Abstract: A mount for semiconductor laser devices comprises thermally conductive anode and cathode blocks on either side of a semiconductor laser device such as a laser diode. Interposed between at least the anode block and the anode of the semiconductor laser device is a sheet of conformable material with high thermal conductivity such as pyrolytic highly-oriented graphite. In some embodiments, a second sheet of such thermally conductive conformable material is interposed between the cathode of the semiconductor laser device and the cathode block. The semiconductor laser device can be either a single laser diode or a diode bar having a plurality of emitters. A thermally conductive, but electrically insulating, spacer of essentially the same thickness as the laser diode or bar surrounds the diode or bar to prevent mechanical damage while still permitting the conformable material to be maintained in a compressed state.

Abstract: A power-supply-independent clock, with controlled THigh and TLow that permits both frequency and duty cycle to be set simultaneously and independently. Depending upon the implementation, the control values can be varied for frequency and duty cycle as determined by the user, or can be dependent upon temperature, power supply variations, or any other variable within the system, design or device that includes the clock.

Abstract: A member-supported payment system is available to consumers and merchants without sign-up fees, subscription fees, or transaction fees to either consumers or merchants. In a specific implementation, the member payment system is a mobile payment system where consumers may conduct transactions using a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, or similar portable wireless handheld device. Merchants will make a refundable one-time contribution. These contributions are stored in a pooled trust account by the system and the float dividends or interest on these contributions will fund the system.

Abstract: What is new in this invention, it is the complete automation of the remote marking process. It is completely computer controlled and made possible by laser printer type marking/pointer equipment. Also, completely new is the concept of embedding digital information into a laser beam or other coherent information vector and attaching this way data/information to any object or place. New is the idea of using a discrete information vector not only as a beacon but also as a selector for the marking of more than one target objects. New is the idea of completely software controlled computerized digital marking of places or objects for closing motion control loops. No on-site human operators/soldiers needed. No position sensors needed anymore, nothing is bolted down, easy to reconfigure any environment. The invention is a major step in robotics and controls, improving considerably the eye-hand coordination of robots, making fully possible the action of the digital world on the real/physical world.

Abstract: A pulse regulation loop for a clocked switching power converter where the loop is around a bridge converter. The loop features a comparator, a charge pump and a filter in series, feeding a pulse modulator controlling the clock duty cycle of the bridge. Ripple in the bridge converter output is feed to the comparator which causes the charge pump to inject or remove charge from the filter at the clock rate providing control over the modulator that establishes converter efficiency. The charge pump is of the PLL type, having switches responsive to voltage output from the comparator, evaluating the converter ripple relative to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A virtual pooled account is used in operating a system having multiple financial partners. In a specific implementation, the system is a mobile banking system. Instead of maintaining separate general ledgers for each financial institution, the system will keep one general virtual pooled account. This will reduce the settlement and operational costs of the system. The owner of the virtual pooled account will receive the float on the virtual pooled account, and this float will be distributed to the multiple financial partners according to a formula.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for immobilizing tracked vehicles comprises a first bar for extending between the treads of a tracked vehicle. A second bar, affixed at one end to the first bar, extends parallel to the first bar and passes through slots in a plate on the tracked vehicle, the plate being positioned on the opposite side of the track as the treads. A rotatable member is affixed to the first bar at a distance from the second bar, and has an orifice therethrough. A lockable bar passes through slots in the plate and then through the orifice in the rotatable member. The lockable bar has an enlarged portion to prevent it from being passed through the orifice in a first direction. A lock attaches to the remaining end of the lockable bar to prevent the bar from passing through the orifice in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A power amplifier using N-way Doherty structure for extending the efficiency region over the high peak-to-average power ratio of the multiplexing modulated signals such as wideband code division multiple access and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is disclosed. In an embodiment, the present invention uses a dual-feed distributed structure to an N-way Doherty amplifier to improve the isolation between at least one main amplifier and at least one peaking amplifier and, and also to improve both gain and efficiency performance at high output back-off power. Hybrid couplers can be used at either or both of the input and output. In at least some implementations, circuit space is also conserved due to the integration of amplification, power splitting and combining.

