me Amusement ride comprising a facial expression recognition system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The amusement ride 1 comprises a track 2 and a vehicle 3 being moveable along the track 2 at a velocity v. Within the vehicle 3 a video camera 4 is installed. The video camera 4 takes a video film of the face of a passenger received within the vehicle 3 during a ride. A sender 5 transmits the data 6 to a facial expression recognition system 7. The result 10 of the process carried out by facial expression recognition system 7 may be downloaded from a server 11 by a client 13. Full Article
me Gas turbine engine having dome panel assembly with bifurcated swirler flow By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas turbine engine including a combustor with a combustion liner having inner and outer walls is disclosed herein. The gas turbine engine further includes a swirler system adapted to receive a fuel injector and a flow splitter operable to bifurcate an airflow exiting the swirler system into a first bifurcated flow and a second bifurcated flow. A shroud is positioned downstream of the flow splitter and is configured to deflect the first bifurcated flow in a first direction radially inward and the second bifurcated flow in a second direction radially outward. The second bifurcated flow cools both of the inner and outer walls of the combustor liner. Full Article
me Nozzle assembly for a flow cytometer system and methods of manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly may include the step of over molding a nozzle housing, or a portion of a nozzle housing, onto at least one nozzle component, such as an injection tube. Nozzle assemblies and flow cytometers incorporating nozzle assemblies may include any combination of straight smooth injection tubes, improved features for securing a nozzle assembly, improved features for debubbling a nozzle assembly, and aggressive orienting geometries. A method of sorting cells may include the step of magnetically coupling a nozzle assembly with a flow cytometer. Full Article
me Apparatus and method of manufacturing pressure compensator type drip irrigation tubes with desired molecular orientation and tubes obtained thereby By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing high speed pressure compensator-type drip irrigation tubes and the tubes obtained thereby having absolute radial orientation of molecular chains, the orientation imparting strength as well as flexibility to the tube material. The said method comprises extruding a tube using a plurality of extruders; blowing up the extruded tube by introducing a pressure inside the tube relatively higher than the pressure outside the tube; drawing the blown tube simultaneously to the blowing of tube; flattening the blown tube by heat welding the collapsed halves together and forming a tape immediately, subsequent to the process of blowing and drawing the tube; extrusion of a bonding polymer on one border of the tape; printing flow channels into the hot and viscous bonding polymer; and forming a tube by lengthwise folding the tape and heat welding the overlapping borders together using the bonding polymer. Full Article
me Method and system for processing viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier. Full Article
me Device for coating substrates by means of high-velocity flame spraying By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Proposed is a device for coating substrates by means of high-velocity flame spraying. The device comprises a combustion chamber (4), a first fuel feeder (L1) for feeding a liquid or gaseous fuel as well as at least one gas feeder for feeding an oxidative gas. The devise comprises furthermore a second fuel feeder (L5) for feeding a liquid or gaseous fuel as well as at least one further gas feeder for feeding a gas. Both the first gas feeder and the two fuel feeders (L1, L5) port into a common combustion chamber (4). In addition, means 24, 28 are provided for independent control of the fuel feed into the two fuel feeders (L1, L5). Full Article
me Apparatus and method for coating glass substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for coating a substrate using one or more liquid raw materials, includes: at least one atomizer for atomizing the one or more liquid raw materials into droplets, charging means for electrically charging the droplets during or after the atomization and a deposition chamber in which the droplets are deposited on the substrate, the deposition chamber being provided with one or more electric fields for guiding the electrically charged droplets on the substrate. According to the invention there is a charging chamber arranged upstream of the deposition chamber and provided with charging means for electrically charging the droplets. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for communicating irrigation data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems control an irrigation system that includes an irrigation controller, a valve actuator, and at least one irrigation sensor connected by a communication circuit. A sensor charging pulse having a temporal duration less than a solenoid actuation time threshold for a solenoid is provided over the communication circuit. The sensor charging pulse charges a charge storage device in at least one irrigation sensor. A series of addressing pulses is also generated over the communication circuit, which indicate a device identifier of at least one irrigation sensor. The series of addressing pulses activate at least one irrigation sensor having the device identifier indicated by the series of addressing pulses such that the activated irrigation sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of an irrigation condition to the irrigation controller via the communication network. Full Article
