Abstract: A powered stapler (10) and method of operating same for stapling together two or more metal workpieces. The powered stapler (10) includes a main frame member (20) adapted to carry a strip of staples. The frame member has an anvil (20e) covered by a front nosepiece (48) at one end. A lower jaw member (22), having a lower cam slot (34), is pivotally attached to the main frame member. The lower jaw member (22) has a forming die (56). An upper ram member (24) has an upper cam slot (32) and a staple-driving hammer (52). The upper ram member (24) is pivotally attached to the lower jaw member (22). A drive rod (28) extends from a power unit (12) and has a cam bar (30) at one end protruding through the upper cam slot (32) in the upper ram member (24) and through the lower cam slot (34).

Abstract: A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus for fastening at least two tie-plates to a cross-tie may include a cross-tie conveyor comprising a first end and a second end, with a cross-tie positioning mechanism positioned proximate the second end. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may include a stop member configured to prevent the movement of the cross-tie and a positioning rail positioned on a lateral side of the cross-tie conveyor. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may also include a positioning member configured to position the cross-tie against the positioning rail. The apparatus may also include at least two tie-plate positioning mechanisms, each configured to position at least one tie-plate on a cross-tie. The apparatus may also include a gauge positioned superior to the cross-tie positioning mechanism to hold the at least two tie-plates in position relative to one another as the at least two tie-plates are spiked.

Abstract: A spring-type fastener driving tool includes a plunger having a blade that drives in fasteners, a spring that urges the plunger downwards and is capable of being compressed upwards, a spring compression mechanism unit that includes a drum that causes the plunger to move in a compression direction of the spring based on rotational force of a motor, a reduction mechanism unit, and a one-way clutch than prohibits reverse rotation of the motor. Reverse rotation of the drum due to the urging force of the spring is prevented by providing the one-way clutch between an input side rotating shaft of the reduction mechanism unit and a rotation output shaft of the motor.

Abstract: One exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil assembly to which a staple holder assembly detachably connected; feeder belts positioned at least partially within the staple holder assembly; staples separably attached to each feeder belt; a wedge assembly slidable within and along the staple holder assembly, the wedge assembly including an engagement feature; and a deployment handle, where, upon closure of the anvil assembly and staple holder assembly relative to one another, the deployment handle engages the engagement feature; where the deployment handle is movable along the anvil assembly to drive the wedge assembly relative to the staple holder assembly, feeder belts and staples in order to deform at least one staple to a closed state and separate at least one closed staple from the corresponding feeder belt.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.

Abstract: A surgical device, comprising a tissue compression device having a pair of opposing compression surfaces, a mechanical binary-output electrical switch having open and closed electrical switching states initiated and changed solely by mechanical movements, and an adjustable biasing device mechanically coupled to the switch and retaining the switch in one of the switching states until a force at least as great as a force imposed by the biasing device is imparted to the switch, wherein the switch is disposed in line with the tissue compression device to cause a proportional amount of force that is placed upon compressed tissue disposed between the opposing compression surfaces to be placed upon the switch, and the biasing device is set to an amount of force that is proportional to an optimal tissue compression force of the compressed tissue when disposed between the opposing compression surfaces.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a deposition system and a plasma/bonding system. The deposition system deposits a solder outwardly from a substrate of a number of substrates. The plasma/bonding system comprises a plasma system configured to plasma clean the substrate and a bonding system configured to bond the substrates. The plasma/bonding system at least reduces reoxidation of the solder. In certain embodiments, a method comprises depositing solder outwardly from a substrate, removing metal oxide from the substrate, and depositing a capping layer outwardly from the substrate to at least reduce reoxidation of the solder.

Abstract: Jig (10, 10?, 10?) for welded bulkhead fitting (18) to a steel material which is to be penetrated by the fitting, said jig comprising a foot (11), a holder (14) for the fitting, a connecting piece (13) between the foot and the holder. The foot (11) is provided with an on and off switchable magnet (12) and the holder (14) is height adjustable and replaceable. The angle between the holder (14) and the foot (11) is preferably adjustable.

