Abstract: A notebook computer comprises a plurality of conventional sensors disposed on the notebook computer to achieve a wide-angle infrared sensor response. An infrared input device comprises a mouse and a touchpad with an improved energy management system to reduce power consumption and a user settable identification code to prevent cross-talk with other infrared devices.

Abstract: In a power converter rack in which power converters of varying heights are stacked, a selectably vertically positionable AC connector module is provided. The AC connector module releasably hooks into apertures in a vertical mounting strip attached to the rack adjacent to an AC cable duct. The AC connector module has a terminal block to which an AC cable can be attached, and a contact block with female power contacts and a protruding grounding pin that makes first contact with an equipment chassis. The grounding pin also has a beveled tip to align the chassis with the AC connector module as it is slid into place in the rack.

Abstract: AC line harmonics are reduced in an AC-powered DC power supply by providing a boost circuit which, during the positive half-cycle of the AC input, adds the charge of a boost capacitor to the AC input voltage so as to initiate current flow through the harmonic suppression inductor before the AC input voltage rises to the level of the bulk capacitance charge. The boost capacitor is charged from a separate voltage source during the negative half-cycle of the AC input, which also provides early current flow from the neutral.

Abstract: A linear effects device for independently and simultaneously rotating two effects discs within a single axis for use in a conventional illumination system. The rotation of the second effects disc modifies the continuous image generated by the rotation of the first effect disc.

Abstract: An audio compressor utilizes a switched charging state rectifier which produces an output proportional to the magnitude of an input signal but with controlled attack/release times. The rectified voltage is input to a logical selector, which provides logical control signals which are a function of the rectified voltage. In a preferred embodiment, the control signals of the logical selector are used to select the switch positions of a switched resistor ladder. The switched resistor ladder is used to provide a resistance path in an op-amp feedback amplifier, thereby enabling the gain of the op-amp amplifier to be adjusted in steps by the selector as the rectified signal level varies.

Abstract: An electrical adapter is supported by a housing and includes an electrical plug assembly having an input for receiving a high voltage, a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the high voltage to a low voltage, and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter. The retractable cable assembly includes a cable coupled at one end to an electrical plug for outputting the low voltage to the electrical device, and is enabled to retract the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable cable assembly includes slots defined within a bore of a cable reel to support a pair of first interengageable electrical contacts coupled to the other end of the low voltage cable. These electrical contacts rotationally mate with a pair of second interengageable electrical contacts disposed along the axis of rotation within the retractable cable assembly. One of the first contacts includes a pair of edges defining a gap therein.

Abstract: A computer pointing device includes a conventional computer mouse in combination with an ergonomic extension. The ergonomic extension is attached to the computer mouse for movement therewith and is positioned adjacent to the computer mouse for facilitating use of the mouse by a user in an ergonomically correct position. An adjustment mechanism enables the user to adjust the position of the computer mouse relative to the ergonomic extension for enabling use of the computer mouse and ergonomic extension by users having different size hands. In one embodiment the adjustment mechanism includes an extension arm fixed to the computer mouse; a slot in the ergonomic extension adapted to receive the extension arm; and a lock for releasably locking the extension arm in a desired position in the slot. In another embodiment, the ergonomic extension includes a cavity therebeneath for insertion of a rear portion of the computer mouse.

Abstract: Methods and articles used to fabricate flexible circuit structures are disclosed. The methods include depositing a release layer on substrate, and then forming a conductive laminate on the release layer. After the release layer is formed, the conductive laminate can be easily separated by the substrate to eventually form a flexible circuit structure.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having an elongated shaft and a balloon mounted on the distal portion of the shaft, the balloon having a working section and proximal and distal end portions that extend inwardly with respect to the working section and which are secured to the catheter shaft within the working section. The end portions are therefore inverted recesses on each end of the balloon. A stent may be disposed about the balloon to form a stent deploying system. The proximal and distal end portions may contain a tapered portion, which tapers from the balloon working section to the catheter shaft with decreasing transverse dimension. The end portions may be connected to the working section with connecting fibers. This design allows for improved expansion and stent placement in the vasculature.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a balloon having first and second tapered sections adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the working length of the balloon, respectively, and third and fourth tapered sections adjacent the first and second tapered section, respectively. The first and second tapered sections taper at a first angle to a smaller outer diameter than the inflated outer diameter of the working length inflated within a deployment range of the balloon, and the third and fourth tapered sections taper at a second angle larger than the first angle. The balloon has expandable retention sections proximal and the distal to the working length of the balloon for inhibiting migration of a stent mounted on the balloon.

