Abstract: A method for cleaving thin rods of glass or quartz with a rod cleaving blade (27) and body (28) carrying the blade, is provided. The body (28) is of material varying in length through application of electric and/or magnetic fields. Driving force (31, 33) achieves relatively steady movement of the blade (27) towards a desired cleaving point and relatively steady small-amplitude vibratory component of movement towards and away from the cleaving point superimposed to the relatively steady movement, by influencing the body (28) electrically and/or magnetically. The blade is driven to vibrate with a frequency below 1 kHz during cleaving operation.

Abstract: A filament drive mechanism comprising a rotatable component comprising a central hole defined at least in part by an internally-threaded surface, and is configured to receive a filament strand through the central hole to engage the internally-threaded surface with the filament strand. The filament drive mechanism further comprises at least one rotation mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable component, thereby allowing the engaged internally-threaded surface to drive the filament strand through the central hole of the rotatable component.

Abstract: A fastener actuation system for driving fasteners into a work surface separated a significant distance from a user, the system comprising a fastener actuation tool coupled to a pole assembly, the assembly including a lockout mechanism. The tool may have a firing pin assembly configured such that depression of the barrel assembly against the work surface loads a firing pin into a ready-to-fire position. In addition, the tool may have a trigger sleeve slidable within the tool housing and having a ramp surface such that forward motion of the trigger sleeve may cause a trigger sear to move along the ramp surface until a point where the sear disengages and the firing pin fires. Moreover, the trigger sleeve may operationally engage an advance lever for automatically engaging cartridges. Additionally, the tool system may comprise a pole assembly having a secondary mechanism such as an external sleeve for firing the tool.

Abstract: A nailing mechanism for a packing plate comprises a middle feeding device, an upper feeding device, a lower feeding device, a first conveying belt, a second conveying belt, a third conveying belt, a first push panel, a second push panel, a plurality of first nail guns, and a plurality of second nail guns, wherein the nailing mechanism are used to automatically assemble a plurality of first, second, and third slabs together to make a finished packing plate, thus lowering production costs and enhancing manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: A gas combustion type coil nailer is provided with (a) a main body (1) which is provided with combustion chamber; (b) a head part (3) which is disposed on the front surface of this; and (c) a magazine 4 which is disposed on the bottom surface of the head part (3) so that it can be attached and detached easily. A coil shaped nail connecting body is loaded onto the magazine (4). The head part (3) is provided with (d) a guide tube (35) through which the rod (17) and the nail n pass; and (e) with a feed motor (47). The nail connecting body N is fed to the guide tube (35) by a feed gear which is driven by the feed motor (47). Power is supplied to the feed motor (47) from a battery. The rod (17) is driven and the nail is fed by separate motive forces so that the nail can be fed reliably without adversely affecting the accuracy and reliability of the driving capacity of the rod (17).

Abstract: A medical stapler is provided with a stapler body having a head portion at one end thereof, which drives out medical staples S, and a manipulating lever that can be opened and closed by being turned in a state in which a part provided at the side of the head portion is housed in an accommodating portion of the stapler body. A grip portion opposed to the head portion of the manipulating lever is usually urged in an opening direction in which the grip portion protrudes from the accommodating portion. When a staple S is driven out, the manipulating lever is turned in a closing direction in which the manipulating lever is housed in the accommodating portion. Thus, the staple S is driven out of the head portion. Then, the staple S is put into skin “a” while both sides of a wound are brought toward each other. Thus, the wound is sutured while both tip end parts of the staple are inwardly bent.

Abstract: A surgical including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position capturing the tissue between the first jaw member and second jaw member.

Abstract: Described is a full-thickness resection system which includes a control unit coupled to a proximal end of a flexible endoscope. The control unit remains outside of a body when the stapling head is in an operative position within a body lumen. The control unit includes (i) an anvil actuator coupled to an anvil in the stapling head, actuation of the anvil actuator moves the anvil axially relative to a stapling mechanism in the stapling head to compress a folded full-thickness portion of lumenal tissue between the anvil and the stapling mechanism. In addition, the control unit includes (ii) a stapler actuator coupled to the stapling mechanism in the stapling head, actuation of the stapler actuator causing the stapling mechanism to drive staples through the folded lumenal tissue against the anvil.

