Abstract: A process and software for aggressive capture of digital recording on computers, for the purpose of reducing audio latency, which includes periodic frequent polling of a recording buffer containing audio recording data and a known value, reading out data values that do not match the previously written known value, and writing over the data with the known value.

Abstract: A road mat having a mat body with a first coupling end and a second coupling end. A first locking mechanism is provided at the first coupling end that includes a male coupling member and a female coupling member. A second locking mechanism is provided at the second coupling end that includes a male coupling member and a female coupling member. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the first locking mechanism is a reciprocating mirror image of the second locking mechanism. The road mat of the present invention may be used in a road mat system that includes at least one prior road mat and at least one successive road mat. The second locking mechanism of the prior road mat is suitable for interlocking with the first locking mechanism of the successive road mat.

Abstract: A differential electrical test probe tip for sensing a plurality of electric signals and generating a differential signal including an elongate common substrate having a two signal test points at one end and a differential amplifier at the second end. Two transmission lines are on the common substrate, each connecting a respective signal test point a signal input of the differential amplifier. The characteristic impedances of the two transmission lines are substantially equal. In one preferred embodiment, the common substrate is a flexible substrate. In one preferred embodiment an over-mold, which may have gaps therein, at least partially encloses the common substrate, the first transmission line, and the second transmission line.

Abstract: A sliding reusable connector for attaching gear to a base unit of the present invention preferably includes a main body and a slide. The main body has a main body track portion at a first main body end and a main body locking portion at a second main body end. The slide has a slide locking structure at one end and longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between the first slide end and the second slide end. The slide track structure is slidably interconnected with the main body track portion. The slide locking structure is repeatedly lockable and unlockable with the main body locking portion. In one preferred embodiment the connector has at least one secondary connection means defined in the main body.

Abstract: A cartridge system includes a main probing head body with electronics positioned therein. Further, the cartridge system includes a probing tip cartridge having a probing tip. A minimally inductive electrical contact mechanism electrically couples the electronics to the probing tip when the probing tip cartridge is in mating relationship with the main probing head body. The types may be, for example, a pointed tip, a socket tip, or a grabber tip. In one preferred embodiment the probing tip cartridge further includes at least one foot.

Abstract: A filter for post-processing digital images and videos, having an edge mapper, a pixel sorter, and an adaptive filter that simultaneously performs de-ringing and edge sharpening. The combined filter is computationally simpler than known methods and can achieve removal of ringing artifacts and sharpening of true edges at the same time. The present invention also includes a preferred method of simultaneously de-ringing and edge sharpening digital images and videos.

Abstract: A method and apparatus optimizes the speed and efficiency of data transfer between two devices having different data input/output rates. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a computer software driver or hardware apparatus that may work with any port and/or network. The driver has a calibrator portion for optimizing data transfer between a CPU and a peripheral. The calibrator portion includes a data input/output rate profiler. The profiler preferably sends run-time data samples to the peripheral, builds a table that relates each data sample to an aggregate data transfer rate, and selects the optimum result as a model for further data transfer. A preferred method for performing the present invention is also included.

Abstract: An armored magnetic base of the present invention includes a magnet enclosed within a protective sleeve. The magnet may have an optional shielding casing substantially covering one face of the magnet. The protective sleeve may be a tube made of rubber, plastic, or shrink-wrap material or other expandable and/or contractible material. In one preferred embodiment, a mounting apparatus is interconnectable with the magnet. The mounting apparatus may be used for mounting the armored magnetic base to a convenient location such as a user's person, a tool, a flat surface, or a pole. The present invention also includes a method for making an armored magnetic base including the steps of inserting the magnet into a tubular protective sleeve and contracting the tubular protective sleeve to secure the magnet therein.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a convenient and efficient dispenser that includes at least one container and at least one nozzle for dispersing the contents of the container(s). In one preferred embodiment, first and second nozzles functionally associated with sterilization agent within the container are positioned to disperse the sterilization agent to first and second target points respectively, the first target point being distinct from the second target point. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a grid is positioned in front of the nozzle(s) so that a dispersement of sterilization agent from within the container(s) sterilizes the grid(s) when the nozzle(s) are activated. Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multiple-mist dispenser that includes a dual chamber activation sleeve so that two nozzles are simultaneously actuable by depression of the dual chamber activation sleeve.

Abstract: Methods for motion estimation with adaptive motion accuracy of the present invention include several techniques for computing motion vectors of high pixel accuracy with a minor increase in computation. One technique uses fast-search strategies in sub-pixel space that smartly searches for the best motion vectors. An alternate technique estimates high-accurate motion vectors using different interpolation filters at different stages in order to reduce computational complexity. Yet another technique uses rate-distortion criteria that adapts according to the different motion accuracies to determine both the best motion vectors and the best motion accuracies. Still another technique uses a VLC table that is interpreted differently at different coding units, according to the associated motion vector accuracy.

