Abstract: A sound recording device includes a disk drive, a microphone, and a controller. The disk drive writes data on a rotatable data storage disk therein. The microphone generates a microphone signal which includes a desired sound component and a noise component from noise that is generated by the disk drive. The controller filters the microphone signal to reduce the noise component from the disk drive relative to the desired sound component, and writes the filtered microphone signal on the disk. Accordingly, noise from the disk drive can be attenuated during recording by the sound recording device.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor includes a plurality of capacitive sensing members arranged in a 2D array. A charge-sharing principle is utilized to read signals in the capacitive sensing member. Each capacitive sensing member includes an insulating surface layer, a sense electrode, a reference electrode, a reference capacitor, and a signal reading circuit. The sense electrode is below the insulating surface layer. When a finger contacts the insulating surface layer, a sense capacitor is formed therebetween. The reference capacitor is connected between the reference and sense electrodes. The signal reading circuit is connected to the sense and reference electrodes, repeatedly provides control signals to charge the reference capacitor and then enable the reference and sense capacitor to share charges. Finally, the sense voltage of the sense electrode may be read.

Abstract: A membrane bioreactor includes a tank, a porous pre-filtering element mounted in the tank for conducting a primary filtration of wastewater, at least one membrane module mounted in the tank and disposed downstream of the porous pre-filtering element for conducting a secondary filtration of the wastewater, and a turbulent flow-forming unit. The membrane module cooperates with the porous pre-filtering element or another membrane module to define a compartment therebetween for receiving the wastewater pretreated by the porous pre-filtering element. The turbulent flow-forming unit is associated with the compartment for generating turbulent flow in the compartment.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly movable between a use configuration and a stowed configuration within a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The rear seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a front portion and a rear portion, a seat back disposed adjacent to the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a translator coupled to the seat back. The translator moves the seat back between the use configuration and the stowed configuration in which the seat back is adjacent to a rear lift gate of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor includes a plurality of capacitive sensing members arranged in a 2D array. A charge-sharing principle is utilized to read signals in the capacitive sensing member. Each capacitive sensing member includes an insulating surface layer, a sense electrode, a reference electrode, a reference capacitor, and a signal reading circuit. The sense electrode is below the insulating surface layer. When a finger contacts the insulating surface layer, a sense capacitor is formed therebetween. The reference capacitor is connected between the reference and sense electrodes. The signal reading circuit is connected to the sense and reference electrodes, repeatedly provides control signals to charge the reference capacitor and then enable the reference and sense capacitor to share charges. Finally, the sense voltage of the sense electrode may be read.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of motherboards of a server through a system management unit. The system includes at least a plurality of logic transform units, an polling logic unit, a system connection back plane and a status display unit. Remote monitoring and system control can also be attained by a remote computer. The remote monitor and control system includes at least a plurality of logic transform units, an polling logic unit, a system connection back plane, a status display unit and a remote managing logic unit.

Abstract: A control system for peripheral devices of a high-density server. A USB interface is used to connect several motherboards of a high-density server with a system connection back panel and a system management unit, and to control several peripheral devices. The control system of the invention includes a plurality of motherboard USB ports, a USB interface switching module, a USB extension device and a switch control unit.

Abstract: Logic for a 1394-enabled system is disclosed which enables multiple internal link layers, connected to corresponding 1394 devices, to communicate with each other without an intervening physical layer, thereby eliminating one or more PHY chips and associated PHY-PHY cables and connectors (reducing both cost and power consumption). Using a single, optional PHY chip or the integrated PHY block, the internal devices can also communicate with external 1394 devices. The logic can also include, among other elements: multi-node logic to permit data to be transmitted between a device on an external 1394 bus and a selected one of two or more internal link layers; packet overlap logic to permit data to be transmitted between two internal link layers while data is being transmitted on an external 1394 bus; and a PHY-emulation module to provide each internal link layer with a corresponding “virtual” PHY layer having a node ID which is unique on an external 1394 bus.