Abstract: A lightweight, mobile friction stir welding machine, a sticking pad for the friction stir welding machine, and a friction stir welding system are provided. The sticking pad has a flat base member facing an object, an annular sealing member protruding from one of major surfaces of the base member so as to surround a central area of the surface of the base member, a slippery member attached to the end surface of the annular sealing member facing the object, and one or some deformation-suppressing protrusions protruding from the surface facing the object of the base member. The slippery member is made of a material that can make the slippery member contact the object with a friction coefficient lower than that with which the sealing member can be in contact with the same object.

Abstract: A motor vehicle car body framing apparatus for use at a welding station, the apparatus including a gate having a frame structure and a plurality of tooling members carried by the frame structure for use in positioning components of the vehicle body at the welding station for welding. The tooling members are mounted on the frame structure by a plurality of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket includes a base member mounted on the frame structure and a riser mounted on the base and mounting a respective tooling member. The riser is fixedly mounted on the base by a single central fastener bolt which may include a reduced diameter portion sized to break away in response to predetermined impact against the riser. Each mounting bracket further includes means defining a triangulated mounting interface between the base and the riser arranged in concentric relation to the fastener bolt.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding a conductive lead to a conductive terminal of a device by the use of a conductive metal ball is disclosed and claimed. A ball-forming wire comprises a first conductive metal having a first melting temperature. A clamping surface has a closed position in contact with the ball-forming wire. A wire-clamping actuator is coupled to the clamping surface and is electrically connected to a clamping signal source. A sparking pin comprises a second conductive metal having a second melting temperature higher than the first melting temperature. The sparking pin is electrically connected to a power source. A current detection transformer includes a magnetic core at least partially encircling the ball-forming wire. An analyzing circuit is electrically connected to the current detection transformer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding of battery terminals to an interconnect includes: juxtaposing two or more battery cell terminals to each other to create a terminal stack including an innermost terminal and an outermost terminal; juxtaposing a battery cell interconnect with the innermost terminal of the stack; positioning an anvil in contact with the interconnect; directing an air stream against the outermost terminal so that the air stream compresses the terminal stack and urges the innermost terminal into contact with the interconnect; positioning a sonotrode horn in contact with the outermost terminal; and energizing the sonotrode horn to vibrate the terminal stack and thereby make an ultrasonic weld between the stacked terminals of the terminal stack and the interconnect. The air stream is directed at the terminal below the sonotrode horn to capture any debris and a suction removes the debris.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for repairing at least one connecting area between a partition plate (8) and a tube plate (5) of a water chamber (7) of a heat exchanger (1), in which process the area of weld requiring repair is identified, at least one rail (11) is inserted into the water chamber, the said rail (11) is attached below the tube plate (5), a robot arm (20) is inserted, the robot arm is hoisted within the water chamber, the robot arm is remotely controlled, the connecting area requiring repair is machined and a check is made to ensure that cracks have been eliminated from the repaired area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aerofoil structure to have a portion with an increased erosion resistance, the method comprising: providing one or more titanium elements (2, 4, 6) and a beta-stabilizing material (8); wherein the one or more elements (2, 4, 6) have an alpha-beta microstructure; assembling the one or more elements (2, 4, 6) and the beta-stabilizing material (8) such that the beta-stabilizing material (8) is adjacent to the one or more elements (2, 4, 6); and heating the assembly such that the beta-stabilizing material (8) diffuses into an adjacent portion of the one or more elements (2, 4, 6), causing the adjacent portion of the one or more elements (2, 4, 6) to have a beta microstructure which provides an increased erosion resistance.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with Nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint. A series of diagrams of the interface at various stages of brazing is illustrated by FIG. 10.

