Abstract: A method and system to help photographers to take better quality pictures of landmarks and scenes are disclosed. A user is guided with examples of existing quality images, which are extracted from a database, of the same or similar landmarks or scenes. The method includes taking a query photograph that may include an image associated with a GPS location and other metadata, and using information extracted from the image to retrieve existing, similar images. The images retrieved may be ordered according to different criteria. When a user selects one as a model image, the user is provided with assistance for taking a target photograph of similar quality.

Abstract: A method is provided for centering a steering rack in an automotive vehicle, particularly a vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) system. The centering method includes locating a center by using an electric motor of the EPS system. The method includes temporarily locking the steering rack in place and subsequently installing a steering wheel to a steering column after the locating step. The method further includes operatively communicating with an on-board processor or ECU of the automotive vehicle and running a program to determine or locate the center of the rack. The method may also include detecting the first and second ends of the rack when at least one of a velocity of the electric motor reaches zero, a current of the electric motor reaches a preselected level, and steering angle of the electric motor stabilizes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a controller that stores instructions, which cause the image forming apparatus to determine a characteristic measurement in response to a toner cartridge being partially inserted into the image forming apparatus. A pair of spaced apart sensors included on the image forming apparatus each contact an outer cross-sectional surface of a film on a delivery aperture of the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes an auger having at least one sensor for conducting a characteristic measurement on the film. The characteristic measurement corresponds to criteria programmed in the image forming apparatus for determining if the toner cartridge has a full toner level or a partially full (or low) toner level.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for managing document processing device usage in which a customer accesses a management system to buy and pay for account credits, and to apply print units to specific managed device by conversion of account credits based on current pricing information for the specified account and the particular device at the time of the request.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp includes an inverted compact fluorescent light source housed within an outer envelope. Locating the first and second ends of the coiled CFL source positions the electrodes within a substantially spherical outer envelope at a location remotely spaced from the ballast compartment. In this manner, only small diameter first and second lead wires that mechanically and electrically engage the electrodes pass through small dimensioned passages in a separation member in the outer envelope cavity. This substantially reduces the thermal stress on the components.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a system determines a solution based on received data. An intake component receives an incomplete data set from one or more sources. A recommendation system transforms the incomplete data set into a semantic data set via latent semantic indexing, classifies the semantic data set into an existing cluster and provides one or more solutions of the existing cluster as one or more recommendations.

Abstract: A multi-functional multi-engine print platform engines schedules and processes job in order to minimize visibility of image defects. The print platform includes at least two marking engines that process jobs, a marking engine analyzer that determines image quality defects of the at least two marking engines, and a scheduler that creates a plan to process a job with the at least two marking engines based at least on the image quality defects each of the at least two marking engines in order to minimize visibility of the defects in images reproduced by the at least two marking engine.

Abstract: An imaging member is disclosed having a surface layer comprising a heat-sensitive material whose surface compatibility to printing agents, such as toners and inks, can be substantially reversed in response to small changes in temperature. The imaging member is suitable for use in lithographic and printing applications, permitting reversible switching between compatibility states of printing agents, such as between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states or oleophilic and oleophobic states, and enabling rapid production of images on a recording medium. The heat-sensitive material comprises an acrylamide polymer and a silicon material.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting an electronic ballast for use with a remote controller for gas discharge lamps against miswiring to a power source. Depletion mode MOSFETS are employed in both sides of the circuit to the controller and the MOSFETS respond to overvoltage, including polarity reversal to create an open circuit condition in the circuit to the controller.

Abstract: A medical device that includes at least one surface structure and/or micro-structure that is at least partially coated with a protective coating.

Abstract: A critical parameter/requirements management process model for managing a development program for a product and an associated product structure-driven critical parameter/requirements management tool and environment is provided. In one embodiment, the process includes a product structure classification scheme, a parameter/requirements classification scheme, a parameter/requirements process and maturity model, and in-process and requirements conformance views. In one embodiment, the tool includes a user interface layer, a business layer, a data layer, and a database. The user interface layer may include a product structure feature group, an add/edit/link feature group, a manage maturity feature group, and a manage conformance feature group. The tool may be implemented as a web server accessible to user workstations operating as thin clients.

