Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing that at least includes: initiating a movement of a dispensing object along a dispensing passage of a dispensing device; determining, by a displacement sensor, a magnitude of a displacement of the dispensing object along the dispensing passage based on remotely measuring, by the displacement sensor, a characteristic associated with the dispensing object during the movement of the dispensing object along the dispensing passage; generating an indication by the displacement sensor when the magnitude of the displacement is equal to or exceeds a pre-determined distance value; separating, based on the indication, a portion from the dispensing object to form a remaining portion of the dispensing object and a separated portion of the dispensing object; and dispensing the separated portion of the dispensing object from the dispensing device.

Abstract: A security dispenser for the display and dispensing of merchandise items, having an elongate housing for storing a row of merchandise items, a rear end, a front delivery end, and a lid. An incremental feed device is disposed in the security dispenser, comprising a pusher assembly for advancing merchandise items to the front delivery end, and a stop mechanism allowing the pusher assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality of predetermined increments. When the pusher assembly is engaged with the stop mechanism, an actuator operably connected to the stop mechanism and having an engagable component, must be actuated by a user wishing to dispense a merchandise item, causing the pusher assembly to temporarily disengage the stop mechanism, thereby allowing the pusher assembly to travel in one of the predetermined increments.

Abstract: A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.

Abstract: A napkin dispensing system improving the efficiency of napkins dispensed from a Tall-Fold napkin dispenser. A housing fits over a Tall-Fold napkin dispenser and the slot for pulling the napkins from the Tall-Fold dispenser and through the housing is shaped in such a way as to allow only one napkin at a time to be dispensed. The system's napkins are tri-folded, interleaved, and have an approximate width of between 6.4 to 6.6 inches, and an unfolded, approximate length of between 10 to 12 inches.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing; and an adapter within the housing and configured to be removably coupled to a container, the adapter having a base having a substantially planar surface and an arm extending from the surface; a collar on the aim and movable with respect to the arm; and a sleeve on the arm and contacting the collar, wherein the adapter can be moved between an insertion orientation in which the sleeve has a first outer diameter and a coupling orientation in which the sleeve has a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter.

Abstract: A system for delivering an additive to a flowing fluid wherein the system is in whole or in part powered by the flow of the fluid is provided. The fluid-additive delivery system includes a fluid motor, a speed sensor, an electricity generation and storage system, a clutch, an additive pump, and a flow meter, where the fluid motor and the flow meter are in fluid communication with a piping of the fluid to which the fluid additive is to be added. Preferably, the fluid is a fuel and the fluid additive to be added is a fuel additive.

Abstract: A toy gun includes a hydraulic cylinder, a nozzle from which water from the hydraulic cylinder can be expelled, and a hydraulic piston movable in the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is of a certain surface area. A pneumatic piston is movable in a pneumatic cylinder and is connected to the hydraulic piston. The pneumatic piston has a surface area that is larger than that of the hydraulic piston. Upon triggering, compressed air is delivered to the pneumatic cylinder and pressure induced in the hydraulic cylinder is magnified substantially by the ratio of the two surface areas.

Abstract: A squirting toy is comprised of a cylindrical housing and a piston that slides within to force water into or out of the housing via a hole therein. The housing is encased within a shell creating a water impervious volume sufficient for the toy to float in water. The shell is soft, so that the gun is not a safety hazard when left floating in a swimming pool. The squirting toy can further include bellows that can provide safety benefits as well as other benefits.

