Abstract: A current measurement circuit includes first and second input nodes which receive the respective voltages at either side of a resistive element through which electrical current can flow, a differential amplifier means which produces an output signal indicative of the difference in voltage between its input terminals, electrical path forming means providing a connection between each of the input nodes and a respective input terminal of the differential amplifiers, a controllable voltage source for selectively applying an offset voltage to at least one input of the differential amplifier in response to a control signal, a control signal generator which generates the control signal applied to the voltage source such that at a first instance an offset voltage is applied which is greater than that applied at a second instance, and a diagnostic means which is adapted to identify faults present in the electrical path between the first input node and the respective input to the amplifier by comparing the output from

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems for allowing members of a Venture Capital entity to vote on whether or not to fund a given venture.

Abstract: A system and method to allow players of a video game to perform financial transactions in a virtual environment. According to some embodiments, real world financial instruments such as a credit card or other financial instrument may guarantee some or all of the virtual financial operations.

Abstract: A patch antenna includes a radiating element positioned on one side of a printed circuit board and an electromagnetic shield positioned on the opposite side of the printed circuit board. The electromagnetic shield forms at least a portion of a counterpoise and is connected to the ground of the PCB in at least one location. Design flexibility in positioning the antenna within a portable communication device is maximized while the size of the portable communication device is minimized.

Abstract: A method is described including determining if a packet length parameter included in received data matches a first pre-determined value, determining if an address parameter included in received data matches an address of a receiving device, determining if a length parameter included in received data matches a second pre-determined value, determining if a packet destination port number parameter included in received data matches a third pre-determined value, determining if a packet payload type parameter included in received data matches a fourth pre-determined value and dropping the packet responsive to the matches.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection in electronic devices by guiding electrostatic charges to a ground through ESD channels within electrical insulation sheet. The ESD channels are positioned within the electrical insulation sheet to provide electrical paths to ground having a lower impedance than electrical paths to protected areas covered by the electrical insulation sheet. Accordingly, an ESD follows the path of least resistance safely to ground rather than to a critical component within the electronic device. In the exemplary embodiment, the ESD channels are openings in a dome contact layer of a keypad where the openings are positioned over one or more ground areas of a printed circuit board (PCB) and the insulting material of the dome contact layer covers areas of the PCB that are protected from ESD. By implementing dedicated GPIO lines, grounded metal domes cover the signal pads in the target discharge area to protected the GPIO lines from ESD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ion sources (14) comprising a cathode (20) and a counter-cathode (44) that are suitable for ion implanters (10). Typically, the ion source is held under vacuum and produces ions using a plasma generated within an arc chamber (16). Plasma ions are extracted from the arc chamber and subsequently implanted in a semiconductor wafer (12). The ion source according to the present invention further comprises a cathode (40) arranged to emit electrons into the arc chamber; an electrode (44) positioned in the arc chamber such that electrons emitted by the cathode are incident thereon; one or more voltage potential sources (76) arranged to bias the electrode; and a voltage potential adjuster (82) operable to switch between the voltage potential source biasing the electrode positively thereby to act as an anode and the voltage potential source biasing the electrode negatively thereby to act as a counter-cathode.

Abstract: A virtual game environment in which characters are allowed to give help to one another and in which the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other. In some embodiments, help may be given in the form of advice.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting viral replication, particularly retroviral replication. The methods comprise administration of stibonic acid or diphenyl compounds that disrupt viral nucleocapsid binding to nucleic acids.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection in electronic devices by guiding electrostatic charges to a ground through ESD channels within electrical insulation sheet. The ESD channels are positioned within the electrical insulation sheet to provide electrical paths to ground having a lower impedance than electrical paths to protected areas covered by the electrical insulation sheet. Accordingly, an ESD follows the path of least resistance safely to ground rather than to a critical component within the electronic device. In the exemplary embodiment, the ESD channels are openings in a dome contact layer of a keypad where the openings are positioned over one or more ground areas of a printed circuit board (PCB) and the insulting material of the dome contact layer covers areas of the PCB that are protected from ESD. By implementing dedicated GPIO lines, grounded metal domes cover the signal pads in the target discharge area to protect the GPIO lines from ESD.

Abstract: Some computer operating systems do not permit application programs to perform certain tasks. If there is a desire to perform a forbidden task, a virtual partition (228) is created (610) in a storage device (108), such as a hard disk drive, associated with the computer system (100). The virtual partition (228) is stored as a file within the file system of the storage device (108). Operating system files (414) are installed in the virtual partition (228), and the storage device (108) is configured (616) to boot the computer system (100) using the operating system in the virtual partition. When the task is complete, the computer system (100) is configured to boot using the operating system other than the one in the virtual partition.

