Abstract: Transducer probe identification is provided. A wireless identification is provided. For example, a radiofrequency identification tag is positioned within a transducer probe. A receiver is positioned within the imaging device. Using the wireless information, the imaging device may generate a list of available transducers regardless of whether they are connected with the imaging device. As an alternative or addition, information specific to a transducer is provided to the imaging device. Using either wireless transmission or a wired connection, the information distinguishes a given transducer from other transducers of a same type and manufacturer or from all other transducers. The specific identifier is then used with security information to prevent theft.

Abstract: The invention provides a safety stopper for use with a striker of the type used by welders and fabricators to light welding torches. The striker defines an open area. The safety stopper includes a cover shaped to cover a substantial portion of the open area, and shaped to expose the striker strike plate and flint. The safety stopper also includes attachment means for attaching the cover to the striker, such that the cover defines a clear path for movement of a first push-tab of the striker with respect to a second push-tab of the striker, and such that the cover, when attached to the striker, defines a clear path for movement of the first push-tab with respect to the second push-tab; such that when the striker, with the safety stopper attached, is carried hands-free attached to an operator's belt, the safety stopper reduces the chances of the operator being thrown off balance by the striker catching on an external object.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having an axially extending passage (14) and a yoke bore (18) that intersects the axially extending passage (14) within the housing (12). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (34) extends through the axially extending passage (14) and is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (34) has teeth in meshing engagement with teeth (32) of the pinion gear (26). A yoke assembly (54) is located in the yoke bore (18) of the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (34) relative to the pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (54) comprises a yoke (56) having first and second roller assemblies (154 and 166) for contacting the rack bar (34) and rotating during movement of the rack bar (34). A first spindle (112) supports the first roller assembly (154) and a second spindle (114) supports the second roller assembly (166).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A pinion gear (22) rotatably mounted in the housing (12). Teeth (28) of the pinion gear (22) engage teeth of a rack bar (30) that extends through the housing (12) and that is movable relative to the housing (12). A yoke assembly (38) is located in the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (30) relative to the pinion gear (22). The yoke assembly (38) comprises a first member (46) for contacting the rack bar (30) and a second member (48) for pivotally supporting the first member (46). Structure (70) of the second member (48) engages structure (58) of the first member (46) to enable the first member (46) to pivot in all directions about a point of rotation (P). The point of rotation (P) is spaced from a location of engagement of the first and second members (46 and 48).

Abstract: On a data input device having a keypad with small, closely spaced buttons, an anchor is located on a panel section mountable proximate, and in fixed relation to, the keypad so that a user can reach the buttons while stabilizing their hand with the anchor.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having an axially extending passage (14) and a yoke bore (18) that intersects the axially extending passage (14) within the housing (12). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (34) extends through the axially extending passage (14) and is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (34) has teeth in meshing engagement with teeth (32) of the pinion gear (26). A yoke assembly (54) is located in the yoke bore (18) of the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (34) relative to the pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (54) comprises a yoke (56) having first and second roller assemblies (154 and 166) for contacting the rack bar (34) and rotating during movement of the rack bar (34).

Abstract: A distributed tester method and system communicates test recipes for testing electronic devices from a host computer over a network to a test site. The test site translates test recipes into test instructions for execution by a test engine that determines the status of the electronic device. For instance, in a tester for testing memory, a test recipe is defined and stored with a host computer to determine test data for storage on the memory device under test at the test site. The host computer controls execution of the test recipe over the network. The test recipe is defined and stored in an XML formatted data file transmitted over the network to a processor at the test site. The test site processor translates the XML formatted data into test instructions for execution by a test engine. The test engine determines whether the memory device under test accurately stores data and provides the results, such as erroneously stored data, to the host computer through the network.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasonic transducer probe and imaging system for use with a position and orientation sensor. In one preferred embodiment, an ultrasonic transducer probe comprises a position and orientation sensor and a memory device comprising calibration data for the position and orientation sensor. The memory device is adapted to provide the calibration data to a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system coupled with the ultrasonic transducer probe. In another preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system comprises a memory device comprising a plurality of position and orientation sensor calibration data. Each of the plurality of position and orientation sensor calibration data is associated with a respective ultrasonic transducer probe family. In operation, identification of a probe family of an ultrasonic transducer probe is provided to the ultrasound system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of substances inhibitory to nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The method is practiced prior to release of target nucleic acid from cells of interest and involves contacting the sample with an agent which solubilizes the inhibitory substances and does not effectuate release of nucleic acids from cells in the sample, and then the cells from the agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for recovering from a header error condition in a disc drive of the type having a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks with data fields for the storage and retrieval of data and header fields providing logical address information for the data fields. The header fields include read and write header fields which are used during read and write operations, respectively, to align read and write elements of the head with the data fields. When the disc drive unsuccessfully decodes the logical address information from a selected header field associated with a selected data block, an alternate header error recovery routine is performed wherein attempts are made to decode the logical address information from the alternate header field associated with the selected data block. Radial offsets can further be applied to the head to enhance the decoding of the logical address information from the alternate header field.