Abstract: A dispensing device for a multi-component composition comprises a plurality of collapsible bag compartments (109, 110) located within a housing (101). The compartments extend adjacent each other and have cross-sectional areas that are proportional to an intended volume mixing ratio for the multi-component composition. Each compartment has an opening (123) that communicates with a device outlet at one end of the housing, and an opposite, sealed end that is exposed to pressure from a compression device (103). The compression device acts to collapse the compartments and dispenses the components through the device outlet. The components have different viscosities. The chamber of a less viscous component has a flow control regulator (111) to compensate for extra pressure exerted on that compartment by an adjacent compartment containing a more viscous component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a blow-molded, rigid collapsible liner that can be suitable particularly for smaller storage and dispensing systems. The rigid collapsible liner may be a stand-alone liner, e.g., used without an outer container, and may be dispensed from a fixed pressure dispensing can. Folds in the rigid collapsible liner may be substantially eliminated, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the problems associated with pinholes, weld tears, and overflow. The present disclosure also relates to systems and liners, including the liners just mentioned, that may be used as alternatives to, or replacements for, simple rigid-wall containers, such as those made of glass. Such advantageous systems and liners may replace simple rigid-wall containers in a system for delivering a high purity material to a semiconductor process substantially without modification to an end user's existing pump dispense or pressure dispense systems.

Abstract: The pouring spout includes a first tube detachably connectable to a liquid-storage container, a second tube slideably connected to the first tube, and a liquid outlet duct and an air inlet duct. The liquid outlet duct and the air inlet duct can be both selectively opened and closed by a spring-biased valve system. The air inlet duct, when the valve system is moved from a closed position to an opened position, is initially made in fluid communication with the liquid-storage container only either simultaneously with the liquid outlet duct or immediately after the liquid outlet duct is initially made in fluid communication with the liquid-storage container. This arrangement prevents the liquid from filling the air inlet duct when the liquid is poured using the pouring spout. It also minimizes evaporation and permeability of the liquid on internal surfaces inside the pouring spout.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (1) and a dispenser member (2), the reservoir (1) comprising a slide cylinder (11) that is cylindrical, and a follower-piston (14) that includes at least one lip (16) that is in sliding contact with the cylinder (11), the slide cylinder (11) being provided with a bottom (12), an equalizing space (E) being formed between the follower-piston (14) and the bottom (12), this space (E) communicating with the outside so as to keep the space (E) at atmospheric pressure, such that, each time fluid is dispensed, outside air penetrates into the space (E), which increases as the follower-piston (14) moves away from the bottom (12); the dispenser being characterized in that a bacterial filter (F1) filters outside air coming into contact with the lip (16) of the follower-piston (11) through the equalizing space (E).

Abstract: A dispenser comprising an inner barrel, outer shell, screw member, platform and control member; the outer shell, screw member and control member having configurations that provides for particular engagement features in the assembled dispenser, including features that compensate for dimensional variation.

Abstract: In the case of a dispenser for packs containing single-component or multi-component compounds, having a receptacle for the pack, having at least one piston rod and having an advancing mechanism for moving the at least one piston rod in the direction of the receptacle, whereby the advancing mechanism has at least one clamping element that can engage with the piston rod and that can be detachably clamped to the at least one piston rod in order to move it, it is provided that the advancing mechanism is movably joined to the receptacle for the pack in such a way that the advancing mechanism with the piston rod can be moved along the advancing axis out of a first position into a second position. This can prevent or minimize afterflow of the compounds.

Abstract: A container includes a quantifying device, an upper sealing cover and a container body. The quantifying device includes an external quantifying cup, a fixing portion and a fluid guide port. The quantifying device is disposed on an opening of the container through the fixing portion. Corresponding to a place above the opening of the container, the fluid guide port is disposed on an upper portion of the quantifying device, and a lower portion of the fluid guide port communicates with the container. The quantifying cup communicating with the fluid guide port is disposed on an outer side of the fluid guide port. The volume of a liquid fluid can be accurately measured and a non-metered original solution can be directly poured out, and the metering accuracy is improved during use.

