Abstract: A thin-film transistor and a liquid crystal display having an ultra minimal rough reflective layer on pixel design are described. An ultra minimal rough reflective layer with an ultra minimal rough surface is formed on a substrate. The ultra minimal rough reflective layer includes an amorphous or partial crystalline indium tin oxide layer and a silicon-containing rugged layer to form the ultra minimal rough surface. A reflective layer conformal to the rugged layer is then formed thereon to obtain an ultra minimal roughness reflective surface, thereby to enhance reflective results.

Abstract: A self-powered electronic combination lock including a lock mechanism having locked and unlocked conditions. A rotatable dial is used to input a numerical combination code for changing the lock mechanism from the locked condition to the unlocked condition. An electronic display operates to display individual numbers of the combination code as the dial is rotated and a control is electrically connected with the dial and the electronic display. The control changes the numbers shown in the display as the dial is rotated in a single direction and the control is operable to sense a change in the direction of dial rotation. An electricity generating device is connected with the dial and the control and operates through dial rotation to generate electricity to power the control.

Abstract: A combined matching and harmonic rejection circuit with increased harmonic rejection provided by a split resonance for one or more of the capacitive or inductive elements of the circuit. At a fundamental frequency, the circuit comprises an inductive series arm with capacitive shunt arms. The capacitance of a shunt arm may be provided by two or more parallel paths, each having a capacitor and an inductor in series so that, in addition to providing the effective capacitance necessary for impedance matching at the fundamental frequency, two separate harmonics represented by the series resonances of the parallel paths are rejected. In this manner, an extra null in the circuit's stop-band may be achieved using the same number of shunt elements necessary to achieve impedance matching at the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: A watercraft with a propulsion engine includes at least one hull having an underside. A dual exhaust system includes a first exhaust conduit defining a first exhaust flow path leading to the underside (e.g., a step in a planing surface on the underside) and a second exhaust conduit defining a second exhaust flow path to atmosphere. One embodiment is self proportioning. In another embodiment, an onboard proportioning system varies first and second proportions of the exhaust flowing through respective ones of the first and second exhaust conduits according to exhaust back pressure. First and second valve mechanisms selectively restrict the first and second exhaust flow paths under computer or manual control according to pressure sensed by a back-pressure-sensing component in order to thereby direct the exhaust in desired proportions for enhanced operating characteristics and reduced thermal signature.

Abstract: A collapsible decoy 10, including two generally planar side body panels 11, 12 allowing the decoy 10 to be collapsed into a substantially flat configuration and which are splayed when in the erected position, a head and neck portion 14 connected to at least one of the side body panels 11, 12, and a means for retaining the side body panels 11, 12, when in use, in the erected position.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described for selectively generating an analog current output value or an analog voltage output value as a function of an analog input value. Optionally, the analog current output value or the analog voltage output value may also be a function of an input base value or a signed input correction value. The circuit arrangement includes a current control unit, a voltage control unit, a current output source is triggered by the current control unit, and a voltage output source triggered by the voltage control unit. The current output source and voltage output source of the circuit arrangement may be triggered in parallel and are connected in series on the output side.

Abstract: Developing a texture of a material includes receiving a billet of material having an initial texture. The billet is associated with an extrusion procedure having extrusion routes executed as passes. The following is repeated for each pass to transform the initial texture to a developed texture: the billet is extruded through an inlet channel of an equal channel angular extrusion die according to the routes, and the billet is extruded through an outlet channel of the equal channel angular extrusion die according to the extrusion routes.

Abstract: A hybrid ARQ scheme is used incremental data packet combining. In an example embodiment, the hybrid ARQ scheme with incremental data packet combining employs three feedback signaling commands: ACK, NACK, and LOST. Using these three feedback commands, the hybrid ARQ scheme with incremental data packet combining provides both robustness and good performance. This scheme is particularly advantageous in communication systems with unreliable communication channels, e.g., a fading radio channel, where forward error correction (FEC) codes are used and some of the code symbols are more important than other code symbols. Benefits include increased throughput and decreased delay of the packet data communication.

Abstract: A method for recycling an invert emulsion based drilling fluid, in which the invert emulsion based drilling fluid includes an oil component and an aqueous component. The method includes: mixing the invert emulsion drilling fluid with a emulsion clearing agent, wherein the emulsion clearing agent is a mixture of an anionic tensid and a non-ionic tensid; and separating the oil component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid from the aqueous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid. The method preferably utilizes an emulsion breaking agent that is a combination of an anionic tensid, a non-ionic tensid and an alkyl polyglycoside tensid.

Abstract: A method of managing the erasure of units of a flash memory. An indication is provided that an erasure of one or more units is pending, either before the units are erased or, in case of power loss, during the erasure. Subsequent to a completed erasure, an indication provided before an erasure is either erased or offset by an indication of a completed erasure. Upon powering up, or, in some embodiments, also prior to writing, the indications are inspected and units not completely erased are erased again. The present invention may be implemented in hardware, in firmware, in software, or in any combination of the three. In embodiments not totally reliant on software, appropriate non-volatile registers are provided, for storing the indications as erase pending flags and erase completed flags, and also for storing corresponding unit numbers.

Abstract: An additive that increases the density of fluids used in a wellbore during the construction or repair of oil, gas, injection, water, or geothermal wells comprises a wellbore fluid containing a sized barite weighting agent that has an increased density with improved suspension stability without a significant viscosity increase. The wellbore fluid as described herein has rheological properties comparable to a conventional wellbore fluids but does not exhibit problems with sag and resulting variations in density. An illustrative embodiment of the claimed subject matter is further directed to a method for making the sized barite weighting agent and a method for using such sized barite weighting agent in a wellbore fluid. In one preferred embodiment the sized barite weighting agent has a particle diameter between 4 ?m to 15 ?m. In another preferred embodiment, the additive has a D50 (by weight) of approximately 1 ?m to 6 ?m.

Abstract: An additive that increases the density of fluids used in a wellbore during the construction or repair of oil, gas, injection, water, or geothermal wells comprises a wellbore fluid containing a sized barite weighting agent that has an increased density with improved suspension stability without a significant viscosity increase. The wellbore fluid as described herein has rheological properties comparable to a conventional wellbore fluids but does not exhibit problems with sag and resulting variations in density. An illustrative embodiment of the claimed subject matter is further directed to a method for making the sized barite weighting agent and a method for using such sized barite weighting agent in a wellbore fluid. In one preferred embodiment the sized barite weighting agent has a particle diameter between 4 ?m to 15 ?m. In another preferred embodiment, the additive has a D50 (by weight) of approximately 1 ?m to 6 ?m.

Abstract: An additive that increases the density of fluids used in a wellbore during the construction or repair of oil, gas, injection, water, or geothermal wells comprises a wellbore fluid containing a sized barite weighting agent that has an increased density with improved suspension stability without a significant viscosity increase. The wellbore fluid as described herein has rheological properties comparable to a conventional wellbore fluids but does not exhibit problems with sag and resulting variations in density. An illustrative embodiment of the claimed subject matter is further directed to a method for making the sized barite weighting agent and a method for using such sized barite weighting agent in a wellbore fluid. In one preferred embodiment the sized barite weighting agent has a particle diameter between 4 ?m to 15 ?m. In another preferred embodiment, the additive has a D50 (by weight) of approximately 1 ?m to 6 ?m.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for use in hospitality facilities to enable customers to interact with the video system used to provide directed acquisition of goods and services.

Abstract: A transmitter with a pulse width modulation amplifier includes an inner positive feedback loop, which has a self oscillating modulator and a switching stage and is connected to an LP filter. Outer feedback loops from the LP filter respective from an output transformer are coupled to a compensation block connected to the inner loop. An input telecommunications signal, fed via the compensation block, is superimposed on a carrier from the modulator into a pulse width modulated signal, which is amplified, filtered and fed to the transformer. The input signal is compared with feedback signals. Phase shift caused by the LP filter is partly compensated by the inner loop. A switching frequency in the modulator therefore can be comparatively low. An output impedance is kept on a predetermined level, enabling connection of a receiver. Advantages are low power dissipation, high packing density, high frequency bands and use in bidirectional communication.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of feedlot biomass as reburn fuel matter to reduce NOx emissions. According to one embodiment of the invention, feedlot biomass is used as the reburn fuel to reduce NOx. The invention also includes burners and boiler in which feedlot biomass serves a reburn fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling inter-piconet communication in ad-hoc communication networks are disclosed. A first network node transmits a capacity allocation message to a second network node, which message includes a parameter indicative of the capacity requested from the second terminal and a representation of available capacity in the first terminal. The second terminal performs a matching function to determine whether there is mutually acceptable available capacity that is allocable to a communication session with the first terminal.

Abstract: In a multipoint-to-point link, packets are transmitted over a shared medium to a central node in response to permits. The central node issues permits to a multipoint node on the basis of a queue size record, held at the central node. The queue record is updated on receipt of a queue size report (request for permits) from the multipoint node. Due to the transmission delays across the link, an erroneous queue value can be recorded at the central node when permits and a request for permits are sent at about the same time. This problem is overcome and the transfer capacity improved when the central node holds a record of the permits sent during the preceding round trip delay. Any incoming reqest for permits is then adjusted by the number of stored permits before it is utilized to update the queue record.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved split-tip screwdriver. The split-tip screwdriver of the present invention prevents the movable sleeve from detaching from the remainder of the screwdriver by incorporating a retention rim on both the sleeve and the handle. The split-tip screwdriver also provides an extended portion on the sleeve that covers the elongated members and insulates the elongated members when the sleeve is extended from the handle to minimize the possibility of a user inadvertently being shocked by electricity conducted through the elongated members.