Abstract: A venturi scrubber for cleansing a contaminated gas flow is disclosed. An optimized spray of liquid droplets are injected into the gas flow from one or more nozzles positioned within the throat of each venturi element. The spray is injected counter to the direction of gas flow to increase interactions between contaminant particles and spray droplets. Preferably, hydraulic nozzles are used which emit a hollow cone spray. The spray droplets are preferably in the range of 40-200 microns mean mass diameter (MMD).

Abstract: The present invention provides a single compact fitting for air, CO2, or nitrogen pressure testing either gas piping or waste piping. Each fitting is used for gas pipes of a particular outside diameter and waste pipes of a single larger diameter. The typical plumber would have a set, for example four, of the inventive fittings available, one for each size waste pipe that is be tested. The inventive fitting couples easily to either gas fuel piping or waste piping. A single air-pressure gauge is used to test either type of piping system. The inventive fitting is not limited to waste, vent, or gas piping systems; it can also be used to couple to other piping systems. The inventive fitting, in addition to being more versatile than conventional air-pressure test fittings, is also smaller and more compact. The inventive fitting can be made from a one-piece core body or from several conventional component pieces.

Abstract: The present invention supports drag and drop components of an emulated environment within a host environment. The look and feel of an environment's drag and drop functionality is emulated in a host environment. A drag window is created from the emulated environment's drag image. Modifier keys of the host environment are mapped to those used in the emulated environment. Windows are registered for drag and drop in the emulated environment's registered windows database. The host environment's drag and drop database is updated to identify the registered windows of the emulated environment.

Abstract: A standard platform independent messaging environment for use with devices is provided. The environment provides programming and operational building blocks that can be used to interface with existing data providing capabilities to identify, respond to, and report errors and failover conditions. Customizable decision logic is used to provide more sophisticated response and reporting capabilities, even though the basic device hardware and operation is not redesigned.

Abstract: A connection is dynamically created between a graphic user interface (GUI) and a statically typed, distributed object using the present invention. The connection is created without requiring a developer to write customized code. The surrogate object acts as an intermediary between the GUI and the distributed object. The surrogate object is created using declarative information specified at build time and information generated at run time.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for solder joint integrity assessment. The invention comprises collecting data from one or more solder joint strain tests and characterizing the solder joint data integrity using a force-deflection graph. A force-deflection graph characterizes the response force of a solder joint to applied strain as a function of time. One embodiment of the invention uses the slope of the graph to characterize the integrity of the solder joint. Another embodiment uses the area below the graph to characterize the integrity of the solder joint. To generate the force-deflection graph, the invention applies one or more tests to the solder joint. In one embodiment, a shear test is applied to the solder joint. In another embodiment, a cold pull test is applied to the solder joint. In another embodiment, a hot pull test is applied to the solder joint.

Abstract: A slide assembly has a first portion which is mounted to a chassis and a second portion which is mounted to vertical support members of a rack assembly for supporting the chassis. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide assembly includes a pair of slide members, each of which has a movable track member, a flange, a clamp, a latch, and a spring-loaded releasable lock actuator. The flange includes a bracket which is used to mount the slide member to the rack assembly without the use of tools or fasteners. The track member is coupled to the flange and slidably moves on the flange between an inner locked operational position and an outer extended position relative to the rack assembly. The clamp and latch are both spring-loaded to engage each other and to prevent movement of the chassis when pushed into the operational position.

Abstract: A window or door has a glass pane (2). In order to secure the pane (2), e.g. against fall-out under impact load or against forced entry, an adhesive film (3) covers the pane (2) and overlaps the surrounding inside surface (4) of a frame (1). Clamping profile (5) is attached along the inside surface (4) of the frame (1) adjacent the pane (2) to clamp the overlapping edge (31) of the film (3) against the frame (1). The clamping profile (5) has a gasket (11) abutting against the film (3) on the pane (2). In order to secure against increased impact loads and hinder tearing of the film (3), the profile (5) has a curved portion (8) and the gasket (11) protrudes from the profile (5) so as to form a space (15) around the curved portion (8) and allow stretching movement of the film (3) around the curved portion (8) during an impact.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter comprising an elongated catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen, and a tip member on a distal end of the catheter having a proximal end spaced distally apart from the distal end of the catheter shaft.