Abstract: A method, adhesive sheet, and kit are provided to enable lifting and shaping to a female human breast. The kit may include a mushroom-shaped adhesive sheet comprising a curvilinear section and a rectangular section. The kit may further include a set of instructions for applying the adhesive sheet to a female human breast in conjunction with manipulations performed on the breast to provide lifting and shaping to the breast.

Abstract: An ice-cube making device for use in a refrigerated cabinet is provided. The ice-cube making device is attachable to a freezer liner and thus makes efficient use of the space in the freezer cavity. The ice-cube making device includes a mechanism for extracting ice by applying a twisting torque to one or more ice-cube trays therein. The ice-cube making device may also include mechanisms for refilling the ice trays with water and for providing a user-friendly installation. Aspects of the present invention may be performed either manually or may be automated.

Abstract: An ice-cube making device for use in a refrigerated cabinet is provided. The ice-cube making device is attachable to a freezer liner and thus makes efficient use of the space in the freezer cavity. The ice-cube making device includes a mechanism for extracting ice by applying a twisting torque to one or more ice-cube trays therein. The ice-cube making device may also include mechanisms for refilling the ice trays with water and for providing a user-friendly installation. Aspects of the present invention may be performed either manually or may be automated.

Abstract: The present invention provides method, interface and computer-readable medium for enabling enclosure services in a computer system including a multi-device enclosure generally remote from a host bus adapter. The method provides a communications port between the multi-device enclosure and the host bus adapter. The method further provides a plurality of slots for removably receiving respective devices in the enclosure, with at least one of the devices comprising an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA)-accessible device, and respective transceivers for asynchronously interconnecting the enclosure processor and the host bus adapter through the communications port.

Abstract: A circuit and method for determining connection status of a phone line shared by multiple telecommunications devices, such as modems and phones, are provided. The phone line includes respective tip and ring lines. The circuit comprises a first operational amplifier coupled to receive a signal indicative of a voltage difference between the respective tip and ring lines. The circuit further comprises a lag network coupled to impart a predetermined delay to the output signal from the first operational amplifier. A second operational amplifier is coupled to receive the voltage difference signal. The output signal from the second operational amplifier has a sufficiently fast time response relative to the output signal from the lag network.

Abstract: Computerized method, processor and computer-readable medium are provided for stereoscopically and seamlessly imaging on a generally cylindrical screen. The method allows to configure imaging data for a plurality of selectable sub-screens encompassing the cylindrical screen. Each sub-screen includes a plurality of selectable strips axially extending relative to a corresponding sub-screen in the cylindrical screen. The method further allows to render two channels imaging data increments for each strip based on a parallax model with a reference line selectively rotatable to be in parallel alignment relative to each respective plane defined by each strip. The method allows to combine each imaging data increment corresponding to each strip in a respective sub-screen to generate stereoscopic imaging data for that respective sub-screen, and further combines each sub-screen imaging data to generate stereoscopic imaging data substantially encompassing the angular span of the cylindrical screen.

Abstract: A method for analyzing fault log data and repair data to estimate time before a machine-disabling failure occurs is provided. The method allows for searching in a database of historical fault log data from a plurality of machines for the occurrence of respective fault patterns indicative of incipient failures of a respective machine subsystem. The method further allows for searching in a database of historical repair data for respective repairs executed on the respective machine subsystem. The method also allows for computing elapsed time between respective occurrences of the fault patterns and the executed repairs.

Abstract: A system for collecting and analyzing shipment parameter data, e.g., temperature, vibration, acceleration, shock, humidity, barometric pressure, pH, transit time, container position, etc., affecting predicted statistical variables of articles is provided. Examples of the predicted statistical variables may include article life expectancy, warranty costs, service and/or maintenance schedules, etc. The system is made up of a plurality of data collection subsystems for respectively collecting shipment parameter data encountered by respective articles being shipped, and a data analysis subsystem coupled to receive the collected shipment data for adjusting the respective predicted statistical variables of the articles.

Abstract: A convection, oven having a multi-speed fan for circulating hot air within the cooking chamber at a plurality of velocities, with the selection of the appropriate fan speed depending upon the food being cooked in the oven. The fan is disposed within a recess formed in a rear wall of the cooking chamber and is separated from the cooking chamber by a fan cover plate. The cover plate has an inlet opening proximate its center and three elliptical outlet openings equidistantly disposed around its. perimeter. The edge of each outlet opening is located proximate an edge of the recess in order to provide a smooth flow path for the air circulated by the fan. To minimize the influence of the circulating air on the operation of the gas heating element, and thereby minimizing the production of carbon monoxide, a first of the outlet openings is located at a position 45 degrees above horizontal.

Abstract: A method for identifying and characterizing shape variations in parts. Measurements are taken of a population of parts and the shapes of the parts are expressed as a function having a plurality of coefficients. Discrete or function error maps are developed from the coefficients and a principal components analysis is performed on the error maps to identify the principal components of variation of the parts. The parts may be grouped into sub-populations representing ranges of variation along each of the principal components of variation, and downstream processes may be controlled differently for each sub-population. In one embodiment, a typical (re-generated) part shape is identified along multiple principal components of variation, and a tool path is controlled to be responsive to the typical part shape. Information regarding the principal components of variation may further be used to revise upstream manufacturing processes to advantageously affect the distribution of error in subsequently manufactured parts.

