Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for determining the quality of surface. An illuminating light source radiates light at a predetermined angle onto the measurement surface. An optical detecting device receives the light reflected from said measurement surface and converts same into an electrical measurement signal. A processor controls the measurement sequence and evaluates the measurement results, which are emitted via an output device. The illuminating light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode. The light emitted comprises at least blue, green and red spectral components in the visible range of the spectrum. A filter is provided in the path of radiation between the light source and the photosensor.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit has a VDD bus, a VSS bus, an IC pad, a PMOS transistor coupled to the IC pad and the VDD bus, and an NMOS transistor coupled to the IC pad and the VSS bus. The pitch of the PMOS can smaller than the pitch of the NMOS, and the drain-contact-to-gate-spacing (DCGS) for the PMOS can be smaller than the DCGS for the NMOS.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a single ended sense amplifier, which is engaged in receiving signals of a memory apparatus of a semiconductor, and generates output signals in an output terminal. The single ended sense amplifier comprises: a first loading unit, which offers a loading current; a first sense switch unit, which is in between a memory apparatus of semiconductor and the first loading unit to couple them together, and connects to the first loading unit to form an output terminal in order to be as a channel switch for a channel from semiconductor memory apparatus to the output terminal of the sense amplifier; a second loading unit, which offers a charging current; a second sense switch unit, which is in between the semiconductor memory apparatus and the second loading unit to couple them together; an inverse logic unit, which is among the semiconductor memory apparatus, the first sense switch unit and the second sense switch unit for controlling the plural sense switch units.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rotational speed of a disk player includes first calculating the proportion of time which the disk player is reading data from the disk during a unit time T. Thereafter, the method increases the rotational speed of the disk player if the proportion of time that the disk player spends reading data from the disk is greater than a first threshold during each of m consecutive units of time T, and decreases the rotational speed of the disk player if the proportion of time that the disk player spends reading data from the disk is less than a second threshold during each of n consecutive units of time T.

Abstract: A USB host system includes a core logic having a host controller and a first root hub coupled thereto, a second root hub external to the core logic and coupled to the first root hub via a mapping interface, and a plurality of USB ports coupled to the second root hub, each of the USB ports adapted to couple an external USB device.

Abstract: A memory card connector is positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB) which is coupled to ground so as to receive and couple a memory card. The connector has a main body positioned on the PCB. The connector also has a cover removably attached to the main body to define a memory card receiving space between the PCB, the main body and the cover. The cover has at least one flexible extension extending into the receiving space, and a draining portion that is electrically coupled to the main body. The memory card is inserted into the receiving space so that the extension contacts a metal portion on the memory card, with the extension electrically coupled to ground via the draining portion and the main body. Thus, static electricity can be drained to ground via the extension, the draining portion and the main body.

Abstract: A carrying case has a storage section that has at least one storage compartment for receiving articles. An amusement feature is provided with the carrying case. The amusement feature can be an electronic device, or a non-electronic device. The amusement feature can be provided on an outer surface of the carrying case, on an inner panel disposed inside the storage section, on a pouch attached to the storage section, or at any internal or external location of the carrying case.

Abstract: A disk drive has a tray with a chassis secured to the tray, the tray and the chassis being housed inside a housing. The disk drive includes a slide mechanism that is positioned between the chassis and the tray, and which is movable independently from the chassis. The disk drive also includes a locking and ejection mechanism that includes a first part that is secured to the chassis and a second part that is secured to the slide mechanism. The tray is locked inside the housing when the first part and second part engage each other, and the tray is ejected from the housing when engagement between the first part and second part is released.

Abstract: A collapsible structure has a first panel and a second panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The first panel has a first side that is stitched to the fabric of the second panel by a stitching. Another collapsible structure has a first panel and a second panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The second panel has an opening provided in its fabric, with a first side of the first panel inserted through the opening to couple the first panel to the second panel.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state than in the compressed state. A plurality of connecting members connect the apices of adjacent annular elements. The connecting members have a plurality of alternating segments that function to compensate for the smaller longitudinal dimension of each annular element in the expanded state. The stent may be provided with varying flexibility along its length and/or circumference, and may include segments that have different diameters.

Abstract: A keyboard has a processor, a scan matrix coupled to the processor, a first set of keys coupled to the scan matrix, a logic control circuit, and a second set of keys coupled to the logic control circuit. The processor decodes the identity of a pressed key from the second set of keys via the logic control circuit.

Abstract: A collapsible object is provided having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. A pole coupled to the panel to support the panel.

Abstract: A bubble generating assembly has a housing, a container coupled to the housing and retaining bubble solution, a trigger mechanism, a bubble generating device, a tubing that couples the interior of the container with the bubble generating device, a stationary wiping bar that is fixed to the housing, and a link assembly housed inside the housing. The link assembly couples the trigger mechanism and the bubble generating device in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the bubble generating device to move past the wiping bar and to contact the wiping bar, so as to create a film of bubble solution across the bubble generating device.

Abstract: A collapsible play structure comprises one or more play modules connected together, each play module comprising at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material substantially covers each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. Each side panel further comprises at least three sides. The left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel. The bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on a supporting surface to support the play module.

Abstract: A scanner has a housing, and a glass piece positioned over the housing and covering portions of the interior of the housing, with the glass piece adapted to support an image to be scanned. The scanner further includes a sensor positioned inside the housing below the glass piece, and a light source positioned inside the housing below the glass piece in a manner to direct a light beam at the glass piece so that the light beam is reflected off the glass piece and is received by the sensor to capture the image to be scanned. As a result, the entire image is captured at the same time by the sensor.