Abstract: A control method and system for a controllable pitch marine propeller including operating modes comprised of a maneuvering mode and a cruise mode and check modes comprised of an engine check mode and propeller check mode. The cruise mode provides for wide open throttle acceleration and power stop. Smooth transition sub-modes are provided for providing smooth transition between cruise mode and maneuvering mode and vice versa. The system operates by a lever (28) which controls a pitch control unit (10) which in turn controls engine speed and also the pitch of propeller blades (12) of propeller (14). Thus, dependent on the position of the control lever (28) in either maneuvering mode or cruise mode, an appropriate engine speed and propeller pitch is selected automatically for driving a watercraft.

Abstract: A dual mode comparator circuit is disclosed. The dual mode comparator includes a plurality of differential transistor pairs. Each differential transistor pair includes a plurality of inputs and outputs. The outputs of the differential transistor pairs are coupled to inputs of a multiplexor. The multiplexor includes at least one control input for selecting between the multiplexor inputs and provides the selected input to the multiplexor output. The dual mode comparator further includes a comparator back end that is coupled to the output of the multiplexor. The comparator back end may include a folded cascode and additional gain stages. The comparator back end provides the comparator output to the next stage. The dual mode comparator may be used in automatic testing equipment embodiments.

Abstract: An absorption detection system is provided. The system includes a plurality of monochromatic light sources and a separator for separating the light from the plurality of monochromatic light sources into a plurality of wavelengths. A plurality of detectors, receives light of a single wavelength to measure absorption of light in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration devices and to methods of using these devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for producing articular repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. In particular, methods for providing articular repair systems. Also provided are articular surface repair systems designed to replace a selected area cartilage, for example, and surgical tools for repairing articular surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access by a set of accessing nodes to memory of a home node (in a multimode computer system) determines that each node in the set of nodes has accessed the memory, and forwards a completion message to each node in the set of nodes after it is determined that each node has accessed the memory. The completion message has data indicating that each node in the set of nodes has accessed the memory of the home node.

Abstract: An enterprise system includes multiple disparate information systems, such as voice and data systems. An integration server provides for the interaction of information between these systems through the use of enterprise messages and processing rules. Enterprise messages allow for the association of information from disparate information systems, while the processing rules allow for automated interaction between users and information in the disparate information systems.

Abstract: A hardware-based file system includes multiple linked sub-modules that perform functions ancillary to client data handling. Each sub-module is associated with a metadata cache. A doubly-rooted structure is used to store each file system object at successive checkpoints. Metadata is stored within an object and/or as a separate object. Provisions are made for allocating sparse objects. A delayed write feature is used for writing certain objects into non-volatile storage. Checkpoints can be retained as read-only versions of the file system. Modifications to the file system are accomplished without affecting the contents of retained checkpoints. The file system can be reverted to a retained checkpoint. Multiple file servers can be interconnected as a cluster, and each file server stores requests from another file server. Interconnections between file servers can be dynamically modified. A distributed locking mechanism is used to control access to file system objects stored by the file servers.

Abstract: A system and method for providing and managing location-based interactive content, including messages sent to specific location-based screens via mobile communication devices or the Internet. The location-based screens are display devices connected to a central content server that may be a central website, by a first network that may be the Internet. Each location-based display device may be independently controlled by a communications management module at the central website. The communications management module includes software and hardware so that it may record a user's responses and may update any screen according to system policies.

Abstract: A method of forming a microphone forms a backplate, and a flexible diaphragm on at least a portion of a wet etch removable sacrificial layer. The method adds a wet etch resistant material, where a portion of the wet etch resistant material is positioned between the diaphragm and the backplate to support the diaphragm. Some of the wet etch resistant material is not positioned between the diaphragm and backplate. The method then removes the sacrificial material before removing any of the wet etch resistant material added during the prior noted act of adding. The wet etch resistant material then is removed substantially in its entirety after removing at least part of the sacrificial material.

Abstract: Methods for employing coherent bundles of optical fibers, whether single- or multi-mode, for optical coherence tomography or optical coherence microscopy. Either a substantially monochromatic source or a broadband source is spatially decohered and/or spatially filtered prior to coupling into the fiber bundle for illumination of a sample. A scatter signal from features disposed beneath the surface of the sample is interfered with a reference signal derived, at either end of the fiber bundle, from the identical source of illumination.

