Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatus, systems and means for distinguishing between microphone line signals resulting from: actuation of a microphone button of a headset plugged into a telephone device jack, and removal of the headset plug form the jack. During a telephone call, a first signal can be detected on a microphone line of a headset jack to indicate whether a microphone button of the headset is actuated. Also, while the headset plug is being disconnected from the jack, a transition on the microphone line can be detected, from a second signal indicating that the microphone is being disconnected, to a third signal indicating that the microphone button is actuated. Consequently, to avoid erroneously hanging up a call, transitions to the third signal when removing the plug form the jack can be ignored and the call can be maintained. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Duty cycle based phase interpolators, and methods for implementing duty cycle based phase interpolators are disclosed. One such phase interpolator includes a first pulse width modulator configured to generate a first duty cycle signal, and a second pulse width modulator configured to generate a second duty cycle signal. The phase interpolator further includes a logic unit configured to merge the first duty cycle signal and the second duty cycle signal to produce a periodic digital signal with a controllable phase depending on the first and second duty cycle signals.

Abstract: Methods for measuring atrophy in a brain region occupied by the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. In one example, MRI scans and a computational formula are used to measure the medial-temporal lobe region of the brain over a time interval. This region contains the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex, structures allied with learning and memory. Each year this region of the brain shrank in people who developed memory problems up to six years after their first MRI scan. The method is also applicable for measuring the progression rate of atrophy in the region in an instance where the onset of Alzheimer's disease has already been established.

Abstract: A slat or vane for use in a covering for an architectural opening is suitable for use in either a horizontal or vertical orientation and in a horizontal orientation will not sag or droop, and in a vertical orientation will rotate uniformly along its length when rotated from end thereof. The slat is formed in a tubular configuration and has a base material of glass fibers bonded together in a thermoformable resin so as to maintain the arcuate curvature desired for the tubular slat or vane. The slat can be repeatedly deformed and will always return to its original configuration.

Abstract: A DRAM includes a register storing subsets of row addresses corresponding to rows containing at least one memory cell that is unable to store a data bit during a normal refresh cycle. Each subset includes all but the most significant bit of a corresponding row address. A refresh counter in the DRAM generates refresh row addresses that are used to refresh rows of memory cells. The refresh row addresses are compared to the subsets of row addresses that are stored in the register. In the event of a match, the row of memory cells corresponding to the matching subset of bits is refreshed. The number of refreshes occurring each refresh cycle will depend upon the number of bits in the subset that are omitted from the row address. The memory cells that are unable to retain data bits are identified by a modified sense amplifier.

Abstract: An administering device for a fluid product includes a product receptacle that accommodates the product to be administered, a fluid reservoir for a driving fluid, a driving means, a product chamber, and a fluid connection. The product receptacle includes an opening at a forward end and a product stopper at a rear end. The driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir, the pressure chamber adjoins the product stopper while the fluid connection is located between the fluid reservoir and the pressure chamber, and the driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir in such a way that the pressure chamber is impinged upon by pressure which affects the product stopper and the product is discharged from the product receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates an apparatus that reduces and/or eliminates germs and/or bacteria from the soles of a person's footwear, and an associated method of use. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a person can step onto and stand on the exemplary apparatus to have germs and/or bacteria reduced and/or eliminated from the soles of his or her footwear through the use of anti-germicidal and/or antimicrobial radiation and/or light. An exemplary apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be configured so that when a person stands on a top portion, the person's footwear sinks to a bottom portion that is substantially transparent, displacing substantially opaque gel so that at least one of the soles of the person's footwear is exposed to the anti-germicidal and/or antimicrobial radiation and/or light source.

Abstract: A roofing system in a building structure having a ridge vent includes strips of composite material having a base material adapted to form a hermetic seal with the top surface of a roofing section and recesses in a top surface in which an air permeable material can be positioned. A strip is applied to roof sections adjacent to each side of a ridge vent so that a ridge cap can overlay the strips in spaced relation from the underlying roof sections and be sealingly secured to the roof sections. The strip material establishes a barrier between the ridge cap and the roof sections through which air can pass, but through which the passage of rain and insects is inhibited.

