Abstract: Optical encoders having one or more of a number of disclosed features are disclosed. The features of the optical encoder in accordance with the present invention include a symmetrical (for example, circular) emitter; baffle between the emitter and a detector; double-dome or single-dome encapsulant; multiple detector; and multiple (at least three) data channels.

Abstract: A new method and directory management system for creating and maintaining directories, linking accounts, and assigning appropriate access rights when triggering events occur as prescribed by the business rules of the organization. To accomplish this, the directory management system acts as a bridge between the organizations commonly used transaction systems and the file system directory used by the organization. The directory management system generally operates by defining triggering events which are represented by defined observable changes in the commonly used transaction systems of the organization, incorporating the organizations business rules to prescribe account and directory actions that should be taken when the triggering events occur, and providing a system to monitor for the occurrence of the triggering events and execute the account and directory actions in response to the triggering events.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable plug implant, suitable for bone tissue regeneration, comprising a first portion, and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion, the first and second portions formed from expandable material. A method for bone tissue regeneration comprising the steps of: providing a bioabsorbable plug implant, wherein the implant comprises a first portion and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion, the first and second portions formed from expandable material; inserting the second portion into a defect or gap of a bone, the first surface engaging the outside contour of the defect or gap; allowing the plug implant to contact body fluids, thereby expanding the size of the plug implant so that the plug fits into the defect or gap.

Abstract: A database is built in a computer system and includes a characteristic set, an installation data set corresponding to the characteristic set, a reference command set and an execution set corresponding to the reference command set. A specified installation data in the installation set is used to automatically and continuously execute a series of installation commands of a PC game when a characteristic of the PC game matches a characteristic in the characteristic set corresponding to the specified installation data. Alternatively, a specified execution is performed when an installation command of the PC game matches a reference command in the reference command set corresponding to the specified execution. The computer system is thus capable of automatically installing thereinto a PC game from a storage medium.

Abstract: An image sensor is packaged by attaching the image sensor to a substrate, forming metallic bumps on either the image sensor or a transparent cover, where the metallic bumps are formed in a pattern around the perimeter of the active area of the image sensor. The transparent cover is then glued to the image sensor at the metallic bumps. Electrical connections are formed between the image sensor and the substrate using, for example, conventional wire bonding techniques. The electrical connections are encapsulated within an epoxy for protection. In an embodiment, multiple image sensors are packaged together on the same substrate and separated into individually packaged image sensors by, for example, sawing.

Abstract: A direction-limiting device for a stroller includes a mounting seat, a wheel assembly, and a direction-limiting device. The mounting seat includes a base coupled to a frame of a stroller. The wheel assembly includes a frame having a positioning hole. The direction-limiting mechanism includes a press button and a positioning member. When the press button is in an initial position, a lower end of the positioning member is disengaged from the positioning hole to allow free pivotal movement of the wheel assembly relative to the base. When the press button is pressed and then released, the lower end of the positioning member is engaged in the positioning hole, allowing joint movement of the wheel assembly and the base. Thus, even moving on a rugged road or hitting a bump on a road, the stroller will move straightly forward or rearward without the risk of turning over.

Abstract: A combination includes a perimeter frame mounted to a main frame of a stroller and a fabric that is coupled to the perimeter frame by at least one substantially C-shaped coupling member. The coupling member includes a first end and a hooked second end. A thumb piece projects outward from an outer face of the hooked second end of the coupling member to allow application of force. The fabric is thus easily and rapidly coupled to or disengaged from the perimeter frame.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for reducing the effects of spurious frequencies in a wireless communications device. The system comprises a processor having a reference frequency input and a clock having an output connected to the processor input. The clock supplies a clock frequency, or reference frequency, to the processor. The reference frequency is the frequency at which the processor operates. The clock also has an input for selecting a reference frequency to provide to the processor. The system also includes a transceiver having a plurality of selectable communications passbands. If the wireless communications device is a telephone, for example, the transceiver frequency (passband) may change as a function of the mode in which the phone is operating (AMPS, PCS, GSM, CDMA, or W-CDMA). In response to changing operating modes (transceiver passband), the clock frequency is adjusted.

Abstract: A circuit element having a heat-conducting body having top and bottom surfaces, and a die having an electronic circuit thereon is disclosed. The die includes first and second contact points for powering the electronic circuit. The die is in thermal contact with the heat-conducting body, the die having a bottom surface that is smaller than the top surface of the heat-conducting body. The first contact point on the die is connected to a first trace bonded to the top surface of the heat-conducting body. An encapsulating cap covers the die. The first trace has a first portion that extends outside of the encapsulating cap and a second portion that is covered by the encapsulating cap. The heat-conducting body is preferably constructed from copper or aluminum and includes a cavity having an opening on the first surface in which the die is mounted. The die preferably includes a light-emitting device.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism comprises a slide base, a rotation arm and an elastic member. The slide base is disposed over a bottom surface of a second device and is slidable in first and second sliding directions. The sliding base has a track defining a closed sliding path that comprises a first positioning point, a first release point, a second positioning point, and second release point. The rotation arm comprises first and second ends, the first end being disposed on the bottom surface around a pivot, and the second end having a slide member capable of being positioned at the first positioning point or the second positioning point along the sliding path of the track. The elastic member is provided on the bottom surface and is configured to cause the second end of the rotation arm to rotate and to cause the slide base to slide.

