Abstract: The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment a protective laminate for a beverage can, applied before the can components are formed, comprising: at least one layer disposed across substantially an entire upper surface of a top of said beverage can; and said at least one layer having therein at least one score or die-cut line adapted to facilitate manual removal of said at least a portion of said at least one layer before a person consumes contents of said beverage can. A method of manufacturing said protective laminate is also provided.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has first flux collector, bobbin with coil and an armature assembled onto a valve body with a tubular housing received over the body and first portions of the housing, in the form of tabs, deformed over the bobbin flange to retain the assembly. A second flux collector with adjustable pole price is then assembled adjacent the bobbin and retained in place by deformation of second portions of the housing. The pole piece is accessible exteriorly for adjustment through the end of the housing.

Abstract: An image alignment device and method for a biochip-manufacturing apparatus. The biochip-manufacturing apparatus comprises a conveying device and a plurality of dispensers. The image alignment device comprises an image pickup unit and a plurality of adjusting units. The image pickup unit is disposed on the conveying device. The conveying device conveys the image pickup unit to a predetermined position corresponding to one of the dispensers so that the image pickup obtains the image of the corresponding dispenser. Each of the adjusting units is coupled to the image pickup unit and corresponds to the dispensers respectively, and adjusts the position of the corresponding dispenser based on the image pickup unit.

Abstract: A system is provided for calibrating a production module having a production module transmitter and a production module receiver. A calibrated reference module includes a calibrated reference module transmitter and a calibrated reference module receiver. A first pulse generator is coupled to the calibrated reference module. A second pulse generator is coupled to the production module. A first attenuator is coupled between the calibrated reference module receiver and the production module transmitter. A second attenuator is coupled between the production module receiver and the calibrated reference module transmitter. The calibrated reference module and the production module are optic modules.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a production module having a production module transmitter, a production module receiver, a production module controller, a production module optical device driver, and at least one of a production module post-amplifier, a production module retimer, a production module equalizer and a production module wakeup function. The system comprises a calibrated reference module having a calibrated reference module transmitter, a calibrated reference module receiver, a calibrated reference module controller, a calibrated reference module optical device driver, at least one of a calibrated reference module post-amplifier, a calibrated reference module retimer, a calibrated reference module equalizer and a calibrated reference module wakeup function, wherein the calibrated reference module is calibrated using test equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling and optimizing an optical drive laser driver signal for use in media recording. To obtain high precision optic signal output for reading, writing, re-writing, or erasing optic media, precision control of the signal provided to the optic signal generator is required. Use of programmable or controllable control elements within the driver circuit provides means to customize driver operation to thereby provide customizable control to insure accurate output signal generation. Factors that may be controlled include dampening, rise time, overshoot, and ring.

Abstract: A method and a system for fabricating a liquid crystal film are proposed. First of all, mechanical rubbing is performed on a surface of a plastic substrate. The surface of the substrate is applied with dispersed liquid crystal material over the substrate. At least one cycle annealing treatment is performed to orientate liquid crystal molecules in a fixed direction, so that a liquid crystal solid film is formed by curing the liquid crystal molecules. In addition, a method for fabricating a brightening film using the liquid crystal solid film is also proposed. The method is applicable to a continuous process for forming a cholesteric liquid crystal film on the plastic substrate, and fabricating a reflective cholesteric liquid crystal brightening film using the cholesteric liquid crystal film, so that light transmittivity and intensity are effectively increased under the same backlight source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal amplification and decision device operation on a signal which has a magnitude, peak value, or other average power that varies over time. In general, a peak detector detects the peak value of a received signal and responsive to the peak value, selectively enables a decision device when the signal is amplified to increase decision device accuracy. The decision may occur before the amplification forces the signal into saturation. Multi-stage amplification in combination with controlled switching or multiplexing may be utilized to selectively IO amplify the signal and selectively initiate decision device operation. The peak detector value may also control signal amplification levels in a multi-stage amplifier. Responsive to the peak value, a switch, which receives as its input the output from one or more amplifier stages, may be controlled to output the signal after a desired amount of amplification.

Abstract: A Lifter Oil Manifold Assembly or LOMA has a metal deckplate with a non-metallic valve mount/stiffener having elastomeric seals on the surface contacting the deckplate. The electrically operated valves for controlling flow to individual valve lifters are mounted on bosses formed on the valve mount/stiffener. A bracket retains the valves on the valve mount/stiffener and the valve mount/stiffener on the deckplate when assembled on the engine by through bolts.

Abstract: A method and a system for fabricating a liquid crystal film are proposed. First of all, mechanical rubbing is performed on a surface of a plastic substrate. The surface of the substrate is applied with dispersed liquid crystal material over the substrate. At least one cycle annealing treatment is performed to orientate liquid crystal molecules in a fixed direction, so that a liquid crystal solid film is formed by curing the liquid crystal molecules. In addition, a method for fabricating a brightening film using the liquid crystal solid film is also proposed. The method is applicable to a continuous process for forming a cholesteric liquid crystal film on the plastic substrate, and fabricating a reflective cholesteric liquid crystal brightening film using the cholesteric liquid crystal film, so that light transmittivity and intensity are effectively increased under the same backlight source.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for automatic data rate detection are provided. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a clock and data recovery circuit embodied in a first integrated circuit, the clock and data recovery circuit being configured to re-clock a data stream. The system also includes an automatic rate detection system embodied in a second integrated circuit, where the first integrated circuit is in data communication with the second integrated circuit. Also, the automatic rate detection system is configured to determine a data rate of the data stream upon identifying a transition in the data rate of the data stream based upon the state of the at least one status flag received from the clock and data recovery circuit.

Abstract: In a spiral wound brush for applying mascara and similar hair-streaking cosmetic products, the present invention replaces the sharply clipped ends common to the synthetic fibers typically employed with synthetic fibers having raggedly formed bristle ends for enhancing the pick up of the cosmetic product and for applying it thereafter with a softer feel.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has first flux collector, bobbin with coil and an armature assembled onto a valve body with a tubular housing received over the body and first portions of the housing, in the form of tabs, deformed over the bobbin flange to retain the assembly. A second flux collector with adjustable pole price is then assembled adjacent the bobbin and retained in place by deformation of second portions of the housing. The pole piece is accessible exteriorly for adjustment through the end of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for incorporating secondary data for transmission as part of or concurrently with network data. In one embodiment, the secondary data comprises communication system data for use in controlling or monitoring a communication system. In one example embodiment, the secondary data is utilized to control the transmit timing of the network data to thereby jitter modulate the secondary data into the transmission of the network data. By monitoring the timing variation, or jitter, of the received network data signal, the secondary data may be recovered. In one embodiment, the secondary data is encoded to reduce the amount of time variation, i.e., jitter, that occurs when transmitting the network data. Decoding may occur upon reception of the time adjusted network data signal. In one embodiment, the encoding comprises CDMA type encoding utilizing one or more orthogonal codes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for reducing the error rate in a received signal by determining and establishing an optimal slice point for a decision device, or optimal operational parameters. In one embodiment, a processor monitors a received signal to determine signal characteristics, such as a peak signal level or phase value. A table look-up operation may occur in a data table or other processing may occur and, based on the signal characteristics, an optimal slice point may be determined. In one embodiment the look-up operation may also reveal one or more optimal operational parameters that, if adopted, will further reduce the error rate. A receiving station may communicate these optimal operational parameters to a transmitting station to modify operation of the transmitting station. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for self-testing a communication system and channel to determine optimal slice points and operational parameters.

Abstract: A lead frame has slots therein for bayonet type connection to electrical terminals provided on a solenoid valve or group of valves. Projections on the lead frame are disposed between the slots and upon bayonet connection to the terminals closely interfit a web disposed between the terminals on the solenoid. Preferably, support stanchions are provided for the terminals and may be integrally molded with the web.

Abstract: An image alignment device and method for a biochip-manufacturing apparatus. The biochip-manufacturing apparatus comprises a conveying device and a plurality of dispensers. The image alignment device comprises an image pickup unit and a plurality of adjusting units. The image pickup unit is disposed on the conveying device. The conveying device conveys the image pickup unit to a predetermined position corresponding to one of the dispensers so that the image pickup obtains the image of the corresponding dispenser. Each of the adjusting units is coupled to the image pickup unit and corresponds to the dispensers respectively, and adjusts the position of the corresponding dispenser based on the image pickup unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-contact style temperature measurement device, which utilizes a memory to memorize preset temperatures of a plurality of objects to be measured and their infrared emission rates. These temperatures, such as suitable temperature of bathing water for babies, best temperature for roasting beef, best refrigeration temperature for vegetables, and temperature that can be tolerated by human's skin, are specific values that are hard for people to memorize them. Therefore, a memory is used for memorizing these values, and a selector is used for selecting appropriate values. Also, an input device is used to input any objects to be added in for measurement or to revise the inputted preset temperatures in order to increase the utilization rate, security, and convenience of the temperature measurement device so that the device can become a necessity of daily life.

Abstract: A pressure control device for an inkjet pen. The inkjet pen is provided with a reservoir having a first opening and maintaining a back pressure established therein. The pressure control device comprises a bag, a pressure plate, an isolation member, a bias member, and an elastic member. The bag, disposed inside the reservoir, communicates with outside the reservoir so as to expand inside the reservoir. The pressure plate is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the reservoir. The bias member is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate, the isolation member, and the reservoir respectively such that the bag expands to move the pressure plate when the back pressure inside the reservoir changes, then the pressure plate moves the bias member so that the isolation member separates from the first opening.