Abstract: A method and/or a device may limit a distance traveled by a treadle assembly in an exercise device. For example, the distance traveled by the treadle assembly may be limited by limiting a distance that a resistance element operably coupled to the treadle assembly may travel. An exercise apparatus may include a travel-limiting device or capability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slotted joint comprising a central pin and an outer tube. In one embodiment, the slotted joint comprises a first and second elastomer arm, which are bonded to an outer surface of the central pin diametrically opposite each other and spaced apart from each other to form a first and second space. The slotted joint further comprises a first abutment positioned in the first space and a second abutment positioned in the second space. The first and second abutments include an abutment part made of a rigid material and a cylindrical sector made of an elastomer. The cylindrical sector may be bonded to an outer surface the central pin and to an inner surface of the abutment part. An outside face of the cylindrical sector is spaced apart from the inner surface of the outer tube when the joint is at rest.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of system and apparatus can be provided for treating various dermatological and biological conditions using electromagnetic energy in the form of optical radiation. For example, energy can be provided by a chemical reaction, such as by combustion of a fine metallic filament, which can be used to generate a high-intensity pulse of energy without requiring external energy sources. Various parameters of the reactive materials and enclosures can be selected and/or applied to provide a radiation pulse having particular characteristics, including fluence, peak intensity, and radiation wavelength distribution. Various filters may be provided to further modify characteristics of the radiation. Such radiation pulses can be used to irradiate tissue such as skin to obtain various therapeutic or beneficial effects, including improvement in the appearance of pigmented or venous lesions.

Abstract: A bicycle may include a rear suspension system to absorb forces impacting on the bicycle by allowing a rear wheel of the bicycle to be displaced relative to the bicycle frame. Upon displacement of the rear wheel, the rear suspension system allows the rear wheel to move from a general first position to a second position, and then acts to return the rear wheel to the general first position. The rear suspension system may be adjusted in some versions to affect the travel path of the rear wheel as well as the leverage ratio curve to suit the rider's preference. The bicycle may include a rear frame couple with a front frame through first and second pivot translating assemblies, the orientations and/or shapes of which affect the rear wheel path as well as the leverage ratios.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to generate and terminate clock shift modes during initialization of a synchronous circuit (e.g., a delay-locked loop or DLL). Upon initialization, the DLL is entered into a ForceSL (Force Shift Left) mode and an On1x mode (i.e., left shifting on each clock cycle). The feedback clock that tracks the phase of the reference clock (which, in turn, is derived from the system clock) is initially delayed in a coarse phase detector prior to applying it to the coarse phase detection window. Two delayed versions of the feedback clock are sampled by the reference clock to generate a pair of phase information signals, which are then used to establish an advanced phase equal (APHEQ) signal. The APHEQ signal advances onset of the PHEQ (phase equalization) phase and is used to terminate the ForceSL and On1x modes, thereby preventing wrong ForceSL exit due to clock jitter or feedback path overshooting during On1x exit.

Abstract: A force transmitting coupling for drivingly coupling winding devices of adjacent architectural coverings. The coupling includes first coupling member, a second coupling member, and mating engagement means on the first and second coupling members adapted to establish mating engagement between the first and second coupling member to transmit a drive force from one of the first and second coupling members to another of the first and second coupling members. The second coupling member includes a hub and the engaging means on the second coupling member are resiliently connected to the hub.

Abstract: A system, method, software arrangement and computer-accessible medium are provided that permit improved access to web pages within a web site via a standardized interface that can be displayed as hierarchal menus. Such menus may be provided by receiving a request to browse a web site, obtaining the link structure and/or content of the web site, and generating menu data reflecting the link structure and/or other properties of the web site. The data may optionally be filtered or truncated to limit the size of the navigational menus.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods that use heat and/or electromagnetic radiation for dermatological treatment and more particularly to a method that uses heat and/or electromagnetic radiation in combination with chromophores for fractional wounding and, in particular, discontinuous fractional damage of skin tissue.

Abstract: A dunnage device is disclosed and can include a dunnage mechanism comprising first and second dunnage converting portions that have an engaged condition, in which the converting portions are associated and configured for converting stock material into dunnage and a disengaged condition in which the converting portions are disabled from converting the stock into dunnage and a dunnage handler configured for receiving the dunnage from the dunnage mechanism and including a first handler portion that has a handling position in which the dunnage handler is configured for controlling the dunnage and a release position, wherein the first handler portion is associated with the dunnage mechanism such that movement of the first handler portion from the handling position to the release position causes the dunnage mechanism to change from the engaged condition to the disengaged position.