Abstract: Solder bumps formed on an electrode portion of a semiconductor chip are recently miniaturized, and when printing by using solder balls, the solder balls are also miniaturized. Therefore, it is required to print solder balls for printing with accuracy. Instead of a conventional squeegee, a solder ball loading member including a plurality of semi-spiral wire rods is provided at a print head portion for printing solder balls, and by pressing the solder ball loading member to a mask surface with a predetermined pressing force, turning forces of the solder balls are added by spaces formed by the wire rods. Accordingly, the solder balls are moderately dispersed, and are squeezed into an opening portion of the mask.

Abstract: A method for raising a demagnetization temperature of a permanent magnet is disclosed. The method provides a ferromagnetic arrangement around the magnet to increase demagnetization thresholds for the duration of soldering, or any other process requiring high temperatures. Using the method disclosed, it is possible to apply high levels of heat directly to permanent magnets without demagnetization, and more particularly to create permanent magnetic assemblies fit for any environment.

Abstract: A smoking article pack blank having a lid (2) and a base portion (3), the lid and the base portion being interconnected along a hinge line (27) and the base portion comprising first (24) and second (25) main panels. The main panels of the smoking article pack blank each having side panels (32, 33, 38, 39) depending therefrom and at least one of the side panels having a side flap (35) depending therefrom. When erected the smoking article pack blank may be hinged about a longitudinal axis (34) of a side wall thereof. The invention further provides a smoking article pack assembly, which pack assembly comprises the smoking article pack blank and a plurality of inner blanks. The smoking article pack assembly may be hinged into an open position thereof about a longitudinal hinge line in a side wall of the erected pack assembly.

Abstract: A mail box having a depository vault overlying a secure compartment. A mail deposit platform and a flag door are independently rotatable with respect to each other to open and close a mail deposit opening in the depository vault. The mail deposit platform receives mail in the depository vault. If the mail placed on the mail platform is incoming mail, the platform is rotated to transfer the incoming mail to the underlying secure compartment, as well as to close the mail deposit opening. If the mail placed on the platform is outgoing mail, the flag door is rotated to close the mail deposit opening and to provide an indication to the postman that the mail is to be picked up and delivered to the destination.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) recognizes user identifying data, stored in a support, for joining the support to a document containing personal information. A plurality of reading devices (12) read and recognize the data stored in each support (11). A work unit (L) has a work surface (1) on which the reading devices (12) are placed, the work surface (13) rotated to convey angularly the reading devices (12), so that each of them is placed subsequently in a position corresponding to a first section (S1) and to a second section (S2) of the work unit (L). First conveying means (T1) convey the supports (11) to a respective reading device (12). Second conveying means (T2) then convey the supports (11) from the reading device (12) to a section (20) of a feeding line (A), so as to join the support (11) to corresponding documents (D), fed to the section (20).

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels (462, 464) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine.

Abstract: A system and methods for facilitating the automatic distribution of acquired images within a medical facility. Apparatus capable of displaying digital images within two or more operatories is provided. Apparatus capable of scanning scannable image media is also provided, to read an encoded identifier and a captured image from each of the scannable image media. The encoded identifier of any given scannable image medium is associated with one operatory of the medical facility. Apparatus capable of transmitting a read image to the apparatus capable of displaying digital images within a particular operatory in dependence on the read associated identifier is further provided.

Abstract: A method for forecasting the component surpluses for a target planning period is provided. To begin this method, a planner first identifies each component required to produce a product. For each component, the planner defines a planned level and an uncancelable level. The planned level for a component is the quantity at which the component is expected to be available. The uncancelable level for a component is the quantity of the component that cannot be liquidated without charge. The planner also defines a vector of connect rates for the components. After the required data has been entered, an expected surplus is computed for each component. To compute a component's expected surplus, the component is assumed to be available at its uncancelable level. The remainder of the components are assumed to be available at their respective planned levels.

Abstract: A Check Stack Visualization technique is provided and allows an automated teller machine (ATM) user to see a stack of checks on one screen for check amount confirmation. Customers see all the checks on one screen and indicate that the amounts are correct and click to deposit the checks. In one preferred embodiment, a three dimensional (3D) list is used to display the checks on a Bezier curve along with the amounts highlighted. If the optical character recognition (OCR) process failed on a check amount, the technique highlights the check amount in red. If the customer does not think the check amount is correct, the customer can click on the small check image which brings up a larger check image and they can edit the amount. Once the customer is satisfied that the numbers are correct, the customer can click on a deposit all check button to complete the transaction.

