A portable plucking mechanism for birds, comprising a rotating head with a plurality of flexible protrusions operably connected to a motor, a plurality of arm members, and an attachment mechanism optionally comprising a trailer hitch receiver and an electrical connection to a power source. These components are connected with a plurality of articulable joints, allowing for optimal positioning of the rotating head (at the distal end of an arm member) in space relative to the position of the attachment mechanism (at the proximal end of another arm member). Thus, the user has convenient access regardless of terrain or obstacles, the ability to easily reposition the head, and the ability to manipulate the body of the bird with both hands, to frictionally engage a plurality of feathers with the rotating flexible protrusions, while minimizing damage to the meat of the bird.

A conveying apparatus has a conveying path to supply a plurality of products for consumption having soft parts and intended for processing to a processing device. A conveying intermediate space has conveying surfaces that face one another and receive the products for consumption between them while applying pressure thereto. A first conveying surface comprises a flexible surface-deformable conveying cover and a row arrangement of pressure elements that are arranged next to one another in a row extending transverse to the conveying direction, each having a pressure-applying transverse profile extending transverse to the conveying direction, and are held to be displaceable in the height dimension direction of the conveying intermediate space against a restoring force such that each pressure element co-operates with the surface-deformable conveying cover during the passage of the products for consumption through the conveying path in order to form a variable conveyor cross-section.

The invention provides a zwitterionic-bias material for blood cell selection, being a copolymer formed by zwitterionic structural units and charged structural units wherein the zwitterionic structural unit comprises at least one positively charged moiety and one negatively charged moiety, a distance between the positively charged moiety and the negatively charged moiety is a length of 1˜5 carbon-carbon bonds, and the zwitterionic structural units and charged structural units are randomly arranged to have zwitterionic-bias.

A modular, intrinsically-safe power module assembly is provided. The assembly includes a rigid conduit adapter configured to mount to a conduit of a field device. A housing, having an interior, is operably coupled to the rigid conduit adapter and is physically supported by the rigid conduit adapter. At least one non-rechargeable battery is disposed within the housing. Intrinsic safety circuitry is coupled to the at least one non-rechargeable battery, and is coupled to a connector that mates with a cooperative connector in the rigid conduit adapter.

A power storage device cell is configured to include a capacitor positive electrode, a lithium positive electrode, and a common negative electrode in which electrode layers are formed on a collector foil in which penetration holes are formed, and such that the capacitor positive electrode and the lithium positive electrode are directly connected; each of the electrode layers of the common negative electrode is formed of a carbon-based material in which graphite particles and hard carbon particles are mixed, and the proportion of the hard carbon particles in the carbon-based material is from 5% by weight to 70% by weight.

Apparatuses and methods of use are provided that include a battery cell comprising a flexible resistive thermal device. The resistive thermal device includes a flexible conductive circuit that is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the battery cell. Resistance measured in the conductive circuit is correlated with a temperature of the battery cell thereby allowing control of a cooling system and/or the charging/discharging rates of the battery cell to be adjusted in response to temperature. Flexibility of the resistive thermal device also accommodates dimensional changes in the battery cell.

The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack for use with a portable electronic device. The battery pack includes a first set of cells with different capacities electrically coupled in a parallel configuration. Cells within the first set of cells may also have different thicknesses and/or dimensions. The first set of cells is arranged within the battery pack to facilitate efficient use of space within a portable electronic device. For example, the first set of cells may be arranged to accommodate components in the portable electronic device.

An electrode is provided with a metal terminal extending from a battery module main body, a bolt which has an expanded section configuring a retaining section at a rear end portion and penetrates the metal terminal upward, and an insulating body which insulates the metal terminal and the battery module case one from the other. The insulating body is provided with a drop preventing section which abuts at least a lower surface of the expanded section of the bolt and prevents the bolt from dropping from the metal terminal.

