Abstract: A linear battery chargers is disclosed which comprises a current generator, a current detector, an operational amplifier, and a multiplexing device. The current generator provides current to charge a battery module, and the current is detected and transformed to a detected voltage by the current detector. The operational amplifier has an output terminal coupled to a control terminal of the current generator. In a constant current charge mode, the multiplexing device couples a first reference voltage and the detected voltage to first and second input terminals of the operational amplifier, respectively. The current generated by the current generator is maintained at a constant current level. In a constant voltage charge mode, the multiplexing device couples a second reference voltage and the voltage level of the battery module to the first and second input terminals of the operational amplifier, respectively. The voltage level of the battery module gradually approaches a constant voltage level.

Abstract: A design method of a semiconductor device is provided with a mask region setting step of setting a mask region to a layout of the semiconductor device, a parasitic parameter changing step of setting parasitic parameters of a wiring part within the mask region to zero, and a parasitic parameter extraction step of extracting parasitic parameters of either the total layout or a specific part of the layout. The parasitic parameter changing step includes a virtual wiring layer generation step of generating a virtual wiring layer corresponding to the actual wiring layer of the semiconductor device, a parasitic parameter definition step of defining the parasitic parameters of the virtual wiring layer as zero, and a wiring layer conversion step of converting the wiring part within the mask region of the wiring of the actual wiring layer, to the wiring part of the virtual wiring layer.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having one or more toothbrushes connected or connectible to the end of a handle, the one or more toothbrushes providing a desirable fit about the teeth and/or gums and/or providing a desirable brushing action. An oral hygiene device hereof may provide for mechanically providing the brushing movements of the professionally recommended manual tooth-brushing method known as the “Bass” or “Modified Bass” technique to thus reduce or eliminate the element of human error associated with the brushing of a user's teeth and gums.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of a butterfly-type valve that provide a reduction in the unseating torque are disclosed that include a valve body defining a flow passage therein, and a closure disc disposed in the flow passage that has an axis of rotation about which the closure disc rotates between open and closed positions. The valve includes a cylindrical body liner disposed within the valve, which includes a circumferential sealing surface that is engaged by the closure disc to establish a seal when the closure disc is rotated to a closed position. At least one resilient band is at least partially interposed between the valve body and the cylindrical body liner, and at least a portion of the resilient band is tapered to a reduced thickness. The taper reduces the forces associated with the engagement by the closure disc, to thereby reduce the unseating torque required to open the closure disc.

Abstract: Methods for depositing a silicon-containing film are described. The methods may include delivering a silicon compound to a surface or a substrate, and reacting the silicon compound to grow the silicon-containing film. The silicon compound may be one or more compounds having a formula selected from the group Si4X8, Si4X10, Si5X10, and Si5X12, where X is independently a hydrogen or halogen.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing a ventilated eaves closure and tile support apparatus along the eaves of a roof. A vented eaves closure apparatus is disposed along the eaves to support the first course of roof tiles at a desired pitch. The apparatus provides support, ventilation, and drainage, while also providing a barrier to wind-driven precipitation, bird nesting, and animal invasion. The apparatus includes an array of openings configured to allow drainage and facilitate the flow of air beneath the tiles and throughout the air space between the roof deck and the tiles. The method and apparatus can be adapted to fit a variety of roof types and roof tiles having different sizes, shapes, and profiles.

Abstract: A method is provided to virtualize a mutually exclusive lock of a shared immutable object. A determination is made whether any threads have locked the immutable shared object. If threads have not locked the immutable shared object, threads of different tasks are allowed to fast lock and unlock the immutable shared object. If a thread requests the lock of an immutable shared object and the object is fast locked by another thread when both threads are from an equivalent task, the lock of the immutable shared object is inflated and the requesting thread is blocked. If a thread requests the lock of an immutable shared object and the object is fast locked by another thread when both threads are from different tasks, the lock of the immutable shared object is virtualized and granted to the requesting thread.