Abstract: Images of a plurality of checks to be presented for payment may be captured through the use of a check sleeve. The check sleeve includes check-holding mechanism to hold one or more checks in place in the sleeve, and contains various types of markings or other features that allow an image of the sleeve to be oriented, and to allow the portion of the image that represents a check to be distinguished from portions of the image that do not represent a check. One or more algorithms may be used to distinguish check from non-check portions of the image, and to orient the image. The check sleeves may have one or more barcodes imprinted thereon, which may encode various types of information.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a contactless smart card. The method further includes bringing the contactless smart card into proximity with a merchant device so as to transfer information from the contactless smart card to the merchant device. The transferred information enables the merchant device to receive contactless payments.

Abstract: A transaction authorization system comprises an authorization engine (18) configured to perform an analysis in relation to a received request for authorization of a current electronic payment transaction and generate an authorization output based on the analysis, and a database (22) storing a plurality of transaction records for past electronic payment transactions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for purchasing cash from an ATM. The ATM has a unique identifier visibly located thereon. A customer phone includes a camera and a programmable memory. The camera can be used to capture an image of the ATM's identifier. The memory includes customer account data. A customer uses their phone to establish wireless communication with a transaction host. The customer can transmit to the host a request for cash from the ATM. The request includes the account data and the image. The host can use the account data in payment for the requested cash. The host uses the image to identify the particular ATM associated with the request. After payment, the host causes the identified ATM to dispense the requested cash.

Abstract: A portable terminal, when receiving an exchange offer message of electronic values from a portable terminal, notifies an application program of an exchange offer content based on a listener corresponding to the message. When the application program accepts this offer content and when electronic values are determined as exchange objects, the portable terminal returns an exchange confirmation message of the electronic values. When the portable terminal receives the exchange confirmation message, it notifies an application program of an exchange content based on a listener corresponding to the message. When the application program accepts the exchange content, the exchange transaction of electronic values is started.

Abstract: A method and system for providing and activating a credit card and credit line to a consumer. In one embodiment, the system and method include providing the consumer with a choice of one credit card from a plurality of cards. In response to the consumer's selection of one of the plurality of credit cards, an immediate authorization request is made for the credit card from an authorization source, such as a mobile telephone, kiosk, cash register, or credit card transaction device. Upon transmission of the authorization request, a rapid approval or disapproval is made based upon the applicant's financial status. This status may include the existence of an open bank account, such as a checking or savings account, or other credit worthiness indicia, such as prior business history with the lender and prior credit history. Once activated, the credit card may be used to purchase goods and services.

Abstract: A method and system provides coded access to a transactional or other type of system by acquiring account identification data corresponding to a combination of a plurality of colors. The account identification data is transmitted to, for example, a remote server to correlate the account identification data against an account database to evaluate corresponding account information. Based on the account information, access to the transactional or other type of system may be controlled.

Abstract: A portable personalized tracker card is provided. The tracker card may be a patient tracker card. The tracker card includes a control unit, a memory for storing personal data, an energy supply unit and an electrochromic display for displaying the personal data.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a method for creating an electronic identification card during a real time communications session including: presenting a user with an option to enter personal information; receiving a command from the user to send the electronic identification card including the personal information during the real time communications session; recording the personal information for the electronic identification card with a data entry method; and sending the electronic identification card to a device involved in the real time communications session.

Abstract: A card vending machine includes a storage area, wherein each of a plurality of memory cards to be issued by a respective one of at least two different issuers are stored. A security mechanism conditions access of each issuer to only a respective portion of the storage area upon authorization of this issuer. An interface mechanism is operated by a user to define a purchasing transaction and a controller is operative, in accordance with the interface mechanism, to customize a memory card at least in part according to the purchasing transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for providing digital receipts for purchase transactions are provided. The method includes the steps receiving information for a first credit card account for executing a transaction; retrieving a first customer record from a database using information from the first credit card account; charging an amount of the transaction to the first credit card account; and transmitting a receipt to a predetermined location of the customer. The predetermined location may be an e-mail address of the customer or a server residing on the network. By receiving digital receipts, a customer or end-user will be able to digitally store these receipts and view or print the receipts out when necessary. Furthermore, the customer will be able to manage the receipts with conventional software packages.