Abstract: A method for image stabilization of at least two digital images is disclosed. In such an embodiment, a first digital image having a plurality of pixels and at least a second image having a plurality of pixels are provided. Each pixel has an associated address for display and is representative of a color. Either a user of the system provides a color match range or the system provides a predetermined color matched range. A pixel is selected within the first digital image. Preferably the pixel is one that represents an item within the image that is either blurry due to movement of the item or appears jittery due to camera movement. Due to the vast number of available colors a pixel selected in a first image can be matched to a pixel in a second image within a range. The range allows for compensation due to lighting changes. Once the pixel in the first image is selected it can be compared to all pixels within the second image.

Abstract: A method for driving an actuator. The method includes applying an electrical potential across an electrostrictive material relative to a counterelectrode disposed within an electrolyte, thereby creating a double layer potential across a region of enhanced ionic concentration. A current flowing between the electorostrictive material and the counterelectrode is measured. A portion of the applied potential appearing across the electrolyte and counterelectrode is calculated and subtracted from the applied potential to obtain an estimated double layer potential. The applied electrical potential is adjusted to obtain a specified double layer potential.

Abstract: Virtual shielding is used to reduce the sources/origins of latchup and switching noise in a synchronous switching regulator. The regulator power stage may be split into two half stages. The ground bond wires of the half power stages may be positioned on opposite sides of the layout to substantially eliminate coupling between the ground bond wires. The power supply bond wire in one half power stage and the ground bond wire in the other half power stage may be positioned such that the mutual inductance between the power supply bond wire and the ground bond wire is maximized. The controller ground may be positioned substantially midway between the power supply bond wire in one half power stage and a respective ground bond wire in the other half power stage. The regulator controller may be placed between the regulator power stage and other analog circuitry to isolate the regulator power stage from the analog circuitry.

Abstract: A virtual terrain architecture and computer program product for employing a geocentric coordinate system, using a tessellated three-dimensional shape for representing a celestial body, and mapping terrain data to the tessellated three-dimensional shape is disclosed. In one embodiment, the methodology begins with a seed polyhedron such as an ellipsoid model. The seed ellipsoid is preferably composed of a plurality of triangle primitives. After selection of the seed ellipsoid, the ellipsoid is subdivided using tessellation. Each triangular element is subdivided into four sub-elements which are also triangular in shape. As the elements are further subdivided, the triangles of the ellipsoid model create a sphere that is representative of the earth or other celestial body. Tessellation continues until a desired resolution is reached for each triangular element.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a cross-quad configuration of four interconnected sensor elements. Each sensor element has a frame and a resonator suspended within the frame. The sensor elements are arranged so that the frames of adjacent sensor elements are allowed to move in anti-phase to one another but are substantially prevented from moving in phase with one another. The sensor elements may be configured in a horizontally coupled arrangement, a vertically coupled arrangement, or a fully coupled arrangement. A pair of sensor elements may be vertically coupled.

Abstract: A foot support includes a foot supporting structure having a lateral side and a medial side. The foot supporting structure is adapted to provide support to the underside of weight-bearing portions of a user's foot. An anchoring structure beneath the foot supporting structure is connected to the lateral side of the foot supporting structure and not connected to the medial side so that the medial side of the foot supporting structure forms a cantilever arm projecting out from the lateral side.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for managing file security attributes in a computer file storage system generates a set of Windows file security attributes from a set of UNIX file security attributes. The set of Windows file security attributes includes a UNIX-specific SID for a UNIX name that could not be translated into a Windows name. The set of Windows file security attributes also includes a set of Windows file permissions derived from a set of UNIX file permissions.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell comprises, in one embodiment according to the invention: forming a plastic mass comprising a mixture of an electrolyte substance and an electrochemically active substance; extruding the plastic mass through a die to form an extruded tube; and sintering the extruded tube to form a tubular anode capable of supporting the solid oxide fuel cell. The process may further comprise, after sintering the extruded tube, layering an electrolyte onto the tubular anode; and, after layering the electrolyte, layering a cathode onto the electrolyte. In a further related embodiment, the process further comprises co-extruding more than one anode layer to form the tubular anode. Each of the anode layers may comprise a ratio of electrochemically active substance to electrolyte substance, with such ratios being higher for layers that are layered further from a surface of the anode that contacts a fuel gas than for layers that are layered closer to the fuel gas.