Abstract: A method for dimmable control of a multiple output EL lamp driver is disclosed. The multiple output EL lamp driver has a power converter. A plurality of EL lamps are provided wherein one terminal of each EL lamp is coupled to a single common terminal. A plurality of half bridge circuits are provided wherein each circuit has an output impedance. One half bridge circuit is coupled to the single common terminal and each remaining terminal of each EL lamp is coupled to a separate individual half bridge circuit. A logic circuit is coupled to each of the half bridge. An oscillator is coupled to the logic circuit. The method comprises: minimizing the output impedance of the half bridge circuit coupled to the single common terminal to prevent to brightness crosstalk between EL lamps; selecting output impedances of remaining half bridge circuits to produce rounded waveforms across terminals of the EL lamps; and manipulating a drive waveform of one of the plurality of EL lamps to control brightness.

Abstract: A table and method of playing a combined poker and baccarat-type card game. The method of playing a combined poker and baccarat-type card game comprises dealing 3 cards of both a banker hand and a player hand, with the winning baccarat hand having a higher hand value based on the traditional baccarat scoring system, but without all of the complex baccarat rules for determining if and when a third card is to be dealt. Included is the option of any player to select that the player hand of three cards or the banker hand of three cards or both the player hand and the banker hand will provide a bonus poker hand of one pair, a three-card flush, a three-card straight, three of a kind, a three-card straight flush and a three-card royal flush comprising an Ace and a King and a Queen of any one suit.

Abstract: An electrically operable valve assembly having an integral pressure regulator provides ease of installation and compact packaging for a water supply control system. The valve assembly is particularly useful for systems that control household water supplies to prevent flooding, but is also useful in other applications such as agricultural and industrial systems where water pressure determined water flow volume must be predicted accurately. The valve may also incorporate a flow meter having a positive flow characteristic permitting determination of very low flow rate flow and the valve may incorporate a manual control. All of the controls and features are integrable within a compact package that occupies essentially the same volume and piping space as a conventional electrically operable valve.

Abstract: A semiconductor package has a substrate comprising a resin layer of an approximate planar plate, a cavity passing through the resin layer vertically at a center area thereof, a plurality of electrically conductive patterns formed at a bottom surface of the resin layer, and a conductive plan. An adhesive layer of a predetermined thickness is formed at an upper part of an inside of the cavity. A semiconductor die is positioned inside the cavity of the substrate and has a plurality of bond pads formed at a bottom surface thereof, a bottom surface of the adhesive layer being bonded to a top surface thereof. A plurality of conductive wires for electrically connecting the bond pads of the semiconductor die to the electrically conductive patterns are formed at a bottom surface of the substrate. An encapsulant is used for covering the semiconductor die formed at the lower part of the adhesive layer, the conductive wires and the cavity.

Abstract: A device for securing a towel to the ground so the towel will not be blown away by the wind is comprises a first anchor devices coupled to a first end of the towel and a second anchor device coupled to a second end of the towel. The first anchor device and the second anchor device are coupled to the ground to prevent the towel from being blown away by the wind. The first anchor device and the second anchor device each comprises a body section. A first arc member is coupled to the body section. The first arc member is rolled in the ground so that ground elements rest inside the first arch member such that the weight of the ground elements prevents the beach towel from being blow away. A second arc member is coupled to the body section for securing the towel to the body section.

Abstract: An integrated circuit substrate having embedded wire conductors provides high-density interconnect structure for integrated circuits. Wires are shaped to form a conductive pattern and placed atop a dielectric substrate layer. Additional dielectric is electro-deposited over the wires to form an insulating layer that encapsulates the wires. One or more power planes may be embedded within the substrate and wires within the conductive pattern may be laser-welded to vertical wire stubs previously attached to a power plane. Vias may be formed by mechanically or laser drilling (or plasma or chemical etching) through any power planes and screening a copper paste into the drilled holes to form conductive paths through the holes. Via conductors may then be exposed by a plasma operation that removes dielectric, leaving the ends of the via conductors exposed. Wires within the conductive pattern may then be laser-welded to the via conductor ends.

Abstract: A musical instrument teaching calender has a plurality of pages coupled together. A date section is located on each of the plurality of pages for indicating the day of the year. A musical instruction section is located on each of the plurality of pages for teaching a musical lesson.

Abstract: An automated therapy table having various support portions capable of being independently and automatically actuated by a physical therapist or other medical practitioner in order to move parts of a person's body medially/laterally, posteriorly/anteriorly and rotatably without causing physical stress to the medical practitioner.