me Method and system for mixing reactor feed By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system of feeding fuel into a gasifier are provided. The feed injector system includes a first injector port assembly including a plurality of annular channels substantially concentric about a longitudinal axis that define corresponding fluid flow paths that direct a flow of fluid substantially axially therethrough from a respective source to a reaction zone and a second injector port assembly including a flow port surrounded by a plurality of auxiliary ports spaced about a circumference of the flow port, the plurality of auxiliary ports communicatively coupled to a toroidal passage configured to receive a flow of fluid and channel the flow of fluid to the auxiliary ports such that the flow of fluid is discharged from the auxiliary ports having an axial flow component, a radially inward flow component, and a circumferential flow component. Full Article
me Fuel injector and method for assembling a fuel injector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has a solenoid operable via an electric wire, a valve sleeve in an injection-side area forming an external sheathing of the fuel injector, and a valve housing. The fuel injector has a plastic sleeve, which contains the solenoid and the electric wire and can be pushed onto the valve sleeve. Full Article
me Fluid delivery system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling a fluid delivery machine configured to deliver fluid on a worksite is disclosed. In the method, operation of a power source of the fluid delivery machine is controlled with a control module. Fluid delivery on the worksite is also controlled by the control module. Full Article
me Turbofan engine with variable area fan nozzle and low spool generator for emergency power generation and method for providing emergency power By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbofan engine (10) employs a flow control device (41) that changes an effective exit nozzle area (40) associated with a bypass flow path (B) of the turbofan engine. A spool (14) couples a fan (20) to a generator (52). The turbofan emergency power system includes a controller (50) that communicates with the flow control device (41). Upon sensing an emergency condition, the controller manipulates the flow control device to reduce the effective nozzle exit area (40) of the bypass flow path, which chokes the flow through the bypass flow path thereby increasing the rotational speed of the fan. In this manner, the generator is driven at a higher rotational speed than if the flow through the bypass flow path was not choked, which enables a smaller generator to be utilized. Full Article
me Application tips including a dispensing nozzle with one or more dispensing passages extending along a length thereof and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An application tip and method for dispensing a fluid into a hole, the tip having a hollow housing or body with an open end and a closed end, the open end configured to be removably attached to and in fluid communication with a fluid source, the closed end including a nozzle having at least one passage or fluid outlet opening. Full Article
me Systems and methods for electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion system is presented. The system includes a wind passage allowing wind flow. Further, the system includes a reservoir having an opening in communication with the wind passage and configured to hold a liquid. The system also includes an agitator coupled to the reservoir and configured to convert the liquid into droplets. Additionally, the system includes a charging system disposed substantially opposite the reservoir opening and configured to deposit an electrostatic charge on the droplets and draw the droplets into the wind passage. Moreover, the system includes a charge collector disposed at a distal end of the wind passage and configured to collect the electrostatic charge from the droplets. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for dispensing a mixture of a gas and a fluid material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods for generating and dispensing a mixture containing a pressurized gas and a fluid material. The apparatus includes a mixing device having a mixing chamber and a mixer inside the mixing chamber. A gas injection device, which is coupled with the mixing device, injects the pressurized gas into the fluid material in the mixing chamber. The mixer operates to combine the pressurized gas with the fluid material to form a mixture, which is subsequently dispensed from a dispenser coupled with the mixing device. Full Article
me Spray containment device and methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A spray containment device comprising: a threaded adapter, a conical body having a threaded aperture wherein the threaded aperture is adapted to cooperate with said threaded adapter, and (c) at least one threaded nut adapted to thread onto the threaded adapter above the conical body so as to secure the conical body to the threaded adapter. Also included is a sprayer device comprising a liquid container and a spray wand to which the spray containment device may be attached. The threaded adapter and nut system could be utilized to attach threads to other types of pipes, rods or similarly shaped pieces. Full Article
me Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An attachment to be employed with any spray device is disclosed. The attachment includes four vanes which are radially attached to an air hub with a central aperture, the central aperture adapted to receive the front portion of the spray device therethrough which when activated dispenses an atomizable substance in a pattern toward a workpiece. At the distal end of each of the four vanes, the vane is angled forward such that it generally points toward the workpiece. At the terminal end of each vane is a plurality of compressed air exit apertures. A compressed air source is attached to the air hub which guides the air through air conduits interiorly disposed within each of the vanes, where the compressed air is forced to exit each of the compressed air exit apertures forming an a second pattern which surrounds the atomizable substance pattern, and further boosts or pushes the atomizable substance onto the workpiece. The second pattern reduces overspray, bounce-back, and errant particles, and improves the transfer efficiency. Full Article
