Abstract: The present invention provides a switch method and apparatus that is switchable among a plurality of operational modes by attenuating an input audio signal detected by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a microphone which converts the input audio signal to an input electrical signal (IES), a first memory which stores a threshold value, a second memory which stores at least one parameter set, a selector which is responsive to the first memory and to the IES for selecting a first parameter set as an enabled parameter set, and a signal conditioner coupled to the IES, the signal conditioner being responsive to the IES and to an enabled parameter set for producing a conditioned electrical signal (CES).

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging system performs receive-focusing at voxels corresponding to pixels of a display device. The system comprises a display device; transducers for transmitting ultrasound signals toward the object and receiving echo signals from a voxel corresponding to a pixel on the display device, wherein the voxel is on a scanning region of the object; an RF volume memory for storing signals from the transducers; a signal processor for processing the stored signals to obtain 3D data sets with respect to the voxel; and an image former for forming the 3D image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a session identifier to identify a specific data communications session between an apparatus and an external apparatus is disclosed. When a data communications session is initiated between the apparatus and an external apparatus, the external apparatus sends authenticating information to the apparatus. The apparatus uses the authenticating information to determine the identity and the privileges of the external apparatus for the particular session. A unique session identifier is created by the apparatus, and the session identifier is associated with the external apparatus's identity and privileges. The session identifier is passed between the apparatus and the external apparatus with each subsequent data communication in the session until the session is terminated. The apparatus uses the session identifier received with the data communications to identify the external apparatus and its privileges and allocate resources accordingly.

Abstract: Planar waves are transmitted to a target object with an angle of wave propagation corresponding to a center position of a receive subaperture. The echo signals reflected from the target object are received by the receive subaperture, stored in a receive pattern memory and dynamic-focused. The dynamic-focused signals are then combined to form at least one beam pattern to produce an ultrasound image.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding wide striped cells that carry packets of data across stripes. The method encodes an initial block of a first wide striped cell is encoded with initial cell encoding information, and distributes initial bytes of packet data into available space in the initial block of the first wide striped cell. The initial cell encoding information includes control information and state information. One initial block of the first wide striped cell comprises five subblocks corresponding to five stripes. Each subblock includes identical control information and identical state information. The method further includes adding reserve information to available bytes at the end of the initial block of the first wide striped cell. Remaining bytes of packet data are distributed across one or more blocks in the first wide striped cell until an end of packet condition is reached or a maximum cell size is reached.

Abstract: To reduce the number of memory access cycles required to process each data element in a data networking device having one or more queues and a corresponding set of data link structures, the queue and data link structures are implemented on separate memories. Each queue is maintained using separate receive and transmit queue structures. Similarly, the data memory linked list is separated into a data queue link and a data stack link. Each of these four memories comprises its own address and data bus, and all four memories may be accessed simultaneously by a controller. In a general case, processing a complete data transmission event (i.e., a data element arrival and a data element departure) may be performed with a latency of at most three steps. In the first step, the transmit queue is read to obtain the old head pointer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for component to substrate assembly permits in situ reflow of a flip chip (or other suitable component) in a manner which promotes proper settling of the component as solder begins to flow at the contact points between the component and the substrate. The pick-up head of a placement machine heats the component while applying up to several grams of downward force that serves to level the component. The downward force (downforce) is accurately measured using an electronic force sensor such as a strain gauge, force sensitive resistor, or any other suitable type of force sensor. The initiation of solder reflow can be detected with the pick-up head by sensing a decrease in the downforce.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method and apparatus forms high-quality color ultrasound images by using variable power threshold levels depending on pixel position. The method comprises the steps of determining a power threshold level that is varied depending on a noise, transmitting ultrasound signals from at least one transducer array to a target object, receiving a first signal including a signal reflected from the target object mixed with a noise, and imaging an ultrasound image of the target object corresponding to the first signal when the power level of the first signal is greater than the variable power threshold level. The apparatus comprises one or more transducers for transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving a first signal including a reflected signal from the object mixed with a noise; and a digital signal processor for forming an ultrasound image of the object corresponding to the first signal when a power level of the first signal is greater than a variable power threshold level.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention an adjustable hairbrush includes an inner cylinder to which are affixed brush bristles and an outer cylinder through which the brush bristles extend. The inner and outer cylinders may be rotated about a common axis with respect to one another so as to adjust the length of the portion of the bristles protruding from the outer cylinder. A mechanism to limit rotation may be provided. In a second aspect of the invention, a pair of foundations held on a central rod disposed along an axis secure a number of connecting rods which, in turn, support portions of a cylinder oriented parallel to the axis. Bristles protrude from the cylinder portions. As the angle between the connecting rods and the central rod is adjusted, the cylinder portions move toward and away from the central rod so as to vary the diameter of the brush.

Abstract: A method manages a cluster of network devices each having an intra-cluster identifier. The method includes (a) selecting a plurality of network devices to form a cluster, (b) selecting a first network device to be a commander network device having a public IP address, each of the remaining network devices being a cluster member network device and having a non-public network address, (c) receiving at the commander network device a network management request message from a management console, the message including a source address field containing an IP address of the management console, a destination address field containing the IP address of the commander network device, a request identification field containing an original request identifier uniquely identifying the message, and an intra-cluster identifier, and (d) forwarding the message to the-cluster member network device identified by the intra-cluster identifier using the non-pubic network address of the cluster member network device.