Abstract: In some examples, an electrode plate K is conveyed to a gap 230 of a pair of stacking drums 210 and 220 with a conveying section 100. In synchronization with conveyance of the electrode plate K, the drums 210 and 220 feed a pair of separators S each formed into a predetermined shape with the separators S adhering to corresponding peripheral surfaces of the pair of drums 210 and 220. While feeding the electrode plate K forward in a generally horizontal manner, the separators S are sequentially stacked on both surfaces of the electrode plate K in synchronized with rotations of the drums 210 and 220, and both edge portions of the separators S are welded.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a structure by ultrasonic welding and superplastic forming. The method comprises assembling a plurality of workpieces comprising a first workpiece including a first material having superplastic characteristics; ultrasonically welding the first workpiece to a second workpiece, to form an assembly; heating the assembly to a temperature at which the first material having superplastic characteristics is capable of superplastic deformation, and injecting a fluid between the first workpiece and the second workpiece to form a cavity between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

Abstract: A container for dispensing beverages is provided. The container includes at least six side walls coupled together along a plurality of parallel fold lines. The at least six side walls include two end panels and at least two side panels, and the at least six side walls define a substantially cylindrical shape of the container. A bottom wall is coupled to at least one of the two end panels, wherein a shape of the bottom wall corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the at least six side walls. The container further includes a spout cutout removably defined in a first end panel of the two end panels proximate to a fold line connecting the first end panel to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A dispenser carton having more than one dispenser opening, permitting two different modes of access to products or articles contained within the carton. Preferably, the dispenser openings are oriented to permit the optimal orientation of products for dispensing from each of the dispenser openings. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, separate and independent from the first aspect yet complementary thereto if desired, the dispenser openings are provided to permit loading of articles therein in an oriented manner corresponding to automated carton-loading equipment and optionally also to permit dispensing through at least one of the openings in a desired dispensing orientation.

Abstract: An cup insulating insert is provided that is adapted for placement between a container and an outer base sheet. The insert includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers for separating the container from the base sheet and creating an air gap therebetween. The insert has void spaces or air gaps between the fingers that are sized such that, when a plurality of inserts are formed from a single sheet, the fingers of one insert are formed from the void spaces of an adjacent insert. Multiple inserts can be formed from a single sheet of recyclable material with substantially no waste material being created.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented review method, a machine-readable representation that encodes an identification code associated with a ratable entity is decoded to obtain the identification code. The identification code is submitted to a central computer system, and a ratings form that can be used for providing a review of the ratable entity is received from the central computer system. A review of the ratable entity is provided to the central computer system using the review form.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying and tracing of items within an assembly or manufacturing process. An individual item identifier (“ID”) is assigned to an item during one or more of an initial assembly step and a manufacturing step. A surface of the item is read to determine a first surface profile of the item which is associated with the individual item ID. The first surface profile and the individual item ID are stored in a database. The surface of the item is read to determine a second surface profile of the item after each manufacturing or assembling process step in which the surface of the item is manipulated. The second surface profile is compared with the first surface profile and the second surface profile is associated with the individual item ID in response to a mismatch between the first surface profile and the second surface profile.

Abstract: A method for encoding information in structured illumination pattern (120) includes selecting information to be encoded; characterizing a relief pattern (130) of an object's (115) surface; selecting at least one portion of the object's surface including the surface relief pattern; creating at least one structured illumination pattern responsive to the selected surface relief pattern and the selected information; and storing the structured illumination pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring progress of delivery of a patient-specific medication are disclosed. A patient/medication identification (ID) device is provided on a package containing the medication, the patient/medication ID device comprising medication/patient information indicative of the medication and the patient. At least one location ID device is provided at a location, the at least one location ID device comprising a unique location ID associated with the location. The medication/patient information and the patient/medication ID are read. Delivery progress information indicative of a last-known read location where at least one of the medication/patient ID information and the unique location identifier was read is generated. The delivery progress information is stored in a database. The delivery progress information is accessed from the database in response to the request. A delivery status of the medication is indicated to the user.

Abstract: A process of facilitating cash collection deposits and deposit tracking includes identifying by a retailer an amount of cash collected by that retailer, including respective amounts of currency by denomination of the collected cash, creating a deposit ticket containing at least a unique identification code associated therewith, depositing the created deposit ticket and the collected cash into a deposit bag, transporting the deposit bag to a cash processing facility, and counting at the cash processing facility the collected cash contained in the transported deposit bag to verify that the amount previously identified by the retailer corresponds to the counted amount.

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus comprises a casing surrounded by a partitioning wall with an opening; a reel on which tape is wound; a fold-back section provided on an opposite side of the medium processing apparatus to the reel, so as to folded back the tape pulled out from the reel; a drum in the casing to be rotatable such that a rectangular shaped medium fed in the casing is wound onto the drum together with the tape that has been folded back on itself by the fold-back section; a winding guide provided further to a drum side than the tape, the winding guide closes off an internal space of the casing from the outside and presses the tape and the medium against a peripheral face of the drum; and an opening and closing section configuring a portion of the winding guide and opening or closing off the internal space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for presenting a bunch of items of media to a user of a Self-Service Terminal (SST). The method comprises individually removing at least one item of media from at least two respective media item containers in a predetermined sequence responsive to at least one common predetermined characteristic of each item of media, providing the removed items of media as a bunch of items of media, and presenting the bunch of items of media to a user.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine operates to read card data from user cards and to cause a determination to be made that the read data corresponds to at least one of a user and account that is authorized to operate the machine. The machine operates responsive at least in part to the determination to perform a transaction function and to cause the account to be assessed an amount corresponding to the transaction function. The machine includes a housing including a currency holding area, and operates to generate signals responsive to unauthorized access to the currency holding area.

Abstract: A cash till having a drawer (2) with a plurality of compartments (4) for storing coins, notes or vouchers. Each compartment (4) has an associated load cell (6), which produces a signal that is proportional to the weight of the compartment contents. The signal is provided to a monitoring apparatus (10) that takes readings from the load cell (6) while the till drawer (2) is closed. If a preceding reading is within a threshold amount of the current reading, then the preceding reading is stored as a verified value. The method removes jitter and drift in the signals produced by the load cells (6) of the cash till.

Abstract: A card actuated automated banking machine (152, 198, 200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a display (182), a check imaging device (186), and at least one processor (190). The machine is operative, responsive to receiving a check and certification data, to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check to the machine need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices of the machine in order to receive cash for the check. Furthermore, prior to accepting the check as a payment, the person can communicate with at least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208) to verify that the check is payable for the check amount.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves enabling a transaction card account by a card issuer for use with pre-defined categories of providers of goods/services and goods/services sold and issuing a transaction card and establishing an associated pre-qualified category card account. Upon receiving data for a transaction with the transaction card at a transaction terminal by a processing platform of the card issuer via a card association processing network, the category of the provider and goods/services is interrogated to determine whether or not the transaction can be posted on the pre-qualified category card account of the cardholder, and the transaction is approved and posted to the pre-qualified category card account if the transaction falls within the pre-qualified category of the cardholder.

Abstract: A system and method for opening locks, primarily door locks like the locks on hotel room doors using a handheld mobile device and a QR code. A mobile user can be provided with a QR code either via email or from a mobile phone application (App.). The QRC will be their room key. The handheld mobile device will display the QRC on its display. A QRC scanner is connected to the door lock through a processor that can decode the QRC. The processor sends a command to the door lock to open when the proper QRC is decoded.

Abstract: A scanning device provides illumination with a stand-by color in a stand-by mode and a user color upon approval of payment transactions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for electronically correcting votes made on voter-marked paper ballots. An optical scan system may image a paper ballot and allow vote modification by the voter following the imaging. Such a modification may be necessary, for example, if a voter has improperly voted (e.g., voted for two candidates for one office), if a definitive determination of the intention to cast a vote cannot be made (e.g., partially filed-in bubble associated with a candidate, erasure, stray marks), if a write-in candidate is included on the ballot, or if a voter has changed their mind or otherwise wishes to cast a different vote than initially indicated. After correction, the corrected ballot may be re-imaged.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification automatic detecting system with an antenna net includes a radio frequency identification module, an enhancing surface wave-guide coaxial cable structure including a coaxial cable having at least one aperture region without an outer conducting layer, a receiving apparatus having a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of extension wires disposed adjacent to the receiving spaces and coupled or connected to the outer conducting layer of the coaxial cable. The electromagnetic field is formed in nearby regions adjacent to the receiving spaces because the electromagnetic wave caused by the current generated from the radio frequency identification module is transmitted by the outer conducting layer and extension wires. The radio frequency identification electronic tag on the object is triggered automatically when the object is moved toward or moved out from the respective receiving space such that the automatic detecting effect is achieved.

Abstract: A workstation with a housing having a upright window and a horizontal window includes a printed circuit board having at least two imaging sensors thereon located in the housing, and a controller operative to read a barcode in a captured image. The workstation also includes a chassis firmly mounted on the printed circuit board, and two inserts each configured to hold steadily one of at least two lens assemblies. At least one of the two inserts includes multiple slots for attaching such insert to the chassis at a position that is laterally adjustable.

Abstract: Described herein is a smart card having a first set of contact pads disposed on a first region of a first surface of the smart card and a second set of contact pads disposed on a second region of the first surface. The first and second set of contact pads are configured to simultaneously electrically engage a socket of a host device and exchange data with the host device. The smart card also includes control circuitry communicatively coupled to the first and second sets of contact pads and operable to control the exchange of data with the host device.

Abstract: A case for an electronic device is provided. The case can include a front shell attachable to a back shell, a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case, a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, and a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The case can also include a rotatable mount that is removably attachable to an outer surface of the case and a hand strap attached to the rotatable mount.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe reader including a magnetic reader head providing at least one data output, an F2F decoder receiving the at least one data output and providing a decoded data output, a microprocessor receiving and processing the decoded data output and power saving circuitry operative to control the operation of the F2F decoder and the microprocessor thereby to maintain the F2F decoder and the microprocessor in a power-saving sleep mode other than during magnetic stripe reading by the magnetic reader head and a selected time duration thereafter.

Abstract: A reader device includes a mounting surface on which a passport with a page to be read is placed, a light source for illuminating the page to be read, and a camera for picking up an image of the page to be read. The light source is arranged outside a front area of the page to be read. The page to be read contains a near-edge code positioned close to an edge of the page to be read. The light source includes an infrared LED array and a white LED array. An infrared LED and a white LED included in the infrared LED array and the white LED array, respectively, and located at a near-edge code position corresponding to the near-edge code are arranged closer to the page to be read than the other infrared LEDs and white LEDs in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support, a multi-directional optical reader, and a control system. The multi-directional optical reader is secured to the patient support and configured to detect a first indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the multi-directional optical reader, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory stores an identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receives a signal from the multi-directional optical reader indicative of data from the first indicia detected by the multi-directional optical detector. In response to receiving the signal, the processor performs a set of instructions.

Abstract: A document management method, including the steps of gathering data of a multi-page document for a first layer barcode, encoding the gathered data for the first layer barcode, writing the first layer barcode on at least one page of the document, deriving key information of the document from the gathered data; and for at least one other page of the document, gathering data of the at least one other page for a second layer barcode, encoding key information of the document and the data of the at least one other page for the second layer barcode, and writing the second layer barcode on the at least one other page of the document, such that the at least one other page of the document has its respective second layer barcode.

Abstract: An image capture and processing system supports a multi-tier modular software, and plug-in extendable, architecture. The image capture and processing system can be realized as an image-capturing cell phone, a digital camera, a video camera, mobile computing terminal and portable data terminal (PDT), provided with suitable hardware platform, communication protocols and user interfaces. A third-party customer can write and install a software plug-in into the application layer so as to enhance or modify the behavior of the image capture and processing system without any required knowledge of the hardware platform, communication protocols and/or user interfaces.

Abstract: A laser scanning system having a laser scanning field, and a laser beam optics module with an optical axis and including: an aperture stop disposed after a laser source for shaping the laser beam to a predetermined beam diameter; a collimating lens for collimating the laser beam produced from the aperture stop; an apodization element having a first and second optical surfaces for extending the depth of focus of the laser beam from the collimating lens; and a negative bi-prism, disposed after the apodization element, along the optical axis, to transform the energy distribution of the laser beam and cause the laser beam to converge to substantially a single beam spot along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field, and extend the depth of focus of the laser beam along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field.

Abstract: A portable computer may be provided that interacts with a television system. The portable computer may be adapted to receive a user input identifying a media selection and transmit a control signal to cause the storage of the media selection. In other aspects, a set top box may receive a control signal from a portable computer and direct storage of a media selection.

Abstract: A system and a method for testing a magnetic stripe decoding chip are provided. The system includes a host, a digital-to-analog converter, and a testing device. The host outputs simulation signal data. The digital-to-analog converter receives the simulation signal data and generates a test waveform signal representing a test string. The testing device includes a signal input terminal, a signal conversion circuit, a chip slot, and a processor. The terminal receives the test waveform signal. The chip slot is configured to receive a decoding chip. The circuit includes a transformer connected between the terminal and the chip slot, and is configured to couple the test waveform signal into a pseudo track signal. The processor receives a decoded string generated after decoding the pseudo track signal by the decoding chip. Through comparing the decoded string with the test string, a decoding function of the decoding chip can be determined.

