Abstract: In projection television (PTV) systems utilizing folded optical systems such as a rear projection CRT, DLP, LCD, or LCOS based televisions, or the like, an automatic geometric alignment (AGA) system including a first programmable logic, a second programmable logic operably coupled to the first programmable logic, and light sensors positioned in the over-scan region along the border of the screen and operably coupled to first programmable logic. In operation, the first programmable logic causes an on screen display (OSD) system to display and move test patterns on the screen and, using feed back data received from the light sensors, determines the geometric alignment and/or pin cushion effect error in the displayed test pattern. The second programmable logic, which includes deflection shaping circuitry to align, center or steer the beams from the projection systems, utilizes data received from the first programmable logic to compensate for geometric alignment error.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable memory, comprising: a key storage unit for storing a register key for the portable memory; a key receiving unit for receiving a first key entered by a user and generating a second key based on the first key; an identification unit for comparing the second key with the register key to obtain a comparison result; a key generation unit for generating an encryption/decryption key if the comparison result indicates that the second key matches the register key; a chip for encrypting/decrypting a data stream exchanged between a computer and the portable memory by using the encryption/decryption key. The portable memory constitutes a system itself, and thus can perform encryption/decryption operations independent of external systems, resulting in a reduced cost. The present invention also provides a method of encrypting a portable memory.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generator having a first elastic body which deforms along a first direction when subject to a stress, and a power-generating element. The power-generating element includes a second elastic body and a piezoelectric element. The second elastic body includes a fixing portion and an abutting portion. The fixing portion is fixed to the first elastic body. The abutting portion is arranged on one side in a first direction with respect to the fixing portion. The abutting portion abuts against the first elastic body, but is not fixed to the first elastic body. At least one of the first elastic body and the second elastic body is provided with a slippage suppression mechanism that suppresses slipping of the abutting portion with respect to the first elastic body when the first elastic body is deformed.

Abstract: A participant response system comprises a plurality of handsets for allowing a participant of an event to input a response. Each handset comprises a wireless handset having a keyboard for allowing a user to input a response. The handsets are configurable either as a participant response handset to allow a participant to enter a response, or as a base station. The handset also includes audio capability to allow participants to receive and input audio.

Abstract: A humeral prosthesis includes a stem component and a head component joined by an inclination component. The inclination component is provided with an opening that is designed to accommodate a pair of expandable tabs extending from a side of a plate. The plate is also provided with a taper extending opposite to the pair of expandable tabs. Inclination angle, radial offset, and version are adjustable and are separately and independently set and fixed.

Abstract: A tandem stroller frame includes two lateral frame units, a handle unit, two side rod units, and a footrest plate. Each lateral frame unit includes front and leg rods connected pivotally to each other. The handle unit includes two side handle rods connected pivotally and respectively to the lateral frame units. Each side rod unit is disposed between the front leg rod of a respective one of the lateral frame units and a corresponding one of the side handle rods, and includes a front leg connecting portion connected pivotally to the front leg rod of the respective lateral frame unit, and a rear connecting portion connected pivotally to one of the corresponding side handle rod and the rear leg rod of the respective lateral frame unit. The footrest plate interconnects the rear leg rods of the lateral frame units.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a transactional environment including a server and one or more set-top boxes in communication with the server. The server stores product information data, which is updated in the server as soon as the product information data changes. The set-top boxes receive the product information data as well as navigable displays in a single transmission, which guide a user through a product ordering process on his or her television. The user may navigate and complete the ordering process in a real-time basis using a television remote control. The product information, e.g., available inventory, is updated as soon as the product information changes, and the set-top boxes replaces outdated navigable page data on a real-time basis.

Abstract: Wind screens for reducing wind loading on one or more solar collectors are disclosed. The wind screens move with the solar collector as the collector tracks the sun in one or more dimensions. The wind screen pivotably connects to at least one solar panel of the collector. Another side of the wind screen may connect to the ground or to an adjacent collect, thus serving to divert wind over the collector. Wind screens may be made of various materials including rigid, flexible, or elastic materials and can change position, orientation, and/or effective length as the one or more collectors track the sun from East to West.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a catalyst for removal of nitrogen oxides in a flue gas from a combustion engine or gas turbine by injecting a reducing agent and reducing the nitrogen oxides in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is a zeolite based catalyst on a corrugated monolithic substrate, the substrate has a density of 50-300 g/l and a porosity of at least 50%. The monolithic substrate is a paper of high silica content glass or a paper of E-glass fiber with a layer of diatomaceous earth or a layer of titania, and the catalyst is a Fe-? zeolite.

Abstract: A series connected LED light string using capacitors as shunts. The shunts are implemented by inserting a capacitor—for example a low breakdown voltage chip capacitor—in every light socket, or internally within each LED. The capacitive shunt continues current in the light string in the event an LED fails by opening electrically—the capacitor shorts out, thus, keeping the string of lights illuminated. The shunt capacitor across the LED also helps filter the pulsating DC voltage to the bulbs and reduces annoying flicker.