An energy storage composite particle is provided, which includes a carbon film, a conductive carbon component, an energy storage grain, and a conductive carbon fiber. The carbon film surrounds a space. The conductive carbon component and the energy storage grain are disposed in the space. The conductive carbon fiber is electrically connected to the conductive carbon component, the energy storage grain, and the carbon film, and the conductive carbon fiber extends from the inside of the space to the outside of the space. The energy storage composite particle has a high gravimetric capacity, a high coulomb efficiency, and a long cycle life. Furthermore, a battery negative electrode material and a battery using the energy storage composite particle are also provided.

Positive electrode active material particles for lithium ion secondary batteries include: a core particle including a first olivine-structured, lithium-containing phosphate compound which includes Fe and/or Mn and Li; and a shell layer attached to the surface of the core particle. The shell layer includes a second olivine-structured, lithium-containing phosphate compound which includes Fe and/or Mn and Li. At least the core particle includes a phosphorous compound represented by the formula (1): MemPnOp, where Me is Fe and/or Mn, 0

Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer, and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.

A microbial fuel cell comprising: a first cathode; at least two anodes electrically connected to each other and to the cathode in a reconfigurable manner; and a processor operatively coupled to the anodes and configured to monitor a parameter of each anode to determine if a given anode has been oxygen-contaminated, and further configured to convert an oxygen-contaminated anode into a second cathode by reconfiguring the electrical connections.

A system for producing energy that includes infusing porous carbon particles produced by pyrolysis of carbon-containing materials with an off-eutectic salt composition thus producing pore-free carbon particles, and reacting the carbon particles with oxygen in a fuel cell according to the reaction C+O2=CO2 to produce electrical energy.

When a continuous short circuit occurs between both terminals of a battery pack, fault, destruction and rupture of the battery can occur. Further, when a momentary short circuit occurs, a user may continue to use, without knowing thermal and electrical damage to the batteries, and reliability for the batteries is impaired, To overcome the problem, in a battery pack configured by connecting a plurality of storage batteries in series, at least one first storage battery is included which has a low capacity compared to second storage batteries during high-rate discharge, and the first storage battery undergoes polarity inversion during external short circuit, thereby preventing the other batteries from becoming damaged. There are also included a detector that detects voltage of the first storage battery, and a fault signal generator that generates an output fault signal when a voltage detected by the detector inverses.

The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance. The application of force to the electrochemical cell has been found, in accordance with the invention, to reduce such behavior and to improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell.

A fuel-cell-system providing structure is provided which is capable of preventing a collision of a fuel cell with a related apparatus of the fuel cell while suppressing the increase in weight of a vehicle. A fuel cell system provided in a vehicle includes: a fuel cell unit in which a fuel cell is contained; and a related apparatus that is electrically connected to the fuel cell and that is located adjacent to the fuel cell unit. The related apparatus is arranged at a position closer to an outer surface of the vehicle than the fuel cell unit.

A negative electrode active material for an electric device, including an alloy having a composition formula SixZnyAlz, where x++y=100 , 26≦x≦47, 18≦y≦44, and 22≦z≦46 are satisfied.

Provided is a packaging material for electrochemical cells which has an identification mark that can be recognized from the outside and that is difficult to forge. The packaging material comprises a multilayer film which has a structure formed by laminating a base layer (11), an adhesive layer (13), a metal foil layer (12), an acid-modified polyolefin layer (14), and a heat-sealable layer (15) in this order, wherein the base layer (11) comprises both a oriented polyester film (11b) and a oriented nylon film (11e) with a printed layer (11c) provided on the surface of the oriented polyester film (11b) that faces the oriented nylon film (11e).

An information storage device having a first part such as an insert on which information is provided and a second part comprising a holder for the first part, whereby the first part may be stored in the second part. The edges of the first and second parts may be provided with lips for mating together to provide interlocking parts whereby the first part may be pulled outwardly to expose the information thereon but is prevented from being completely separated from the holder.

A prescription paper has reproduction material placed on selected areas of the back side of the paper so that prescription information can be transferred directly onto the patient's records while the prescription writer is writing the prescription. The reproduction material can be a carbonized backing or any other suitable reproduction material. The front side of the prescription paper comprises at least two lines that are separated by a pre-selected distance to match the distance between adjacent lines on the medical record. The prescription writer can align the lines on the prescription paper to the lines on the medical record so that information can be neatly transferred to the space between the lines on the medical record.