me Method and device for coating components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for spraying a coating and a cold gas spray nozzle is disclosed. The method includes spraying a coating by the cold gas spray nozzle. A rinsing gas is fed to the cold gas spray nozzle during an interruption of the spraying or at an end of the spraying. Deposits in the cold gas spray nozzle are cooled and detached by the rinsing gas. Full Article
me System and method for wireless irrigation utilizing a centralized control server and field module matrix By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a centralized server-based system containing a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system, which utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location's field module matrix. Full Article
me Drawer device and medium transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A banknote deposit and withdrawal machine uses an interlock switch to detect whether or not a lower unit has been pulled out from a safe housing, uses a lock sensor to detect at least two states among a locked state, a half-locked state, and a pulled-out state, and uses a banknote control unit to distinguish between the three states of the locked state, the half-locked state, and the pulled-out state on the basis of the result of detection by the interlock switch and the result of detection by the lock sensor. Full Article
me Device for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storage units for the intermediate storage of notes of value By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising a sensor unit (300) for detection of at least one feature of each note of value, and a control unit (28) which classifies the notes of value into accepted notes of value and sheet-shaped media to be returned, dependent on the feature to be detected by the sensor unit (300). A sorting gate (400) is arranged downstream the sensor unit (300), wherein the control unit (28) controls the sorting gate (400) to supply notes of value classified as accepted notes of value to a first intermediate storage (32), and notes of value classified as sheet-shaped media to be returned to a second intermediate storage (500). Full Article
me Gate mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Disclosed is a gate mechanism (100) mounted on a side frame (210) of a financial automated machine cash slot (230a), wherein the gate mechanism comprises a gate (10), a driving mechanism (20) and a pair of locking mechanisms (30) controlling the gate (10), with the lower end of the gate (10) being connected with a front end (240a) of the frame side (240) in such a way as to be able to slide up and down, and the upper end of the gate (10) being connected with an upper end (240b) of the frame side (240) in such a way as to be able to slide back and forth, and the driving mechanism (20) driving the upper end of the gate (10) in sliding back and forth at the upper end (240b) of the frame side (240), while causing the lower end of the gate (10) to move up and down at the front end (240a) of the frame side (240), thus achieving opening and closing of the gate (10). The gate mechanism (100) can reduce the motion enveloping space of the gate (10) and has the advantage of a compact structure. Full Article
me Device for handling notes of value, comprising a stack merging unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storages (32, 500) for intermediate storage of notes of value and a stack combining unit (802). The stack combining unit (802) combines a first stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the first intermediate storage (32) and a second stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the second intermediate storage (500) to a single combined stack. Full Article
me Device for handling value documents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising an input unit (20) for input of at least one note of value, and a transport unit (24, 26, 248, 302, 304) for transport of the note of value into a transport direction (P1) along a transport path (218). A control unit (28) determines the note of value type of the note of value dependent on an image comprising a representation of the input note of value that is captured by means of an image detection unit (306), and dependent on the note of value type determined controls at least one processing unit (400, 600) for further processing the note of value that is located downstream the image detection unit (306). Full Article
me Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An input receptacle receives currency bills and checks. A transport mechanism transports the bills and checks along a transport path to an output receptacle. An image scanner, adjacent the transport path, is configured to generate one or more electrical signals from which image data can be derived. The image data is reproducible as a visually readable image of at least a portion of each of the plurality of documents. A controller is configured to determine a denomination of each of the currency bills. In response to the controller not determining a denomination of one of the currency bills, the controller flags the currency bill as a no-call document by causing at least a portion of the image data to be displayed as a visually readable image of the flagged currency bill on the display. Full Article
me Sheets processing apparatus and sheets processing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A sheet processing apparatus including a table to be loaded a first and a second banknote group partitioned by a header card recording the bar code number in the piling direction of the banknotes, a take-in portion to take in the banknotes of the first and second banknote groups loaded on the table and the header card, a discrimination portion to count the banknotes taken in by the take-in portion and discriminate the kind thereof, a plurality of stackers to sort and stack the banknotes discriminated by the discrimination portion on the basis of the kink thereof, and a sensor to detect the header card taken in by the take-in portion. The sheet processing apparatus additionally includes a controller to control so as to stop the taking-in of the second banknote group on the basis of detection of the header card by the sensor and after a lapse of a predetermined time, to start the taking-in of the second banknote group. Full Article
me Method for handling valuable documents having an aligning unit for aligning banknotes and checks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A device for handling notes of value including a transport unit for transport of the notes of value in a transport direction along a transport path, and an aligning unit for alignment of the notes of value. The device further includes a sensor arranged upstream of the aligning unit for determining at least one feature of the notes of value, and a control unit that controls the aligning unit such that the aligning unit aligns each note of value depending on the determined expression of the feature of the note of value in a preset first target alignment or at least in a preset second target alignment that is different from the first target alignment. Full Article
me Apparatus, system and method for coin exchange By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for exchanging coins, the method including the acts of receiving in a self-service coin exchange machine a plurality of coins, processing the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the plurality of coins, and dispensing currency to the patron from a currency dispenser, the currency having a value related to the total value. Full Article
me Media processing device, check processing device, and method of controlling a media processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A compact media processing device enables recording on a process medium and then processing the process medium based on the result of recording. The media processing device conveys a process medium and processes the conveyed process medium by a first process unit disposed to the conveyance path, and an operation selection unit then determines the content of the next operation based on the result of the first process. After the next operation is determined, the conveyance control unit conveys the process medium upstream to or upstream of the process position of a second process unit. A process control unit then applies the selected operation to the process medium by the second process unit that is disposed downstream from the first process unit on the conveyance path of the process medium. Full Article
me Media processing device for accepting insertable media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A media processing device enables reading second media that do not bend easily from the device front with the same ease of use as processing first media that bend easily. The media processing device has a media conveyance path that guides first media inserted from a media insertion opening toward the back and then again toward the front on the front-back axis to the media exit. A straight conveyance path that angles to the inside on the device width axis is formed at a part connected to the media exit, and a second media insertion path that extends straight to the front from the straight conveyance path is connected to the media exit. Full Article
me Financial device, method of controlling the same, and medium processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a financial device, which comprises a medium entrance, a medium processing apparatus, and a control unit. A medium is deposited or withdrawn through the medium entrance. The medium processing apparatus processes the medium. The control unit controls the medium processing apparatus. The medium processing apparatus comprises a front guider, a rear guider behind the front guider, a pushing member pushing a medium disposed in a medium processing space, and a supporting guider supporting the medium in the medium processing space. The control unit controls an operation of the medium processing apparatus such that states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to deposit the medium are the same as states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to withdraw or return the medium. Full Article
me Device for processing banknote and method for detecting the conveyance of banknote By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The disclosure provides a method for detecting the conveyance status of a banknote, comprising; detecting whether the banknote reaches a first position in a banknote passage within a first predetermined time; detecting whether the banknote reaches a second position in the banknote passage within a second predetermined time when it is determined that the banknote has reached the first position (S14); determining whether the status of the banknote at the first position is changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected when it is determined that the banknote is withdrawn when it is determined that the status of the banknote at the first position has changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected (S18). This application can increase the possibility of the banknote processing device in detecting whether the banknote is withdrawn. Meanwhile, the disclosure provides a device for processing a banknote. Full Article
me Bezel assembly comprising biometric authentication for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
