Article dispensing machine
US Patent 7,789,213
September 7, 2010
The invention relates to an article-dispensing machine. The inventive machine comprises: a structure (1), a removable container (2) for articles, and a dispensing mechanism on the base of the container (2), which is actuated by an actuation shaft that is coupled to the shaft of a coin or token selector (6) which is mounted in the structure (1) in order to dispense one or more articles from the container (2) through a delivery outlet (7) following the introduction of one or more coins or tokens. According to the invention, when the door (15) is in the closed position, a single closure device (55), which is associated with said door (15), can be used to lock the container (2), the coin selector (6) and a coin or token collection box (52) in the respective operating positions thereof. When the aforementioned door (15) is open, the container (2) can be refilled or removed, the coin selector (6) can be removed and the collection box (52) can be accessed without the use of tools.
Method and system for inflating an inflatable object
US Patent 7,789,112
September 7, 2010
A method and system for inflating an object includes providing a portable, programmable inflation system having a logic processor, a memory, a visual display, manual inputs, a compressor with an attached inflation hose, a pressure sensor, and an actuator attached to a valve for releasing pressure from the object. The portable programmable inflation system is moved near the object and the inflation hose is attached. Then, a desired air pressure setting is received from a manual input and stored in memory. Then, the current air pressure in the object is sensed with the pressure sensor, and it is determined whether the air pressure in the object is above or below the desired air pressure setting. Under control of the logic processor, the object is inflated if the air pressure is below the desired air pressure setting or deflated if the air pressure is above the desired air pressure setting.
Methods and systems for efficient behavior generation in software application development tool
US Patent 7,788,634
August 31, 2010
Methods, systems and computer product for allowing flexible definition of appearance and behavior states for an interactive application. A state table includes a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension configured to identify at least one programming element and the second dimension configured to identify a plurality of states of the computer system. When a state table creation operating mode is activated and alteration of at least one programming element is identified, an operand is automatically stored in a cell at each intersection of the first dimension and the second dimension. Alterations that are identified include movement of a graphical object, changes of size, color, associated text, or other graphical feature of a graphical object.
Modelling relationships within an on-line connectivity universe
US Patent 7,788,587
August 31, 2010
Enhanced presentation techniques for modeling a connectivity universe associated with a particular user or device are provided. Example embodiments provide a WorldView Display System (a “WVDS”), which automatically organizes a user’s online relationships with entities, such as devices, data collections, services, and people, and provides a user interface for accessing and interacting with these entities. The WVDS automatically determines the universe of objects that the user has relationships with, automatically groups objects having similar measures of access proximity, displays a multi-dimensional representation of these groups of objects on a display device, and provides a uniform user interface for initiating an interaction with any represented object. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Presentation method, presentation device and computer program for presenting an image of an object
US Patent 7,787,677
August 31, 2010
A presentation method and a presentation device presents an image of an object, wherein a starting image and at least one target image of the object, a first location within the starting image, and a second location within the starting image and the at least one target image are provided. The second location is the location of a reference feature detectable in the starting image and the at least one target image. A corridor is determined in the at least one target image, wherein the corridor contains a circular line, wherein the circular line defines a circle, whose radius corresponds to a distance between the first location and the second location in the starting image and whose centre position corresponds to said second location. Finally, the corridor and the at least one target image are presented.
Millimeter wave radar target simulation systems and methods
US Patent 7,782,250
August 24, 2010
A millimeter wave radar target simulation system and method. The system includes a down-converter that converts a millimeter wave radar signal to an intermediate frequency, an electrical-to-optical modulator that modulates an optical signal based on the down-converted signal, an optical-to-electrical demodulator that demodulates an optical signal to an electrical signal, an optical delay line serving to delay a signal passing from the electrical-to-optical modulator to the optical-to-electrical demodulator, and an up-converter that converts the electrical signal from the optical-to-electrical demodulator to a frequency that simulates a millimeter wave target return. The method includes receiving a millimeter wave radar signal, down-converting the radar signal to an intermediate frequency, modulating the down-converted signal to an optical signal, delaying the optical signal, demodulating the delayed optical signal, and up-converting the demodulated signal to a signal having a frequency that simulates a millimeter wave radar target return.
Snowmobile tunnel and rear heat exchanger
US Patent 7,779,944
August 24, 2010
The top wall of a snowmobile tunnel, which accommodates the endless drive track of the snowmobile, is provided with recesses at locations corresponding to the path followed by studs carried by the endless track. The rear of the tunnel is connected to a molded rear member having a pattern of recesses matching that of the top wall of the tunnel. In yet another aspect of the invention, a heat exchanger for cooling engine coolant may be provided at the rear of the tunnel. The heat exchanger may be mounted to and partially spaced from the molded rear member. The heat exchanger may bear rearwardly extending ridges with upwardly extending lip at the far end. In some embodiments, a channel is provided on the upper end of the heat exchanger to promote air and snow flow over the rearwardly extending ridges.
Variable focus deformable surface using rotation means for rotating the upper and lower material lay
US Patent 7,780,300
August 24, 2010
A large, thin, variable focus lens that would be practical in a variety of applications, such as eyeglasses. An example of the present invention is a surface that can be deformed to a desirable shape in a simple, controllable fashion. In particular, a surface shape with desirable optical properties is achievable. The surface has the ability to produce a reflective or refractive surface with a variable optical power.
Chopper and slicer
US Patent 7,779,739
August 24, 2010
A food chopper and slicer includes a lower receptacle for holding chopped food items and one or more blades at the top. A pushing element is secured within an outer housing, with the outer housing being configured to snugly and slideably fit around the receptacle. The housing forms a guide path such that the pushing element follows a generally straight and vertical path as it moves downward toward the blades.
Systems and methods for detecting and alerting mis-setting of barometric altimeter setting during a
US Patent 7,778,745
August 17, 2010
Systems and methods for producing an advisory if barometric altitude transition setting needs adjusting in an aircraft. In one embodiment, the method determines transition altitude, receives an uncorrected altitude, compares the uncorrected altitude to the transition altitude and to corrected altitude, and outputs a barometric altitude transition setting advisory based on the comparison between the uncorrected altitude and the transition altitude. The comparison determines if the uncorrected altitude is greater than the determined transition altitude and the advisory is output if the uncorrected altitude is determined to be greater than the transition altitude and the uncorrected altitude differs from the corrected altitude by a threshold amount. A delay is provided between the comparison of the uncorrected altitude to the transition altitude and the comparison between the uncorrected altitude and the corrected altitude.
