Abstract: An inflatable device that floats on water has an inflatable body that has a hollow interior, a speaker unit removably secured to the body, a battery box removably secured to the body, and wiring that electrically connects the speaker unit with the battery box. The wiring is housed inside a tube that extends inside the hollow interior of the body and exits the body at at least one exit location, the wiring including a first electrical connector that is removably coupled to the speaker unit, and a second electrical connector that is removably coupled to the battery box.

Abstract: An inflatable device that floats on water has an inflatable body that has a hollow interior, a speaker unit removably secured to the body, a battery box removably secured to the body, and wiring that electrically connects the speaker unit with the battery box. The wiring is housed inside a tube that extends inside the hollow interior of the body and exits the body at least one exit location, the wiring including a first electrical connector that is removably coupled to the speaker unit, and a second electrical connector that is removably coupled to the battery box.

Abstract: A self-organizing IP multimedia subsystem exhibiting node splitting and node merging functions wherein any node within the self organizing IP multimedia subsystem may assume any role thereby providing node balancing and fault tolerance to an overall network.

Abstract: An inflatable device that floats on water has an inflatable body that has a hollow interior, a speaker unit removably secured to the body, a battery box removably secured to the body, and wiring that electrically connects the speaker unit with the battery box. The wiring is housed inside a tube that extends inside the hollow interior of the body and exits the body at at least one exit location, the wiring including a first electrical connector that is removably coupled to the speaker unit, and a second electrical connector that is removably coupled to the battery box.

Abstract: Provided is a method of semiconductor fabrication including process steps allowing for defining and/or modifying a gate structure height during the fabrication process. The gate structure height may be modified (e.g., decreased) at one or more stages during the fabrication by etching a portion of a polysilicon layer included in the gate structure. The method includes forming a coating layer on the substrate and overlying the gate structure. The coating layer is etched back to expose a portion of the gate structure. The gate structure (e.g., polysilicon) is etched back to decrease the height of the gate structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method of semiconductor fabrication including process steps allowing for defining and/or modifying a gate structure height during the fabrication process. The gate structure height may be modified (e.g., decreased) at one or more stages during the fabrication by etching a portion of a polysilicon layer included in the gate structure. The method includes forming a coating layer on the substrate and overlying the gate structure. The coating layer is etched back to expose a portion of the gate structure. The gate structure (e.g., polysilicon) is etched back to decrease the height of the gate structure.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: A method of making a slider includes the steps of laminating the bottom-facing surface of a third layer to the upper-facing surface of a fourth layer, laminating the bottom-facing surface of a second layer to the upper-facing surface of the third layer in a heat-compression mold, heat-pressing the combined second, third and fourth layers in the mold to form a desired shape, and heat pressing a first layer on top of the second layer inside the mold.

Abstract: A body board, or sports board, for recreational activities on snow or on water is disclosed. The board has a foam core, a binding layer laminated on top of one surface of the foam core, a printed graphics layer laminated on top of the binding layer and a clear protection layer laminated on top of the printed graphics layer. On the bottom surface of the board, the foam core can have a bottom foam layer applied thereto and a slick skin applied onto the outside of the bottom foam layer. The bottom surface can also have the graphics layer and binding layer applied between the bottom foam layer and the slick skin to provide an additional graphics side.

Abstract: A method of making a slider includes the steps of laminating the bottom-facing surface of a third layer to the upper-facing surface of a fourth layer, laminating the bottom-facing surface of a second layer to the upper-facing surface of the third layer in a heat-compression mold, heat-pressing the combined second, third and fourth layers in the mold to form a desired shape, and heat pressing a first layer on top of the second layer inside the mold.

Abstract: A body board, or sports board, for recreational activities on snow or on water is disclosed. The board has a foam core, a binding layer laminated on top of one surface of the foam core, a printed graphics layer laminated on top of the binding layer and a clear protection layer laminated on top of the printed graphics layer. On the bottom surface of the board, the foam core can have a bottom foam layer applied thereto and a slick skin applied onto the outside of the bottom foam layer. The bottom surface can also have the graphics layer and binding layer applied between the bottom foam layer and the slick skin to provide an additional graphics side.

