Abstract: A transformer includes a base, a magnetic core assembly and at least one winding coil assembly. The base includes a first receptacle and at least one first receiving recess. The magnetic core assembly includes a first magnetic part, a second magnetic part and a third magnetic part. The base is arranged between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part. The first magnetic part has a first post accommodated within the first receptacle. The at least one winding coil assembly is disposed on the base. The third magnetic part is optionally accommodated within the first receiving recess, so that an air gap between the third magnetic part and the first magnetic part/the second magnetic part is adjustable.

Abstract: An emergency locating system can include emergency transceivers and locator transceivers. The emergency transceivers can be capable of transmission of spread-spectrum encoded messages, and can be actuated by a user to send a distress message. A locator transceiver can be capable of receiving the distress messages and performing two-way ranging to determine a distance between the locator transceiver and the emergency transceiver.

Abstract: A bobbin of a transformer includes a main body and plural connecting bases. The main body has two side plates. The two side plates are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the main body. A winding section is defined within the two side plates for winding a winding coil. The plural connecting bases are disposed on the two opposite sides of the main body and connected with the side plates. Plural wire-arranging grooves are formed in a bottom surface of each connecting base. Each side plate has an inner recess in communication with a corresponding wire-arranging groove. An initial winding segment of the winding coil is accommodated within the wire-arranging groove and the inner recess, thereby preventing the winding coil from rubbing against the initial winding segment during the winding coil is wound on the winding section.

Abstract: A mouse with changeable footpads is provided. The mouse includes an upper case, a lower cover and a plurality of mouse footpad modules. The lower cover is disposed under the upper case. The lower cover includes a plurality of footpad holes. The footpad modules are disposed in respective footpad holes. Each of the mouse footpad modules includes a base, a first footpad and a second footpad. The first footpad is disposed on the upper surface of the mouse footpad module. The second footpad is disposed on the lower surface of the mouse footpad module. By rotating the mouse footpad module, the first footpad or the second footpad is selectively exposed to the external surface of the lower cover.

Abstract: Dynamic systems and methods for gathering/tracking data, automatically adapting to an individual's pace of learning, selectively determining the type and difficulty of content provided to an individual, selectively providing an exposure frequency for the content, and/or enabling rapid design modifications within the educational environment. Educational content is dynamically designed/developed and customizably presented to an individual learner. An analysis is performed on the data to optimize learning. Modifications are selectively or automatically made to the educational content. The process of designing, implementing, analyzing, and selectively modifying creates a cycle that optimizes the learning process and adapts to groups and individual learners with the goal of improving learning outcomes and efficiency. Furthermore, the educational content is dynamically provided to the learner on an iterative basis according to the need of that learner in the learning process.

Abstract: A control device includes a housing, a control module having a movable member mounted in the housing and movable by the user and having a magnet located on each of the two distal ends thereof, and a circuit module that includes a microprocessor, a rotation sensor module electrically connected to the microprocessor and adapted for sensing rotation of the movable member or a sleeve on the movable member and producing a respective control signal, and a magnetic sensor module electrically connected to the microprocessor and adapted for sensing the strength of the magnetic field emitted by each magnet indicative of the direction and amount of a linear displacement of the movable member and producing a respective control signal. Subject to non-contact sensing design, the control device avoids any mechanical fatigue or contact failure.

Abstract: A resistor device includes a resistor plate having a first aperture, a second aperture, a third aperture and a fourth aperture respectively arranged on a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side thereof. A first electrode plate is coupled to the first side of the resistor plate and includes a first measurement zone and a second measurement zone disposed at opposite sides of the first aperture; and a second electrode plate is coupled to the third side of the resistor plate and including a third measurement zone and a fourth measurement zone disposed at opposite sides of the third aperture, wherein the first measurement zone and the third measurement zone are disposed at opposite sides of the second aperture, and the second measurement zone and the fourth measurement zone are disposed at opposite sides of the fourth aperture.

Abstract: A LED current-controlling circuit includes a first magnetic amplifier, a first current detecting circuit, a first magnetic amplifier controller and a first diode. The first magnetic amplifier is connected to an input terminal of the LED current-controlling circuit and the first LED string. The first current detecting circuit is connected to the first LED string in series for detecting the first current flowing through the first LED string. The first magnetic amplifier controller is used for controlling on/off statuses of the first magnetic amplifier. The first diode is connected to an output terminal of the first magnetic amplifier, the first LED string and the first magnetic amplifier controller. The first magnetic amplifier controller controls on/off statuses of the first magnetic amplifier according to the magnitude of the first current, thereby maintaining the first current at a specified DC current level.

Abstract: The invention is based on the recognition that known antimicrobial compounds, such as nisin or other lantibiotics, can be made to form a long lasting antimicrobial surface coating by linking the peptide with a block polymer, such as PLURONIC® F108 or an end group activated polymer (EGAP) in a manner to form a flexible tether and/or entrap the peptide. The entrapped peptide provides antimicrobial action by early release from entrapment while the tethered peptide provides longer lasting antimicrobial protection. Antimicrobial gels and foams may be prepared using the antimicrobial peptide containing block copolymers.

