Abstract: A multi-layer wall panel includes a core filler material surrounded by two plastic sheets. Each sheet includes three-dimensional texture formed to resemble masonry or other desired aesthetics. A layer of concrete may be disposed between each sheet and the filler material. The sheet may be removed from the concrete layers to expose the concrete surfaces. Multiple wall panels may be stacked on top of one another and joined side-by-side with posts and connectors to form a wall assembly. A method for manufacturing vertical concrete wall structures is also provided.

Abstract: A rodent snap trap device includes a snap bar rotatably coupled to a base. The snap bar is rotatable between a spring biased, rest position and a loaded position. A unitary trigger is pivotably coupled to the base. The trigger includes a horizontal trigger portion with a rectangular platform and a vertical trigger portion with a catch. Disposed on an external side of the vertical trigger portion, the catch is located outside of a snap zone defined by a perimeter of the snap bar in the rest position such that setting up the trap does not require a user to expose his hand to the pathway of the snap bar. Adhesive material and/or rodent attractants may be disposed on a top surface of the rectangular platform. A removable cover is disposed over the platform, covering the adhesive material and/or rodent attractants.

Abstract: A saddle for a sheeting head includes a pair of semi-circular concave edges configured to seal a pair of rollers. The oppositely facing concave edges each include a tongue that fits in a corresponding groove in the roller and a retracted concave edge adapted to wrap around half the roller surface. The saddle includes a top portion wherein the concave edges downwardly converge, and a bottom portion wherein the concave edges downwardly diverge. A narrow waist is provided at the proximal-most position of the concave edges and adapted to fit in a pinch point between the rollers. A sheeting head assembly incorporating the saddle may include a sidewall to which the saddle need not be fastened. The self-locking characteristics of the saddle enable an assembly to omit sidewalls altogether.

Abstract: A radio frequency power amplifier has first and second amplifier transistors. The first and second amplifier transistors have a common element thereof electrically interconnected with a common bus. A forked conductor having two legs thereof electrically connected to the common bus, each leg having a distal end proximate one of the first and second amplifier transistors. The common bus and the forked conductor are generally symmetric about an axis about which the first and second amplifier transistors are symmetrically disposed.

Abstract: A fast search algorithm for loop alignment of a feed forward amplifier is disclosed. The algorithm controls a processor that adjusts, digitally, the gain and phase of the loop alignment based on power measurements at the input and output of cancellation combiners, to find the optimal setting. A “non-collinear descent” algorithm is used to search, iteratively, for the minimum within an error surface. For loop alignment, the error surface is defined by the set of measurement points comprising the alignment settings and the associated cancellation residuals. For the case of first loop alignment, the cancellation residual is measured using the ratio of two power detectors located at the input and after the cancellation (error) combiner. For second loop alignment, cancellation is estimated using the residual pilot power detected at the output of the amplifier. The preferred alignment method uses three successive measurements to estimate the gradient direction with respect to gain and phase shifter settings.

Abstract: Parametric characterization of nitric oxide (NO) gas exchange using a two-compartment model of the lungs is a non-invasive technique to characterize inflammatory lung diseases. The technique applies the two-compartment model to parametric characterization of NO gas exchange from a tidal breathing pattern. The model is used to estimate up to six flow-independent parameters, and to study alternate breathing patterns.

Abstract: The invention uses one inductor, which is formed of one, two or a few twisted or parallel conductors, and exposes a sample object in a pulsed and damped alternating magnetic field (B) without necessarily the employment of a second, constant intensity, magnetic field. In this way, the nuclei and/or the electrons of the sample object are activated, in the presence of a non-constant magnetic field (B), that gets infinite negative and positive values between successive damped positive and negative values, crossing through the zero value during a magnetic pulse. Thus, a wide nuclear NMR and electronic EPR multiple—resonance of the sample object is achieved.

Abstract: A system and method of correcting memory effects present within power amplifiers using digital predistortion and an improved power amplifier system employing digital predistortion are disclosed. Nonlinearities within a power amplifier having an input derived from a digital signal are compensated by injecting a digital correction signal prior to the power amplifier. A system and method for modeling the distortion created by power amplifier memory effects and generating the desired digital predistortion correction signal are disclosed.

Abstract: A system residing preferably in a television set-top box monitors the television watching habits of one or more viewers and creates one or more profiles for each viewers descriptive of various characteristics of each viewers, including television watching preferences and demographics. The set-top box is able to select among various available video programming segments to create customized and/or targeted video programs for delivery to the viewer or viewers as a linear program. The customized linear video programs may include targeted content, advertising, and other video programming.

Abstract: When enhancing an input image consisting of a pattern-like image, unnatural and undesirable artifacts arise as a side effect. A method for detecting a pattern-like image includes steps of: obtaining a histogram h[x] of an input image; dividing the histogram h[x] into at least a first subset of samples and a second subset of samples; and determining whether the input image is a pattern-like image based on a relationship between a number n1 of samples in the first subset of samples and a number n2 of samples in the second subset of samples. The relationship can be incorporated into an equation for calculating a pattern-like image detection parameter r and this pattern-like image detection parameter r can be used to adaptively adjust the output of a video enhancement system so that the side effect can be avoided when a pattern-like image comes in.

Abstract: An image detail enhancement method and apparatus that is suitable for different types of digital images, regardless of their signal frequency range or noise level. The detail enhancement apparatus has multiple filters termed, detail filter bank. A detail filter can be e.g. a high pass filter (HPF) or a band pass filter (BPF). In a detail filter bank, each detail filter has a pass band covering a specific frequency range and can therefore be used to obtain the detail signal in the corresponding frequency range from the original signal. The detail signals from those detail filters can then be processed before added back to the original signal as enhancements. This provides image detail enhancement that is suitable for different types of digital images (regardless of their signal frequency range or noise level).

Abstract: A karaoke sound system had a mixer that combines the singer's real-time voice signal from a microphone with the pre-recorded background song/music signal from a player, an amplifier that receives the mixed signal from the mixer to provide amplification or gain boosting, a dedicated channel for the vocal signal from the microphone without using a mixing device, one or more speakers to output the mixed and amplified audio signal, and one or more speakers to output the vocal signal from the dedicated channel. The vocal channel allows the vocals to maintain an overall cleaner and vibrant sound, with a “live feeling” positional presence.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve design and method particularly for suited for micro-fluidic applications are disclosed. The solenoid valve contains various structure and features that provide for small dispense volumes, small internal volume, and fast operating speed. Also disclosed is a valve design and method particularly suited for a compact, high-density valve manifold. In a particular embodiment disclosed, the valve uses a diaphragm assembly that ensures zero or little leakage. The solenoid-operated valve further has features allowing for low power consumption.

Abstract: An oven conveyor alignment system for maintaining a conveyor belt centered on its supporting rollers is disclosed. The system comprises a camera that generates an image of alignment and stores it as a digital pixel representation. Thus, the system is able to take advantage of new improvements in digital camera resolution. The image information is used by interactive software that is able to transmit an electrical signal to a tension adjustment assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing the details of an image while suppressing or preventing shoots that would otherwise occur during a prior art enhancement process. The enhancing method is based on recognizing that Shoots are likely to occur at edges of an image to be enhanced, and therefore, if the enhancement is sufficiently reduced or even possibly eliminated at the edges of the image, the Shoots that would otherwise occur will be suppressed or even possibly eliminated. A gain suppressing function is used to attenuate the enhancement at the edges of the image. Preferably, the gain suppressing function inherently identifies the edges of the image to be enhanced.

Abstract: A two-phase asynchronous print tracking system and method is described. The separation of detection of print activity and billing of print activity is accomplished by means of a quota-based message queue. Print jobs sent by a user are allowed to print without interruption until a quota number of print jobs for which no billing information has been entered are reached. When the quota is exceeded, the user may not continue until appropriate billing information is entered.

Abstract: A delay mismatched feed forward amplifier system employing a control system and method using floors and penalties is disclosed. The disclosed control system and method allows the second loop phase adjuster setting to be offset in a repeatable and controlled manner. Applying floors and penalties to offset the steady-state phase adjuster setting modifies the conventional pilot cancellation approach. In the conventional case, pilot cancellation has a distinct minimum that corresponds to the desired adjustment setting. In the disclosed approach, the measured pilot cancellation is clipped to a lower bound or floor to produce a set of equal valued minimum control results. The floor is selected to place a desired phase offset to the phase adjuster at the edge of minimum floor. To ensure that the correct phase adjuster offset is selected from the set of equal valued minimum control results, a control direction based penalty is added.

Abstract: A method for aligning a feed forward radio frequency power amplifier includes applying a radio frequency signal to the feed forward radio frequency power amplifier and monitoring a radio frequency signal from the feed forward radio frequency power amplifier, without opening a break point of the feed forward radio frequency amplifier.