Abstract:
One embodiment relates to a cable connector. The cable connector includes a body having a forward end and a rearward end opposite the forward end, a post disposed at least partially within the body, a fastener coupled to the forward end of the body, and a compressible member disposed on an outer surface of the body. The post includes a flange portion extending radially from a forward end of the post. The fastener is axially movable between a forward position and a rearward position, and wherein the fastener comprises an interior surface configured to contact the flange portion of the post when the fastener is in the forward position. The compressible member is configured to force the fastener toward the forward position such that the interior surface of the fastener provides a continuous pressure against the flange of the post when the fastener is in the forward position.
Abstract:
A security article provides a covert feature as well as an optically variable effect on one side thereof and a mirror-like reflective effect on another side. The article includes an interference filter consisting of a first reflective layer, a dielectric layer on the first reflective layer, and an absorber layer on the dielectric layer. Furthermore, the article includes a magnetic layer under the first reflective layer for providing the covert feature, and a second reflective layer under the magnetic layer for providing the mirror-like reflective effect. The magnetic layer may be patterned, and a third reflective layer, also patterned, may be formed on the absorber layer for providing a visual reference for the color shifting image.
Abstract:
A printed image is disclosed wherein the image may be in the form of an array of magnetically aligned platelets or flakes that may by uniform in shape and size and wherein the flakes are arranged in a particularly manner to form optically illusive images useful as security devices, or useful in beam steering applications. In one embodiment of this invention printed array is disclosed a plurality of concentric rings of magnetically aligned platelets disposed upon a substrate in the form of a Fresnel structure, preferably a Fresnel reflector. Advantageously, since the magnetic field can be controlled with respect to strength and direction, one can easily design a field that will correct for spherical aberration that would otherwise be present in a typical Fresnel reflector. In other embodiments of the invention optically illusive images of funnels, domes and cones are printed.
Abstract:
An optical structure includes a light transmissive substrate having a surface relief pattern applied thereon, such as a hologram. A patterned layer of a reflective material is applied over portions of the surface relief pattern so as to form alphanumeric characters, bars codes, or pictorial or graphical designs. An optically active coating is applied over the patterned layer of reflective material and exposed portions of the surface relief pattern in order to provide desirable optical effects to the exposed portions of the surface relief pattern. In some embodiments, the optically active coating is a color shifting thin film, or contains color shifting flakes. Optionally, the material of the optically active coating is index matched to the light transmissive substrate in order to optically erase the effect of the surface relief pattern in the portions of the surface relief pattern not covered by the reflective material.
Abstract:
The integrity and quality of the internal or inside coating of a container, such as a can, is measured by attaching an electric terminal to the can, inserting an electrode into the can, applying an electric signal to either the electric terminal or the electrode, and measuring the current flowing between the terminal and the electrode as an electrolyte is being added to the can. By measuring the electric signal as the level of electrolyte is being varied, an indication can be achieved of the quality and integrity of the coating at various parts of the can.
Abstract:
A gateway data port for coherently transferring multiple-bit input data words in series as part of an input data chain onto an input data line that serially connects the gateway data port and other data ports to a receiver and for coherently transferring multiple-bit output data words from an output data line that serially connects the gateway data port and other data ports to a transmitter. The input data words are provided to the gateway data port asynchronously with the transfer onto the input data line; and the output data words are transmitted over the output data line as part of an output data chain to the gateway data port asynchronously with the transfer from the output data line. The input data words are transferred coherently through an asynchronous receiver and a buffer into an input data shift register, which includes a serial block of adjacent input data register stages defining a plurality of data word bit positions in the input data chain. An "input data present" bit register stage and an "input break" bit register stage are connected in series with the input data register stages and respectively define an input data present bit position and an input break bit position in the input data chain. The input data words are serially shifted onto the input data line from the input data chain shift register. Output data words are serially shifted from the output data line through an output data chain shift register similar to the input register, and transferred coherently then through a buffer and an asynchronous transmitter.
Abstract:
A data transfer system having a serially distributed chain of input data ports and a serially distributed chain of output data ports is monitored to count the number of ports in each chain and to determine whether there has been a change in the configuration of the system by comparing the presently obtained counts with counts stored from previous monitoring. To monitor the system, successive data frames are serially shifted bit-by-bit from a transmitter over an output data line connecting the output data ports. Each frame contains a single unique bit in a data bit position that changes progressively from one frame to the next in relation to the position of the data ports. Upon the conclusion of each frame shift, a return data transfer circuit transfers data from the output data line to the input data line. Successive data frames are shifted over the input data line by the input data ports to the receiver synchronously with shifting the data frames over the output data line; and the received data frames are inspected by a computer to detect a frame containing a unique data bit. The computer counts the number of data frames shifted from the transmitter prior to such detection to provide an indication of the number of output data ports, and detects the position of the unique data bit in the detected frame to provide an indication of the number of input data ports.
Abstract:
An automation or robotics application to wrap objects that are cuboid-shaped and may have an arbitrary size. The machine includes a first module for advertising, dimensioning, and user interfacing. A second module is provided for wrapping paper handling. A third module provides a platform and object alignment assembly. A fourth module provides a gift wrapping chamber. A fifth module provides a taping and dispensing area. A sixth module provides a waste management area. The wrapping machine is configured to autonomously wrap the object and to deliver the fully wrapped object back to original position of the platform.
Abstract:
A method for forming an optically variable device upon a substrate comprises the steps of: patterning a reflective layer on the substrate using an oil-ablation technique; removing oil residue from the first side of the substrate using a first glow discharge; and depositing thin-film layers so as to be supported by the substrate to form the optically variable device. Optionally, oil residue is removed from the second side of the substrate using a second glow discharge.
Abstract:
A security image and method for forming said image is disclosed wherein an image having a layer with a hologram therein has an additional layer of magnetically aligned flakes together forming an image that is difficult to counterfeit and is highly attractive. Preferably windows of an opaque layer provide additional means of encoding or forming the image.