me Apparatus, method, software and graphical interface for flexible dispensing of coins in a coin handling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet serving as an apparatus housing for the apparatus. The apparatus has a control means for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus further has a module for receiving, optionally validating and optionally sorting coins of different types and at least one dispenser for coins to be dispensed. The apparatus also comprises a filling compartment comprising a plurality of dispense locations. Each dispense location is adapted for receiving a portable coin receptacle for collecting dispensed coins from a specific dispenser. The apparatus is adapted to dispense a specific amount of coins under control of said control means to at least one portable coin receptacle at a specific dispense location in said filling compartment. The control means is adapted to only start the dispense operation at said specific dispense location if a portable coin receptacle is present at the location. Full Article
me Document recycle box By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A document recycle box is provided to comprise: a housing 60, a cover 52 rotatably attached to housing 60, a convey belt device 51 of a recycle conveyor device 50 attached to one of housing 60 or cover 52 along one side of a recycle pathway 11 extending within housing 60, a plurality of rollers 53 of recycle conveyor device 50 attached to the other of housing 60 or cover 52 along the other side of recycle pathway 11 on the opposite side of conveyor belt device 51, and a drum device 43 rotatably disposed within housing 60. Cover 52 may be released from housing 60 to move recycle conveyor 50 away from rollers 53 to easily remove a jammed document within recycle pathway 11. Full Article
me Apparatus, method, and system for loading currency bills into a currency processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for feeding a plurality of stacked currency bills into a currency handling device. The apparatus may comprise an input receptacle being configured to receive a plurality of stacked currency bills, the receptacle having a first side and a second opposing side, a front end, and an opposing back end. The apparatus further may comprise a first paddle rail disposed adjacent the first side and a first paddle assembly slidably coupled to the first paddle rail, the first paddle assembly having a portion configured to contact a stack of a plurality of bills residing in the input receptacle. The apparatus further may comprise a first resilient member coupled to the first paddle assembly, the first resilient member being configured to bias the first paddle assembly towards the front end of the receptacle, the first resilient member being configured to cause the first paddle assembly to move in a direction toward the front end of the input receptacle at a first average rate of speed when unrestrained and undamped. The apparatus further may comprise a first damping mechanism configured to slow the unrestrained, average rate of speed the first paddle assembly from the first average rate of speed to a second average rate of speed which is less the first average rate of speed. Full Article
me Currency processing device, method and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is described. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills. Full Article
me Apparatus for setting price for multi-vending machine and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit. Full Article
me Mobile communication device and method for identifying a counterfeit bill By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for identifying a counterfeit bill is provided. The apparatus includes a camera module configured to receive a captured IR image of a bill; a binary image generator configured to generate a binary image of the bill, based on the IR image; a distance value calculator configured to compare a predetermined area of the binary image with a predetermined area of a pre-stored real bill database corresponding to the predetermined area of the binary image; and a corrected image generator configured to generate a corrected image based on a result of the comparison. Full Article
me Paper-type detection device and detection method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A paper-type detection device comprises a sensor unit, a storage unit and a control unit. The sensor unit is used for detecting a transmission state of a paper according to a fixed clock period, and carrying out binaryzation on detected signals to indicate the presence-absence state of the paper. The storage unit is used for acquiring the signals detected by the sensor unit, acquiring paper information in the signals, and storing the paper information in sequence. The control unit comprises a first state counter and a second state counter. The control unit controls the two state counters for carrying out zero clearing and starting operations for counting in conjunction with the sensor unit. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for sorting coins By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device for sorting coins, the diameter and thickness of which are within predefined size ranges. Full Article
me Currency bill processing device and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side. Full Article
me Medium storing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A temporary storage in a medium storing device carries out ON/OFF monitoring of a jam sensor between a winding start position of a drum and a clamp point of a delivering roller. Accordingly, when bills are rewound in the reset operation, even when a relationship between a pulse count and a bill position becomes different from actual one, it is possible to detect, without using a pulse count, a jam between the winding start position and the clamp point. It is possible to more securely detect the abnormality in bill storing in comparison with the prior art. Full Article
