Snowmobile chassis with tunnel
US Patent 8,528,683
September 10, 2013
A snowmobile chassis includes dual panels that form a lighter weight and stronger tunnel preferably without the need for structural doublers, plates or other attachable reinforcement devices. The dual panels take the form of inner and outer panels coupled together with selective gaps or spaces located between the panels. The gaps laterally separate the panels and may be continuous and take a variety of shapes as defined by each panel’s configuration. The arrangement of the gaps may advantageously define a desired structural load path through the tunnel, increase a section modulus with respect to a centerline of the tunnel, and reduce an overall weight of the tunnel as compared with conventional tunnels that utilize added reinforcement devices.
Interdental brush
US Patent 8,528,147
September 10, 2013
An interdental brush comprises a brush member having bristle filaments attached to a spine which projects from a handle part. The handle part comprises a main body and a resilient transition portion. The handle part further comprises a hollow cavity, in the transition portion. The hollow cavity improves the cushioning effect of the transition portion, and increases the length of stroke of the interdental brush by allowing the transition portion to be deformed.
Shipment preparation using network resource identifiers in packing lists
US Patent 8,527,429
September 3, 2013
Example embodiments provide a Shipment Preparation System (“SPS”), which facilitates the preparation of shipments, such as by producing shipping labels. In one embodiment, the SPS is configured to receive shipment preparation information from a bar code or other machine-readable data block in a packing list. The shipment preparation information identifies a uniform resource identifier (“URI”) that identifies a code module that is remote from the SPS. The SPS then communicates with the remote code module in order to obtain information for the preparation of the shipment and/or for transmission of information about the preparation of the shipment. Obtaining information for the preparation of the shipment may include receiving an address to use for printing a label. Transmitting information about the preparation of the shipment may include posting an indication that a label has been printed, a shipment is ready for pick up, or the like.
Pairing a controlled device with an RF remote control using an RFID tag
US Patent 8,525,651
September 3, 2013
Systems and methods are operable to initiate a pairing process and a de-pairing process between a controlled device and a radio frequency (RF) remote control. An exemplary embodiment detects presence of a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag in an interrogation zone established by an RFID tag reader, automatically initiates a pairing process in response to detecting the presence of the RFID tag in the interrogation zone, and completes the pairing process between the RF remote control and the controlled device, wherein the pairing process identifies a unique identifier associated with the RF remote control. A subsequently received RF signal emitted by the RF remote control includes at least one command configured to control operation of the controlled device and includes the unique identifier.
Mobile, PC, and web enhanced telecommunications environment
US Patent 8,520,823
August 27, 2013
Methods and systems for providing enhanced telecommunications services are provided. Example embodiments provide a Enhanced Telecommunications System ETS, which provides less expensive calling and other services by initiating telephone requests using data request packets. In one embodiment, the ETS comprises a client communications device with client code, an ETS portal, an API server, one or more PABX servers, and various billing, payment, and accounting systems. Other systems, such as quality assurance and logging systems may also be available. These components cooperate to provide various telecommunications services.
Systems and methods for providing extended shipping options
US Patent 8,521,656
August 27, 2013
Techniques for providing extended shipping options are described. In some embodiments, a user may specify extended shipping options that are not otherwise provided by or accessible via an existing shipment information specification user interface. In one embodiment, the user accesses a module configured to facilitate specification of extended shipping options and in response, provide an indicator of the specified extended shipping option, such as a tag or uniform resource identifier. The indicator of the extended shipping option is then incorporated into a user interface element, such as an address field, of the shipment information specification user interface. Once the user finalizes the order, the indicator of the extended shipping option is transmitted along with other shipment information items to a merchant and/or carrier system, where services specified by the extended shipping option are initiated.
Systems and methods for object localization and path identification based on RFID sensing
US Patent 8,514,081
August 20, 2013
A networked radio frequency identification system includes a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers, a computer in signal communication with the RFID tag readers over a network, and a software module for storage on and operable by the computer that localizes RFID tags based on information received from the RFID tag readers using a network model having endpoints and oriented links. In an additional example, at least one of the RFID tag readers includes an adjustable configuration setting selected from RF signal strength, antenna gain, antenna polarization, and antenna orientation. In a further aspect, the system localizes RFID tags based on hierarchical threshold limit calculations. In an additional aspect, the system controls a locking device associated with an access point based on localization of an authorized RFID tag at the access point and reception of additional authorizing information from an input device.
Device to measure functions of the eye directly
US Patent 8,511,820
August 20, 2013
A device for accommodation training includes a primary light and a sensor supported by a housing and configured to be worn atop the head of the user to capture light reflected by the retina. One or more alignment lights may be provided, along with mounts for adjusting the positioning of the lights and sensor. A feedback signal such as an audible tone is produced as a function of the detected light, providing confirmation to the user that a desired control over the ciliary muscle has been achieved.
Out-of plane comb-drive accelerometer
US Patent 8,505,380
August 13, 2013
An out-of-plane comb-drive accelerometer. An example accelerometer linearizes a response. An example accelerometer includes one or more stators having a plurality of tines having a surface parallel to a surface of substrate. The tine surface is at a first distance from the surface of the substrate. A proof mass includes one or more rotors that include a plurality of rotor tines attached to an edge of the proof mass. The rotor tines are interleaved with corresponding ones of the stator tines. The rotor tines include a surface parallel to a surface of the substrate. The rotor tine surface is at a second distance from the surface of the substrate. The first distance and second distance are unequal by a threshold amount. Motion of the rotor relative to the stator in an out-of-plane direction provides a linear change in a capacitive value measured across the rotor and the stator.
Systems and methods for platinum ball bonding
US Patent 8,505,805
August 13, 2013
An annealed platinum free air ball is bonded to a first contact and to a second contact. The bonding work hardens the platinum so that a work hardened platinum ball is resistant to temperature induced creep.