Disclosed are sets of ink components, and ink compositions, useful for printing markings, on security documents, that are relatively resistant to counterfeiting. Also disclosed are the security documents formed, a method of printing and a method of authenticating the printed material. The markings, formed of the ink compositions have a spectral response that deviates from a predicted spectral response when linearly additively combining spectral responses of components of the ink composition, so that it becomes difficult to reverse-engineer the ink composition from the markings. Use of plural different markings, with each marking being a microdot, increases difficulty in counterfeiting. By forming a template of spectral responses of the original pattern, spectral responses of a pattern on an unknown document can be compared to the spectral responses on the template for determining whether the unknown document is authentic. Formation of the markings is facilitated using an inkjet printer.

For a memo pad, many sheets 1 are bound at a back face as bound sheets using gum. The memo pad is provided with a cover paper on the top and a mounting paper on the bottom. The sheets 1 are printed from a central area of the sheet surface to over an outer peripheral area, with a decorative pattern. Outer peripheral non glued edges of the memo pad have a rugged shape modeled after the decorative pattern in a direction of the sheet surface and in a direction of the bound sheet thickness, such that even if the sheets 1 are turned up one by one or removed, a three dimensional decorative pattern reappears from the surface of the remaining sheets 1 to over the outer peripheral edge.

A gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.

An assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard and anchor portions removably attached to the return postcard. The anchor portions include adhesive that allows the anchor portions to be attached to a mailpiece. The return postcard includes a special services designator section indicative of the special service required for delivery of the mailpiece. The return postcard is integrally formed, but removably attached, such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service. Alternatively, the postcard may contain a machine readable code that aids in the delivery and tracking of the mailpiece.

A prescription paper has reproduction material placed on selected areas of the back side of the paper so that prescription information can be transferred directly onto the patient's records while the prescription writer is writing the prescription. The reproduction material can be a carbonized backing or any other suitable reproduction material. The front side of the prescription paper comprises at least two lines that are separated by a pre-selected distance to match the distance between adjacent lines on the medical record. The prescription writer can align the lines on the prescription paper to the lines on the medical record so that information can be neatly transferred to the space between the lines on the medical record.

An assembly for mailing an article requiring special services and a method for mailing same are provided. The assembly includes a return postcard, two anchor portions disposed on either side of the postcard, printer track strips having a plurality of holes for engaging a printer, such as a dot matrix printer, and a hole capable of being sensed by another type of printer, such as a thermal printer. The indicia printed upon the mailing assembly including the designator indicating the special service required, are printed using a single color thereby simplifying the printing process. The return postcard is removably attached to anchor portions such that the return postcard remains attached to the envelope until received by the addressee, at which time the return postcard may be removed from the anchor portions. The assembly is designed to incorporate a form into the return postcard to simplify preparation of the mailpiece for delivery by the special service.

An automatic shuffling machine has a shuffling wheel and a card input mounted adjacent to the shuffling wheel for conveying and inserting cards into slots formed in the shuffling wheel. An insertion panel is mounted securely between the card input and the shuffling wheel, may be a curved shape corresponding to the shuffling wheel and has a tangent surface opposite to the shuffling wheel and an abutting portion disposed between an inlet passage of the card input and one corresponding card slot of the shuffling wheel. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the shuffling wheel, the automatic shuffling machine input the cards in a simple and efficient manner.

In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.

Methods and system for presenting a plurality of attributes of a plurality of players from a plurality of teams that are part of a league includes obtaining a plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams. The plurality of attributes of the plurality of the players and of the teams is populated in one or more databases along with any updates to these attributes. The databases are queried to retrieve updated plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams. A roster grid is generated for the plurality of teams for rendering at a client in substantial real time. The roster grid displays the updated status of the plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams simultaneously in a clean, concise and effective manner.