Abstract: A vented automatic dispending cap for use with a flexible container may generally include a body and a retainer cap attached to the body. A pressure chamber is formed between the body and retainer cap. A set of resilient spring members spaced around the body holds the retainer cap against the body, which seats a valve within a dispensing hole extending through the cap. When the container is squeezed, product in the container may be forced into the pressure chamber expanding the pressure chamber and unseating the valve, thereby allowing product to exit the dispensing opening. A lip seal around the upper circumferential edge of the body prevents fluid from leaking out of the sides of the chamber but allows air to enter the chamber for venting the flexible container.

Abstract: A system for steaming clothes is disclosed. A steamer is connected through a hose to a human torso device. The human torso device includes a plurality of holes, wherein a plurality of steam air jets are located in the plurality of air holes. This human torso device is configured to be encapsulated in an article of clothing, where the human torso device is configured to receive steam from the steamer then utilize the plurality of steam air jets to simultaneously expel the steam through the plurality of air holes to entirely steam an entire portion of the article of clothing.

Abstract: A forming mold and method using the forming mold to form thermoplastic sheets into a more comfortable and concealable weapon holster. The two piece forming mold includes an upper section and a lower section having mating concave and convex surfaces. The upper section includes a deformable foam pad mounted to its concave inner surface and the lower section includes a deformable foam pad mounted atop its convex upper surface. The curvature of the mating concave and convex surfaces approximates the curvature of the average human hip. The foam pad mounted to the concave inner surface of the upper mold section is thicker than the foam pad mounted to the convex outer surface of the lower mold section.

Abstract: A golf car employs a mounting system to attach a display device to the golf car housing such that the display device is movable so as to facilitate viewing of a display screen of the display device by a user whether the user is located inside or outside the golf car. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a rigid base member, a swivel member and at least one extension member. The swivel member mechanically connects the display device to the rigid base member and facilitates rotation of the display device about a vertical axis in a range of 0 to about 360 degrees relative to an initial position of the display device. The extension member is connected to the rigid base member and facilitates upward and downward movement of the display device distally from at least one point of attachment of the mounting system to the golf car housing.

Abstract: A device for attaching a tablet computer to the rear-side of a motor vehicle seat has a support (5, 50, 50?, 50?, 59, 150) for receiving the tablet computer (6, 60). The support (5, 50, 50?, 50?, 59, 150) can be moved between a first position in which the screen (6a, 60a, 60a?, 60a?, 160a) of the tablet computer (6, 60) is arranged on the side opposite the vehicle seat part (1a, 1b, 1c, 1c?, 1c?, 10a, 10a?, 10b, 10c) and aligned essentially vertically and a second user position in which the screen (6a, 60a, 60a?, 60a?, 160a) is oriented upwards and essentially horizontally or oblique.

Abstract: A cargo mounting system is shown and described. The cargo mounting system may include a rail having first and second portions and a length, the first portion being opposite the second portion, a first engaging member positioned on the first portion of the rail, and a second engaging member positioned on the second portion of the rail. The cargo mounting system may also include at least one vehicle attaching member selectively attached to and positionable on the second engaging member of the rail, the at least one vehicle attaching member selectively attachable to a vehicle, and at least one accessory mounting member selectively attached to and positionable on at least one of the first and second engaging members, where the at least one accessory mounting member is capable of carrying an item.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing an object onto a roof rack. The method and apparatus utilizes a securing arm to rotate and press an object onto a roof rack. The securing arm is held in a closed position to keep the object securely pressed onto a roof rack. The method and apparatus provides a more convenient and secure means of securing an object onto a roof rack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle rack arrangement (10) comprises a load carrying bar (29 and at least a first clamp rack load carrier foot (50). The first clamp rack load carrier foot (50) comprises a grip member (80), a body (55), an attachment arrangement (90) and optionally an intermediate member (70). The load carrier foot (50) comprises a connection arrangement (50) which interacts with a stop surface (25a, 25b) of a load carrying bar (20) in a retaining manner to thereby, when operating the attachment arrangement (90), impart a force component to the load carrying bar (20) towards the body (55). A stop surface (25b) of the load carrying bar (20) prevents the connection arrangement (51) from displacement in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction (X) of the load carrying bar (20), after assembly therewith.

