Abstract: A system for warming a fluid includes a fluid warmer having a housing that retains therein a heating element, and cartridge that is retained inside the housing and which receives heat from the heating element. The cartridge has a rigid plate having a first surface and a second opposing surface, with the plate having a meandering path provided therein. The cartridge also has a sheet of film that covers the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A method and system for an embedded software update system, which helps manufactures or vendors avoid costly product recall activities in the event their digital products have field software errors (“bugs”) or hardware problems. One aspect of the present invention is directed to an error correction system, which remotely corrects these software errors and minimizes influences of hardware problems. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a software updating system, which is capable of updating software modules in the digital products by use of software patches. The software patch system of the present invention facilitates manufactures' transmitting software patches to the “on-the-fly” digital products to fix software errors and minimize influences of hardware problems.

Abstract: A thermostat for a HVAC system with visual display of status and operating condition. The thermostat has a power switch to select one of Heater and Cooler for the HVAC system, a light sensor (200) to sense ambient lighting, a temperature sensor (210) to sense ambient temperature, a manual temperature switch (260) to set a desired temperature for the room, a control circuit (220) to select a preferred temperature based on selection of the power switch, an illuminating outer cover (110), which at least partially covers the outside of the thermostat, which displays one of Blue and Red colors according to selection of the power switch and the ambient lighting, and a plurality of LED displays (140) arranged on a display face of the thermostat, to display one arrangement of the LEDs based on a difference between the preferred temperature and the ambient lighting.

Abstract: An electromagnetic audio transducer for SMD applications. The transducer comprises a lead frame with external terminals, which are formed into a predetermined shape. The transducer has a case with inside and outside surfaces, where the case is integrated with the lead frame to expose the external terminals at its outside surface. The transducer has solder bases formed by exposing the lead frame at the inside surface of the case. The drive section of the transducer has a coil arranged inside the case, with the coil having coil terminals, and the coil terminals are led to the solder bases for electrical connection at the inside surface of the case.

Abstract: A contact lens is fitted to a cornea of a patient's eye to gradually alter the patient's cornea during continued wear to reshape the cornea to reduce the hyperopia and/or presbyopia condition. The contact lens has a plurality of zones that includes one or two optical zones, a plateau zone, a fitting zone, an alignment zone and a peripheral zone. The one or more optical zones are utilized to redistribute cornea tissue to cause the cornea to have a steepened central portion surrounded by a flat mid-peripheral ring The plateau zone helps steepening the central cornea by two ways: a positive molding effect of pushing the cornea tissue inward to pile up and a negative molding effect to flatten the mid-peripheral cornea for enhancing.

Abstract: A self-closing bag holder for a flexible bag. The bag holder has a pair of resilient arms for supporting the bag and a pair of resilient handles. Each arm is joined with a handle by a rocker, which provides a fixed angle between the arm and the handle. The other ends of the arms are releasably hinged together. The other ends of the handles are joined together such that they bow away from each other because of the fixed angle rockers. The rockers are pivotally joined together, such that upon compressing the handles, the rockers will pivot to cause the arms to expand and bow away from each other, thus opening the flexible bag. Upon release of the handles, the arms will retract toward each other, thus closing the bag, while the handle will regain its originally bowed shape. The self-closing feature of the bag holder allows an operator to open and close the bag without having to touch the bag itself Also, when no pressure is exerted on the handles, the arms and thus the bag will remain closed.

Abstract: A contact lens is fitted to a cornea of a patient's eye to gradually alter the patient's cornea during continued wear to reshape the cornea to reduce the myopic condition. The contact lens has a plurality of zones that includes an optical zone, a fitting zone, one or more facilitate zones, an alignment zone and a peripheral zone. The one or more facilitate zones are utilized to redistribute cornea tissue to cause the cornea to have a flattened central portion surrounded by a steep mid-peripheral ring.

Abstract: A package for information storage units such as video cassettes, CDs, DVDs, 8 mm tapes and the method of making the package. The packaging has a container of substantially the size of the media storage unit to store the unit. Connected to the container is a photograph frame extending from the side of the container to hold a photograph. The photograph frame has a base panel connected with a window panel at a common hinge on one side of the photograph frame. The window panel has an opening at its middle and the photograph frame can be formed by folding the window panel onto the base panel at the common hinge. Additionally, a postcard panel extends from the photograph frame, where the postcard panel is detachably connected to the photograph frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for purifying contaminated air using mixed liquid are disclosed. The invention includes an air inlet structure for taking in contaminated air, an air purifying compartment connected to the air inlet structure at one end for purifying contaminated air, and an air outlet structure connected to the air purifying compartment at another end for discharging purified air to the outside. The invention uses mixed liquid in its air purifying method. The invention includes a method that uses centrifugal force to form a mixed liquid filter, a method that takes in contaminated air, a method that purifies the contaminated air, and a method that discharges purified air to the outside. The invention can achieve a high degree of economic efficiency and a high degree of purification efficiency.

Abstract: A computer case assembly that requires few or no screws for assembly includes a chassis that comprises a frame with side panels forming device bays for computer accessory devices. At least one of the side panels includes substantially parallel horizontal protrusions along the interior surface of the panel. A mounting rail has a screwless attachment for applying the mounting rail to a computer accessory device. The mounting rail is configured to slide between the protrusions of the side panel, and includes a latch to engage the chassis frame members. The chassis also includes a rear panel and a motherboard panel attached to the rear panel. The motherboard panel and the attached rear panel may be moved into a position in which the rear panel is substantially flush with the rear of the chassis. When the rear panel is substantially flush with the rear frame members, a latch affixed to the motherboard panel engages one of the rear frame members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting a contact lens for orthokeratology. The method comprises selecting an appropriate contact lens based on the patient's ocular information using a vision improvement program reference table and fitting the patient with the selected vision improvement lens.

Abstract: An earring retainer comprising an elastic material having a front side and a back side and a scoring or cut for receiving a post of an earring such that the post may puncture the elastic material and is held firmly by friction. The earring retainers are made and used by cutting an elastic material into esthetic shapes, making an axial scoring on each earring retainer from a front side to a back side for each earring retainer to receive an earring post, and then packaging the earring retainers against a backing sheet. By way of example, when made and used in this manner, each earring retainer can be cut into individual esthetic shapes and can be easily peeled away for use by the user.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a video display with a screen to the interior of an automobile is disclosed. The hinge assembly comprises an open shaft adapted to pivot the screen about a first axis, a rotate shaft adapted to pivot the screen about a second axis, transversal to the first axis, a click plate attached to at least one end of the rotate shaft, the click plate causing the rotate shaft to pivot with a plurality of stops to maintain stability of the video display, a stopper attached to at least one end of the rotate shaft, the stopper causing the rotate shaft to stop rotation at a predetermined angle.