Abstract: A pattern testing board is able to detect an emission beam such as a laser or light beam from a shooting system. A pattern testing board includes a plurality of paired emission beam sensors and hit indicators. Each emission beam sensor is responsive to a detected emission beam and each hit indicator signals the sensing of the emission beam by the associated emission beam sensor. Multiple pattern testing boards may be mounted together to provide a larger pattern testing system array. Further, an overlay with a representation thereon, a moving image display system, or a reflective moving image display system may be positioned in front of one or more pattern testing boards. Still further, the pattern testing board may be incorporated in a unique target system that includes the pattern testing board for determining the beam pattern emitted by the beam emitter, a level selection board for selecting a level of play; and a targeting game board having a plurality of targets.

Abstract: A modular active test probe and removable tip module therefor. Within the scope of the invention, there is a probe tip module comprising a first probe tip adapted for probing a circuit under test to receive a signal therefrom. The probe tip module includes an amplifier having a first input solidly connected to the probe tip, an output connected to an output connector, and a housing for supporting the probe tip, the amplifier, and the output connector. A probe body is cooperatively adapted with the housing for repeatably removably receiving at least the output connector.

Abstract: A document-backing surface for reducing show-through when a duplex-printed document is scanned but without producing undesirable artifacts. The document-backing surface has a plurality of first and second light-absorbing surfaces, and a plurality of specularly reflective surfaces partially covering each of the second light-absorbing surfaces. The first specularly reflective surfaces are oriented to reflect light from a scanner lamp to a scanner sensor. In an alternate embodiment, the document-backing surface is partially covered by a specularly reflective surface oriented to reflect light from the scanner lamp to the scanner lens. In another embodiment, the document-backing surface has a set of teeth, each of which has light-absorptive first and second tooth surfaces and a specularly reflective surface partially covering each second tooth surface. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for using a document-backing surface.

Abstract: A percutaneous cellulite removal needle of the present invention can be used to make the appearance of cellulite less obvious by cutting the fibrous bridges that connect the skin to muscle/fascia or fibrous septae in the subcutaneous fat in a minimally invasive manner. The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of the present invention preferably includes a body having an internal chamber that ends at a laterally disposed aperture. A cutting mechanism is substantially positioned within the internal chamber in a retracted position and at least partially protrudes through the laterally disposed aperture in a cutting position. A situating mechanism transitions the cutting mechanism between the retracted position and the cutting position. The present invention also includes a method in which the percutaneous cellulite removal needle is inserted through the skin with the cutting mechanism in the retracted position. The cutting mechanism is then extruded so that the cutting mechanism is in the cutting position.

Abstract: The invention describes a universal structural element (1) for the purpose of forming in particular, three-dimensional structures, which structural element can be manufactured in a convenient manner efficiently, cost-effectively from the most varied materials and can be recycled in an environmentally-friendly manner, can be used and applied universally, enables a monolithic type of construction using similar connectors (5) for connecting similar structural elements together and with other elements at low assembly cost and allows disassembly or reconstruction work to be conducted in a straightforward and non-destructive manner, meets high static requirements and can preferably be standardised in modular dimensions.

Abstract: A self-calibrating test probe system of the present invention does not require probing head removal and replacement. Using the system of the present invention, the test probe and/or the entire system (including a testing instrument) may be calibrated or may self-calibrate while the probing head remains connected to an electrical component under test. The self-calibrating electrical testing probe system includes calibration circuitry including at least one input resistor, at least one relay, and at least one known calibration reference signal. If the test probe is an active test probe, the calibration circuitry may also include at least one amplifier. Each relay has a first position that provides signal access to a testing signal from an electrical component under test and a second position that provides signal access to the known calibration reference signal. Using the present invention, the error of the test probe and/or system is determined and compensated.

Abstract: An electrical test probe tip, comprising a conductive flexible coil having a first end and a second end. The first end is for flexibly coupling with a device to be probed. The second end is attached to a connector. The connector may be an integral connection with a probing head or may be a connecting pin. Multiple test probe spring tips may be used to simultaneously probe signal and ground reference points. The present invention is also directed to a method for using the flexible spring tip.

Abstract: An alcove whirlpool seat of the present invention includes a seat member, a seat back, and arm portions on opposite sides of the seat back. The seat back and at least part of the arm portions substantially define a whirlpool area and the arm portions define an open span through which the legs of a user extend when he is seated in the alcove whirlpool seat. At least one jet nozzle is used to direct a stream within the whirlpool area. The at least one jet nozzle, the seat back, and the arm portions together create a whirlpool within the whirlpool area. Exemplary alcove whirlpool seats may be an angled-arm embodiment or a horseshoe embodiment. An alcove whirlpool seat spa system has an interior spa area. One or more whirlpool areas are defined by one or more alcove whirlpool seats within the interior spa area. Within the interior spa area (and outside the whirlpool area) is a spa water flow. The whirlpool flow within the whirlpool area is substantially separate from spa water flow.

Abstract: A method for adaptive quantization of video frames based on bit rate prediction that includes increasing quantization in sectors of a video frame where coding artifacts would be less noticeable to the human visual system and decreasing quantization in sectors where coding artifacts would be more noticeable to the human visual system. In one embodiment the method reverts to uniform quantization for video frames in which adaptive quantization would require extra bits.