Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with a tool tip. The actuator provides for variable control of the movement of the tool tip in a z-direction laterally along the work piece, while maintaining the tool tip at a substantially constant position in an x-direction into the work piece, for use in making microstructures in the work piece.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with a tool tip. The actuator provides for variable control of the movement of the tool tip in an x-direction into the work piece at two simultaneously independent speeds for use in making microstructures in the work piece.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with a tool tip. The actuator provides for variable control of a rotation of the tool tip about an axis parallel to a y-direction transversely across the work piece for use in making microstructures in the work piece.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a cutting tool assembly used for creating grooves in a microreplication tool. The cutting tool assembly includes a mounting structure and multiple diamonds aligned in the mounting structure to a tolerance of less than 10 microns. For example, first and second tool shanks having first and second diamond tips can be positioned in the mounting structure such that a cutting location of the first diamond tip is identical to a cutting location of the second diamond tip. However, the second diamond tip may be a defined distance further away from the mounting structure than the first diamond tip, or the second diamond tip may have a different shape than the first diamond tip. In this manner, the first diamond tip may cut a groove into a work piece and the second diamond tip may cut a sub-feature into the groove to create a multi-featured groove.

Abstract: Control circuitry associated with an electrophotographic imaging device is adapted to operate in conjunction with a sensor to adjust operating parameters, including an imaging power. The sensor detects a reflectivity of a developed image and the control circuitry uses this detected information and information related to reflectivity of the underlying surface and the developing toner to determine whether the developed image is produced as desired. The control circuitry adjusts imaging power in response to a comparison between the detected reflectivity and a target reflectivity. In one embodiment, a predetermined halftone pattern is developed over a range of imaging powers and an optimum operating point is determined from the iterations. A predictive model may be generated based on many data points to select imaging power based on optimized surface potentials.

Abstract: A drive for delivering a high-power signal to a load includes a power circuit and a drive circuit. The power circuit is operable to provide a high power signal to the load in response to a control signal. The control circuit is operable to generate the control signal for activating the power circuit. The control circuit includes an application processor and a safety circuit. The application processor is operable to generate the control signal during a normal mode of operation. The safety circuit is operable to inhibit the generation of the control signal during a safe-off mode of operation. The safety circuit includes a safety processor independent from the application processor and operable to monitor the safety circuit.

Abstract: Control circuitry associated with an electrophotographic imaging device is adapted to operate in conjunction with a sensor to adjust a difference in electrical bias between a photoconductive surface and an associated roller. The sensor detects a reflectance or luminosity of a developed image and the control circuitry uses this detected information and information related to reflectance or luminosity of the underlying surface and the developing toner to determine whether the developed image is produced as desired. The control circuitry adjusts the difference in electrical bias between the photoconductive surface and an associated roller in response to a comparison between the detected and desired images. In one embodiment, a predetermined test pattern is developed over a range of electrical bias differences and an optimum operating point is determined from the iterations.

Abstract: Microreplicated articles including a defect reducing and wet-out reducing feature and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The microreplicated article includes a flexible substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, a first coated microreplicated pattern on the first surface, and a second coated microreplicated pattern on the second surface. The first coated microreplicated pattern and second coated microreplicated pattern are registered to within 10 micrometers.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device comprises a printhead having at least one laser associated with a corresponding photoconductive surface. Where multiple laser beams are associated with the same photoconductive surface, the laser beams are spaced a predetermined distance from one another in a process direction, which is orthogonal to a scan direction in which the laser beams are swept. The electrophotographic device operates at one of at least two image transfer rates. A controller in the electrophotographic device selectively directs image data to the printhead based, at least in part, upon the selected image transfer rate, the facet resolution, and/or the desired output image resolution. The print speed can thus be adjusted over a relatively wide range.

Abstract: The present invention provides high strength nonwoven wipe materials and the process of making the materials. The high strength nonwoven wipe materials contain cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures thereof, with bicomponent fibers and optionally, a binder. The present invention provides a high strength, high elongation, reduced stiffness nonwoven wipe material with superior tensile strength.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for converting parallel CPU information buses within circuit boards to serial data buses, while limiting overhead data to provide a low-level protocol and high rates of data transfer over distances up to forty inches. Larger scale parallel data buses are converted to serial data by subdividing the buses or buses into a plurality of serial data channels. The invention utilizes high speed serial data circuitry along with custom logic circuits for converting the information on the parallel buses to serial data on the sending end and for re-converting the information to the original parallel data form on the receiving end. The invention can be applied to bi-directional transfer of information and to the connection of a controller circuit board to a plurality of peripheral boards.

Abstract: A string stretcher has a body with a stretcher axis of rotation about which to rotate the string stretcher when positioned transverse to the fingerboard. At least one support member has an upwardly facing support surface for selectively urging and holding the selected string above the fingerboard. A first stretching member has a first stretching surface spaced from the stretcher axis of rotation for contacting the selected string at a first string location to urge the selected string across the fingerboard in a first direction during rotation. A second stretching member has a second stretching surface oppositely facing with respect to the first stretching surface, for contacting the selected string at a second string location opposite the stretcher axis of rotation from the first stretching surface to urge the selected string across the fingerboard in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A film for use with a backlit display has prismatic structures on one surface. The structures have a serpentine shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rural mailbox apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a lower housing and an upper, pivotally mounted upper shell. The lower housing has an opening for passing mail into and out of the housing. The upper shell is pivotally connected to the lower housing with the upper shell being vertically and rotatably moveable between a lowered, closed position and an upper, open position. In the lowered, closed position, the shell sufficiently covers the housing opening to protect contained mail from normal environmental conditions. When the shell is in the upper, open position, access is provided for a user to deposit mail into or extract mail out of the housing.

Abstract: A package of a strip of material is formed by slitting or perforating a web to separate the web into side by side strips and fan folding the web to form a plurality of side by side stacks of the strips. The strip of each stack is spliced to the strip of the next stack to form a continuous strip through the package which can be unfolded for supply continuously to an end use machine. The package while compressed is wrapped by a packaging material which includes a bottom header plate and heat shrink bag wrapped around the package and under a bottom header plate and heat sealed to a bottom surface of the bottom header plate. The spliced connecting portions are held attached to the end plane of the package by a series of spaced tie members formed of spare strip material each of which extends across the end plane and has opposed ends of the tie member tucked between two of the strip portions of respective ones of the outermost stacks.

Abstract: An optical film for use in transparent displays, such as reflective LCDs. The optical film has three-dimensional, prismatic structures that reflect incoming light. The prismatic structures are configured so that the reflecting facets orient the reflected light in desired reflective light pattern. The pattern shape and intensity can be controlled by the shape and dimensions of the various reflecting facets. In one embodiment, the height of the prismatic structure varies along two dimensions of the structure.

Abstract: A packaging device for protecting a trigger-operated sprayer comprising a bottle and a spray gun attachment comprising a trigger, a shroud and a nozzle. The packaging device has a plurality of panels which together define a tube adapted to fit over the tipper part of the sprayer with the lower edge thereof seated on the bottle and to cover the trigger, thereby hindering operation of the sprayer. One of the panels has an opening in which the free end of the trigger engages to hinder operation of the trigger and to hinder removal of the packaging device.

Abstract: An uncrossed-braced, column stabilized semi-submersible and improved methods of operation of the same are disclosed. The semi-submersible vessel provides necessary strength to resist hydrodynamic forces via a unitized support system. Improved elliptically shaped columns, haunch supports and reinforcing members provide stability and resist transverse forces. A skirt design minimizes the reduced stability at the transition point. Improved deck designs reduce environmental impacts and provide additional support against transverse forces.

Abstract: A tube coupling assembly includes a tube having an end form for attachment to a hose with a notch extending radially inwardly into the end form. The tube coupling assembly also includes a ferrule disposed about the end form and having an end snap-locked into the notch. The ferrule is adapted to be crimped to secure the hose to the tube between the ferrule and the end form.