Various methods and apparatus related to gaming are described. Some embodiments relate to a multi-tiered game involving multiple participants. Some embodiments relate to players establishing gaming elements based on desired criteria. Other embodiments are described.

Methods and system for encoded information processing are described. In one embodiment, an encoded pattern may be optically detected from source media. The encoded pattern may be associated with programming content of a content source. The encoded pattern may be decoded to reproduce encoded data. The programming content may be identified based on reproduction of the encoded data. A scheduled start time of the programming content may be obtained. When a current device time is within a notification time qualification of the scheduled start time, a programming content start alert may be generated. An interactive opportunity notification associated with the programming content may be provided based on generation of the programming content start alert. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

The PB Reader solves the problem that the e-reader presents: the e-reader has a non-paper screen and printed documents need assembly, binding, and page turning via hands. This is an electronic, mechanical device that can quickly search, review and print documents and that has text-to-speech and remote control functionality. The unit is rectangular in shape similar as a traditional book, including a viewing window for reading and printing. The unit is fed by two paper-belt rollers, across which images and printed text are displayed. The two paper-belt rolls, which are held by two square axles that are driven by the stepping motor through multiple reduction gears. A pattern of round dots is printed on the bottom side of the paper belt, which can be decoded by a photoelectric sensor to take action of reeling pages. The signals control the stepper motor, allowing the reader to reel the page forward or backward, or jump directly to a specific position.The second component of this invention is the designated printer. Its body shape is rectangular. The said printer can print any text files and photos from a computer directly onto the blank paper belt in the PB Reader by means of sensing the code on the paper belt. This way, electronic files are transformed into physical paper files that are readable by the invention to ensure quick search, review and as well as safe storage.The invention also has a wireless remote control function, which will allow people who are disabled (or users who for whatever reasons do not have free use of their hands) to make use of the reader.

Nanoparticles of a compound are produced by spraying a solution of the compound into a heated chamber. The resulting product comprises a free flowing mixture of nanoparticles of the compound.

A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their color effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different color effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a color chart (14), in which the individual color effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the color effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the color chart (14) in order to produce a resulting color effect. Furthermore, the present invention relates to substrates, in particular security documents, produced using a method of this type, and devices for carrying out methods of this type.

A gaming system used in a wager-based electronic gaming machine is described. The gaming system is configured to provide picture in a picture capabilities on the electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming system can include a first gaming device and a second gaming device where the first gaming device controls the second gaming device. The first gaming device can be configured to receive data and/or communicate with an electronic gaming machine controller, a value input device and value output device. The second gaming device can be configured to receive touchscreen data from a touchscreen display and first video data from the first gaming device and second video data from the EGM controller. Under control of the first gaming device, the first video data and second video data can be output in various sizes and locations on the touchscreen display.

A method and system of printing a pharmaceutical label is disclosed. The method and system includes a mechanism for receiving patient prescription information, with is entered into a prescription entry system. The vial size may be calculated based on the patient prescription information. Spacing for printing dosing indicia on a pharmaceutical label is calculated and printed on the pharmaceutical label. The pharmaceutical label may then be applied to a vial, which may include an indexing mechanism to aid tracking of doses.

A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.

In a friction drive transmission apparatus arranged to transmit power by a frictional transmission force between two roller units pressed against each other, there is provided a pressing force imparting means to increase and decrease a pressing force imparted to a roller pair to vary the frictional transmission force between both roller units smoothly at the time of a shift.

The aim of the invention is to further develop a bevel friction ring gearing. The invention thus relates to a bevel friction ring gearing in which the friction ring can be displaced by means of an adjusting device that comprises a guide on which an adjusting bridge for the friction ring is arranged in a free axially displaceable manner. The adjusting device comprises a worm-gear drive that engages with the guide.

A drive arrangement is disclosed for a motor vehicle power take off (PTO). The arrangement comprises a PTO shaft 104,158,207 of a known type intended for coupling to a power driven implement. An input shaft is arranged to be coupled to a rotary driver such as an engine. A continuously variable transmission such as 10 is coupled between the input and PTO shafts to transfer drive between them at a continuously variable ratio. In accordance with the invention, the continuously variable transmission is constructed and arranged such as to regulate torque and to automatically accommodate changes in speed at the PTO Shaft by virtue of changes in its drive ratio.

