Abstract: A radiation-tolerant flash-based FPGA switching element includes a plurality of memory cells each having a memory transistor and a switch transistor sharing a floating gate. Four such memory cells are combined such that two sets of two switch transistors are wired in series and the two sets of series-wired switch transistors are also wired in parallel. The four memory transistors associated with the series-parallel combination of switch transistors are all programmed to the same on or off state. The series combination prevents an “on” radiation-hit fault to one of the floating gates from creating a false connection and the parallel combination prevents an “off” radiation-hit fault to one of the floating gates from creating a false open circuit.

Abstract: A therapeutic electrostimulation apparatus and method operates to supply electrostimulation signals to three channels. The basic electrostimulation signal for each of the channels is the same; and this signal is applied to a transcranial electrostimulation set of output electrodes. A second channel provided with the same signal is further operated to modulate the signal with a dual frequency signal pattern for the application of the second channel signal to a second set of electrodes, typically applied to the body near the spinal area. A third channel supplied with the basic electrostimulation signal modulates the electrostimulation signal during a portion of a treatment session with a diapason of frequencies varying randomly, and the output of this channel is applied to a set of electrodes at a local area for therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: An improved vacuum box assembly for use in printed circuit board manufacturing where the printed circuit board is supported during manufacturing operations on the second side of the board. The vacuum box uses a unique and improved side plate that securely retains commercially available substrate support devices within the vacuum box. The side plate has a retention cavity configured to receive one or more substrate support devices therein. The side plate retains the substrate support device in a desired position. Open or unoccupied regions of the retention cavity may be sealed by use of specifically configured vacuum blocking plates.

Abstract: An enhanced performance field programmable gate array integrated circuit comprises a field programmable gate array and other functional circuitry such as a mask-programmable gate array in the same integrated circuit. A circuit interface provides communication between the field programmable gate array, the mask-programmable gate array and the integrated circuit I/O.

Abstract: A game system for playing a game between a plurality of players, the system comprising: a plurality of matching tile groupings, each one of the matching tile groupings defined by a plurality of tiles having a machine-readable identifier configured to identify its corresponding tile, wherein each one of the matching tile groupings is distinguishable from one another based on a distinct human-readable identifier disposed and viewable only on its bottom surface; a board comprising a plurality of distinct positions for placing each tile; and a scoring brick configured to: maintain each player's score, determine a penalty matching tile grouping and a bonus matching tile grouping, read the machine-readable identifier, and adjust the player's score, wherein the player's score is penalized for a penalty tile, and the player's score is rewarded for a bonus tile or for a predetermined number of consecutively read tiles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the security of a cluster box unit which includes a protective enclosure, internal cabinetry, door, hinge and locking system. The cluster box unit may also include outgoing mail compartment doors that are heavily constructed and rigidly reinforced, with the locks carried thereon protectively shielded, and with the extensible bolts of these locks being engaged by brackets that not only lock the outgoing mail compartment doors but also the master loading doors of the cluster box units. The cluster box unit may also include master loading doors are provided with hinges that extend the full height of the doors—hinges that are defined by pivotally interfitting elements of extrusions that very sturdily mount the master loading doors, that prevent prying or bending the doors in the vicinities of their hinges.

Abstract: An array of multicolor CMOS pixel sensors has a plurality of photosensors per pixel, each photosensor coupled to a single sense node through a select transistor having a select input, each pixel sensor including a reset transistor coupled to the sense node and having a reset input, an amplifier coupled to the sense node and a row-select transistor coupled to the amplifier. The select inputs and the reset inputs for pixel sensors in a pair of adjacent rows are coupled to select signal lines and reset signal lines associated with the pair of rows. The amplifier transistors in individual columns of each row are coupled to a column output line through a row-select transistor having a row-select input. The row-select inputs for pixel sensors in each row of the array are coupled to a row-select line associated with the row.

Abstract: Creating a customized item cover comprises receiving customization data and creating at least one customization segment using the customization data. In addition, creating a customized item cover includes producing the customized item cover including the at least one customization segment. Producing the customized item cover may comprise printing the at least one customization segment on the customized item cover or embossing the at least one customization segment on the customized item cover.