Abstract: A challenging problem is maintaining low power consumption in multi-channel (MC) systems, where multiple input signals demand several front-end analog signal-processing blocks to be replicated. A code-division multiplexing (CDM) system can be generalized as a signal compression-decompression involving an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This invention utilizes CDM in MC front-end integrated circuits to significantly reduce the power consumption of such systems. The invention also extends CDM's data compression advantages to uncorrelated and weakly correlated MC signals through the introduction of a new Multi-Channel Signal Binning and Multiplexing (MCSBM) method and architecture. The proposed method achieves significant reductions in power consumption in comparison to a conventional time-division multiplexing quantizer, while adding only a modest amount of overhead and complexity.

Abstract: A disclosed optical element includes three or more sub-wavelength convexo-concave structures having pitches less than a wavelength of an incident light incident to the optical element and having groove depths equal to each other and a periodic structure having the three or more sub-wavelength convexo-concave structures, the pitch of the periodic structure greater than the wavelength of the incident light, in which a predetermined polarization direction of the incident light is diffracted mainly into a specific order.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor; a pixel output judging processor which judges if a pixel output reaches a saturation level or not; a pixel output compensation processor which performs a compensating operation to compensate a pixel output of a pixel of a specific color which reaches the saturation level; a bit compression convertor which performs a bit compression such that pixel output data, which is once converted from a first bit number to a second bit number, is converted again to the first bit number; a histogram producer which produces a brightness histogram of a photographic subject image; and a calculator which calculates a ratio of the number of pixels of a maximum brightness area to the number of entire pixels from the brightness histogram, wherein the bit compression convertor performs the bit compression based on a bit compression characteristic set on the basis of the ratio of the number of pixels of the maximum brightness area.

Abstract: A method and system converts OTC positions into contracts clearable at a futures clearing house. Each OTC position has a maturity date. The method comprises: a) defining a plurality of tenors. The plurality of tenors is fewer in number than the OTC maturity dates of the OTC positions. The method also comprises: b) defining a contract, which is clearable at the clearing house, corresponding to each tenor defined in step a); c) mapping each OTC position, as it is executed, into one or more of the contracts, based on the maturity date of the OTC position; and d) between business days, re-mapping each contract mapped at step c) to account for the move of calendar day. The invention finds particular application as a method and system to convert OTC Foreign Exchange (FX) positions into futures contracts clearable at a futures clearing house. The OTC FX positions may include OTC FX spot positions and OTC FX forwards positions.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic which is capable of achieving a laminated ceramic capacitor with high reliability, in particular, favorable lifetime characteristics in a load test, even when a dielectric ceramic layer is reduced in thickness, contains one of Ba(Ti, Mn)O3 and (Ba, Ca)(Ti, Mn)O3 as a main component, and R (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and/or Y), M (Fe, Co, V, W, Cr, Mo, Cu, Al, and/or Mg) and Si as accessory components. The area of a region in which at least one of R and M is present is 10% or less on average on a cross section of each main component grain.

Abstract: An information storing unit stores file information on an electronic file on which a user's operation is to be performed. An operation-candidate storing unit stores content information on contents of the operation. A selection-probability storing unit stores a probability value of selecting the operation. A similarity storing unit stores a similarity value of the operation between different users. A probability calculating unit calculates a function-selection-probability value for selecting an operation candidate for the electronic file, by using the file information, the content information, the probability value, and the similarity value.

Abstract: An image compressing apparatus carrying out code amount control upon JPEG2000 coding, in which the number of coding passes and a code amount for each code block generated by a MQ (arithmetic) coder are input, and the number of coding passes and the code amount are determined based on a first code amount control standard and a second code amount control standard given for each code block. For a specific code block, the second code amount control standard is used to determine the number of coding passes and the code amount, while, for the other code blocks, the first code amount control standard is used to determine the number of coding passes and the code amount.

Abstract: An error detection code (EDC) memory module coupled via a bus to a data memory module. In response to a request for data words from a specified memory address within the data memory module, the data memory module provides a predetermined number of data words and the EDC memory module provides a corresponding EDC word.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic containing a BaTiO3 based material as its main constituent, and, as accessory constituents, a rare-earth element R(R is at least one selected from Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Y), M (M is at least one selected from Mg, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Al, Mo, W, and V), SiO2, and CaO. Among crystal grains included in this dielectric ceramic, the ratio of the number of crystal grains 11 in which Si is present in solid solution is 5% or more.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric element that includes a piezoelectric ceramic body containing an internal electrode. The piezoelectric ceramic body is mainly made of a perovskite complex oxide containing an alkali metal niobate-based compound containing at least one element selected from among K, Li, and Na. The internal electrode is made of a base metal material, such as Ni or Cu. The piezoelectric element is produced by co-sintering the internal electrode and the piezoelectric ceramic body in a reducing atmosphere.