An ECU executes a program including the steps of changing a target shift stage when a current shift change mode is set to an automatic shift change mode and when a driver has intention to change a shift stage, changing a shift range to an N range when he/she has intention for neutral, maintaining the automatic shift change mode when it is determined that he/she does not have intention for neutral but he/she has intention to switch the shift change mode and when such determination is made for the first time after return from the N range, and switching the shift change mode to a manual shift change mode when such determination is not made for the first time.

The invention is directed to a friction wheel drive with a driving roller capable of being driven in a rotary manner, which is mounted on a bearing unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The bearing unit is displaceably guided transversely to the axis of rotation, and a circumferential surface of the driving roller can be brought into driving engagement with a friction surface. The bearing unit is coupled to a first mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in a first direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases. The bearing unit is also coupled to a second mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in an opposite second direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases.

An inverted pendulum type vehicle (1) includes a propulsion unit (50) provided in a lower part of a vehicle body to actuate a main wheel (52), a drive unit (90, 130) provided in a vertically intermediate part thereof and a seat (200) provided in an upper part of the vehicle body. A battery case (251) is mounted in a part of the vehicle body above the main wheel and behind the drive unit. The battery case is provided with an opening (257) extending from an upper part thereof to a lower end of a rear part thereof. A lid (260) hinged to the battery case selectively covers the upper end of a battery (250) received in the battery case. The battery is retained in the battery case with the help of suitable engagement arrangements (262, 263, 270, 271, 273, 274).

The present invention relates to control system for a vehicle. The control system includes a manually operable control lever, such as a joystick, an actuator, a sensor and a control unit. The control lever sets a state variable of the vehicle. The actuator applies a force to the control lever. The sensor senses a vehicle parameter and transmits a parameter signal to the control unit. The control unit determines a current operating state of the vehicle. The control unit, depending on the present operating state of the vehicle, controls the actuator and causes it to apply a changed, predetermined force to the control lever, in order to make the operator aware of an unsafe operating state.

A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve.

A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part. In this way the transmissions are enabled to the relative speeds of the driven vehicle wheels automatically to reduce or even eliminate wheel slip, whilst still providing the driver with control over overall vehicle speed.

A friction gearing has housing and a unit housed in the housing, the unit including a first roller, a second roller and rotatable support plates. The first roller and the second roller are in frictional engagement with each other under a radial pressing force. The radial pressing force is variable in response to a change in the radial distance between the first and the second roller. The rotatable support plates support the first and the second rollers and receive a resisting force that is generated when the first and the second rollers come in contact under the pressing force. The unit is received in the housing with the axis of rotation of the first roller radially fixed while the first roller is rotatably supported by the housing.

A power transmission device includes first and second rings arranged opposite each other, having a common rotation center axis, and rotatable relative to each other; a plurality of planetary balls having rotation center axes parallel to the rotation center axis, and radially arranged between the first and second rings and around the rotation center axis; a transmission control unit configured to change a rotation ratio between the first and second rings by changing the respective contact points of the first and second rings and each of the planetary balls through tilting motion of each of the planetary balls; and a rotation restricting unit disposed between the planetary balls adjacent to each other.

In one embodiment, a method includes passing a signal through a noise whitening filter, passing the signal through a soft detector to calculate first soft information, passing the signal through the soft decoder to calculate second soft information based on the first soft information, and sending the second soft information to the soft detector, wherein the noise whitening filter is configured to process the signal according to the following transfer polynomial: W(D)=1−(p1D+ . . . p1Dλ), where p1 . . . pλ are noise whitening coefficients, D is delay corresponding to bit duration, and a transfer polynomial of the tape channel is F(D)=1+f1D+ . . . +fLDL, wherein L represents a memory length of the tape channel, and wherein λ represents a memory length of the noise whitening filter. Other methods, systems, and computer program products are described in more embodiments.

A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes).