Abstract: A system comprises an input, a brine chamber, a water softening chamber, and an output. One or more valves are configured to selectively prevent fluid communication of water from the input into the brine chamber; and to selectively permit communication of brine from the brine chamber to the water softening chamber when water is not being communicated through the input. The output is configured to output water softened in the water softening chamber. The one or more valves may include a first valve and a second valve. The first valve may be responsive to water being communicated through the input. The second valve may be responsive to either manual actuation or a fluid level in the brine chamber. The system may further include a cartridge that is removably coupled with the water softening chamber. The cartridge may contain salt and may further define the brine chamber.

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar comprises an interactive address segment and a conventional address segment. The interactive address segment corresponds to a predefined filter comprising selection criteria applied to content stored on a storage device. Selection of the interactive address segment causes content satisfying the predefined filter to be displayed. The conventional address segment references content at the content's particular location within a hierarchical file system structure on the storage device. Selection of the conventional address segment causes the content stored at the particular location to be displayed.

Abstract: A system comprises an input, a brine chamber, a water softening chamber, and an output. One or more valves are configured to selectively prevent fluid communication of water from the input into the brine chamber; and to selectively permit communication of brine from the brine chamber to the water softening chamber when water is not being communicated through the input. The output is configured to output water softened in the water softening chamber. The one or more valves may include a first valve and a second valve. The first valve may be responsive to water being communicated through the input. The second valve may be responsive to either manual actuation or a fluid level in the brine chamber. The system may further include a cartridge that is removably coupled with the water softening chamber. The cartridge may contain salt and may further define the brine chamber.

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar comprises an interactive address segment and a conventional address segment. The interactive address segment corresponds to a predefined filter comprising selection criteria applied to content stored on a storage device. Selection of the interactive address segment causes content satisfying the predefined filter to be displayed. The conventional address segment references content at the content's particular location within a hierarchical file system structure on the storage device. Selection of the conventional address segment causes the content stored at the particular location to be displayed.

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar comprises one or more interactive address segments and one or more conventional address segments. Each interactive address segment corresponds to a predefined filter comprising selection criteria applied to content stored on a storage device. Selection of the one or more interactive address segments navigates a user to content satisfying the predefined filters of the one or more selected interactive address segments. Each conventional address segment references content at the content's particular location on the storage device. Selection of the one or more conventional address segments navigates the user to content at the content's particular location.

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar comprises one or more interactive address segments and one or more conventional address segments. Each interactive address segment corresponds to a predefined filter comprising selection criteria applied to content stored on a storage device. Selection of the one or more interactive address segments navigates a user to content satisfying the predefined filters of the one or more selected interactive address segments. Each conventional address segment references content at the content's particular location on the storage device. Selection of the one or more conventional address segments navigates the user to content at the content's particular location.

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar includes a plurality of interactive segments, each segment corresponding to a predetermined filter for selecting content in a computer file system. Collectively, the interactive segments represent a virtual address for selecting content. Selecting an interactive segment in the virtual address bar causes those segments subsequent to the selected segment to be removed from the virtual address bar. A user may select a peer filter for a segment to replace that segment's current filter and removes those segments subsequent to the updated segment. The virtual address bar can be selectively configured to operate as a conventional address bar, and reconfigured to operate as a virtual address bar. Additional filter segments are added to the end of the existing filter segments. Those existing filter segments that conflict with the added segment are removed from the virtual address bar.

Abstract: A water softening device comprises a salt chamber, a metering chamber, and a softening chamber. The salt chamber holds salt, while the metering chamber holds brine. The softening chamber holds water softening material, such as zeolite beads. An input is in fluid communication with the salt chamber for producing brine. The input may be coupled with a shower outlet or other structure. An output is in fluid communication with the softening chamber to communicate softened water from the system through a shower head or other device. The salt chamber and metering chamber may be positioned such that the salt chamber communicates brine upwardly into the metering chamber against the influence of gravity. The salt chamber may be positioned lateral to the softening chamber. The metering chamber may be substantially fluidly isolated from the softening chamber as water is communicated from the input to the softening chamber.

Abstract: An adaptive hysteresis receiver processes a high speed digital signal. A differential receiver circuit compares the high speed digital signal to a reference voltage to generate an output signal. A register circuit latches the output signal, according to a clock signal, to produce a control signal. A reference voltage generator generates the reference voltage, from a plurality of voltages defining a deep hysteresis level and a shallow hysteresis level, in response to the output signal and the control signal.

Abstract: An endodontic cutting instrument for preparing root canal spaces of non-lengths standard length has a cutting portion that is equal to or greater than about 17 mm in length. The instrument is shaped to produce a conical root canal space with a uniform taper along the entire length of the conical root canal space, from an apex to a coronal opening thereof. The instrument may be part of an endodontic kit that includes multiple cutting instruments with respective cutting portions of different lengths and/or with respective cutting portions shaped to produce conical root canal spaces with different tapers. Optionally, the cutting instrument is provided with indicia for identifying its taper, the length of its cutting portion, or both. The indicia enables a user to quickly identify a suitable cone device for filling a root canal space prepared with the instrument.

Abstract: In one embodiment a circuit, comprises a first terminal coupled to a voltage source switchable between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, a driver comprising a first inverter, a second inverter, an output stage comprising a PFET and an NFET having source drain paths connected in series across opposite power supply terminals, the PFET and NFET each having a gate electrode that switches on and off in response to a voltage applied to the gate electrode being on opposite sides of a threshold, first pulse shaping circuitry coupled to the first inverter and the PFET and comprising a first resistor and a first capacitor, the first capacitor being connected across the gate electrode of the PFET and a first of the power supply terminals, the first capacitor comprising an NFET, and second pulse shaping circuitry coupled to the second inverter and the NFET and comprising a second resistor and a second capacitor, the second resistor being connected the gate electrode of the NFET and a first of the power su

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar includes a plurality of interactive segments, each segment corresponding to a predetermined filter for selecting content in a computer file system. Collectively, the interactive segments represent a virtual address for selecting content. Selecting an interactive segment in the virtual address bar causes those segments subsequent to the selected segment to be removed from the virtual address bar. A user may select a peer filter for a segment to replace that segment's current filter and removes those segments subsequent to the updated segment. The virtual address bar can be selectively configured to operate as a conventional address bar, and reconfigured to operate as a virtual address bar. Additional filter segments are added to the end of the existing filter segments. Those existing filter segments that conflict with the added segment are removed from the virtual address bar.

Abstract: An integrated circuit driver includes an output stage having source drain paths of a PFET and NFET connected in series with each other across DC power supply terminals. A pair of inverters simultaneously responsive to a bilevel signal drive gate electrodes of the PFET and NFET. Each inverter includes a pair of switches and a resistor for connecting opposite polarity voltage sources to a separate capacitor connected in shunt with gate electrodes of the PFET and NFET. The inverters, resistors and capacitors prevent the PFET and NFET from being on simultaneously.

Abstract: A virtual address bar user interface control is presented. The virtual address bar includes a plurality of interactive segments, each segment corresponding to a predetermined filter for selecting content in a computer file system. Collectively, the interactive segments represent a virtual address for selecting content. Selecting an interactive segment in the virtual address bar causes those segments subsequent to the selected segment to be removed from the virtual address bar. A user may select a peer filter for a segment to replace that segment's current filter and removes those segments subsequent to the updated segment. The virtual address bar can be selectively configured to operate as a conventional address bar, and reconfigured to operate as a virtual address bar. Additional filter segments are added to the end of the existing filter segments. Those existing filter segments that conflict with the added segment are removed from the virtual address bar.

Abstract: A signal generated by circuitry for an output buffer is identified relative to a clock signal to control a slew rate of the circuitry for an output buffer.

Abstract: A glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer coated blank is combined with glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer to create an integral mono-block post. prefabricated glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer post (with or without a coated blank) is cemented into the root canal with glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer, thereby creating a mono-block post as well as a mono-block core. The glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer cement is bonded to the canal wall and also through the bonding of the cement to the post surface of similar material. An alternate methodology involves syringing glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer in a malleable, semi-solid state into the post preparation space and a glass ionomer or resin modified glass ionomer coated blank is then inserted into the canal to a distance substantially equal to the depth of the post preparation.

Abstract: An integral, one-piece silanated particle impregnated gutta percha core/cone technique employs a thin layer of a luting agent, such as glass ionomer cement with a machined gutta percha core/cone, precisely matches the preparation, thereby reducing leakage and achieving a hermetic seal. The hermetic seal is further enhanced by a mono-block bond that occurs between the silanated particles in the gutta percha and the appropriate chemical sealant. Optional cryogenic treatment of the gutta percha material changes its molecular weight, making it stiffer and conducive to forming an integral, one piece core/cone, without the need for a separate carrier core to install the tapered gutta percha core/cone within the root canal. Additionally, the tapered body of the core/cone may be reticulated in a slightly three dimensional texturized framework to increase surface area and therefore increase retention. Optional line demarcation indicia are also placed on the core/cone.

Abstract: An integral, one-piece silanated particle impregnated gutta percha core/cone technique employs a thin layer of a luting agent, such as glass ionomer cement with a machined gutta percha core/cone, precisely matches the preparation, thereby reducing leakage and achieving a hermetic seal. The hermetic seal is further enhanced by a mono-block bond that occurs between the silanated particles in the gutta percha and the appropriate chemical sealant. Optional cryogenic treatment of the gutta percha material changes its molecular weight, making it stiffer and conducive to forming an integral, one piece core/cone, without the need for a separate carrier core to install the tapered gutta percha core/cone within the root canal. Additionally, the tapered body of the core/cone may be reticulated in a slightly three dimensional texturized framework to increase surface area and therefore increase retention. Optional line demarcation indicia are also placed on the core/cone.

Abstract: An integral, one-piece gutta percha core/cone technique employs a thin layer of a luting agent, such as glass ionomer cement with a machined gutta percha core/cone, precisely matches the preparation, thereby reducing leakage and achieving a hermetic seal. Optional cryogenic treatment of the gutta percha material changes its molecular weight, making it stiffer and conducive to forming an integral, one piece core/cone, without the need for a separate carrier core to install the tapered gutta percha core/cone within the root canal. Additionally, the tapered body of the core/cone may be reticulated in a slightly three dimensional texturized framework to increase surface area and therefore increase retention. Optional line demarcation indicia are also placed on the core/cone. Additionally, the head of the core/cone can be gripped by a delivery vehicle clasp.

Abstract: Processes, software and systems asymmetrically shrink a layout for a VLSI circuit design. A first VLSI circuit design layout, defined by a first fabrication process with first design rules, is asymmetrically scaled to a second VLSI circuit design layout defined by a second fabrication process with second design rules. Layouts of one or more leaf cells of the second VLSI circuit design layout are processed to ensure conformity to the second design rules.