Abstract: A solution for managing a storage device based on a flash memory is proposed. A corresponding method starts with the step for mapping a logical memory space of the storage device (including a plurality of logical blocks) on a physical memory space of the flash memory (including a plurality of physical blocks, which are adapted to be erased individually). The physical blocks include a set of first physical blocks (corresponding to the logical blocks) and a set of second—or spare—physical blocks (for replacing each bad physical block that is unusable). The method continues by detecting each bad physical block. Each bad physical block is then discarded, so to prevent using the bad physical block for mapping the logical memory space.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a circuit for generating a voltage that can be used to recharge a battery. The circuit includes an inductive voltage generator operable to generate a magnetic field when the voltage generator is energized by power, and operable to generate a voltage from the magnetic field's collapse when the voltage generator is de-energized, and a switch operable to allow the voltage generator to receive power to energize the voltage generator, and operable to disconnect the power from the voltage generator to de-energize the generator. With this circuit, a power source that generates less voltage than the fully charged capacity of a rechargeable battery can be used to recharge the battery. Also, the circuit can convert power in different forms, such as constant direct current, varying direct current, or alternating current, into a second voltage for charging a battery.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a game that uses a plurality of specialized playing cards or tiles that entwines traditional symbols of Chinese origin (associated with the tile game of mahjong) together with numerically ranked and suited playing cards (associated with western-style card decks of the 52 playing card to a deck variety). Each inventive card or tile has displayed on one of its faces a symbol of Chinese origin, a numerical rank, and a suit of French origin. The symbol of Chinese origin is selected from the group consisting of a wan, a bamboo, a ring, a dragon, or a wind; whereas the numerical rank is selected the group consisting of a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, and king; and whereas the suit is selected from the group consisting of a spade, a heart, a club, and a diamond.

Abstract: An unguided projectile-accelerator system includes an enclosure, first and second charges, first and second projectiles, and a recoil-absorbing mechanism. The enclosure has an open first end and a closed second end, and the first and second charges are disposed within the enclosure. The first projectile is disposed within the enclosure between the first charge and the first end and is operable to exit the enclosure via the first end and to generate a first recoil in response to detonation of the first charge. The second projectile is disposed within the enclosure between the first charge and the second charge and is operable to exit the enclosure via the first end and to generate a second recoil in response to detonation of the second charge. The recoil-absorbing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the enclosure and is operable to absorb at least a respective portion of each of the first and second recoil.

Abstract: A computing machine includes a first buffer and a processor coupled to the buffer. The processor executes an application, a first data-transfer object, and a second data-transfer object, publishes data under the control of the application, loads the published data into the buffer under the control of the first data-transfer object, and retrieves the published data from the buffer under the control of the second data-transfer object. Alternatively, the processor retrieves data and loads the retrieved data into the buffer under the control of the first data-transfer object, unloads the data from the buffer under the control of the second data-transfer object, and processes the unloaded data under the control of the application. Where the computing machine is a peer-vector machine that includes a hardwired pipeline accelerator coupled to the processor, the buffer and data-transfer objects facilitate the transfer of data between the application and the accelerator.

Abstract: A corrector circuit for correcting second harmonic distortions is provided. The corrector circuit includes a transconductance circuit having an input transconductance with a transresistance load for receiving a distorted voltage signal having a second harmonic component. The transconductance circuit is adapted to generate a corrected voltage signal having the second harmonic component that is reduced from the distorted voltage signal as a function of the input transconductance. The corrector circuit further includes biasing means for providing a biasing current to the transconductance circuit (with the input transconductance that depends on the biasing current). The biasing means includes means for providing a fixed component of the biasing current, means for providing a variable component of the biasing current (being a function of the distorted voltage signal according to a proportionality coefficient) and means for programming the proportionality coefficient.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a chair mount assembly and related kit for retrofitting a bench-style boat seat or thwart. The inventive chair mount assembly kit includes (1) first and second rails; (2) first and second sliders having respective first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion of the first slider section includes a first rail connector and the first end portion of the second slider section includes a second rail connector, and wherein the first rail connector is matingly and slidably engagable to the first rail and the second rail connector is matingly and slidably engagable to the second rail; and (3) an interconnecting base plate adjustably connectable to the second end portions of the first and second sliders and movable together with the first and second sliders back and forth along the first and second rails.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to an adhesive laminate label for a communications device. The adhesive laminate label includes an upper label including visible indicia and at least one lower label. Each of the lower labels includes corresponding visible indicia that are different than the visible indicia of the upper label and of the other lower labels. At least the visible indicia of each lower label are covered by either the upper label or one of the other lower labels and the upper and lower labels are removably adhered to one another.