Abstract: An auxiliary tank for a liquid is removably mounted on a rod extending from a support attached to selected threaded studs supporting a spare tire on a vehicle. A plurality of snaplock elements retain the tank locked with the support. A second tank for a liquid may be mounted on the rod adjacent the first tank. A further plurality of snaplock elements interlock the two tanks with one another. To prevent unauthorized removal of the tank(s), a conventional padlock is engaged with a passageway at the end of the rod. A variant support includes a flange for attachment to a bumper, running board, or the like, of a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus implemented as an integrated storage and transport system is described. The apparatus can be made of a high tensile strength material that is resistant to tearing and to inclement weather. Incorporated into the apparatus is a plurality of reinforced straps where each strap contains a core of multiple strand high tensile cord. The number of reinforced straps is generally based on a square foot size of the apparatus. Also combined, in some variations, is the strategic placement of box stitching and vertical straps for extra support.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a tip of an ampoule including a hollow cylindrical body including an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall. A plurality of longitudinal ridges project radially inward from the inner cylindrical wall of the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for guiding bands to be joined to one another along their longitudinal edges, comprising guide elements which form tracks for guiding the bands that are configured such that the bands approach one another in the transport direction and the longitudinal edges thereof rest on one another at a non-overlapping contact point. At least one of the tracks may be configured to undulate with a wavelength of ¼???2, such that transverse displacement of the band guided thereon occurs. The axes of rotation and/or longitudinal central axes of the guide elements may also be inclined towards one another at different angles of inclination in relation to a horizontal plane of reference, such that the band guided on said track is rotated about its longitudinal axis in the transport direction.

Abstract: A guiding device for coil nailers includes a nose connected to a barrel with a longitudinal path defined in the barrel and an inlet is located at the mediate portion of the longitudinal path. A side plate extends from the barrel and a guiding slot is defined in the inside of the side plate. A hollow portion is defined in the inside of the lower end of the side plate and a cylinder is located on outside of the side plate. A stop plate extends from one side of the inlet of the barrel. The minimum distance from one side of the stop plate to the other side of the inlet is between two respective maximum diameters of the nail shank and the nail head. A rib extends from the inside of the stop plate and toward the axis of the path to maintain the nails to be straight.

Abstract: A fastener applying device including a staple housing having a proximal end attached to a handle, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. There is at least one fastener within the housing. The device also includes an anvil movable within the staple housing. The anvil has a proximal position and a distal position, wherein when in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing by a distance. The device also includes an adjustment nut connecting the staple housing to the handle. Rotation of the adjustment nut changes the distance.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus includes a fastener retaining frame having a first annular portion having a plurality of retainers circumferentially disposed thereon and a second annular portion having a plurality of circumferentially arranged perforations. The fastener retaining frame is detachably secured to a supporting structure. After the plurality of surgical fasteners has been mated with the plurality of retainers, an annular blade severs the perforations.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor. A loading unit is provided including a surgical buttress releasably secured to an anvil assembly and/or a staple cartridge secured thereto by at least one anchor, and a drive assembly including a knife blade, wherein movement of the drive assembly from a proximal position to a distal position results in the knife blade cutting the at least one anchor and freeing each surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion and an indicator. A firing trigger is movable between first and second positions. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The indicator is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and is movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the anvil assembly towards its approximated position. The indicator is movable between the second position and a third position in response to firing of the instrument.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and/or fastener apparatuses comprising an end effector with a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position. At least one of the jaws may comprise a channel for receiving a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. Also, an electrically powered actuator may be for deploying the surgical fasteners and may comprise a power source and a motor. An activation mechanism may be attached to the handle to move the pair of jaws from the open to the closed position and to activate the actuator. A lockout mechanism may be configured to permit current to flow from the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the closed position and to prevent current from flowing to the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the open position.