Abstract: A solution for consumer self-service merchandise order placement, payment, and pick up, integrated with a merchant's Internet e-commerce site and with an effective merchant point-of-sale management system. The solution includes a system and apparatus and of a set of specific business methods. A self-service merchandising machine for un-attended, autonomous, and automatic dispensing of retail products includes an input/output subsystem; a control subsystem having and being based upon a computer; a specially configured storage subsystem; a unique pick-and-place robotic-based product retrieval subsystem with an adaptive material handling system; and a product extraction subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of managing a stock replenishment system in a way that explicitly controls the in-stock rate. Also provided by the present invention is a method of managing a collection of stock replenishment systems in a way that the combined in-stock rate of the collection is controlled to a selected value. In addition, the present invention provides a method to set up a collection of stock replenishment systems in replenishment software systems in an identical fashion while controlling the combined in-stock rate. The methods of the present invention use point-of-sale data to determine packages-per-shopper rates, which are used as one of the inputs to statistical models of multiple-day retail sales.

Abstract: In a cart terminal device, a goods-layout-information storage unit stores goods layout information, having information indicating a layout region within a shop related to a goods classification indicating goods laid out in the layout region, and a contents-position-information storage unit stores contents position information, having a transmitter number related to the goods classification. When a user assigns an optional position and an optional transmitter within the shop, a transmitter-position-information creating unit obtains a goods classification corresponding to the position by referencing the goods layout information, and obtains a goods classification corresponding to the transmitter by referencing the contents position information. When the obtained goods classifications coincide with each other, the transmitter-position-information creating unit creates transmitter position information, having position information related to a transmitter number for identifying the transmitter.

Abstract: Organized coercion or buying of votes can be detected based upon information associated with the return of vote by mail ballots, and more specifically an induction parameter related to the location where and time at which vote by mail ballots are inducted into a carrier system for return to the election officials. Upon receipt of the vote by mail ballots by election officials, at least one induction parameter is obtained from the envelope. The data that is collected can be analyzed to detect situations that indicate potential coercion or vote buying by comparing it with expected induction parameters. If a situation that indicates potential coercion or vote buying is detected, those voters whose ballots are involved can be contacted by the election officials, before the votes are tallied, to ensure that the specific voters have not been coerced or sold their vote.

Abstract: A smart card reader is adapted to extract and store authentication data from a response APDU received from a smart card before generating a filtered response APDU, wherein the filtered response APDU does not include the authentication data. Beneficially, when the smart card reader transmits the filtered response APDU toward a destination, the biometric template data is less susceptible to interception, thereby providing a more secure solution.

Abstract: A card reader device for reading a card having data stored on a magnetic stripe incorporated into the card is disclosed in which the card reader device comprises a read head for passing a magnetic stripe of a card by to read data stored on a magnetic stripe and for producing a signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, a signal setting device for setting an amplitude of the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, and an output plug adapted to be inserted into a headset jack associated with a host device for providing the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe to a host device.

Abstract: A flexible optic or optical system is deformed using a non-overlapping iris or any of several deformable ring or polygon shapes. In some examples, the deformation of the flexible optic is controlled by one or more actuators comprising a shape memory material. The flexible optic may be used in, e.g. a bar code reader or imager.

Abstract: A reading card is provided having a reading lens portion that is integrally molded in a unitary form with a card base. The lens portion is formed so as to have a well-defined diopter rating. Preferably, the lens portion includes convexly curved, continuously smooth, opposite light refractive surfaces. Generally, the lens portion can be thicker than a thin, generally flat remaining portion of the card base. The reading card can be implemented in a credit or debit card size, or used as a key ring holder. Optionally, the reading card includes a light source.