Abstract: A foldable stroller includes a main frame, a seat frame, two pivotal mechanisms, and a handle. The main frame includes a front wheel frame and a rear wheel frame that are pivotally connected to the pivotal mechanisms. The seat frame includes an annular frame and two connecting beams. Each end of the handle is pivotally connected to an associated pivotal mechanism. Each connecting beam includes an end pivotally connected to an associated pivotal mechanism. The annular frame includes two coupling sections on two opposite lateral portions thereof. Each coupling section is pivotally connected to the end of an associated connecting beam.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for reducing the effects of spurious frequencies in a wireless communications device. The system comprises a processor having a reference frequency input and a clock having an output connected to the processor input. The clock supplies a clock frequency, or reference frequency, to the processor. The reference frequency is the frequency at which the processor operates. The clock also has an input for selecting a reference frequency to provide to the processor. The system also includes a transceiver having a plurality of selectable communications passbands. If the wireless communications device is a telephone, for example, the transceiver frequency (passband) may change as a function of the mode in which the phone is operating (AMPS, PCS, GSM, CDMA, or W-CDMA). In response to changing operating modes (transceiver passband), the clock frequency is adjusted.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for reducing the effects of spurious frequencies in a wireless communications device. The system comprises a processor having a reference frequency input and a clock having an output connected to the processor input. The clock supplies a clock frequency, or reference frequency, to the processor. The reference frequency is the frequency at which the processor operates. The clock also has an input for selecting a reference frequency to provide to the processor. The system also includes a transceiver having a plurality of selectable communications passbands. If the wireless communications device is a telephone, for example, the transceiver frequency (passband) may change as a function of the mode in which the phone is operating (AMPS, PCS, GSM, CDMA, or W-CDMA). In response to changing operating modes (transceiver passband), the clock frequency is adjusted.

Abstract: A circuit element having a heat-conducting body having top and bottom surfaces, and a die having an electronic circuit thereon is disclosed. The die includes first and second contact points for powering the electronic circuit. The die is in thermal contact with the heat-conducting body, the die having a bottom surface that is smaller than the top surface of the heat-conducting body. The first contact point on the die is connected to a first trace bonded to the top surface of the heat-conducting body. An encapsulating cap covers the die. The first trace has a first portion that extends outside of the encapsulating cap and a second portion that is covered by the encapsulating cap. The heat-conducting body is preferably constructed from copper or aluminum and includes a cavity having an opening on the first surface in which the die is mounted. The die preferably includes a light-emitting device.

Abstract: A pickup mechanism for handling micro components includes a microworkpiece supplying unit, a microworkpiece orientation unit and a microworkpiece separation unit. The microworkpiece orientation unit connects with the microworkpiece supplying unit and the microworkpiece separation unit. The micro components are supplied by the supplying unit, then orientated by the orientation unit. Those components orientated in a specific direction are led to the separation unit and separated for a following working device to process. Therefore, the pickup mechanism provides a continuous supplying, orientation and separation of the micro components for further assembly or fabrication processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of Fused Deposition Modeling to construct three-dimensional (3D) bioresorbable scaffolds from bioresorbable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), or from composites of bioresorbable polymers and ceramics, such as polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA). Incorporation of a bioresorbable ceramic to produce a hybrid/composite material support provides the desired degradation and resorption kinetics. Such a composite material improves the biocompatibility and hard tissue integration and allows for increased initial flash spread of serum proteins. The basic resorption products of the composite also avoids the formation of an unfavorable environment for hard tissue cells due to a decreased pH. The scaffolds have applications in tissue engineering, e.g., in tissue engineering bone and cartilage.

Abstract: A bottle includes a bottom having a recessed engaging portion for engaging with another similarly constructed bottle without the need of additional connecting members. The recessed engaging portion of the bottom of the bottle includes an inner threading for threading engagement with an outer threading of a mouth of another similarly constructed bottle. In another embodiment, the recessed engaging portion of the bottom of the bottle includes an annular groove or inner threading for engaging with an annular ridge or outer threading formed on a shoulder of another similarly constructed bottle.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for reducing the effects of spurious frequencies in a wireless communications device. The system comprises a processor having a reference frequency input and a clock having an output connected to the processor input. The clock supplies a clock frequency, or reference frequency, to the processor. The reference frequency is the frequency at which the processor operates. The clock also has an input for selecting a reference frequency to provide to the processor. The system also includes a transceiver having a plurality of selectable communications passbands. If the wireless communications device is a telephone, for example, the transceiver frequency (passband) may change as a function of the mode in which the phone is operating (AMPS, PCS, GSM, CDMA, or W-CDMA). In response to changing operating modes (transceiver passband), the clock frequency is adjusted.

Abstract: A pickup mechanism for handling micro components includes a microworkpiece supplying unit, a microworkpiece orientation unit and a microworkpiece separation unit. The microworkpiece orientation unit connects with the microworkpiece supplying unit and the microworkpiece separation unit. The micro components are supplied by the supplying unit, then orientated by the orientation unit. Those components orientated in a specific direction are led to the separation unit and separated for a following working device to process. Therefore, the pickup mechanism provides a continuous supplying, orientation and separation of the micro components for further assembly or fabrication processes.

Abstract: An indicator for continuously indicating the status of a media stack in a media tray is disclosed. This indicator functions independently of a media stack support in a printer. The indicator includes an indicator lever and a probe member. The indicator lever is pivotably mounted and can be tilted between two predetermined extreme positions. The probe member has a shaft which is also pivotably mounted. An engaging arm extends from the shaft. In operation, the shaft is tilted according to the status of the media stack in the media tray. As the shaft is tilted, the engaging arm engages the indicator lever, tilting the indicator lever to a position between the two extreme positions to indicate the status of the media stack.