Abstract: A surgical tool configured for operation in connection with a robotic system. The surgical tool includes a shaft and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable relative to the first jaw member from a closed position to an open position in response to at least one axial motion. In addition, the surgical tool includes a motor configured to generate at least one rotational motion and a motion conversion assembly operably coupled to the motor and the second jaw member, wherein the motion conversion assembly is configured to convert the at least one rotational motion to the at least one axial motion.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device for joining tissue portions includes a handle assembly, and a tubular body portion having a staple cartridge assembly containing a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly having a shaft for removably connecting the anvil assembly to the tubular body portion. The anvil assembly and the tubular body portion are juxtaposed with respect to one another along the shaft and are arranged so as to be approximated with respect to one another. The surgical stapling device includes a buttress material supported by the tubular body portion and disposed between the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge assembly. The surgical stapling device includes a suture material that is adapted for engagement with the tubular body portion and the buttress material to secure the buttress material to the tubular body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of surgical staples includes a staple cartridge, an anvil, a buttress member, and a buttress mount. In particular, the staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The anvil includes an anvil member and a shaft extending therefrom. The anvil member defines a plurality of staple pockets for deforming the surgical staples. The anvil is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil. The buttress member is concentrically aligned with the plurality of staple pockets defined in the anvil member. The buttress mount is detachably secured with the shaft of the anvil. The buttress mount includes at least one support member radially extending outward to secure the buttress member to the anvil member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical stapling device and a method for joining tissue portions. The surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly and a tubular body portion supported on a distal end of the handle assembly having a staple cartridge assembly containing a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. An anvil assembly is at a distal end of the stapling device and has a shaft for removably connecting the anvil assembly to the tubular body portion. The anvil assembly and tubular body portion are juxtaposed with respect to one another along the shaft and are arranged so as to be approximated with respect to one another. A support member extends from the tubular body portion towards the anvil assembly and a buttress material is supported by the support member and removably attached to the support member.

Abstract: The described embodiment relates generally to the field of ultrasonic bonding. More specifically, an apparatus for bonding a number of wires directly to a metal substrate in a single operation without the use of any kind of adhesive or solder is disclosed. The apparatus is an ultrasonic bonder. The ultrasonic bonder has a horn with a cavity specifically sized for the number of wires to be bonded. The ultrasonic bonder is driven at a frequency that corresponds to a resonant frequency of the wires to be bonded.

Abstract: A superior braze material, along with a method of producing the braze material and a method of sealing, joining or bonding materials through brazing is disclosed. The braze material is based on a metal oxide-noble metal mixture, typically Ag—CuO, with the addition of a small amount of metal oxide and/or metal such as TiO2, Al2O3, YSZ, Al, and Pd that will further improve wettability and joint strength. Braze filer materials, typically either in the form of paste or thin foil, may be prepared by a high-energy cryogenic ball milling process. This process allows the braze material to form at a finer size, thereby allowing more evenly dispersed braze particles in the resultant braze layer between on the surface of the ceramic substrate and metallic parts.

Abstract: A sealing strip on a release layer is disclosed. The release layer can include an envelope with walls cooperatively enclosing a pocket with an opening The envelope can include a closure flap pivotable to close the envelope. A first location of the envelope can include a sealing strip releasably adhered to the envelope (or a release layer on the envelope). This sealing strip can be removable from the first location and placeable in a second location overlapping the closure flap in the closed position and an adjacent portion of an envelope wall. The sealing strip can include an adhesive capable of adhering to the closure flap and adjacent portion of the second wall for securing the closure flap in the closed position. The sealing strip can include a removable grasping tab connected by a weakened area. The sealing strip can be provided on a release layer independent of an envelope.