Abstract: An information reading apparatus has an excitation unit that applies a magnetic field to a medium provided with at least one magnetic element that generates a signal when the magnetic field is applied thereto and a pseudo element that generates no signal when the magnetic field is applied thereto; a detection unit that detects a signal when the signal is generated; and an identification unit that identifies the medium based on a result of the detection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for activating a presentation instrument using a computerized network. The method utilizes a presentation instrument package that comprises a greeting card and a presentation instrument. A package identifier on the greeting card is read and transmitted to a host computer system to indicate that the presentation instrument has been purchased. After being purchased, the package identifier may be detached from the greeting card and the presentation instrument may be removed from the greeting card. To activate the presentation instrument, an access code and a presentation instrument identifier obtained from the presentation instrument may be provided to the host computer system. Furthermore, the recipient may select a personal identifier to associate with the presentation instrument. The personal identifier may be transmitted to the host computer system for storage.

Abstract: A method for automatically rectifying business card presentation angle is described. The method is applicable to a mobile electronic device to automatically rectify a presentation angle of a shot business card image. Firstly, maintain character pixels of the shot business card image, and divide the character pixels into character groups by determining whether the pixel pitch is larger than a predetermined value. Next, obtain a first axis and a second axis of the character groups. After that, calculate an included angle formed between the first axis and the second axis, and adjust the oblique character groups through angles obtained for correction. Then, adjust aspect ratios of all the character groups after angle correction according to appropriate character aspect ratios, to make the displayed font seem normal. Finally, generate a corrected business card image according to the character groups after correction.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling temperature of a liquid in small flow amount, for supplying a liquid whose temperature is highly accurately controlled, as a flow of a small flow amount or an intermittent flow. A liquid supplied from a supply path is pressurized and introduced into a circulation path, and is temperature-controlled by a temperature control device in the circulation path, while being circulated in the circulation path by a pump in the pressurized condition. The liquid is supplied to an exterior device through a discharge path caused to branch from the circulation path, as a consecutive flow in a small amount or an intermittent flow in a small amount in a flow amount less than at least ½ times the flow amount in the circulation path, by adjusting a discharge valve provided in the discharge path.

Abstract: A track superstructure for a railway on a subgrade inclined transversely to the length thereof, comprises a ballast structure of individual ballast stones, and sleepers embedded in the ballast structure, on which rails may be mounted, the ballast structure comprising load dissipation regions beneath the sleepers, the regions receiving loads acting vertically on the ballast structure via the sleepers when a train rides on the rails and transferring these loads to the subgrade below the ballast structure. This transfer is characterized in that substantially only the voids between the ballast stones within the load dissipation regions of the ballast structure are filled with a foam material, especially a PU polyurethane foam material, for fixing the ballast stones in a stable position, and an elastic drain layer is arranged between the ballast structure and the subgrade.

Abstract: A disposable fragrance chamber (10) for dispensing a fragrance from an aromatic liquid. The disposable fragrance chamber (10) consists of an outer casing body (20) having pad exposure openings (24), a detachable lid (34) and an absorbent pad (30) disposed between the body (20) and the lid (34). The chamber (10) permits an aromatic liquid to be applied into the absorbent pad (30) through the pad exposure openings (24). The aromatic liquid emits a fragrance into the surrounding environment when the chamber (10) is installed on an earring post (40) that extends beyond a person's ear lobe (48) held in place with an earring clasp (50).

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus with a piston device that includes a channel and a piston in the channel. A position sensor is used to detect the piston movement inside the channel when the fuel injection apparatus is energized and de-energized, and the sensing value is used for controlling fuel injection rate in real-time and diagnosing failures in the apparatus. With an actuator installed, the piston can also be used for independently modulating fuel pressure during fuel injection. Thereby the shape of fuel injection pulses is controlled. The fuel injection apparatus has three injection states, and flexible fuel injection timing and multi-pulse injection are allowed. Furthermore, in all injection states, fuel supply has no direct contact to combustion chamber. As a result, when a malfunction sticks the apparatus open, no fuel is supplied. This feature provides a safety nature to the fuel injection apparatus.