Abstract: A hinge device includes a bearing seat, a spherical joint, a plurality of positioning pins, and a retaining ring. The bearing seat has a containing recess. The spherical joint is rotatably disposed in the containing recess, and the surface of the spherical joint has a plurality of positioning holes. The positioning pins are disposed at the bearing seat and capable of sliding toward or away from the spherical joint. The positioning pins correspond to parts of the positioning holes respectively when the spherical joint rotates to a specific position relative to the bearing seat. The retaining ring is disposed at an opening of the containing recess of the bearing seat and surrounds the positioning pins, the retaining ring is against the positioning pins to allow the positioning pins to be fastened in the corresponding positioning holes when the spherical joint rotates to the specific position relative to the bearing seat.

Abstract: In one embodiment an electrical circuit for use as a string of lights includes a load comprising a plurality of lamps connected in series, the lamps comprising a first group of lamps including an LED and a first Zener diode in parallel therewith, and a second group of lamps including an incandescent light bulb and a second Zener diode in parallel therewith; and a rectifier for converting a source of AC into DC which is supplied to the load. The first group of lamps are alternate with the second group of lamps.

Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A string of LED light is provided. The string of LED light has a full-wave rectifier with a capacitor based filter for increasing output voltage to the range of 2.6 to 2.84 times as compared with the output voltage of a typical full-wave rectifier without filter so that an increased number of lamps each having an LED and a Zener diode in parallel therewith can be attached to the string of LED light.

Abstract: A composite material member including a rubber element and a composite fiber element is manufactured by integrally combining rubber and composite fiber. A method for manufacturing the composite material member is also provided. In this method, the composite fiber element whether being thermosetting or not is disposed in a first mold of a mold. The composite fiber element is a structure of at least one fiber layer wrapped with resin. The first mold and a second mold of the mold are then closed. Finally, the cavity is filled with rubber. Different forming environments are provided according to whether the composite fiber element is thermosetting or not to form and fix the rubber element on the resin of the composite fiber element.

Abstract: An LED bulb in one embodiment includes two depending arms; a Zener diode secured to one end of one arm; an LED secured to one end of the other arm; a conductor electrically interconnecting the Zener diode and the LED; and an enclosure formed of epoxy resin with the Zener diode, the LED, the conductor, and one ends of the arms being concealed therein, wherein either a cathode of the LED is connected in series with a cathode of the Zener diode or an anode of the LED is connected in series with an anode of the Zener diode. The LED is adapted to emit red, green, or blue light.

Abstract: A light string in one embodiment includes a plurality of lamps connected in series, each lamp having a shunt Zener diode; and a rectifier. An anode of the Zener diode of each lamp is connected to a cathode of the LED thereof, the cathode of the Zener diode of each lamp is connected to the anode of the LED thereof, the cathode of the Zener diode of the lamp proximate the rectifier is connected to a positive terminal of an output of the rectifier, and the anode of the Zener diode of the lamp distal the rectifier is connected to a negative terminal of the output of the rectifier. The Zener diodes are replaced by resistors in another embodiment. Hence, a burned out LED of one lamp will not adversely affect a normal operation of the light string.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for use as a string of lights in one embodiment includes a rectifier for converting AC into DC; and a plurality of lamps connected in series, each lamp having an LED, and wherein at least one of the lamps each has a Zener diode connected in series with the LED, a positive terminal of the lamp proximate the rectifier is connected to a positive terminal of an output of the rectifier, and a negative terminal of the lamp distal the rectifier is connected to a negative terminal of the output of the rectifier. In another embodiment, the Zener diode is replaced with a resistor. Hence, no resistors are provided externally of the lamp.

Abstract: A Christmas light string includes a plug; a first negative wire together with a first positive wire and the plug forming a circuit; incandescent light bulbs connected together along the first positive and negative wires to form a first loop; a rectifier having a positive input connected to the first incandescent light bulb via a second positive wire and a negative input connected to the last incandescent light bulb via a second negative wire; an end enlargement connected to the positive input of the rectifier via the second positive wire and the negative input of the rectifier via the second negative wire; and LED bulbs forming a second loop between the positive output and the negative output of the rectifier. An optimum illumination is rendered by mixing cold light with warm light. Moreover, mating sockets are adapted to receive the incandescent light bulbs only.

Abstract: A Christmas light string is disclosed and includes a plug a power socket, a first cord electrically interconnecting the plug and the power socket, a second cord extending from the plug and being electrically connected thereto, an adapter proximate the plug and mounted in the second cord, and a plurality of lamps electrically connected in series or parallel and mounted along the second cord and distal the plug. The plug of another Christmas light string is adapted to electrically connect to the power socket by insertion. Hence, a number of Christmas light strings can be assembled together to form a lighting unit having an increased length.

Abstract: A Christmas light string is disclosed and includes a plug a power socket, a first cord electrically interconnecting the plug and the power socket, a second cord extending from the plug and being electrically connected thereto, an adapter proximate the plug and mounted in the second cord, and a plurality of lamps electrically connected in series or parallel and mounted along the second cord and distal the plug. The plug of another Christmas light string is adapted to electrically connect to the power socket by insertion. Hence, a number of Christmas light strings can be assembled together to form a lighting unit having an increased length.

Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for generating surface lines on mesh surfaces and voxel objects. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention directed to mesh surfaces, such methods include preprocessing a triangle mesh data structure, constructing a grid data structure for the triangle mesh object, representing a relationship of triangles and vertices, determining boundary edges and vertices, computing a series of surface points, and generating a surface line. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this technique can be used to cut a mesh surface along the line generated. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a surface line can be generated from start point A to end point B along an arbitrary curved surface based on the start point and the direction of a vector from the start point to the end point.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a surface for an arbitrary segment of a three-dimensional data set are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention the method includes initially identifying a set of surface voxels of the segment. For each voxel in the set information as to which of its neighbors are inside voxels can be obtained, and the results can be utilized to determine the location and direction of a polygonal surface dividing the voxel. The surface can then be obtained by connecting all of the polygonal surfaces. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention the polygonal surfaces can comprise triangles. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention the surface can be displayed in either a wireframe mode or a solid mode. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention mesh reduction can be implemented to reduce the number of polygons in the final surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus evaluates quantization matrices used in video codec systems. Two primary factors are considered in making these estimates. The first is the human visual system contrast sensitivity function. This function measures how well a quantization matrix fits human visual characteristics. The second factor is a typical viewing setting, such as a range of typical viewing distances. For consumer use, the viewing range is one to four times picture height. For professional use, it is assumed the viewing range is one-half to three times picture height. The quantization matrix used in a video codec system defines the quantization step for different frequency bands. This quantization step is essentially equivalent to the allowable error in a frequency band. The present invention evaluates the quantization matrix for its effectiveness in hiding distortion errors.

Abstract: A wireless local loop equipment parameter setting system and method that uses a telephone attached to wireless local loop equipment to issue a control instruction. The wireless local loop equipment receives the control instruction, translates the instruction and sets or displays the parameters accordingly. A miniature display device connected to the wireless local loop equipment through a serial transmission interface is used to display the control instruction and content of the parameters so that a user may set parameters with ease.

Abstract: Novel polythiophene compounds useful as anti-tumor agents are described. Preferred compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0-2 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are optionally substituted 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl have been found to exhibit selective cytotoxic activity against transformed human cells. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the described polythiophene compounds are expected to exhibit good chemotherapeutic activity against slow growing tumors based on tumor cell line assays. A method for treating patients having tumors utilizing the disclosed polythiophene compounds is also described.

Abstract: Novel hydroxymethylthiophene derivatives and their medical use in treating or preventing inflammation and edema.

Abstract: Novel hydroxymethylthiophene derivatives and their medical use in treating or preventing inflammation and edema.

Abstract: Novel polythiophene compounds useful as anti-tumor agents are described. Preferred compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0-2 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are optionally substituted 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl have been found to exhibit selective cytotoxic activity against transformed human cells. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the described polythiophene compounds are expected to exhibit good chemotherapeutic activity against slow growing tumors based on tumor cell line assays. A method for treating patients having tumors utilizing the disclosed polythiophene compounds is also described.