Abstract: A body board, or sports board, for recreational activities on snow or on water is disclosed. The board has a foam core, a binding layer laminated on top of one surface of the foam core, a printed graphics layer laminated on top of the binding layer and a clear protection layer laminated on top of the printed graphics layer. On the bottom surface of the board, the foam core can have a bottom foam layer applied thereto and a slick skin applied onto the outside of the bottom foam layer. The bottom surface can also have the graphics layer and binding layer applied between the bottom foam layer and the slick skin to provide an additional graphics side.

Abstract: A body board, or sports board, for recreational activities on snow or on water is disclosed. The board has a foam core, a binding layer laminated on top of one surface of the foam core, a printed graphics layer laminated on top of the binding layer and a clear protection layer laminated on top of the printed graphics layer. On the bottom surface of the board, the foam core can have a bottom foam layer applied thereto and a slick skin applied onto the outside of the bottom foam layer. The bottom surface can also have the graphics layer and binding layer applied between the bottom foam layer and the slick skin to provide an additional graphics side.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having an inflatable tongue which can be slightly deflated or inflated after lacing up or otherwise closing the shoe to conform to the user's foot and the lacing to provide a more comfortable fit of the shoe. The tongue includes an inner bladder of an expandable foam material with a valve on the tongue fluidly communicating the exterior of the tongue with the interior of the bladder to selectively inflate and deflate the same upon introduction and release of air to the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention features a human neurogenin3 (Ngn3) polypeptide and nucleotide sequences encoding Ngn3 polypeptides. In a particular aspect, the polynucleotide is the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In addition, the invention features isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising an Ngn3 promoter, as well as a polynucleotide sequences that hybridize under stringent conditions to SEQ ID NO:1. In related aspects the invention features expression vectors and host cells comprising polynucleotides that encode a human Ngn3 polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed efficiently detect potential interactions between features in a telecommunications network. The methods and systems specify AIN (Advanced Intelligent Network) and switch-based features and detect their interactions when present within a feature package provided to a single subscriber. The methodology supports the assumption that each feature is created without the knowledge of other features, and that each feature is specified as a “black box,” i.e., nothing is known about its internal logic except its input/output behaviors. The invention models a call environment, models two or more features, and combines the call variable usage for each feature. Methods then compare the combined call variable usages to detect potential feature interactions.

Abstract: A disk drive including voice coil magnet plates formed integrally with the base and/or cover of the disk drive. During the fabrication process, the steel magnet plates are placed in proper position in the base and cover die casting, and then the molten aluminum is injected to form the base and cover. As result, the magnet plates are integral with the base and cover and no fluid leakage can occur around the boundary between the top magnet and cover, or around the boundary between the bottom magnet and base. Thus, the disk drive is sealed against the external environment.

Abstract: A nail stapler comprises a stapler body, a safety rod, and a triggering mechanism. The safety rod is located movably between the muzzle and the nail clip of the stapler body. The triggering mechanism comprises a trigger, a pivoting piece and a retaining member. The trigger is fastened pivotally with the stapler body. The pivoting piece is disposed rotatably in the trigger such that the free end of the pivoting piece is capable of being urged by the safety rod to activate the air switch. The retaining member is fastened with the trigger and is provided with a coupling portion capable of engaging the first and the second locating portions of the trigger so as to set the nail stapler in the state of firing nail interruptedly or firing nail continuously.

Abstract: An arcuate scan tape drive for transferring data to and from a data tape, including a base with four side walls and a cover, which base and cover together have a 31/2 inch form factor. In one embodiment, the head carrier assembly is provided at an oblique angle with respect to the data tape and the front surface is conically shaped. Thus, during rotation of the head carrier assembly, the recording heads are proximate to the data tape during read or write operations, but are spaced away from the data tape at other times. The head carrier assembly includes an inside-out spin motor for rotating the head carrier assembly and a pivot motor structure at the rear of the head carrier assembly for pivoting the head carrier assembly in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch for computer peripheral devices, which is connected between the printer port of personal computer and a printer or a scanner. That is to say the personal computer transmits instruction signals to the switch for computer peripheral devices through the printer port according to the requirement of usage and signal linkage of the peripheral devices such as a printer and a scanner. The switch of the computer peripheral devices order the printer port to connect and communicate with the printer, scanner and other computer peripheral devices for the data input and output transmission, so that when the printer and the scanner are in operation, the computer form a information linkage and transmission structure according to the control of the instruction signal.