Abstract: A method for measuring physician efficiency and patient health risk stratification is disclosed. Episodes of care are formed from medical claims data and an output process is performed. Physicians are assigned to report groups, and eligible physicians and episode assignments are determined. Condition-specific episode statistics and weighted episode statistics are calculated, from which physician efficiency scores are determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automating an accounting process for business reply mail (BRM). The process may enable a mailer to create a BRM mailpiece marked with a unique code, which is provided to a responder. The responder may send the BRM mailpiece to the mailer without adding postage to the BRM mailpiece. A service provider may read the bar code to determine the mailer, deliver the BRM mailpiece to the mailer, and then bill the mailer for the postage.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for locating, collecting, collating, analyzing, and reporting on summarized data that is generated from regulatory compliance matter data. Data is collected and compiled from multiple sources, including government databases, web pages, and regulatory documents; These collected data are consolidated and reconciled. A single topic record is created for a person, company, or product. Duplication and redundancy within the information are reduced. Corrections in data format are made for inconsistencies that exist between different information sources. Broad and/or narrow searches are enabled with the retrieval of information and/or relevant documents. The integrated data and associated analyses can be presented in reports that can be made accessible through a LAN, a WAN, a desktop, and/or a web interface.

Abstract: A microwavable food package is disclosed, comprising a packaging sheet including first and second column of apertures, the apertures between 100 microns and 800 microns in diameter; and a central seal, the central seal joining a first edge of the packaging sheet to a second edge of the packaging sheet, the central seal running longitudinally along the length of the food package, wherein the first column of apertures is on one side of the central seal and the second column of apertures is on the other side of the central seal.

Abstract: A metal rolling pin system includes a metal rolling pin formed from a cylindrical metal body having a hollow core. A removable cylinder is disposed inside the core and is filled with a freezable material such as a cellulose gel material. The rolling pin may also have insulating material inside the core to prevent condensation. A silicone sleeve fits over the metal outside of the pin to keep the dough or pastry from sticking. The rolling pin system has more than one core to assure that there is always a frozen core to keep the pin and dough cold.

Abstract: A metal interconnect structure formed over a substrate in an integrated circuit that traverses a scribe-line boundary between a first die and a second die includes at least one metal interconnect line that traverses the scribe-line boundary. A switch is coupled between the at least one metal interconnect line and the substrate, the switch having a control element coupled to a scribe-cut control line. The control line turns the switch on if the two dice are separated into individual dice and turns the switch off if the two dice are to remain physically connected so that the interconnect line may be used to make connections between circuits on the two dice.

Abstract: A fire resistive coating made Lassenite N Pozzolan and a water based paint. The Lassenite N Pozzolan is present in a range from about 20% by weight of the composition to about 80% by weight of the composition. The water-based paint present in the range from substantially 20% by weight of the composition to substantially 80% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit for a refrigeration or air conditioning device, comprising a main processor that is situated in a housing and that controls the temperature, fan and/or the defrosting process of a refrigeration or air conditioning device. Contact points for a co-processor, which is separate from the main processor and is suitable for controlling an electronic expansion valve, are located in said housing.

Abstract: A logic module and flip-flop includes input multiplexers having data inputs coupled to routing resources. A clock multiplexer has inputs coupled to clock resources, and an output. An input-select multiplexer has a first input coupled to the output of an input multiplexer. A flip-flop has a clock input coupled to the output of the clock multiplexer, and a data output coupled to an input of the input-select multiplexer. A logic module has data inputs coupled to the output of the input select multiplexers. A flip-flop multiplexer is coupled to the data input of the flip-flop, and has inputs input coupled to the output of the first input multiplexer, the data output of the logic module, and a third input coupled to routing resources.

Abstract: A delay line compensated for process, voltage, and temperature variations, includes a delay locked loop (DLL) configured to delay a digital signal by the clock period of the digital signal, the DLL including a DLL delay line arranged as a plurality of cascaded sub-delay lines each sub-delay line providing one of a plurality of delay quanta in response to a digital control signal. A fractionating circuit is configured to generate a digital delay line control signal that is a fraction of the digital control signal. A digital delay line is arranged as a plurality of cascaded sub-delay lines each sub-delay line providing one of a plurality of delay quanta in response to the digital delay line control signal.

Abstract: A method of wagering for games where there can be more than one player hand dealt and each player hand is compared to a Dealer hand. The method of wagering adds an option to wager that the Dealer hand will beat a particular player hand, a wager that the Dealer hand will push with or tie a particular player hand, or both additional wagers. The method of wagering may be supported by a special layout for wagers on the Dealer hand, and this layout may be able to move around the table or it may be stationary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit for controlling the expansion valve of a refrigeration or air conditioning system, comprising a temperature sensor that is connected upstream of the expansion valve in the coolant circuit. If the control unit detects a decrease in temperature of the aforementioned temperature sensor, which is generally caused by the start of a defrosting process, it displaces the expansion valve into a static state, to protect said valve during the defrosting process.