Abstract: A portable illumination device includes a first component having a light source(s) and a second component coupled to the first component, and the second component includes a curved handle containing one or more battery cells within the curved handle, wherein the light source(s) are powered via the one or more battery cells, and wherein a center of mass of the illumination device is located in the curved handle. By way of example, the brightnesses of the light source(s) are adjustable and the control firmware of the micro-controller inside the portable illumination device is upgradable. In addition, the curved handle's center position may have a foldable hook for hanging the device downward so that it may be used as a lantern or flash light.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit has a PWM output signal that features accurate timing even in the face of interference imposed upon the control signal representative of the desired PWM duty cycle. The PWM circuit includes or has a first or switching section and a second or analog section. The second section has an operational amplifier with a summing circuit that sums two input signals, namely a triangular wave signal and the control input signal, and then amplifies the summed signal to produce a trapezoidal waveform output delivered to the second section. The first section features a two-input comparator that produces a PWM signal output with a fast transition in response to trapezoidal output fed as an input and compared to a stable reference signal. Due to the speed of the op amp, timing errors on the PWM output signal due to interference on the control signal are minimized.

Abstract: An H bridge regulating system for driving an electric load includes a linear output stage and switch mode output stage connected to opposite ends of the load. The linear output stage has a linear mode amplifier and a feedback circuit, and its amplifier generates a first output signal tied to one end of the load. This output voltage is passed through a conditioning resistor to an inverting input of the linear mode amplifier. The switch mode output stage has a switch mode amplifier and a feedback circuit, and its amplifier generates a second output signal tied to the other end of the load. Its voltage signal is passed through a second conditioning resistor to an inverting input of the switch mode amplifier. Other feedback circuit elements are also provided to create three distinct regions of operations for each of the amplifiers.

Abstract: A laser-based optical inspection system is provided for detecting and measuring surface imperfections and warpage conditions in an optical information storage disk either during its manufacture or afterwards. The optical inspection system includes a light source, a rotatable mirror for directing a source beam from the light source along a radial line on the surface of the disk, a convex lens positioned between the mirror and the disk for focusing the source beam at the surface of said disk, and a photodetector for registering a beam being reflected from the surface of said disk, such that the reflected beam is indicative of surface imperfections in said disk. In addition, an electronic processor and controller are connected to the photodetector for processing its registered beam signals and for determining if the disk surface imperfections exceeds specified tolerances.

Abstract: A portable closable container has individually closable cells under a main lid. The container has a base with which the main lid defines an internal space. The internal space is partially filled by a plurality of side-by-side, top-to-bottom individual cells. Each of the cells is fitted with a removable cover which is hingedly mounted to the cell. The removable cover of the cell includes a tab for manipulation by the user's finger. A space is provided for a label on the cover of the cell. The components of the container are preferably composed of a polymerized material, such as polypropylene. There are two slots on the main lid which match the two feet on the base. These slots and the feet allow one container of the same kind to be stacked on the top of another without one shifting with respect to the other away from each other.