Abstract:
An apparatus is described for selectively depositing a continuous stripe of one type of material on a strip of another type of material as the strip is transported through the apparatus on a pair of spaced rails. The rails are provided for supporting the strip along its lateral edges. A weight or pressure in the form of a movable member is carried on the strip between tape-guiding means for forming a fluid-tight seal between the lateral edges of the strip and the rails. A plurality of fluid jets are provided in a line between the rails for jetting fluid against the strip. At opposite ends of the line of jets there is provided at least one fluid jet for jetting fluid inwardly against the back-spray of fluid from the strip for preventing the escape of spent fluid from between the rails and preventing plating in unwanted areas. Means are also provided for changing the width and position of the stripe on the strip by changing the relative position of the rails and strip-guiding means. For the electrodeposition of metal stripes, an electrode in the form of a wire mesh screen is employed between the jets and strip with means provided for providing an electrical potential between the screen and the strip.
Abstract:
A safety system for detecting the presence of an undesired object in a safety area may include a first pair of distance measuring sensors disposed on opposed sides of the conveying path, the pair of distance measuring sensors defining a sensor field between said pair of distance measuring sensors, and an electronic control device operatively coupled to the sensors. The electronic control device may be configured to initiate a machine-stopping sequence based at least in part on signals received from the distance measuring sensors.
Abstract:
An air purification assembly (10) that is adapted to be used in combination with a vehicle incorporating a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system (100). The assembly (10) consists of three elements: an electrostatic stabilizing filter (12), a membrane filter (32) and an electronic ionizer (40). The three assemblies (12, 32, 40) when operating in combination with the HVAC system (100) substantially absorb unpleasant odors, smoke, dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and particulate matter produced by a vehicle exhaust emissions.
Abstract:
A novel plated lead frame strip and a novel method and apparatus for selectively plating the strip is described. The strip comprises a plurality of identical lead frame sections. Each of the lead frame sections comprises a plurality of leads. Each lead has a lead tip. In the center of each section and surrounded by the lead tips is a die-attach pad. The apparatus comprises in combination three plating stations. Each of the three stations is provided for plating a predetermined part of each of the lead frame sections. In the first station, a means is provided for plating the tips and the pad of a lead frame section with a first predetermined metallic plating -- e.g., a gold or copper strike. In the second station, a means is provided for masking the tips and plating the pad only with a second predetermined metallic plating -- e.g., a gold finish. In the third station, a means is provided for masking the pad and plating the tips with a third predetermined metallic plating -- e.g., silver. The stations are arranged in such a fashion that all three may be plating simultaneously with each one plating its respective part in the desired plating sequence.
Abstract:
A novel plated lead frame strip and a novel method and apparatus for selectively plating the strip is described. The strip comprises a plurality of identical lead frame sections. Each of the lead frame sections comprises a plurality of leads. Each lead has a lead tip. In the center of each section and surrounded by the lead tips is a die-attach pad. The apparatus comprises in combination three plating stations. Each of the three stations is provided for plating a predetermined part of each of the lead frame sections. In the first station, a means is provided for plating the tips and the pad of a lead frame section with a first predetermined metallic plating -- e.g., a gold or copper strike. In the second station, a means is provided for masking the tips and plating the pad only with a second predetermined metallic plating -- e.g., a gold finish. In the third station, a means is provided for masking the pad and plating the tips with a third predetermined metallic plating -- e.g., silver. The stations are arranged in such a fashion that all three may be plating simultaneously with each one plating its respective part in the desired plating sequence.
Abstract:
A method of facilitating payments to service providers such as medical practitioners wherein a virtual payment card issued by a card processor is processed by the service provider responsive to a first payment. The merchant identification number of the service provider and its associated acquirer are captured by the card processor. Subsequent payments to the service provider are made directly from the card processor to the acquirer and an authorization confirmation of the direct payment and an explanation of benefits are sent to the service provider which no longer needs to run virtual payment cards through its card processing system.
Abstract:
A heading determination system comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, each receiver paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna, wherein the GNSS antennas are separated by an ultra-short baseline. The heading determination system receives signals broadcast by a plurality of GNSS satellites and calculates the phase difference in the signal seen among the separate GNSS antennas. Using this phase difference information, derived from comparing the signals received from a plurality of GNSS satellites, along with attitude data generated by the IMU, the heading determination system calculates a highly-accurate heading solution. A method is provided for determining a heading of a system including an IMU coupled with at least two GNSS receivers, with each receiver being paired with and receiving signals from a corresponding GNSS antenna and the antennas being separated by an ultra-short baseline.
Abstract:
A system and method of acquiring information from an image of a vehicle in real time wherein at least one imaging device with advanced light metering capabilities is placed aboard a vehicle, a computer processor means is provided to control the imaging device and the advanced light metering capabilities, the advanced light metering capabilities are used to capture an image of at least a portion of the vehicle, and image recognition algorithms are used to identify the current state or position of the corresponding portion of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A method of paying a merchant for a transaction associated with a program. The method including the steps of receiving a request from a merchant for a payment associated with a purchase, generating a payment identifier, generating a payment number having a predetermined limit amount and a predetermined expiration date, associating the payment identifier with the payment number and transmitting the payment number to the merchant for payment of the request.
Abstract:
A method of facilitating payment of health care benefits to on behalf of a payer comprising the step of electronically transmitting a stored-value card account payment of the authorized benefit amount concurrently with an explanation of benefits.