Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a computer-based method for determining a set of equity-indexed crediting parameters C for a selectable-term equity-indexed deposit product also having a set of profitability requirements R, a principal amount P, an account value A, a maximum term T, a set of lock-in formulas F, a selected term T?, an immediate credit I, and a guaranteed rate G, with R, P, A, T, C, and F determined at the time of product purchase and T? <=T determined by the purchaser after the time of purchase and I and G determined by the seller at T? according to the set of formulas F, with the immediate credit I being added to the account value A at time T? and interest being credited to the account value A at the rate G from time T? to time T.

Abstract: A nail care device includes a covering part, a light-emitting component, and a light-emitting control module. The covering part is configured for covering a tip of a digit of a limb. The light-emitting component is disposed in the covering part in a manner that light emitted by the light-emitting component irradiates a nail on the tip of the digit covered by the covering part. The light-emitting control module is coupled to the light-emitting component and is operable to control operation of the light-emitting component.

Abstract: A sheet stacking and pallet loading system configured to stack sheets of material on a first pallet while holding a second pallet in a staging position above the first pallet. The system can include an elevator for supporting the first pallet in a loading position while the sheets are stacked on the first pallet. After a sufficient quantity of sheets has been stacked thereon, the elevator can lower the first pallet from its loading position. The second pallet can then be lowered from its staging position such that the sheets can be stacked thereon. The system can further include extendable pallet supports which can be extended to support the second pallet while the first pallet is being lowered by the elevator. The pallet loading system can further include a pallet-grasping assembly having, first, a frame movable along a track and, second, one or more end-effectors movable relative to the frame for engaging a pallet.

Abstract: A long range, high intensity spotlight for human incapacitation and control that uses an incoherent collimated constant light source of sufficient intensity and focus to cause temporary incapacitation of a person for a period of time when illuminated by the beam without causing permanent physical harm. The high intensity spotlight comprises a head portion at one end having a window opening and a handle portion connected to the head portion and containing electronic circuitry and thermal air management for controlling operating temperature of the lamp. A paraboloid reflector is mounted in the head portion to face the window opening, and a high intensity electric arc Xenon lamp is adjustably mounted within the reflector so that the electrode gap is located as close as possible to the focus of the reflector. An adjustable mounting base allows the position of the reflector to be adjusted until the optimum focus is reached. A properly positioned cathode wire feed optimizes the lamp performance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to synchronization of communication equipment are disclosed. Synchronization information received from a bonded communication link can be used to synchronize local and/or remote communication equipment, such as femtocell sites coupled to nodes in a ring network. This may involve isolating a frequency reference signal from a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) communication link which is a constituent link of a bonded communication link, for example. In a ring network, received synchronization information could be used in synchronizing a locally connected installation of communication equipment, and passed for transmission in the ring network for synchronizing other communication equipment. Such dropping and passing of an analog frequency reference signal could be applied in networks having other topologies as well. At least some embodiments of the invention are applicable to optical links.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to electrical power conversion devices and to the universal packaging of those devices for a wide range of applications yielding cost efficient inventory management of product lines consisting of a group of power conversion devices each with minor variations. More specifically, the present invention relates to a universal mounting frame for receiving a printed circuit board in a switch mode power supply. The universal frame is adapted for receiving an open frame or printed circuit board and securing the open frame within a plurality of known packaging configurations. To this end, only a single size printed circuit board is necessary for any type of switch mode power supply configurations, thereby, reducing costs associated with manufacture and testing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to bonded interconnection of local communication networks are disclosed. Bonded communication links, including multiple constituent links that have been bonded together, are terminated to enable communications over the bonded links using bandwidth available on the constituent links. A cross-connect function determines whether received communication traffic is to be forwarded to one or more of a local communication network and the terminated bonded links. The received communication traffic is forwarded in accordance with the determination. The local communication networks may include ring networks, linear networks, or both. The bonded links and links between nodes in a local communication network are bonded DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) links in some embodiments. Bonding of DSL links in this manner can be used, for instance, to extend the reach of DSL service without sacrificing bandwidth.

Abstract: The invention provides for automatically identifying the location of a displayed video window based upon a characterization of selected portions of the image for realness based upon a distribution of luminance values for the selected portions. The image is then searched mathematically for a large rectangle of realness, and if found, a similar operation is performed in a smaller rectangle around each of the edges of the large rectangle, in turn, zooming in to a resolution of one pixel, thus identifying the position of the edge. This process can be repeated as often as necessary in order to maintain a fix on the edges of the video window.

Abstract: A system for optimizing response time to events or representations thereof waiting in a queue has a first server having access to the queue; a software application running on the first server; and a second server accessible from the first server, the second server containing rules governing the optimization. In a preferred embodiment, the software application at least periodically accesses the queue and parses certain ones of events or tokens in the queue and compares the parsed results against rules accessed from the second server in order to determine a measure of disposal time for each parsed event wherein if the determined measure is sufficiently low for one or more of the parsed events, those one or more events are modified to a reflect a higher priority state than originally assigned enabling faster treatment of those events resulting in relief from those events to the queue system load.