Abstract: There is provided a carton comprising a side wall (4) comprising a first panel (6) connected to a second panel (8), a first lower flap (16) hingedly connected to the first panel, the first and second panels having free ends, a second lower flap (18) hingedly connected to the second panel, a hinged locking base panel (30) hingedly connected to the first lower panel and an inner base panel (36) hingedly connected to the second lower panel, a plurality of strengthening tabs (54,56,58,60) attached to the hinged base locking panel or the inner base panel, the first lower flap being folded over and affixed to the first panel, the second lower flap being folded over and affixed to the second panel, the hinged base locking panel being folded along a hinge line (34) thereof and affixed to the inner base panel, in which substantially diagonal weakening lines (80,82,84,86) are positioned on the lower flaps.

Abstract: Suitably configured sheets of material and related folding methods provide self-latching clamshell folded boxes that may be used, for example, to securely package consumer goods such as shoes or other clothing items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper cup, and more particularly, to a foldable paper cup in which a volume of a container is variable, and a method of manufacturing a side paper of the foldable paper cup. The method of manufacturing the side paper of the foldable paper cup includes: a first step of forming a cutting part for dividing a portion of a continuous side paper source paper into upper and lower portions of the side paper; a second step of providing a release part to which the side paper source paper and a film do not adhere on a portion of the upper portion of the side paper so as to laminate the film and the side paper source paper; a third step of cutting a film on one end of the release part and separating the side paper from the side paper source paper in a fan shape; and a fourth step of rolling up the side paper around a forming mechanism to form a container sidewall having a cone shape.

Abstract: A container includes a paper-made container body, a waterproofing layer and a foaming layer. The container body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The waterproofing layer is coated on the inner surface in the manner of lamintaing. The waterproofing layer mainly consists of talcum powder, resin and calcium carbonate. The foaming layer is disposed on at least a part of the outer surface. The foaming layer consists of a binder and a thermo-expandable powder. The binder is selected from a group consisting of polyvinyl acetate resin, ethylene vinyl acetate resin, polyacrylic acid resin and a mixture thereof. The thermo-expandable powder consists of a plurality of thermo-expandable microcapsules, each of which consists of a thermoplastic polymer shell and a low-boiling-point solvent wrapped by the thermoplastic polymer shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking products and providing product information receives information from a user device at a product server. A user scans a Quick Response code (QR code) using a mobile communication device which transmits product identification information from the QR code and user device information to a product server. The product server determines product information associated with the product identified by product identification information received from the user device. The product information is transmitted by the product server to the user device. The information received from the user device can also be used to track the location of products and acquire user information.

Abstract: A system and method that permits a person to gain information regarding one or more products by capturing data in the form of a scan or image capture to the data capture device, identifying the product, and delivering to the person information relevant to the product.

Abstract: A media asset system and method is provided comprising a handheld reader having a sensor enabled to detect a discrete coded zone within a visual image, with the reader capable of producing an output signal corresponding to the discrete coded zone. An output device responds to the output signal with an audio output presentation corresponding to the discrete coded zone. Output is responsive to the reader's selection of output action, and may also be provided for in a video presentation.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for providing a unified single-scan user interface for accessing and managing a remotely located device throughout its life cycle, including cellular network provisioning, cloud data provider registration, initialization and activation, as well as providing end users with easy access to the device and its data. The end user simply powers the device on and the device automatically connects with the communication network and the cloud data provider. The device comes to the end user already provisioned and paired and activated with the cloud data provider and the communication network provider. Device-specific data is, at manufacture, encoded onto machine-readable labels and complied in a table within a remote database. The present invention thus allows identification and provisioning of individual devices using a mobile device such as a smartphone or the like.

Abstract: A method for supporting an operator of a household appliance, in particular a domestic appliance, by making contact with customer service for the household appliance with the aid of a portable communication device is disclosed. A machine-readable code affixed to the household appliance, in particular the domestic appliance, is detected by an optical detection device of the portable communication device. On the basis of the detected code, a communication link is established between the portable communication device and communication equipment of customer service, specifically automatically via the portable communication device.