Abstract:
A vending machine for dispensing a number of products. The vending machine may include a transparent panel, a number of visible product columns, a number of non-visible product columns, and a product delivery system.
Abstract:
Messaging interfaces that may be used in conjunction with interactive pagers include a housing that contains a message processing circuit, a user interface, and a communications circuit that is used to forward the text messages between the message processing circuit and an interactive pager. The user interface may be used to forward messages between a user of the interactive pager and the message processing circuit. The user interface may be a keypad (or any other collection of user-selectable keys, buttons, menu items, etc.), a microphone, an internal speaker and/or an external speaker such as the speakers on an automobile stereo system.
Abstract:
A wheel including an annular hub and a plurality of curved spokes extending radially outward from the hub. Each spoke has an inner base adjacent the hub and an outer tip opposite the base. The wheel further includes an annular rim concentric with the hub and connected to the spokes adjacent their tips.
Abstract:
A noise reduction circuit for reducing pulse noise caused at switching of an analog audio processing circuit comprises a voltage division resistor circuit, an end of the voltage division resistor circuit being electrically connected to an output end of a switching circuit of the analog audio processing circuit, and another end of the voltage division resistor circuit being electrically connected to a reference voltage; a plurality of voltage-division points of the voltage division resistor circuit are connected respectively with a plurality of controllable switches, while other ends of the plurality of controllable switches are connected together to form an output end.
Abstract:
A pillow with a removable rod-shaped insert is described herein. The rod-shaped insert is removably insertable into a cavity and/or trough within the pillow. Both the rod-shaped insert and the cavity and/or trough are substantially semi-circular at each vertically oriented cross-section thereof. The cavity includes an opening in a side of the pillow opposite a side thereof which is in contact with a user's head and/or body. The rod-shaped insert has a plurality of parallel ridges on at least one outer surface thereof and extends between both lateral sides of the pillow. In some configurations, the rod-shaped insert is a single substantially planar structure which is folded into a substantially semi-circular shape. In some configurations, the rod-shaped insert has an internal removably-insertable structure.
Abstract:
A pillow with a removable rod-shaped insert is described herein. The rod-shaped insert is removably insertable into a cavity and/or trough within the pillow. Both the rod-shaped insert and the cavity and/or trough are substantially semi-circular at each vertically oriented cross-section thereof. The cavity includes an opening in a side of the pillow opposite a side thereof which is in contact with a user's head and/or body. The rod-shaped insert has a plurality of parallel ridges on at least one outer surface thereof and extends between both lateral sides of the pillow. In some configurations, the rod-shaped insert is a single substantially planar structure which is folded into a substantially semi-circular shape. In some configurations, the rod-shaped insert has an internal removably-insertable structure.
Abstract:
Multispectral cameras may be used for aerial imaging, such as in precision agriculture aerial imaging applications. In particular, multispectral camera mounted on an aerial vehicle may be used to determine vegetative indices of the plants being photographed. A multispectral imaging method may include optically filtering a plurality of images through a plurality of optical image filters within a swappable filter cartridge, receiving the filtered plurality of images at a plurality of image sensors within a multiple image sensor module, each of the plurality of image sensors corresponding to each of the plurality of optical image filters, and storing the received plurality of images at a memory within the multiple image sensor module.
Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying a subject as having a genetic predisposition to obesity or at risk of developing obesity. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for expressing a CREBRF polypeptide of the invention in a cell or precursor thereof and cells expressing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a CREBRF polypeptide of the invention.
Abstract:
A gas spring includes a housing having an end configured to receive a rod therethrough, the rod extending to a piston movably positionable within the housing. A spacer separates a pair of sealing devices and forming a compartment containing oil that is positioned near the end of the housing, the compartment having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is defined by the sealing devices, the spacer and the rod. The second portion is defined by the sealing devices, the spacer and the housing. The first portion is in fluid communication with the second portion permitting circulation of oil therebetween.
Abstract:
Clathrate hydrates and methods of their production and separation are described herein. Methods of using the clathrate hydrates for energy storage are also described herein. Further described herein are hydrogen storage devices.