Abstract: A random case former accepts an opened-up flat corrugated material representing an unformed box with open bottoms and tops. The random case former automatically adjusts to the dimensions of the box by closing in on the unformed box with flap folders from one or more sides. As the flap folders close in on the box, they first fold the minor-flaps and then the major-flaps on the bottom of the unformed box, thereby forming a box with a closed bottom and an open top into which items can then be placed. The automatic adjustment of the random case former to the box size avoids time-consuming manual adjustment and provides efficiency and speed.

Abstract: A dermatologic treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more housings with at least one housing configured for manipulation in a dermatologic treatment procedure, a light source, and an electrical circuit. The circuit energizes the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path includes an aperture through which eye-safe light pulses are propagated having properties sufficient for providing efficacious treatment. An optical diffuser is disposed along the light path to reduce the integrated radiance to an eye-safe level. The apparatus produces an output fluence not less than 4 J/cm2.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of skin is disclosed, one configuration of which uses multiple light emitting diodes, each of a unique wavelength band, and a broad-band photodetector to measure the remission of light at multiple wavelengths from a material being analyzed. Characteristics of the spectral remission of the material are used to discriminate human skin from materials that are not human skin. Further, an aesthetic medical device utilizing such a sensor in which the device is inhibited from operation if skin has not been detected. The incorporation of a skin sensor improves the safety of devices that emit radiation that otherwise would pose a hazard if not directed onto skin.

Abstract: A solid state magnetic memory system and method disposes an array of magnetic media cells in an array on a substrate. In an exemplary embodiment, drive electronics are fabricated into the substrate through conventional CMOS processing in alignment with associated cells of the array. The magnetic media cells each include a magnetic media bit and a magnetoresistive or GMR stack for reading the state of the media bit. Addressing lines are juxtaposed with the media bits to permit programming and erasing of selected ones of the bits. In at least some embodiments, sector erase may be performed.

Abstract: The complete automation of a remote marking process. It is completely computer controlled and made possible by laser printer type marking/pointer equipment. The concept of embedding digital information into a laser beam or other coherent information vector and attaching this way data/information to any object or place. The using of a discrete information vector not only as a beacon but also as a selector for the marking of more than one target objects. Software controlled computerized digital marking of places or objects for closing motion control loops. No on-site human operators/soldiers needed. No position sensors needed anymore, nothing is bolted down, easy to reconfigure any environment. The invention is a major step in robotics and controls, improving considerably the eye-hand coordination of robots, making fully possible the action of the digital world on the real/physical world.

Abstract: A control loop for a clocked switching power converter where the loop features a comparator (44) and a filter (61) in series to linearize the nonlinear response of the comparator (44). The filter (61) has poles and zeros offsetting the poles and zeros of a bridge rectifier (M1 and M2).

Abstract: A dermatologic hair-regrowth-inhibiting apparatus is disclosed which is cordless and sufficiently compact as to be hand-held. A self-contained housing is configured for gripping by a person's hand for cordless manipulation in a hair-regrowth-inhibiting procedure. A light source and electrical circuit are contained within the housing. The circuit includes one or more batteries for energizing the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path within the housing includes an aperture through which eye-safe light pulses are propagated out of the housing having properties sufficient for at least temporary hair-regrowth inhibition. A diffuser is disposed along the light path to reduce the integrated radiance to an eye-safe level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a magnetic memory device and method for storing and retrieving data. The magnetic memory device includes a read disk and a storage disk. The read disk comprises of an array of read heads wherein the individual read head corresponds to a storage element on the storage disk.

Abstract: A horizontally disposed elliptical or rectangular magnetic memory cell includes at least two conductive lines to carry current and a magnetic element disposed between the conductive lines. The current through the conductive lines induces a magnetic field, such that the magntic element is directly accessible. The magnetic memory cell can be sensed with a GMR head.

Abstract: A novel method and system is provided for simultaneous, non-invasive and non-contact marking for processing of targeted objects. The viewing, selection, marking, processing and feed-back is substantially simultaneous and computerized.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronization of video raster display outputs from multiple PC graphics subsystems to facilitate synchronized output onto multiple displays are disclosed. The system and method allow multiple graphics subsystems, in a single or multiple chassis, to be used to provide multiple synchronized view ports of a single 3D database or a wide desktop with reduced inter-monitor artifacts and interference.