Abstract: A basement wall is provided which includes a precast prestressed hollow core concrete panel. The panel has a plurality of horizontally extending voids and a plurality of horizontally extending tension cables. The panel has a lower portion extending below grade. The panel preferably has a layer of wire mesh positioned between the voids and the inner surface or between the voids and the outer surface. An end cap for the panel is also provided. The panel can have an impressed brick pattern on the above-grade outer surface and the panel can have a window opening, a brick ledge and/or a beam pocket.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of capacitors includes forming a plurality of individual capacitor electrodes using two masking steps. An earlier of the two masking steps is used to form an array of first openings over a plurality of storage node contacts. A later of the two masking steps is used to form an array of second openings received partially over and partially offset from the array of first openings. Overlapping portions of the first and second openings are received over the storage node contacts. After both of the two masking steps, conductive material of the individual capacitor electrodes is deposited into the overlapping portions of each of the first and second openings. The individual capacitor electrodes are incorporated into a plurality of capacitors. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a substrate having a palladium metal layer over at least one contact point of the substrate and having a flexible conductive polymer bump, preferably a two-stage epoxy, on the palladium plated contact point, are provided. The present invention also relates to assemblies comprising one or more of these substrates.

Abstract: Reactive fire suppression transport agents may be used to release catalytic fire suppression agents, in reaction zones, which may then be transported by naturally occurring flows paths downstream to the vicinity of flame holding regions for fire suppression for example, in aircraft. The reactive fire suppression agents may be delivered in projectiles.

Abstract: The invention provides N-cyclic sulfonamido compounds and salts of Formula I: wherein A is as described in the specification and R1 and R2 combine to form a [3.3.1] or a [3.2.1] ring system, where the nitrogen is attached to the two bridgehead carbons, and the [3.3.1] or [3.2.1] ring systems are optionally fused with an heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl ring. Compounds of Formula I are useful in treating or preventing cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, methods of treating cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, and the intermediates useful in preparing the compounds of Formula I.

Abstract: A method for providing audit support including displaying sample letter images, where each of the sample letter images is associated with one of a number of audit categories. The method further includes receiving a selection of one of the sample letter images from a user, in response to the selection, displaying a detailed sample letter image and a first confirmation question corresponding to the selected sample letter image, and receiving a first response to the first confirmation question from the user, where the first response confirms the user's selection. The method further includes displaying a first audit category description corresponding to the audit category associated with the user's selection, and displaying an action item list associated with the user's selection, where the action item list includes at least one action for the user to take to resolve the audit described by the first audit category description.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a voltage supplying unit that supplies a first regulated voltage and a second regulated voltage by using a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, respectively, and a clock buffer unit that supplies an output clock clocking within a range of the first regulated voltage and the second regulated voltage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to providing duplicate instances of a particular interactive game on multiple wireless devices. When a first instance of an interactive game is initiated on a first wireless device, a unique identifier is assigned to that particular instance. The unique identifier may then be sent to a second wireless device, which may use the unique identifier to initiate a duplicate instance of the interactive game. The unique identifier may be sent through any messaging scheme for wireless devices, such as text messaging.

Abstract: A method of inserting a cured in-place pipe from a cleanout includes positioning a lining along a portion of a length of a bladder, wherein the lining is frangibly connected to the bladder, inserting the bladder through the cleanout, to a position wherein the lining is within the pipe and does not block the pipe.

Abstract: A user-operable actuation device for use in a system. The user-operable actuation device includes a user-operable component supported within a support structure, and operated by the user, and also has an electronic-ink display label. An activation module is provided for transmitting electromagnetic data signals to the electronic-ink display label so as to provide instructions for use in the determinating of graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display label. Each electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink display label includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure.

Abstract: A method for preventing adhesion using a co-polyester comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and at least one lactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and ethylene glycol; and the co-polyester comprises about 40 to 50% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester.