185results about How to "Inexpensive to maintain" patented technology

An intelligent video / audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.

An intelligent video / audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.

A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path. The device further includes a discriminating unit that evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit comprises two detectors positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle. The detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path so that they are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The evaluation device also includes means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, using for vertical lift and lateral thrust a redundant plurality of essentially similar electrically-powered and electronically-controlled thrust units mounted in a mechanically static or fixed fashion relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane. The thrust units are situated in this planar array in aerodynamically approximate pairs, such that a complete failure of a single thrust unit would not substantially compromise the ability of the aircraft to maintain flight.

The invention consists of a uniquely punched or printed key, often in the form of a card, that is used to identify and authenticate a user during online transactions. The computer randomly generates an array of characters, such as numbers, letters or symbols, which is displayed to the user, e.g., on a computer monitor, or printed, such as in matrix format. When held over the displayed matrix, the key allows the user to view only certain portions of the matrix, which portions together form the user's one-time-password, which is unique for each authentication transaction. The user is then authenticated by utilizing both the actual key and a password or personal identification number. This two-pronged requirement for authentication insures the high security level provided by the system.

A method for obtaining information about a subsurface formation from acoustic signals that contain information about to the subsurface formation, comprises: providing a fiber optic having a proximal end and a remote end, with the proximal end being coupled to a light source and a proximal photodetector, wherein said fiber optic cable includes randomly spaced impurities and selectively placed Bragg gratings and wherein the fiber optic cable is acoustically coupled to the subsurface formation so as to allow the acoustic signals to affect the physical status of at least one grating: transmitting at least one light pulse into the cable; receiving at the photodetector a first light signal indicative of the physical status of at least one first section of the cable, and outputting at least one item of information to a display.

A replaceable hosel assembly for a golf club that enables a golfer to adjust an inclined angle of a putter shaft to a putter head, so as to satisfy a user's preference. A replaceable hosel assembly has an upper end adapted to fit the club shaft and the lower end fitted to the putter head. A plurality of removable hosel assemblies having pre-selected angles between the ends of the component, determines the golfer's preferred angle of inclination or lie angle.

The invention consists of a uniquely punched or printed key, often in the form of a card, that is used to identify and authenticate a user during online transactions. The computer randomly generates an array of characters, such as numbers, letters or symbols, which is displayed to the user, e.g., on a computer monitor, or printed, such as in matrix format. When held over the displayed matrix, the key allows the user to view only certain portions of the matrix, which portions together form the user's one-time-password, which is unique for each authentication transaction. The user is then authenticated by utilizing both the actual key and a password or personal identification number. This two-pronged requirement for authentication insures the high security level provided by the system.

An adjustable golf putter comprising a top shaft assembly, a bottom shaft assembly, a hosel assembly, a putter head, and a removable handle assembly. When the handle assembly is installed, the ergonometric golf putter has a zigzag shape. This configuration better enables the golfer to sight the ball and effect a putt. When the handle assembly is removed, the ergonometric golf putter has a straight shape. This configuration enables the golfer to utilize the golf putter as a traditional straight golf putter. In addition, the hosel assembly defines a predetermined lie angle to accommodate the golfer's preference. The same putter is usually adaptable for a right or left handed user.

The invention consists of a uniquely punched or printed key, often in the form of a card, that is used to identify and authenticate a user during online transactions. The computer randomly generates an array of characters, such as numbers, letters or symbols, which is displayed to the user, e.g., on a computer monitor, or printed, such as in matrix format. When held over the displayed matrix, the key allows the user to view only certain portions of the matrix, which portions together form the user's one-time-password, which is unique for each authentication transaction. The user is then authenticated by utilizing both the actual key and a password or personal identification number. This two-pronged requirement for authentication insures the high security level provided by the system.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, using for vertical lift and lateral thrust a redundant plurality of essentially similar electrically-powered and electronically-controlled thrust units mounted in a mechanically static or fixed fashion relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane. The thrust units are situated in this planar array in aerodynamically approximate pairs, such that a complete failure of a single thrust unit would not substantially compromise the ability of the aircraft to maintain flight.

A three phase control arrangement is employed after visual detection of a target at greater range than otherwise available. The first and last phases employ an optimization criterion for which errors do not vary with distance from a target; limiting the initial error and process error in an intermediate phase which controls approach trajectory to the intended docking location and yielding repeatable high accuracy docking. The three phase approach with different control criteria and control gain parameters makes feasible a docking maneuver that begins at a much greater range and potentially greater lateral separation from the destination than would otherwise be possible, while providing control of both the final location and final orientation of the vehicle. A preferred visual thresholding technique provides consistency of results over a wide range of illumination and contrast conditions while limiting the computation burden for target image acquisition and tracking.

A corner shelf assembly for corner walls using a flat shelf member with two perpendicularly disposed edges. Each of the edges includes at least one tongue member that extends coplanarly and is removably inserted within respective casing members that are cooperatively mounted within openings at the corner walls. The casing members accepting the tongues from one of the edges are wider so that the flat shelf member can be slid horizontally after this first set of tongues is inserted. A latching mechanism is used to keep the flat shelf member in place. Alternatively, corner the shelf assembly may include locking clips that are inserted in the casings after the user inserts the tongues in the wider casings. The locking clips prevent lateral movements of the shelf assembly. The corner shelf assembly can be removed upon the application of a predetermined amount of lifting force to the shelf member.

A method for printing an image on a printing substrate, a number of portions of fluid printing ink being produced on a printing ink carrier (10) through energy input by a number of image spots (810) of an array (84) of individually controllable VCSEL light sources, and the fluid printing ink being transferred to the printing substrate. A device for inputting energy (80) to a printing-ink carrier (10), includes a number (82) of individually controllable laser light sources which have a modular design consisting of subarrays (86) and are disposed in an array (84), and further includes printing-ink carrier (10) with which is associated an axis of rotation (88) and on the surface of which can be produced a number of image spots (810) of the laser light sources. The subarrays of laser light sources are VCSEL bars (84), and rows of image spots (12) of the VCSEL bars are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation (88).

A volumetric efficient collapsible and tamper proof container for protecting goods contained therein during transportation and storage. The container comprises six walls perpendicularly and hingedly mounted to each other to define a cubic space therein. Long and short elongated pins are passed through openings in knuckle extensions on the sides of the walls and they are cooperatively disposed to offset each opposite tubular member to permit the coaxial alignment of the respective through openings. Locking tubular members are used to keep one or more of the long pins in place. The long pins keep the shorter pins in place. Seal members are used to prevent the removal of one or more of the long pins that are keeping the short pins in place. The other long and short elongated pins are kept in place with locking tubular members that can only be removed when the walls are flat on a common plane.

Externally detectable electronic article surveillance markers are attached to surgical implements, such as sponges and surgical instruments, appointed for use in a surgical wound. The attachment mechanism facilitates detection by an external interrogating field before the wound has been closed and the patient has left the operating table. The markers are responsive to the imposition of an interrogating field produced by an electronic article surveillance system. Markers contain one or more magnetomechanically responsive elements that are urged into mechanical resonance by the interrogating field. The ring-down of the resonance and the associated dipolar electromagnetic field provide a signal-identifying characteristic detected by a detection system. Upon detection, an audible or visible signal is triggered to alert relevant medical personnel to the need for follow-up care and removal of the offending item. The resonance occurs at a frequency ranging from about 70 to 300 kHz. Misadventures during operative procedures—especially those wherein implements remain undiscovered at the time of surgery and are retained indefinitely within the surgical cavity, often entailing dire consequences to the patient—are virtually eliminated. The attachment mechanism and markers assure that surgical implements are reliably detected and removed before completion of the surgical procedure.

A MIDI signal generator adapted for foot pedal operated percussion synthesis having, inter alia, independent volume, reverb, loop, fill, tempo and style controls. An important feature is the ability to cycle through a series of pre-selected rhythm loops. Each rhythm loop further has a subset of associated fills that are initiated with specific touches to the foot pedal. The device is computer integrated to match any of the stored rhythm loops with any subset of fills.

A video surveillance camera comprising a lens, lens holder, image sensor, base, and ring. The base has a plurality of slots, and the image sensor is mounted on the base. The lens is positioned in the lens holder, which has a plurality of arms with a pin. Each of the arms is positioned so that its respective pin is located in one of the plurality of slots in the base. The ring has a plurality of grooves for engagement with the pins and is rotatably engaged with the base such that rotation of the ring imparts axial movement to the lens relative to the image sensor.

A portable multi purpose machine having removable head attachments primarily for personal grooming. The removable head attachments used for multiple purposes include: cutting and vacuuming, shaving, hair clipping, tooth brushing, vacuuming, and massaging. The multi purpose machine comprises a housing having first and second walls and a motor assembly. The motor assembly has an electrically powered drive member to operate each of the heads. A power cord assembly provides power to rechargeable batteries.

A fall restraint system having a retractor assembly including a housing assembly that is mounted onto an aerial apparatus. A base pulley assembly is also mounted onto the aerial apparatus. A cable having first and second ends is partially stored within the housing assembly, whereby the first end is fixed within the housing assembly. The second end is threaded around the base pulley assembly and is also fixed onto the aerial apparatus. Tensioning means keep a predetermined tension on the cable while the aerial apparatus extends from a retracted position to an extended position and vice-versa.

The instant invention is a power-generating device, comprising a shaft assembly having an elongated shaft that is mounted onto a vehicle. The elongated shaft comprises shock-absorbing means. A wheel assembly is mounted onto the shaft assembly. The wheel assembly comprises at least one wheel and an electrical generator. The wheel rotates upon a surface on which the vehicle is traveling upon to generate power at the electrical generator or alternator for an engine of the vehicle. The electrical generator generates the power to a source of rechargeable battery power of the engine.

A brake monitoring system for use on a motor vehicle includes a sensor connected to each brake actuator shaft on the motor vehicle for monitoring the position and travel of the brake actuator shaft and for generating and transmitting a brake condition signal; a data processor carried in an axle box associated with each axle and connected to sensors associated with brakes for the axle for receiving, interpreting, storing, and upon request, transmitting the brake condition signal, wherein each data processor includes an auto-address mechanism to identify its position on the vehicle; and a master station, wherein said master station includes a display for identifying a particular vehicle brake, a quantitative indication of the travel on the brake actuator shaft associated with the particular brake, and wherein said visual indicating devices include plural indicia which are indicative of said safety condition of a particular brake.

A device for marking upon a surface including a body assembly made of a resilient material, a cover member, a base assembly and a bottom cover. The body assembly has an outer wall, a central opening an upper end and a bottom end. The base assembly includes a marker rigidly attached to the center of the upper surface and a bottom surface. The upper surface is fixedly secure upon the bottom end of the body assembly in a way that the marker is housed within central opening. The bottom cover protects bottom surface. Cover member protects the upper end and the opening of the body assembly and prevents the marker from drying when the device for marking is not in use.

A window assembly that includes an outer end inner frame assemblies. The outer frame assembly has two horizontal frame members and two vertical frame members. The inner frame assembly includes two horizontal inner members that are slidably mounted to the horizontal frame members. The inner frame assembly also includes two vertical inner members that are mountable on the vertical frame members with fastener members. The outer frame assembly and the vertical and horizontal inner members sandwich or entrap a garage panel with an aperture and a transparent panel to define a window. The outer frame assembly includes a longitudinally and peripherally extending rib member with longitudinal cut-outs. The horizontal inner frame members include longitudinal slots that receive the rib member. Fasteners are used to mount the two vertical inner members to the two vertical frame members keeping the garage panel and the transparent panel sandwiched in place.

An electrical delay detonator for use in blasting initiation systems energized by a non-electric impulse signal transmitted through a non-electrical conduit, such as a shock tube, with one end inserted inside a detonator housing having redundant sensors for detecting the presence of a non-electric impulse signal and a computerized control circuit for actuating the firing circuit. An elevated voltage is generated, stored in a capacitor assembly, and discharged when fired to an electrically operable igniter. The igniter, when activated, detonates an explosive mass. A battery is also contained within the detonator housing for powering the control circuit and one sensor, in low consumption mode, for several days. Upon detecting the presence of a signal the rest of the circuits are powered up. Periodic time windows generated by the control assembly provide corresponding enabled time periods for the sensors to become operational.

A shelf system for corner walls where the shelf members are supported against two perpendicularly disposed walls without showing any mounting elements. The shelf member includes at least two contiguous sides defining edges of a predetermined thickness and perpendicular to each other. Tongue members extend for the sides and are receivable within cooperative wall cavities for a snug mechanical engagement. Adhesive is applied to the sides to immobilize the shelf member and thus enhance the structured integrity of the system.