Abstract: A multi-structural query system performs a high-level multi-dimensional query on a multi-structural database. The query system enables a user to navigate a search by adding restrictions incrementally. The query system uses a schema to discover structure in a multi-structural database. The query system leaves a choice of nodes to return in response to a query as a constrained set of choices available to the algorithm. The query system further casts the selection of a set of nodes as an optimization. The query system uses pairwise-disjoint collections to capture a concise set of highlights of a data set within the allowed schema. The query system further comprises efficient algorithms that yield approximately optimal solutions for several classes of objective functions.

Abstract: An inlet door assembly and method for reducing noise from an auxiliary power unit (APU) contained within an aircraft housing is provided. The inlet assembly includes an inlet duct, an actuator, and a door. The inlet duct is configured to extend from the auxiliary power unit to the aircraft housing and has a sidewall that defines a flow passage through which APU noise propagates. The actuator is disposed at least partially within the inlet duct. The door coupled to the actuator. The actuator is also configured to selectively rotate the door between at least a first position, in which at least a portion of the door deflects APU noise in a first direction, and a second position, in which at least a portion of the door deflects the APU noise in a second direction.

Abstract: A gas sensor of the type having a housing defining a chamber within which light is transmitted from a source to a detector through an optical path, includes internal mirror portions having part ellipsoidal shape. Light is transmitted from a source to a detector via the reflective portions. The detector is arranged to sense light only from a limited range of angles, such that only light transmitted through a defined optical path reflected off the two reflective portions from the source reaches the sensor. This ensures that there is a constant optical path from the source to the detector, which improves the signal to noise ratio of the device.

Abstract: An inlet door assembly and method for reducing noise from an auxiliary power unit (APU) contained within an aircraft housing is provided. The inlet assembly includes an inlet duct, an actuator, and a door. The inlet duct is configured to extend from the auxiliary power unit to the aircraft housing and has a sidewall that defines a flow passage through which APU noise propagates. The actuator is disposed at least partially within the inlet duct. The door coupled to the actuator. The actuator is also configured to selectively rotate the door between at least a first position, in which at least a portion of the door deflects APU noise in a first direction, and a second position, in which at least a portion of the door deflects the APU noise in a second direction.

Abstract: A vehicle 1 towing a trailer 4 is fitted with three video cameras 5, 6, 7 fitted to the rear of the vehicle and on each door mirror. A view from any camera can be presented to the driver on a display 11. A predicted trailer path, calculated in a computing unit 10, is also presented to the driver on the display 11 as guide lines overlaid on the camera view. The computing unit 10 is also configured to calculate a hitch angle by tracking the position of a trailer-mounted marker in the camera view.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a body on which is mounted an optical source and a detector means sensitive to light from the source. The body further comprises a channel arranged to admit gas, the channel comprising an elongated groove having reflective surfaces defining a folded optical path for light from the source. The groove is arranged as a serpentine shape or spiral shape so that light from the source to detector travels around the groove being internally reflected within the shape.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is solved by compositions of peptide linkers and their use for synthesis and annealing of aptamer oligonucleotides in form of dimers. The present invention in particularly provides said compositions for the use as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent. In another preferred embodiment the present invention relates to a kit for preparing a radiopharmaceutical preparation, said kit comprising a vial comprising a quantity of the compound according to the invention. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to methods of producing said compounds, comprising synthesis of said compound in an automated peptide synthesizer. In another preferred embodiment the present invention concerns the use of said compounds according to the present invention for the manufacture of a medicament, preferably for diagnosis or therapy of proliferative diseases.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and easy to use apparatus and method that permits a user to attach an apparatus to existing picture frames or other objects with various advantages. Such embodiments will keep a picture, object or frame in a substantially continuously level position or otherwise aligned position. Thus, using the disclosed apparatus, a user can ensure that any picture, frame or other hanging and relatively flat object will generally remain in a pleasantly horizontal or other desired aspect, without need for ongoing user inspection or manual adjustment.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and easy to use apparatus and method that permits a user to attach an apparatus to existing picture frames or other objects with various advantages. Such embodiments will keep a picture, object or frame in a substantially continuously level position or otherwise aligned position. Thus, using the disclosed apparatus, a user can ensure that any picture, frame or other hanging and relatively flat object will generally remain in a pleasantly horizontal or other desired aspect, without need for ongoing user inspection or manual adjustment.