Abstract: The invention relates to determining the image content of an incoming bitstream such that various image improvement effects may be accomplished. The invention provides for determining a realness value of an image formed of a plurality of pixels each having associated pixel data by evaluating a spatial distribution of luminance values of the image. Realness values are first determined for subregions of an image frame through an analysis of a luminance histogram generated for each subregion. Subsequently, the subregion realness values are analyzed to generate a total realness value for the image frame and to classify the image content of the image frame.

Abstract: A method for fabricating free standing thickness of materials using one or more semiconductor substrates, e.g., single crystal silicon, polysilicon, silicon germanium, germanium, group III/IV materials, and others. In a specific embodiment, the present method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a surface region and a thickness. The method includes subjecting the surface region of the semiconductor substrate to a first plurality of high energy particles provided at a first implant angle generated using a linear accelerator to form a region of a plurality of gettering sites within a cleave region, the cleave region being provided beneath the surface region to defined a thickness of material to be detached, the semiconductor substrate being maintained at a first temperature.

Abstract: An embodiment of a composite substrate member in accordance with the present invention has a handle substrate member derived from a plurality of nanoparticles in a fluid mixture, and a thickness of material transferred to the handle substrate member. The handle substrate member may be formed from a plurality of liquid layers, for example a thinner surface layer conveying specific properties to the donor/substrate interface, and a thicker support layer dispensed over the surface layer.

Abstract: A reusable transfer substrate member for forming a tiled substrate structure. The member including a transfer substrate, which has a surface region. The surface region comprises a plurality of donor substrate regions. Each of the donor substrate regions is characterized by a donor substrate thickness and a donor substrate surface region. Each of the donor substrate regions is spatially disposed overlying the surface region of the transfer substrate. Each of the donor substrate regions has the donor substrate thickness without a definable cleave region.

Abstract: A display controller coupled to a display device by way of a display interface and to a host device by way of a data port that includes a processor arranged to process executable instructions and associated data, a single memory device for storing the executable instructions and associated data and EDID corresponding to the display device, and a bridge portion coupling the single memory device to the host device by way of the data port, wherein the bridge portion is always in a powered on state thereby providing access to the single memory device by the host device even when the display controller is in a powered off state such as during a boot up process when the display controller is in the powered off state.

Abstract: A display controller coupled to a display device by way of a display interface and to a host device by way of a data port that includes a processor arranged to process executable instructions and associated data, a single memory device for storing the executable instructions and associated data and EDID corresponding to the display device, and a bridge portion coupling the single memory device to the host device by way of the data port, wherein the bridge portion is always in a powered on state thereby providing access to the single memory device by the host device even when the display controller is in a powered off state such as during a boot up process when the display controller is in the powered off state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feedback controlled bioculture platform for use as a precision cell biology research tool and for clinical cell growth and maintenance applications. The system provides individual closed-loop flowpath cartridges, with integrated, aseptic sampling and routing to collection vials or analysis systems. The system can operate in a standard laboratory or other incubator for provision of requisite gas and thermal environment. System cartridges are modular and can be operated independently or under a unified system controlling architecture, and provide for scale-up production of cell and cell products for research and clinical applications. Multiple replicates of the flowpath cartridges allow for individual, yet replicate cell culture growth and multiples of the experiment models that can be varied according to the experiment design, or modulated to desired cell development of cell culture end-points.

Abstract: A heavy-duty demolition shear with a replaceable shearing tip has a lower jaw and an upper jaw piviotally connected to the lower jaw. The upper jaw has primary and secondary shear blades. A replaceable shearing tip is mounted to the upper jaw. The replaceable shearing tip has two L-shaped sections which engage the upper jaw between them. The replaceable shearing tip engages the upper jaw on at least three seats. The replaceable shearing tip is connected to the upper jaw by socket-head cap-screws.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for predicting, diagnosing and monitoring skin states and skin diseases. The methods combine the use of non-invasive skin collecting techniques with one or more assays for determining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) aberrations and Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) variants, thereby providing a comprehensive tool for identifying, predicting and/or monitoring photoageing, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damage or skin disease. The methods of the invention may also be effective in screening for new therapeutic agents, skin care products and treatment regimes, and may also be useful for monitoring the response of a subject to a preventative or therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: The disclosed technology enables manufacturers to efficiently design and manufacture structural wall panels, floor panels and roof panels from cold-formed steel for use in residential and commercial construction. The panels are individual components that can be installed at a building site to form a structure that includes walls, floor and a roof. Structures may be manufactured in a manufacturing facility and delivered to a construction site for installation.