Abstract: A multi-user e-mail messaging system is described that is interfaced through the Internet and includes a first user group sharing a first server, which first server is interfaced to the Internet. In this system, after an e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, the e-mail message is directed onto an e-mail enhancement path, and additional content is added to the e-mail message using the e-mail enhancement path to produce an enhanced e-mail message. Thereafter, the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient. In one feature, the path taken by an incoming e-mail message is different from an outgoing path taken by an e-mail message sent from the first user group. The outgoing path defined to the intended recipient includes the enhancement path.

Abstract: Tension monitoring is described using a sensor which may exhibit an offset for which compensation may be provided to produce a zero voltage amplified output or to increase dynamic range. An arrangement determines whether a power reset is responsive to a battery bounce such that an initially-measured system start-up parameter can be retained. The start-up parameter is automatically saved at start-up if the power reset is responsive to a start-up from a shut-down condition. The start-up parameter may be a zero tension amplified output responsive to the sensor offset at zero tension. Protection of a tension data set is provided such that no opportunity for altering the data set is presented prior to transfer of the data set. A housing configuration forms part of an electrical power circuit for providing electrical power to an electronics package from a battery.

Abstract: A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.

Abstract: Phase-locked loop circuitry includes charge pump circuitry, loop filter circuitry, and drag current circuitry. The charge pump circuitry generates a charge pump current based on a phase of an input signal. The loop filter circuitry receives the charge pump current. The drag current circuitry generates a drag current to draw charge in the opposite direction from the charging current from a loop filter integration capacitor in the loop filter circuitry that does not include voltage sensing circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for tracking the position, orientation and/or guiding a sonde as it moves through the ground in a region. The sonde transmits an electromagnetic field received by one detector. The detector includes at least one antenna for measuring at least one component of the intensity of the electromagnetic field and the detector is positioned at a fixed position with the antenna at a particular orientation within the region. Certain initial conditions are determined including the particular orientation and position of the antenna associated with the detector and an initial position and orientation of the sonde. The intensity of the electromagnetic field is obtained at a second position using the detector after the sonde moves a distance to the second position. The coordinate position of the sonde is determined using the initial conditions along with the intensity measured at the second position.

Abstract: As part of a system for processing workpieces, a workpiece support arrangement, separate from a process chamber arrangement supports at least two workpieces at least generally in a stacked relationship to form a workpiece column. A transfer arrangement transports at least two of the workpieces between the workpiece column and the process chamber arrangement by simultaneously moving the two workpieces at least generally along first and second transfer paths, respectively, that are defined between the workpiece column and the first and second process stations. The transfer arrangement can simultaneously move untreated and treated workpieces. Vertical motion swing arms and coaxial swing arms are described. A pair of spaced apart swing arms, the workpiece column and the processing stations can cooperatively define a pentagonal shape. Timing belt backlash elimination, a dual degree of freedom slot valve and low point chamber pumping, for removing chamber contaminants, are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a wafer tilt detection apparatus for use with a wafer processing or manufacturing device that applies a process to the wafer and which utilizes an endpoint signal for determining control of the process applied to the wafer. The wafer tilt apparatus uses the endpoint signal in establishing when the wafer was in a tilted orientation during processing.

Abstract: A passive CMOS differential mixer circuit with a mismatch correction circuit for balancing the electrical characteristics of the two output paths. Once the output paths of the differential circuit are balanced, or matched as closely as possible, second order intermodulation product generation can be inhibited or at least reduced to acceptable levels. The mismatch correction circuit receives a digital offset signal, and generates one or more voltage signals to be selectively applied to the signal paths of the passive differential mixer circuit. The voltage signals can be adjusted back gate bias voltages applied to the bulk terminals of selected transistors to adjust their threshold voltages, or the voltage signals can be adjusted common mode voltages applied directly to a selected signal path. Since the differential mixer circuit is passive, no DC current contribution to noise is generated.

Abstract: A hybrid solid-state memory system is provided for storing data. The solid-state memory system comprises a volatile solid-state memory, a non-volatile solid-state memory, and a memory controller. Further, a method is provided for storing data in the solid-state memory system. The method comprises the following steps. A write command is received by the memory controller. Write data is stored in the volatile memory in response to the write command. Data is transferred from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory in response to a data transfer request.

Abstract: A locking device attached to a solar junction box and a key to open the locking device, comprises: a male part; comprising: a plug-in unit extended at an angle from the male part; a pair of protruded units having a locking tab formed on edges of the plug-in unit; an outward projection disposed above the locking tab; and a slant portion formed on top of the outward projection; and a female part; comprising: a hollow main body having an outside wall and an inside wall; a pair of extrusions disposed at the inside wall of the female part corresponding to the pair of locking tabs of the male part; and a step formed in the lower part of the extrusions of the female part geometrically shaped to match the locking tab of the male part, in a locked position the male part and the female part are securely clamped together.

Abstract: The invention discloses a switching power supply capable of reducing a low-frequency secondary-side common-mode voltage. The power supply mainly has two common-mode filtering circuit devices to prevent an AC voltage and an AC current from coupling to a secondary side of a transformer. Thus, the electrical safety and the quality in use of the associated electronic apparatus can be enhanced, a potential difference between the electronic apparatus and the ground may be greatly reduced, and an AC hum of a speaker coupled to an output of the power supply may be reduced or even eliminated.

Abstract: In a system in which a transmitter is moved through the ground in a region which includes an electrical conductivity characteristic and the transmitter transmits a locating signal for reception, compensating for skin depth error by measuring the locating signal such that measurements of the locating signal include skin depth error introduced as a result of the electrical conductivity characteristic. Thereafter, the measurements are used in a way which determines a skin depth corrected position of the transmitter. An associated compensation arrangement is also described.

Abstract: A method includes simultaneously collecting both x-ray count data and energy charge data from a single cell.

Abstract: A method includes placing received x-rays into at least three bins.

Abstract: A pedal connection arrangement includes a pedal having a spherical portion with an outer spherical surface. The pedal connection arrangement also includes a bicycle shoe that has a pedal gripping cavity that directly engages at least portions of the outer spherical surface of the pedal when the shoe is engaged with the pedal. The shoe is configured so that the pedal gripping cavity securely grips outer spherical surface of the pedal, yet remains free to swivel in various directions about the spherical portion of the pedal when the shoe is engaged with the pedal. The various directions include directions other than about the pedal longitudinal axis, thereby giving more flexibility for movement of the rider's foot while maintaining positive contact between the shoe and the pedal.

Abstract: A method includes performing a patient dependent view weighting of scan data.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray data acquisition device for acquiring X-ray projection data transmitted through a subject lying between an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector having a two-dimensional detection plane and detecting X rays in opposition to the X-ray generator, while the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are being rotated about a center of rotation lying there between; an image reconstructing device for image-reconstructing the acquired projection data; an image display device for displaying the image-reconstructed tomographic image; and an imaging condition setting device for setting various kinds of imaging conditions for tomographic image, wherein the X-ray data acquisition device acquires X-ray projection data in sync with an external sync signal by a helical scan with a predetermined range of the subject with a helical pitch set to 1 or more.