Abstract: A method for pre-processing data to be transmitted in a multiple-input communication system comprises the following steps: generating a beamforming matrix and a pre-coding matrix; combining the beamforming matrix and the pre-coding matrix to generate a weight matrix; and pre-processing the data by using the generated weight matrix. There are also provided a transmitter, a base station, and a communication system using the method.

Abstract: An edge lit illumination system is directed to providing backlighting utilizing a luminescent impregnated lightguide. The apparatus includes an LED radiation source providing a first radiation and a lightguide optically coupled to the LED radiation source including a luminescent material embedded or coated on an output surface of the lightguide designed to absorb the first radiation, and emit one or more radiations. The illumination system may further include additional optical components such as reflective layers, for directing radiation striking the back surfaces of the light guide back into the lightguide, as well as diffusion layers, UV reflectors, and polarizers.

Abstract: A method of making a corded surface flexible elastomer golf club grip. An underlist is extruded of seamless tubular uncured elastomer and a pattern of textile cords wound thereon. In one version of the method, an outer seamless tubular extruded uncured elastomer layer is assembled over the cord patterned underlist. A core rod is inserted in the underlist, an uncured elastomer cap assembled on the end and the assemblage cured in a heated compression mold. Upon removal from the mold, some material is removed from the outer surface to expose some of the cord. In another version, the uncured cord wound underlist with core rod is inserted in a mold cavity and a thin outer layer of elastomer injection molded thereover and the assemblage cured in the mold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and a method for pruning a library of bi-phrases, suitable for use in a machine translation system are provided. The method includes partitioning a bi-phrase library into a set of sub-libraries. The sub-libraries may be of different complexity such that, when pruning bi-phrases from the plurality of sub-libraries is based on a common noise threshold, a complexity of bi-phrases is taken into account in pruning the bi-phrases.

Abstract: A shelf for a metal cabinet has a planar member, a ramped member extending from the planar member having a first, curved portion and a second, straight portion. The first, curved portion and second, straight portion are connected via a third, curved portion therebetween. The first curved portion has a first radius, and the second, curved portion has a second radius different from the first radius. The straight portion forms an outer wall of the shelf.

Abstract: A Controlled Unaided Surge and Purge (CUSPS) suppressor for firearms uses the blast and plume characteristics inherent to the ballistic discharge process to develop a new two-step controlled surge and purge system centered around advanced mixer-ejector concepts. The blast surge noise is reduced by controlling the flow expansion, and the flash effects are reduced by controlling inflow and outflow gas purges. In the preferred embodiment, suppressor vent holes are convergently contoured to better reduce the blast surge. Preferably a two-stage supersonic mixer/ejector system, in combination with adjacent vent holes in the suppressor housing and a divergent entrance nozzle, is used to control or eliminate the external Mach disk, while rapidly mixing and diluting the propellant with purged gases. A diffuser downstream of the mixer/ejector system further increases ejector performance and pumping. The pumped gases are used to self-clean and cool the CUSPS suppressor.

Abstract: A luminescent solar concentrator comprises a primary waveguide and at least one photovoltaic cell. The primary waveguide has a curved surface which concentrates light on a perimeter. The photovoltaic cell is oriented at the perimeter so that it can both receive the concentrated light and receive direct light as well. A back sheet may be provided that provides structural support and protection. The perimeter may have the shape of a polygon where a photovoltaic cell is oriented along each edge. Modules and arrays of such units are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a catalyst for removing mercury metal, which has high activity for a long time even in an exhaust gas containing SO2, and a method for oxidizing mercury metal using the catalyst. A method for purifying exhaust gas, including bringing an exhaust gas containing mercury metal into contact with a catalyst containing titanium oxide as a first component and a sulfate or phosphate of nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) or vanadium as a second component, at a temperature of from 100° C. to 200° C., and thereby oxidizing the mercury metal.