Abstract: A sealed electrical connector includes a seal retainer defining a plurality of wire openings, a compliant mat seal having a plurality of apertures, and a plug. The plug has a base inserted within one of the plurality of wire openings and a cylindrical post extending outwardly from the base that is inserted within one of the plurality of apertures. A method of manufacturing such a sealed electrical connector is also presented.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic identification of photocopied documents is disclosed wherein the method is performed by capturing an image of a marked printed document; decoding a digital watermark embedded in the image, obtaining a mark identifier; recovering, by searching a database, at least one calibration parameter associated with the mark identifier; applying a discrete Fourier transform to the image, obtaining a frequency matrix; obtaining at least one maximum frequency value in the frequency matrix; comparing the at least one maximum frequency value with at least one calibration parameter; determining, on the basis of the comparison, if the marked printed document is an original document or a photocopied document.

Abstract: A spare wheel lift mechanism is provided for a motor vehicle. That spare wheel lift mechanism includes a holder for receiving and holding the spare wheel and a support for the holder. The support is displaceable between a wheel storage position within a storage compartment of the motor vehicle and an access position wherein the spare wheel projects at least partially outside the body of the motor vehicle for easy access. A method of assisting an individual with access to a spare wheel stored in a storage compartment of a motor vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A golf target system featuring a hitting bay including a golf ball launch monitor system, a playing area including a plurality of illuminated panels, and a controller in communication with the golf ball launch monitor system and the plurality of illuminated panels, wherein the controller selectively controls the illumination of the plurality of panels to define one or more visual targets observable from the hitting bay and receives information from the golf ball launch monitor system such that, when a golf ball is hit from the hitting bay towards the playing area, the golf ball launch monitor system communicates data to the controller sufficient for the controller to identify a landing position of the golf ball with respect to the one or more visual targets.

Abstract: A spare wheel lift mechanism is provided for a motor vehicle. That spare wheel lift mechanism includes a holder for receiving and holding the spare wheel and a support for the holder. The support is displaceable between a wheel storage position within a storage compartment of the motor vehicle and an access position wherein the spare wheel projects at least partially outside the body of the motor vehicle for easy access. A method of assisting an individual with access to a spare wheel stored in a storage compartment of a motor vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manage aircraft dispatch information are provided. A particular method includes receiving fault information at a dispatch information computing system. The fault information is associated with an aircraft. The method also includes accessing operational restriction information associated with the aircraft based on the fault information. The method further includes automatically determining a set of bottom line operational limitations of the aircraft based on the fault information and the operational restriction information. The method also includes generating customized checklists for the various users of the information. The method also includes sending output data from the dispatch information computing system to an output device. The output data identifies the set of bottom line operational limitations of the aircraft and tasks to be completed by the various users.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manage aircraft dispatch information are provided. A particular method includes receiving fault information at a dispatch information computing system. The fault information is associated with an aircraft. The method also includes accessing operational restriction information associated with the aircraft based on the fault information. The method further includes automatically determining a set of bottom line operational limitations of the aircraft based on the fault information and the operational restriction information. The method also includes generating customized checklists for the various users of the information. The method also includes sending output data from the dispatch information computing system to an output device. The output data identifies the set of bottom line operational limitations of the aircraft and tasks to be completed by the various users.

Abstract: A micro-mirror hinge assembly for use in a MEMS device such as a DMD, and method. In a preferred embodiment, a first hinge member is mounted to a substrate by one or more via structures that may be integrally-formed with the hinge-member to facilitate torsional deformation. A second hinge member also configured for torsional deformation is mounted to and usually above the first hinge member so that deformation of the second hinge member occasions deformation of the first. Additional hinge members, each mounted to at least one other hinge member, may also be present. A mirror or similar reflecting surface is mounted to the second hinge member at one or more mirror vias. The MEMS device may include means for selectively inducing mirror reorientation, which in turn causes deformation in the hinge members of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A frequency generation unit (FGU) 160 includes a plurality of selectable voltage controlled oscillators (110) whose output frequencies are chosen in relationship with a predetermined intermediate frequency (IF) and frequency divider value (N) to provide multi-band frequency generation capability in a single communication device. A programmable reference divider (104), phase detector (174) and programmable charge pump (106) take an incoming reference frequency (120) and generate a charge pump output (124). A fixed loop filter (108) filters the charge pump output (124) to generate a control voltage (126) for the selectable VCOs (110). The desired frequency band is selected and enabled using control logic (128).

Abstract: A radio system for locating a radio transceiver configured to exchange voice or data with a plurality of base stations on a narrowband channel is described. The system includes the radio transceiver that exchanges voice or data on the narrowband channel with a base station of the plurality of base stations and also to periodically transmit a chirp signal to the plurality of base stations. The radio system also includes the plurality of base stations each with a matched filter configured to receive the periodically transmitted chirp signal and to triangulate a location of the radio transceiver using the received chirp signal.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing a transient response in a phase lock loop (PLL) (100) is disclosed. The system includes an adapt mode charge pump (204), a normal mode charge pump (206) and the use of controlled trickle currents (208), (210) applied to those charge pumps to minimize a transient response of the PLL (100).

Abstract: Device and method for a damping function to reduce undesirable mechanical transient responses to control signals. In one aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce overshoot and oscillation when a digital micromirror is driven from a landing plate to the flat or neutral position. In another aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce transient resonance of a digital micromirror when the micromirror is driven to a landing plate.

Abstract: Device and method for a damping function to reduce undesirable mechanical transient responses to control signals. In one aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce overshoot and oscillation when a digital micromirror is driven from a landing plate to the flat or neutral position. In another aspect of the present invention, the damping function may be used to reduce transient resonance of a digital micromirror when the micromirror is driven to a landing plate.

Abstract: Improved thermoplastic compositions comprising a blend of ground vulcanized rubber and olefin polymer which have improved compatibility and mechanical properties are described; they are improved by incorporation of an alpha olefin copolymer.

Abstract: A display system (100) includes a liquid crystal display (140) which incorporates annunciator areas (142). Each annunciator area (142) has an aperture (146,147,148), independently controlled, to allow the passage of light through the annunciator area (142). Independently controlled illumination (160,210,212,214) is positioned behind each annunciator area (142). The passage of light through each annunciator area (142) is controlled by opening and closing the aperture (146,147,148).

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery, in metallic form, of mercury present in roasting gases, containing SO.sub.2, so that the purified gas has less than 0.1 mg/m3 of this element. Essentially, the system consists of a conventional device for the cooling and scrubbing of the gas; two irrigated towers with an acid solution of Hg(SCN).sub.4.sup.2- free SCN.sup.- and active carbon; two wet electrostatic precipitators, one in front of the first tower and another between them and a reactor for scrubbing the emulsion (soot) obtained from the condensation, with ammonium. All mercury-bearing tailings are recycled to the roasting oven at appropriate intervals, until under certain conditions the hot gases attain a mercury content of more than 40 mg/m3.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and use of various 2-acetyl quiine thiosemicarbazones which are substituted on the 4-nitrogen atom. These compounds are useful in the treatment of gonorrhea and, in addition, many are useful either in the treatment of malaria or bacterial infections, such as leprosy and meningitis.