Abstract: A time conserving method of identifying width, depth, access time, control line configurations, and part type of any of a plurality of different synchronous memories. A nested loop process is used to develop, and apply to a synchronous memory being identified, trial control line configurations taken from ordered entries of tables representative of the plurality of synchronous memories. The width, depth, control line configurations, and part type are determined from the responses evoked from the synchronous memory being identified. The delay between a read command issued by the test system CPU and a reading of bit patterns from the synchronous memory is incremented in finite steps in successive write/read iterations until the bit pattern read is identified to the bit pattern written into the synchronous memory, thereby identifying the access time of the synchronous memory.

Abstract: The present invention involves a microwave popcorn bag adapted to contain a plurality of popcorn kernels to be heated and popped within an interior region of the bag by the application of microwave energy. The microwave popcorn bag is formed from a sheet of material comprising: a first paper stock layer having a top edge and a bottom edge; a second paper stock layer disposed over said first paper stock layer; a carrying layer disposed between said first and second paper stock layer, said carrying layer continuously extending between said top and bottom edges; and a microwave susceptor region disposed on the carrying layer. A top seal portion and a bottom seal portion are disposed proximate the respective top and bottom edges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kits and methods for conducting fluorescence based detection assays. The kits are configured in a manner to perform the method so as to reduce or eliminate interfering fluorescence signal.

Abstract: A digital programmable delay which provides a series of pulses that are programmed in both pulse latency and trigger latency to control the operation of a memory module test system.

Abstract: A tester for use with a device under test includes a processor, a signal timing editor to create representations of signal waveforms and associated times, and a test program executable on the processor that schedules events based on information from the signal timing editor. The test program schedules different delays for the events to compensate for variations in time delays between different signals coupled to the device under test.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimizing detection thresholds used to identify addresses of tracks in a disc drive having a head and a disc upon which a plurality of tracks are defined, the tracks including track address fields in which track address information is stored. A comparator is provided which generates track address sequence signals in response to a corresponding plurality of readback signals obtained as the head is maintained in a fixed relationship to a selected track. A demodulator identifies erroneous track address sequence signals therefrom and increments a count in an accumulator for each detected, erroneous signal. A detection threshold circuit sequentially provides the comparator with a set of detection thresholds from a population of detection thresholds, each of which are used in turn by the comparator.

Abstract: The present invention involves a microwave popcorn bag adapted to contain a plurality of popcorn kernels to be heated and popped by the application of microwave energy. The microwave popcorn bag is formed from a sheet of material comprising a front panel, a back panel, and first and second gussets connected to the front and back panels along gusset edges all of which form an interior popping space. The first and second gussets are folded along a centerline forming first and second gusset panels. The bottom seal is located on a lower edge and is capable of sealing the lower edge of the bag during the popping of the popcorn kernels. A miter is located proximate the bottom seal and includes an edge strip extending from about said bottom seal along one of the gusset edges for a length corresponding to about the length of a gusset panel. The miter includes a cross strip extending for a length corresponding to about the length of a gusset panel.

Abstract: An automated, portable, and time conservative memory test system for identifying test parameters including type, control line configuration, depth, width, access time, and burst features of any one of a wide variety of synchronous memories including SDRAMs and SGRAMs, and whether an IC chip, bank, board or module, without requiring hardware modifications or additions to the memory device being identified, and without requiring storage of test patterns or characterizing, data in the memory device.

Abstract: A package for sliced food product comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite sidewalls and opposite end walls, wherein the package includes a flap which comprises portions of the top wall and/or an adjoining sidewall of the package, and which is movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively facilitate access to the package interior. The package is preferably made of a thin, flexible plastic material. The flap is removably retained in closed position by a peelable seal extending along one or more edges of the flap, or at least along portions thereof. The package is configured so that when the flap is in open position, the sliced food product is accessible from the side, which facilitates engagement of slice edges and subsequent separation thereof, as well as removal of the slices without undue distortion. This makes the package particularly useful in conjunction with packaging of certain sliced cheeses, although the package may also be useful with other products as well.

Abstract: An automated, portable, and time conservative memory test system for identifying test parameters including type, control line configuration, depth, width, access time, and burst features of any one of a wide variety of synchronous memories including SDRAMs and SGRAMs, and whether an IC chip, bank, board or module, without requiring hardware modifications or additions to the memory device being identified, and without requiring storage of test patterns or characterizing data in the memory device.