including a user interface module. The user interface module has a display, a plurality of user interface buttons, and a first power and communications interface. The thermostat also includes an I/O module, the I/O module electrically coupled to a HVAC plant and the I/O module having a plurality of switches to control the HVAC plant, and a second power and communications interface. The user interface module and the I/O module are communicatively coupled and exchange power via the power and communications interfaces and the thermostat can be mounted and operated in one of two user selectable installations: a stacked configuration comprising a thermostat having the user interface module directly mounted to the I/O module, or a remote configuration comprising a thermostat having the user interface module remotely mounted from the I/O module.

Abstract: A linking device has a connecting member for connecting a first rotation member and a second rotation member. The connecting member is connected to the first rotation member at a first connecting point and to the second rotation member at a second connecting point. The connecting member includes a thermal deformation absorbing part between the first connecting point and the second connecting point, and is adapted to absorb a change of distance between the first connecting point and the second connecting point due to thermal deformation.

Abstract: A machine for constructing modular water spray configurations with one or more flexible modules containing one or more conduits, communication between one or more modules and of one or more other modules, structure to interconnect modules, and communication between at least one module and a water source.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking straw assembly. The assembly has a first straw portion and a housing that can be removably secured to the first straw portion. The housing has a housing cavity, and a valve that can be removably connected to the housing cavity. The valve is also adapted to receive a second straw portion.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine houses, in a hollow injector body of its own, an injection-control valve, the valve body of which delimits, together with the injector body, an annular chamber designed to receive a fuel under pressure, and insulated in a fluid-tight way by a seal member carried by the valve body and made of plastic material.

Abstract: A crop sprayer, including: a chassis; a number of wheels which support the chassis; an engine for driving at least one of the number of wheels so as to propel said chassis; a chemical receptacle, supported by the chassis, for receiving and holding a chemical solution therein; a boom arm mounted to the chassis including a plurality of nozzles operable for dispersing chemicals; a control handle for controlling the position of the boom arm and the dispersion of the chemicals through at least a portion of the plurality of nozzles, wherein the control handle has an adjustable position to accommodate various size operators.

Abstract: A sprinkler comprises a nozzle, a turbine and a gear train reduction. The gear train reduction has an output stage that is coupled to the nozzle. The turbine is located between the nozzle and the gear train reduction and is coupled to an input stage of the gear train reduction.

Abstract: Manual spraying device including a push-button that can be actuated manually, the push-button including a spray nozzle, the spray nozzle having an inner chamber adapted to receive a non-gaseous fluid product under pressure and delimited towards the outside by a perforated front wall, a reservoir for the fluid product to be sprayed, and a dispensing device that can be mechanically actuated by the push-button and adapted to transfer the fluid product from the reservoir to the inner chamber of the nozzle, the front wall having a plurality of calibrated holes, each having a diameter of between 1 and 100 ?m, the diameter of each hole not differing from a mean of the diameters of the various holes by more than 20%.

Abstract: Dispensing member for a fluid product comprising a post and a spray nozzle, said post having an abutment surface and said spray nozzle comprising a transverse wall, an outlet orifice extending across said transverse wall, said outlet orifice being delimited by a lateral surface, at least one duct for supplying the fluid product to the outlet orifice, the said supply duct being delimited by the transverse wall and the abutment surface, being supplied with fluid product via a supply channel, emerging substantially tangentially relative to the lateral surface of the outlet orifice, and forming the only fluidic communication between the supply channel and the outlet orifice.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a novel water discharging apparatus capable of rapidly enhancing an outer appearance and a cleaning property and enjoying a plurality of water discharging configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attachment for emitting water from a water source. The attachment comprises an inlet end, a transitional section connected to the inlet end, an outlet end connected to the transitional section opposite from the inlet end, and a reinforcement member attached to the transitional sectional and the outlet end to support the transitional section. The inlet end includes an external cover and an internal sleeve disposed within and spaced from the external cover.

Abstract: A spray gun suitable for electrostatic coating, using a coating material whose electric resistance is relatively low. A coating material nozzle is attached to the front middle region of a barrel having a forwardly projecting cylindrical section on the front outer peripheral edge, and an air cap which covers their front surfaces is installed. A pattern air flow channel is formed between the air cap, coating material nozzle outer peripheral surface and the cylindrical section inner peripheral surface, and an annular electrode is attached to the inside of the flow channel. The air cap is centrally provided with an atomization air spout hole, and a coating material delivery port at the front end of the coating material nozzle is inserted therein. A pin electrode is projected forward through the coating material delivery port. Two pairs of projections project forward from two sets of opposed locations for the air cap, each with a pattern air spout hole.