Abstract: A circuit and method for achieving hold time compatibility between data-source devices coupled to a data-requesting device through a data bus is provided. The circuit is made up of an impedance coupled to the data bus, and the value of that impedance is selected, based on a respective capacitance in the data bus, to introduce a predetermined delay to data passing therethrough.

Abstract: A power system for a locomotive generally having an internal combustion engine coupled to drive a main alternator and an auxiliary alternator is provided. The main alternator is coupled to power one or more traction motors and the auxiliary alternator is coupled to power predetermined electrical equipment. The system includes a main power bus generally powered by the main alternator and an auxiliary power bus generally powered by the auxiliary alternator. A power interface unit is electrically coupled to the main power bus to capture and transfer electrical energy into the auxiliary power bus. The electrical energy may be generated during a predetermined mode of operation of the locomotive, such as during dynamic braking or self-load.

Abstract: A method and system for dual laser shock peening an article are provided. The method allows for defining a spot pattern comprising a plurality of spots on a first surface of the article to be peened. The method further allows for defining a spot pattern comprising a plurality of spots on a second surface of the article to be peened. The first and second surfaces comprise mutually opposite surfaces relative to one another. Each one of the respective spots on the second surface is arranged to correspond to a respective spot on the first surface and comprising a plurality of matched pair of spots. A generating step allows for generating dual laser beams being respectively aligned to simultaneously impinge on each respective matched pair of spots.

Abstract: Circuit and method for reducing voltage level variation in a bias voltage generated in a power converter device are provided. The method allows providing a first voltage source configured to supply a first voltage during one respective mode of operation of the power converter, wherein the level of the voltage supplied by the first voltage source is directly proportional to variation in an input voltage of the converter device. The method further allows providing a second voltage source configured to supply a second voltage during another respective mode of operation of the power converter, wherein the level of the voltage supplied by the second voltage source has a generally inverse proportional relationship relative to variation in the input voltage of the converter device. At least one circuit parameter is selected in the voltage sources to adjust the respective levels of the first and second voltages.

Abstract: An asymmetric-rate communication method and system for remote data collection using a processor-operated modem at a respective data collection site is provided. The modem processor used at the data collection site may be rated to have a predetermined relatively low processing power. The method includes a first selecting step that allow for selecting a first protocol for transmitting data at a predetermined rate. The selected first protocol uses a predetermined percentage of the processing power of the processor. The method includes a second selecting step that allows for selecting a second protocol for receiving data at another predetermined rate. The selected second protocol uses another predetermined percentage of the processing power of the processor.

Abstract: A process for automatically controlling water level in a washing machine having a motor drive coupled to energize a motor that drives the agitator is provided. The process allows for selecting a target water level based on one or more water-level selection signals. The method further allows for measuring a parameter indicative of the water level based on an actual inertial response of the agitator. A comparing step allows for comparing the actual agitator inertial response against a target agitator inertial response, and a selecting step allows for selectively actuating one or more water valves for allowing passage of water so as to adjust the water level of the washing machine based on deviations between the actual agitator inertial response and the target agitator inertial response.

Abstract: A process and system for developing an algorithm for predicting failures in a system, such as a locomotive, having a plurality of subsystems is provided. The process allows for conducting a failure mode analysis for a respective subsystem so as to identify target failure modes of the subsystem and/or collecting expert data relative to the respective subsystem. The process includes a step for identifying, based on the identified failure modes and/or the collected expert data, one or more signals to be monitored for measuring performance of the respective subsystem. A generating step allows for generating, based on the monitored signals, a predicting signal indicative of the presence of the identified target failure modes in the respective subsystem.

Abstract: A circuit for determining connection status of a phone line shared by multiple telecommunications devices, such as modems and phones, is provided. The phone line includes respective tip and ring lines. The circuit comprises a first transistor stage coupled to receive a signal indicative of a voltage difference between the respective tip and ring lines. The first transistor stage is configured to supply an output signal having a predetermined time response. The circuit further comprises a second transistor stage coupled to the first transistor stage and configured to supply an output signal having a slow time response relative to the output signal from the first transistor stage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for analyzing fault log data from a malfunctioning machine. The system comprises a processor for receiving new fault log data comprising a plurality of faults from the malfunctioning machine and selecting a plurality of distinct faults from the new fault log data. The processor generates at least one distinct fault cluster from the selected plurality of distinct faults. Thereafter, the processor predicts at least one repair for at least one distinct fault cluster using a plurality of predetermined weighted repair and distinct fault cluster combinations.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting malfunctions in a power inverter having one or more legs connected between first and second voltage buses is provided. Each leg has respective first and second controllable switches coupled in series to one another. The method allows for applying predetermined respective voltages at the first and second buses. The method further allows for selectively actuating the first and second switches between respective conductive or non-conductive states.