Abstract: An embodiment of a power device having a first current-conduction terminal, a second current-conduction terminal, a control terminal receiving, in use, a control voltage of the power device, and a thyristor device and a first insulated-gate switch device connected in series between the first and the second conduction terminals; the first insulated-gate switch device has a gate terminal connected to the control terminal, and the thyristor device has a base terminal. The power device is further provided with: a second insulated-gate switch device, connected between the first current-conduction terminal and the base terminal of the thyristor device, and having a respective gate terminal connected to the control terminal; and a Zener diode, connected between the base terminal of the thyristor device and the second current-conduction terminal so as to enable extraction of current from the base terminal in a given operating condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a stackable container are provided herein.

Abstract: A wearable infusion device comprises a reservoir that holds a liquid medicament, an outlet that delivers the liquid medicament to a patient, and a pump that displaces a volume of the liquid medicament to the outlet when actuated. The device further includes a lock-out that disables actuation of the device responsive to a predetermined condition of the device. The lock-out is resettable.

Abstract: A wearable infusion device comprises a reservoir that holds a liquid medicament, an outlet port that delivers the liquid medicament to a patient, a pump that holds a volume of the liquid medicament received from the reservoir and displaces substantially all of the volume of the liquid medicament when actuated, and at least a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve. The valves establish fluid connection between the reservoir and the pump when in a first valve configuration and establish fluid connection between the pump and the outlet when in a second valve configuration. At least two of the valves isolate the outlet from the reservoir when the valves are in the first valve configuration.

Abstract: An infusion system comprises a disposable wearable infusion device having a body arranged to be adhered to a patient's skin and a reservoir for holding a liquid medicament to be infused into the patient and a filler assembly arranged to be detachably received by the infusion device. The filler assembly is configured to receive a source of liquid medicament and provides a negative pressure to pull liquid medicament from the source of medicament to the infusion device reservoir.

Abstract: An embodiment of a telecommunications device includes means for providing a set of words, each word including a plurality of digital symbols; a first memory area for storing the set of words, the first memory area including a first sequence of memory locations each one for storing a symbol; a second memory area for storing a composite frame including a predetermined number of symbols, the second memory area including a second sequence of memory locations; conversion means for converting the set of words in the first memory area into the frame in the second memory area, the conversion means including reduction means for reducing each word by removing a set of symbols from the word according to a puncturing algorithm, and expansion means for expanding each word by adding a set of additional symbols to the word according to a repeating algorithm; and means for transmitting the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for both open-loop and closed-loop timing synchronization are provided in which a master clock signal, and a plurality of signals that define greater periods of time, are distributed to a plurality of host devices. A frame-sync signal is used to define a “frame” consisting of a predetermined number of clock periods, and a reset signal is used to define a larger period consisting of a predetermined number of frames. Due to a variety of system parameters, the innate delay time associated with each respective timing distribution path may differ. The system is operable to adjust the timing signals propagated to the plurality of host devices along each respective timing distribution path to compensate for these differences so that each host device remains synchronized with all other host devices.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a MISFET device, in a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor layer is formed, having a first type of conductivity and a first level of doping. A first body region and a second body region, having a second type of conductivity, opposite to the first type of conductivity, and an enriched region, extending between the first and second body regions are formed in the semiconductor layer. The enriched region has the first type of conductivity and a second level of doping, higher than the first level of doping. Moreover, a gate electrode is formed over the enriched region and over part of the first and second body regions, and a dielectric gate structure is formed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, the dielectric gate structure having a larger thickness on the enriched region and a smaller thickness on the first and second body regions.

Abstract: A communications outlet includes a plurality of electrically conductive paths arranged in pairs and an electrically conductive shield. A plurality of conductive elements connected to a corresponding conductive path and the conductive elements configured, for each pair, to balance a capacitive coupling between the electrically conductive shield and the conductive paths of that pair.

Abstract: A user selectable optional power tinting system. A typical OPTS includes a user selection interface operable to allow a user to select a tinting option from a plurality of tinting options, a panel selection assembly coupled to the user selection interface and operable to engage a window panel corresponding to an option selected by the user selection interface, an actuator motor operable to engage the panel selection assembly when an option is selected from the user selection interface, and a plurality of differently tinted panels operable to be engaged by the panel selection assembly when an option is selected from the user selection interface, each differently tinted panel corresponding to one of the plurality of tinting options.

Abstract: A current mode logic voter circuit includes three two-input split NOR gates. Each two-input split NOR gate receives a corresponding pair of input signals and generates a pair of first output signals responsive to the input signals. A three input split NOR gate is coupled to the two-input split NOR gates to receive the first output signals and generates a second pair of output signals responsive to the first output signals from the two-input split NOR gates. The two and three-input split NOR gates can be formed from current mode logic buffer circuits, and in one embodiment in the three-input split NOR gate the buffer circuits are hardened.

Abstract: Unauthorized wireless access points are detected by configuring authorized access points and mobile units to listen to all wireless traffic in its cell and report all detected wireless devices to a monitor. The monitor checks the reported devices against a list of authorized network devices. If the reported wireless device is not an authorized device, the monitor determines if the reported device is connected to the network. If the reported device is connected to the network and is not an authorized device, the monitor alerts the network operator or network manager of a rogue device connected to the network and attempts to locate and isolate the rogue device.