Abstract: An adaptive transmit-focusing and beam-forming method and apparatus is provided, which in connection with beam-forming applies adaptive patterns of delay profiles to reflected ultrasonic pulses from a group of ultrasonic pulses, received by transducer arrays, forms multiple sets of preliminary scan-line data, and combines the multiple sets of preliminary scan-line data into single scan-line data; and in connection with transmit-focusing performs focusing a group of ultrasonic pulses by applying a plurality of delay profiles in accordance with propagation velocities within an object region to be ultrasonic imaged. The adaptive transmit-focusing and beam-forming method and apparatus reduces transmit-focusing and beam-forming errors generated from applying a single pattern of delay profile, and provides clear ultrasonic images.

Abstract: A method for developing gray scale pixels on a computer display comprises the steps of examining image content data for display on at least a portion of a computer display to determine whether the image content comprises computer graphics or continuous tone images; and choosing from among spatial and temporal gray scaling for the image content data in response to whether the image content comprises computer graphics or continuous tone images.

Abstract: A device for the metered delivery of a viscous liquid has a pump body with a drill hole accommodating two pistons which connects a first chamber serving as an intake chamber and a second chamber serving as a discharge chamber. Two swivel arms driven by two cam discs are foreseen as the drive mechanism for the back and forth movement of the two pistons. For the metered delivery of an adhesive which contains flakes of silver the drill hole is designed such that it serves for guiding the pistons as well as for sealing the pump path.

Abstract: Portions of code containing critical code routines are identified and labeled, then compiled into Dynamic Link Libraries (“DLLs”) and linked such that the critical code routines are optimally loaded into a reserved address space in the DLL memory space. If supported, cache locking may be enabled for the reserved address space. The portions of source code containing portions of critical code for which execution performance is to be improved are labeled, and the source code is scanned prior to compilation to locate the labeled portions of critical code. A linker is configured to store all the labeled portions of critical code into an Executable and Linking Format (“ELF”) section header, which is relocated at run-time into a memory space reserved for the portions of critical code.

Abstract: Critical code routines are identified, separated from other routines, and compiled into a set of one or more critical dynamic link libraries (“DLLs”). These are then recognized by a DLL loader and loaded at a reserved address space in the DLL memory space. Once all of the critical DLLs have been loaded, cache locking may be enabled for the reserved address space. Robust fault containment is facilitated through the use of code modules implemented as shared libraries that can be loaded and unloaded in a running system by individual processes. These code modules can be replaced individually as defects are found and fixed without requiring replacement of the entire system image or application image. What would normally be a monolithic application is modularized, and the sharing of common code among multiple applications is facilitated.

Abstract: Additional memory hardware in a computer system which is distinct in function from the main memory system architecture permits the storage and retrieval of prefetch addresses and allows the compiler to more efficiently generate prefetch instructions for execution while traversing pointer-based or recursive data structures. The additional memory hardware makes up a content addressable memory (CAM) or a hash table/array memory that is relatively close in cycle time to the CPU and relatively small when compared to the main memory system. The additional CAM hardware permits the compiler to write data access loops which remember the addresses for each node visited while traversing the linked data structure by providing storage space to hold a prefetch address or a set of prefetch addresses.

Abstract: A pressure transducer for the production of a controlled under or overpressure comprises a valve to which compressed air can be applied, a motor for adjusting the position of the valve block, a sensor for measuring the pressure to be controlled and an electronic controller. The valve comprises a valve block working together with a valve seat. The rotational movement of the shaft of the motor is converted into a longitudinal movement of the valve block by means of a coupling. Between the shaft of the motor and the valve block, a spring is inserted which applies a mechanical load to the motor so that the motor does not reach the set speed given by the controller but turns slower. The load on the motor is dependent on the position of the valve block. For the controller, this is equivalent to a linearization of the characteristic curve of the regulated system.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling data exchanges between various data processing systems, including disparate systems, is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention can include a message bus disposed between a set of data source recognizers and a set of content recognizers. In this embodiment, the data source recognizers are configured (1) to monitor for incoming/received data originating from an associated data provider such as a trading partner; (2) to extract the received data from a data handler, such as a web server; and (3) post the received data to the message bus. Once the data has been posted to the message bus, the individual content recognizers inspect the data and, if appropriate, pull the data from the message bus for subsequent processing.

Abstract: An intelligent component feeder includes a lever-powered mechanical component feed system and a memory device mounted on the mechanical feed system. The memory device has a two-terminal electrical interface, the two terminals are associated with data and data ground, respectively. The memory device, which is preferably of a non-volatile, rewritable type, contains information indicating a component ID, component Lot Number, feeder serial number, feeder type, number of feeder actuations, and a Quantity value for a reel of components mounted on the component feeder. The intelligent component feeder further includes a data connector for coupling data from the memory device to a data adapter of a placement device. The data connector comes into contact with the data adapter when the intelligent component feeder is installed on the placement device. The terminal associated with data ground is coupled with a body of said intelligent component feeder.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound imaging system based on a multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying scheme. In the ultrasound imaging system, a transducer array is grouped into a predetermined number of transducer groups, and the grouped ultrasound signals are processed hierarchically via multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying operations so that a finely receive-focused ultrasound signal can be obtained.