Abstract: In a method of producing an integrated circuit (1, 91, 131) for a transponder (2, 112) a photoresist layer (11) is applied on a first surface (8) of a semiconductor device (3). A patterned mask (14, 94) is generated by lithographically patterning the photoresist layer (11), so that the photoresist layer (11) comprises at least one first via (12, 13). The patterned mask (14, 94) comprises a second surface (17) facing away from the first surface (8). The first via (12, 13) is filled with a first bump (15, 16) by depositing the first bump (12, 13) on the first surface (8). A conductive structure (18, 19, 98, 99, 132) is formed on the second surface (17) of the patterned mask (14, 94). The conductive structure (18, 19, 98, 99, 132) is electrically connected to the first bump (15, 16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a chip card, particularly a smart card, having an operating system which is implemented on the chip card and which controls the functions of the chip card, and having a first operating system kernel level which represents the core of the operating system and in which the process and data organization of the operating system is established, for which a second, uniform operating system kernel level is provided in which those functions of the first operating system kernel level are defined that can be addressed from outside the operating system, and that an interface is provided for accessing the second, uniform operating system kernel level from outside the operating system. Further, the invention relates to a method for the software-based modification of a chip card of this type.

Abstract: To be able to connect an RFID transponder chip module which has not only a transponder chip but also conductive, preferably metal or metallized connection feet, as easily as possible and particularly without the risk of soiling to the antenna wires of a tag strip, which are fitted in or on a textile material, the connection feet of the transponder chip module are designed with an activatable connecting for electrical and mechanical connection to the antenna wires. The connecting feet are in the form of strip-like extension elements on both sides of the RFID transponder chip, wherein the connection feet are respectively arranged at that end of the extension elements which is remote from the RFID transponder chip. The connection feet are formed with an activatable connecting for the purpose of electrical and mechanical connection to the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A method for tracking the removal of items from a storage area, substantially each item within said storage area including an RFID tag or being part of a manifest of items containing at least one item that includes an RFID tag, each tag containing a unique electronic ID for identifying each respective item, the method including the step of providing a Portal at an egress location for the storage area, the Portal including a computer processor and being capable of activating and reading each proximate RFID tag. The Portal performing the steps of scanning for items with RFID tags, which are proximate to the Portal; activating each RFID tag for each item proximate to the Portal; reading each electronic ID for each proximate item; determining whether the proximate item are on a predetermined manifest; and providing visual indicator and/or electronic communication based on the determination step.

Abstract: An RFID transponder in one embodiment comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, processing logic coupled to the RF transceiver, a switch coupled to the processing logic, a tunneling device coupled to the switch and a differential sensing circuit having a first input coupled to the tunneling device and a second input coupled to a predetermined reference voltage. In one embodiment, the tunneling device can discharge to a voltage below the predetermined reference voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: The non-contact information recording medium is made by forming the antenna circuit and connecting it to the IC module through connection terminals at the same time. This provides a high degree of freedom of patterning of the antenna circuit. The antenna circuit is formed on a recording substrate, in which an IC module has been embedded. A foil-bonding resin layer is formed on the connection terminals of the recording substrate, with a toner containing a binder resin by an electrophotographic method. Then a conductive foil is brought into contact with the foil-bonding resin layer to bond the foil to the resin layer, to connect the antenna circuit to the connection terminals and form the antenna circuit composed of the conductive foil.

Abstract: A portable electronic system includes a movable structure, a protective structure and an electronic device. The movable structure is disposed on the protective structure. The movable structure includes a wireless communication tag thereon. The electronic device is accommodated in the protective structure, and includes a signal detection unit and an application activation unit. The movable structure is movable on the protective structure to approach or leave the electronic device. The signal detection unit is used for detecting a signal wirelessly transmitted by the wireless communication tag when the distance between the movable structure and the electronic device is less than a predetermined value. The application activation unit is used for activating an application in response to the signal detected by the signal detection unit.

Abstract: Thermal targeting technology is used to continuously adjust boiler target temperature to the minimum necessary to satisfy the required heating load. Responsive to and initiated by a first call for heat, boiler target temperature is reduced by a predetermined amount upon or subsequent to the call for heat. Once the boiler temperature reaches this new target, a call timer is activated. If demand for heat is satisfied before a time set point is reached, the system ceases providing additional heat energy until the next heat demand. Responsive to and initiated by a next call for heat, the boiler target temperature is again reduced by the predetermined amount upon or subsequent to this next call for heat. Each time the heat demand is satisfied within the predetermined time interval, the boiler target temperature is reduced. If heat demand is not satisfied, a thermal boost is provided at set time intervals until the call for heat is removed.