Abstract: A pillow book holder capable of allowing a reader to read a book without unnecessary hand muscle strain while at the same time the pillow book holder is capable of falling without damaging itself, the book, or losing the page place.

Abstract: An improved bolt action rifle. In its preferred embodiment, the improved bolt action rifle has at least one locking lug positioned within the bolt and having at its bottom a convex projection adapted to be inserted into a mating convex slot; a locking lug safety plunger located adjacent to a locking lug and adapted to prevent full insertion of the bolt without the presence of the locking lug; a bolt handle lock to lock the bolt in an upright position when the bolt handle is pulled rearward of the receiver; a bolt handle positioning detent to hold the bolt in a downward firing position when the rifle is in condition to be fired; a split receiver ring having two openings, one for permitting the ejection of a cartridge and the other for permitting the insertion of a new cartridge from the magazine; a bolt sleeve lock for locking together portions of the bolt; an ambidextrous magazine release; a magazine ejector; and an improved trigger mechanism based on the use of studs instead of pins.

Abstract: A dual compartment tire has a primary air compartment and a secondary air compartment that is internal to the primary air compartment. During ordinary travel, the primary air compartment is in contact with the road surface, with the secondary air compartment constituting an integral spare tire in the event of a flattening of the primary air compartment. Each of the primary and secondary air compartments is bounded by an exterior surface. In contrast to prior art dual compartment tires, the exterior surface of the secondary air compartment is relatively thicker than the exterior surface of the primary air compartment.

Abstract: A semiconductor package has a substrate comprising a resin layer of an approximate planar plate, a die pad coupled at a top surface of a center area of the resin layer and having a printed photo imaging type protective layer thereon and a plurality of electrically conductive patterns, on which the photo imaging type protective layer and a thermosetting protective layer are printed in a consecutive order, formed at a periphery of the die pad. A semiconductor die is coupled to the photo imaging type protective layer on the die pad of the substrate by an adhesive. A plurality of conductive wires is used for electrically connecting the semiconductor die to the electrically conductive patterns. An encapsulant is used for covering the semiconductor die, the conductive wires and the surface of thermosetting protective layer on the electrically conductive patterns in order to protect them from the external environment. A plurality of contacts are coupled to the electrically conductive patterns of the substrate.

Abstract: A laminated low-profile dual filter module for telecommunications devices and method provides both Groupe Spécial Mobile (GSM) and Digital Cellular System (DCS) transmit filters in a small package. The filter module comprises multiple layers of ceramic substrate with metal circuit patterns sandwiched between. Two separate filters are implemented within the layers, with a first filter comprising a first set of layers and the second filter adjoining within a second set of layers. Resonators for each filter are positioned at the opposite sides of the module, in order to avoid coupling between the resonators and ground layers are interspersed for isolation. Capacitors are implemented by a first plate defined by an area on one metal layer with the adjacent layers providing ground planes that form the second plate.

Abstract: A lateral-view mirror assembly having a first lateral-view mirror and a second lateral-view mirror coupled to a spoiler of a vehicle and dimensioned to provide a driver of a vehicle with the ability to view objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the first and second lateral-view mirrors to a rear-view mirror to the driver.

Abstract: A motroized vehicle has a circular platform. A hemispherical frame is coupled to the platform. A front axle and wheel assembly is rotatably coupled to a front section of the hemispherical frame. A rear axle and wheel assembly is rotatably coupled to a rear section of the hemispherical frame. A motor is coupled to the rear axle and wheel assembly for powering the vehicle. Control devices are coupled to the motor and the front and rear axle and wheel assembly for controlling operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flow meter and electrically operable valve assembly having integral flow meters provide detection of very low water flows, along with ease of installation and compact packaging for a water supply control system. The flow detection is particularly useful for systems that control household water supplies to prevent flooding, but is also useful in other applications such as agricultural and industrial systems where low water flow rates must be determined. All of the controls and features are integrable within a compact package that occupies essentially the same volume and piping space as a conventional electrically operable valve.

Abstract: A writing aid for helping to steady a hand of an individual to allow the individual to write in a more steady manner has a writing pad. The writing pad has a magnetic layer. A writing instrument is provided wherein the writing instrument has at least one magnet coupled to a bottom section of the writing instrument. The magnetic attraction between the magnet and the magnetic layer will steady the hand of the individual using the writing aid. The writing instrument is adjustable so that the individual can adjust a distance a writing tip of the writing instrument is deployed. By adjusting the length of the writing tip that is deployed, the individual can adjust the magnetic attraction between the magnet at the bottom section of the writing instrument and the magnetic layer.