Abstract: A limit switch controlling method and apparatus used in an optical drive are disclosed. When the optical drive is executing a tray-in/tray-out action or a move-sled home action, a detect-tray-in-switch pin, a detect-tray-out-switch pin, or a detect-sled-limit-switch pin of a controlling chip is used to receive a signal from a limit switch. When the optical drive is not executing the tray-in/tray-out action or the move-sled-home action, the detect-tray-in-switch pin, the-detect tray-out-switch pin, or the detect-sled-limit-switch pin of the controlling chip is used as an I/O port.

Abstract: A buffer circuit includes a driving circuit, a biasing circuit, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a fifth switch, a sixth switch, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor. Both the first and second switches are turned on in response to a high voltage level of a first switching signal. Both the third and fourth switches are turned on in response to a high voltage level of a second switching signal. Both the fifth and sixth switches are turned on in response to a high voltage level of a third switching signal. The first capacitor stores a voltage drop of the driving circuit when the first switching signal is at high voltage level, and the second capacitor stores the voltage drop of the driving circuit when the second switching signal is at high voltage level. Output of the buffer circuit is almost identical to input due to an offset of the voltage stored in the second capacitor when the third switching signal is at high voltage level.

Abstract: A thin type illuminated keyboard includes a light source, a light-guiding frame plate, a keycap, a membrane plate, a switch circuit plate and a base plate. The light source is used for emitting light. The light-guiding frame plate has a concave structure in a bottom surface thereof. The keycap is connected with the light-guiding frame plate and movable upwardly or downwardly with respect to the light-guiding frame plate. The keycap has a light-transmissible character portion. The light source is disposed on the membrane plate and accommodated within the concave structure of the light-guiding frame plate. The keycap, the light-guiding frame plate, the membrane plate, the switch circuit plate and the base plate are sequentially arranged from top to bottom. The light emitted by the light source is guided by the light-guiding frame plate to irradiate the light-transmissible character portion.

Abstract: A transportable directional antenna system includes an antenna pedestal, a plurality of outriggers, and an earth anchor. The earth anchor can be coupled to a horizontally centered point on the pedestal. Tension can be applied between the earth anchor and the pedestal to substantially preload the outriggers and the surface on which they bear to provide a highly stable antenna.

Abstract: Decreased capability for detection of communications signals by an adversary is provided by applying frequency hopping, frequency chirping, and direct sequence spreading to the signals. The frequency hopping and frequency chirping can be driven by pseudo random functions. The direct sequence spreading can use a pseudo random chip sequence.

Abstract: A continuously variable speed-changing transmission mechanism of a sheet laminating apparatus includes a control module, a speed changing module, a speed reducing module and a hot press roller module. The continuously variable speed-changing transmission mechanism can laminate a sheet article at a stepless variable speed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device for measuring a distance of an object by performing an auto focus function and a distance measuring method are provided. The portable electronic device includes an image pickup module and a distance measuring program. The image pickup module includes a lens, an optical sensing element and a transmission mechanism. The distance measuring program includes a distance look-up table. The distance look-up table is established by correlating a plurality of lens moving step numbers with corresponding object distance values. The auto focus function is performed to capture an image of an object by the image pickup module, thereby obtaining a current lens moving step number required for performing the auto focus function. A current object distance value corresponding to the current lens moving step number is acquired according to the distance look-up table.

Abstract: An illuminated keyboard includes a frame plate, a character keycap, a light source, a membrane plate, a switch circuit plate and a base plate. The character keycap is connected with the frame plate, and movable upwardly or downwardly with respect to the frame plate. The light source is disposed under the character keycap for emitting invisible light. The character keycap, the frame plate, the membrane plate, the switch circuit plate and the base plate are sequentially arranged from top to bottom. The illuminated keyboard further includes a luminous substance, which is excited by the light source to generate visible light to irradiate the illuminated keyboard.

Abstract: A metering system for measuring the electrical power used to charge a vehicle is provided. The metering system includes an electrical meter operably coupled to a conductor connected to the vehicle and an electrical outlet. A controller receives signals from the meter to record the measured electrical consumption. The controller includes a plurality of communications devices for communicating with different communications carriers. In one embodiment, the controller selects one of the communications devices based on availability and a desired criterion. The selected communications device then transmits the measured electrical power consumption to a utility provider. In one embodiment, the metering system is mobile.

Abstract: A composition for use in an electrochemical redox reaction is described. The composition may comprise a material represented by a general formula MyXO4 or AxMyXO4, where each of A (where present), M, and X independently represents at least one element, O represents oxygen, and each of x (where present) and y represent a number, and an oxide of at least one of various elements, wherein the material and the oxide are cocrystailine, and/or wherein a volume of a crystalline structural unit of the composition may be different than a volume of a crystalline structural unit of the material alone. An electrode comprising such a composition is also described, as is an electrochemical cell comprising such an electrode. A process of preparing a composition for use in an electrochemical redox reaction is also described.

Abstract: A conductor strip connection device for a junction box of a solar module is disclosed and comprises a contact member having a contact segment for connecting to a conductor strip, a suppressing member having a suppressing part configured to cooperate with the contact segment of the contact member for securing a conductor strip, and a fastening member configured to assemble the suppressing member and the contact member together or disassemble the suppressing member from the contact member for allowing the suppressing member to cooperate with the contact segment of the contact member so as to secure or release the conductor strip.