me Medium storage and feeding device and medium processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medium storage and feeding device and a medium processing device that may prevent occurrences of faults more reliably than the related art. A drum (21) is provided that winds up a banknote BL nipped by pairs of tapes (28L, 28R, 30L and 30R) together with the pairs of tapes. Torque limiters (25L, 25R, 27L and 27R) are separately provided at each of tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R). The torque limiters control torques between the tape reels and reel rotation axle shafts (22 and 23), such that tensions applied to the tapes between the tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R) and the drum (21) are constant. Thus, tensions on the tapes between the respective tape reels and the drum may be kept constant, banknote nipping stability may be improved, and occurrences of faults may be prevented more reliably than in the related art. Full Article
me Cash handling system, cash handling method, management unit and cash accounting apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a cash handling system capable of reliably storing sales proceeds and the like stored in a cash settlement apparatus into a cash accounting apparatus. A cash management system 1 includes a cash settlement apparatus 11, a cash accounting apparatus 21 and the cash transport cassette 30. The cash settlement apparatus 11 and the cash accounting apparatus 21 have reading units 157, 257, respectively, which are configured to read out cassette ID information from a memory unit 35 of the cash transport cassette 30. In addition, the cash management system 1 further includes: a management unit 26 having a depositing judgment unit 26A configured to judge whether cash in the cash settlement apparatus 11 to be received by the cash transport cassette 30 can be deposited into the cash accounting apparatus 21 or not; a guide apparatus configured to guide information from the management unit 26; and a comparison unit 27 configured to compare the cassette ID information read out by the reading unit 257 of the cash accounting apparatus 21 and the information from the management unit 26. Full Article
me Window glass sheet fitted with seal member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a window glass sheet fitted with a seal member and incorporated with a device such as a deicer which facilitates the device and the seal member to be installed in a proper manner. The automotive window glass sheet comprises a laminated glass sheet including a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet placed on an outboard side of the first glass sheet, and a seal member fitted on a peripheral part of the laminated glass sheet. The automotive window glass sheet further comprises a cutout formed on an edge of the first glass sheet, an electrode provided on a part of the inboard side of the second glass sheet corresponding to the cutout, a lead wire connected to the electrode and a spacer extending along an edge of the second glass sheet on the inboard side of the second glass sheet in a part thereof corresponding to the cutout and defining a flat and smooth inboard surface, wherein the inboard surface of the spacer is flush with a plane extrapolated from an inboard side of the first glass sheet, and the seal member is attached to a peripheral part of the inboard side of the first glass sheet and is attached to the inboard surface of the spacer in the cutout. Full Article
me Top cover having a patterned gasket fixing region, disk drive apparatus, and method of manufacturing top cover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A top cover for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a plate made of a metal and a gasket fixed to the plate. The gasket is made of an elastomer. A surface of the plate includes a fixing region to which the gasket is closely adhered. The fixing region includes a plurality of ridges and in plan view a plurality of filamentous projections extending from each of the plurality of ridges. The plurality of ridges are arranged in the fixing region to increase a surface area of the fixing region. The plurality of ridges and the plurality of filamentous projections extending from each ridge are distributed over the fixing region. Full Article
me Regulating flap arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A regulating flap arrangement (1) in a flange connection (2) between a turbine housing of a two-stage exhaust-gas turbocharger and an exhaust manifold of an engine, having a regulating flap plate (5) which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing a connecting opening (6) arranged in the flange connection (2); having an insert ring (7) which is arranged in the connecting opening (6); and having a sealing arrangement (8), wherein the sealing arrangement (8) has two V-rings (8A, 8B), of which a first V-ring (8A) is arranged in a first groove (9) provided adjacent to the connecting opening (6), and the second V-ring (8B) is arranged in a second groove (10) which is arranged, spaced apart radially outward from the first groove (9), in the flange connection (2). Full Article
me Redundant seal apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface. Full Article
me Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe including apparatus and methods for creating a temporary airtight seal at the open end of a pipe in a plumbing or refrigeration system. One such apparatus includes a body, grommet, washer, and a nut. Multiple airtight seals are created including a first primary seal between an exterior of the pipe and the grommet and a secondary seal between the open end of the pipe and the washer. The grommet does not require teeth and the apparatus does not require adhesive, sealant, or any other type of similar materials. Use of the apparatus and methods greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the potential for marring or otherwise distorting the open end of the pipe, thereby facilitating reuse of same. Full Article