Abstract: A material spreading drive system for a hopper spreader having a conveyor and a spreader separately driven by two electric motors that are powered directly from the electrical system of the vehicle. The conveyor drive system includes a speed reducing gearbox that can very efficiently transmit power received from the conveyor motor to the conveyor, thus reducing the demand on the electrical system. As a result, the electrical system is capable of also powering a second electric motor that drives the spreader. Due to the improved efficiency of the conveyor belt system, increased conveying and spreading speed are possible as well as independent control over the operating speeds of the conveyor and spreader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating materials or material mixtures in a treatment apparatus operating on the principle of the double-action impact mill, which includes a discharge conveyor (34), such as a discharge screw. A material layer (40) is maintained between the discharge opening and the discharge conveyor, using the material exiting the outermost ring (16?) of the treatment apparatus through the discharge opening (30), which layer prevents free discharge of the material to be treated from the treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A medical waste disposal device having a blade that rotates and chops medical waste into chips and other small particles. The blade includes at least one opening with at least one sharpened edge. The blade also has at least one raised portion adjacent to the sharpened edges. The blade cooperates with a cutting plate to chop or scissor the medical waste. The raised portion pushes chopped medical waste away from the blade and the cutting plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a crusher block assembly for a particulate size reduction system including a crusher block having an inboard face configured and adapted to cooperate with a swing hammer in a crusher chamber of a particulate size reduction system to crush particulate, and an outboard face for receiving an adjustment mechanism. The crusher block assembly also includes an adjustment mechanism joined to the outboard face on the crusher block. The adjustment mechanism is configured and adapted to adjust the position of the crusher block along a direction between an inboard location and an outboard location within the crusher chamber. The invention also provides a method of adjusting clearance between a swing hammer and a crusher block in a particulate size reduction system.

Abstract: A paper shredder blade includes a pair of cylindrical hobs, and each hob includes a polygonal shaft sheathed with many differential blades, allowing the differential blades to be assembled alternately. Each differential blade has two secondary blades, and an inner side of each secondary blade contains many bumps surrounding an inner rim of the secondary blade to increase a thickness and an intensity of the blade. Two abutted secondary blades are formed into one set of differential blade by abutting the bumps with the bumps, to save more than a half of materials of the differential blade, and to reduce a weight correspondingly. A cut-off edge of each secondary blade contains a reinforcing rib, allowing the edge to be thicker than the cut-off edge of an ordinary paper shredder. Therefore, when cutting off paper, the paper will not be jammed easily and can be cut off easily.

Abstract: The tool is coupleable to an arm of a reel of a fishing rod. The tool includes a shank at one end removably coupleable to a rotating drive. A cylinder is oriented opposite the shank with a hollow bore extending into a free end of the cylinder. A slot extends through a wall of the cylinder with an axial leg adjacent an entry of the slot and a circumferential leg spaced from the axial leg by a bend. The arm passes into the bore with portions of the arm first passing through the axial leg and then into the circumferential leg. The arm is thus securely held within the slot of the cylinder and the arm rotates when the cylinder is caused to rotate along with the shank when the shank is coupled to the drive and the drive is rotated, and line is drawn onto the reel.

Abstract: A device is provided on a spinning preparation machine for receiving a sliver from a discharge device of the spinning preparation machine and transporting the sliver to a downstream machine, the spinning preparation machine having a depositing region. The device has a support for receiving the sliver deposited from the discharge device in the depositing region, and a moving device for moving the deposited sliver relative to the discharge device in the depositing region for forming a free standing sliver bundle, and for moving the free standing sliver bundle out of the depositing region for transport to a downstream machine.

Abstract: A wire tensioning arrangement is provided for applying tension in a wire supplied to a wire feeder. The wire tensioning arrangement includes first and second tensioning members positioned on a first axis to receive the wire therebetween. The first and second tensioning members are adapted to engage opposite sides of the wire at a location on the first axis to apply a tensioning force to the wire when the wire is pulled by the wire feeder in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

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 aircraft structure, for example a wing (20), includes a structural skeleton having structural elements (for example, spars (60) and ribs (70)) enclosed within a skin (200). A fastener (110a,b) is fastened to the skeleton and wholly within the skin (200). The fastener (110a,b) fastens to the structure (20) a bracket (120) for carrying stores (80). The fastener (110a,b) includes a body (300) defining an internal bore (230). The body (300) includes an internal threaded region (330), within the internal bore (230), for fastening the bracket (120) to the aircraft structure (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerial fire suppression utilizing a potable fire retardant chemical dispensing system, readily adaptable, without extensive aircraft modification, to various makes of aircraft, for dispensing current types of forest and range fire fighting chemicals. The aerial delivery system is self contained and reusable. It enables cargo/utility aircraft to carry and dump a load, under control. The aerial delivery system is capable of attachment at the wing box, pressurized delivery from the nozzles, and nozzles directed straight downward.

Abstract: A mating and connection system for securing adjacent stages of a launch vehicle. The system includes a locking flange connected to each of a first vehicle stage and a second vehicle stage. A compression ring is positioned internal to the first and second vehicle stages. The compression ring is shaped to compress together the locking flanges of the first and second stages upon engagement with the locking flanges. A locking jack is capable of being activated from an exterior of the first and second stages and operates to selectively move the compression ring into and out of engagement with the locking flanges.

Abstract: A system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a dual diaphragm synthetic jet coupled to high performance dual actuator solenoids, wherein the synthetic jet is operable to produce an oscillatory flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) produces the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.

Abstract: A manager system for managing peripherals of a sump pump having a base and a manager frame. The base has a predetermined characteristic related a sump holding the sump pump. The manager frame is attached to the base at a predetermined ergonomic location with at least one fastener. The frame has a seat for resting the frame against the base and orienting the frame relative to the base. The frame has at least one fastener engagement surface engaged by the at least one fastener to stably hold the frame in the predetermined ergonomic location on the base. The frame has multiple storage locations adapted for storage of multiple sump pump peripherals on the frame.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to extension arm apparatuses that are adapted to support user devices throughout a range of positions. A given apparatus may include one or more arms that position the user device remotely from a support position. An extension and retraction device such as a gas cylinder is received within each arm, and provides a force to support the user device as the arm is placed into a given position. A variable force clevis is connected to the extension/retraction device within the arm. The variable force clevis is connected to a pair of locations in the arm as well. As the arm moves, for instance up or down, the variable force clevis rotates within the arm and dynamically adjusts the force provided by the extension/retraction device. Thus, the arm may be positioned as desired, as such force adjustment stabilizes the arm.

Abstract: A folding portable laptop computer stand mounts to the bottom of a laptop computer. In folded position, its sides and base parallel the bottom of the computer. The base is flat and sits on the lap of a user, or a desktop. When the sides are unfolded they extend from the base, lift the computer above a user's lap, tilt the keyboard for ease of use and provide space under the computer for a full size mouse pad or stylus drawing pad.

Abstract: An electronic device with an elevating mechanism includes a body and the elevating mechanism connected with the body. The elevating mechanism includes a support base, an elevating element, and a fastening element. The elevating element capable of moving between a first position and a second position relative to the support base is connected with both the support base and the body. The elevating element includes a first wedging component. The fastening element disposed around the second position relative to the support base is rotatable between a third position and a fourth position. The fastening element includes a second wedging component. When the fastening element is rotated to the fourth position, the second wedging component is wedged on the first wedging component for fastening the elevating element at the second position.

Abstract: An adjustable holding frame mainly includes a first bar, a second bar and an adjusting means. The second bar has one end fastened to a lump element which is pivotally located in the adjusting means. The adjusting means is mounted onto the first bar and has a helical structure to adjust the position of a seat in the adjusting means. Thereby releasing or fastening of the lump element of the second bar can be controlled to adjust the posture condition of the holding frame.

Abstract: A television rotational support apparatus provides unlimited rotation of a removably mounted viewing screen, through a full 360 degree rotation. Pivot of the viewing screen mount provides for pivotal positioning of a viewing screen. The apparatus is compact with regard to size and with regard to distance between a mounting object and a viewing screen. The relatively short distance between mounting object and removably mounted viewing screen insures that minimal leverage force is imposed on the mounting object. Components of the apparatus such as the motor, gears, and battery/receiver provide for removal for replacement or service. A remote control provides for remotely rotating the viewing screen mount and hence the viewing screen.