Abstract: A gas spring for use in a gas suspension system. The gas spring includes a gas inlet port configured to receive compressed gas and a gas inlet chamber connected via an inlet conduit to the gas inlet port and via an opening to an internal volume of the gas spring. The inlet conduit is connected to the gas inlet chamber at a position offset from a central axis of the gas inlet chamber such that an angle between a longitudinal axis of the gas inlet port and a surface of an interior wall of the gas inlet chamber opposing the gas inlet port is acute.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader comprises a platen comprising a light-reflecting surface; a light source configured to emit light rays to illuminate a subject placed in contact with the light-reflecting surface of the platen; a camera configured to capture image data of the subject in contact with the light-reflecting surface of the platen; multiple optical elements arranged in an optical path between the platen and the camera; and an optical chassis comprising: multiple parallel raceway plates, the raceway plates fabricated from carbon fiber, and multiple crossmembers connecting pairs of the raceway plates, wherein the multiple optical elements are disposed in the multiple crossmembers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are reference bodies for an external fixation frame and methods for using reference bodies for external fixation frame placement and arrangement. An external fixation frame according to the present disclosure may include first and second support rings, one or more wires coupled to any of the first and second support rings, one or more struts extending between the first and second support rings, and a reference body including a plurality of markers. The reference body may contact the one or more wires or the one or more struts. The plurality of markers may be arranged in a pattern to identify an orientation of the external fixation frame.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader comprises a platen comprising a light-reflecting surface; a light source configured to emit light rays to illuminate a subject placed in contact with the light-reflecting surface of the platen; a camera configured to capture image data of the subject in contact with the light-reflecting surface of the platen; multiple optical elements arranged in an optical path between the platen and the camera; and an optical chassis comprising: multiple parallel raceway plates, the raceway plates fabricated from carbon fiber, and multiple crossmembers connecting pairs of the raceway plates, wherein the multiple optical elements are disposed in the multiple crossmembers.

Abstract: A gas spring for use in a gas suspension system. The gas spring includes a gas inlet port configured to receive compressed gas and a gas inlet chamber connected via an inlet conduit to the gas inlet port and via an opening to an internal volume of the gas spring. The inlet conduit is connected to the gas inlet chamber at a position offset from a central axis of the gas inlet chamber such that an angle between a longitudinal axis of the gas inlet port and a surface of an interior wall of the gas inlet chamber opposing the gas inlet port is acute.

Abstract: A smoking device container, including a main body to store at least one smoking device therein, a base removably connected to at least a portion of a first end of the main body, a lid removably connected to at least a portion of a second end of the main body, the lid including a bottom portion, a top portion hingedly connected to at least a portion of the bottom portion to move from closed over the bottom portion in a first position to at least partially opened in a second position, and from opened in the second position to closed in the first position, and a smoke straw removably disposed on at least a portion of the bottom portion, and an air pump disposed on and within at least a portion of the base to draw air from outside the base to expel the air and smoke from the at least one smoking device through the main body and the smoke straw.

Abstract: Techniques for lithography process delay characterization and effective dose compensation are provided. In one aspect, a method of analyzing a lithography process includes: applying a photoresist to a wafer; performing a post-apply bake of the photoresist; patterning the photoresist with sequences of open frame base line exposures performed at doses of from about 92% E0 to about 98% E0, and ranges therebetween, at multiple fields of the wafer separated by intervening programmed delay intervals, wherein E0 is the photoresist dose-to-clear; performing a post-exposure bake of the photoresist; developing the photoresist; performing a full wafer inspection to generate a grayscale map of the wafer; and analyzing the grayscale map to determine whether the intervening programmed delay intervals had an effect on the open frame base line exposures during the lithography process. Exposure dose compensation can then be applied to maintain a constant effective dose.

Abstract: Techniques for lithography process delay characterization and effective dose compensation are provided. In one aspect, a method of analyzing a lithography process includes: applying a photoresist to a wafer; performing a post-apply bake of the photoresist; patterning the photoresist with sequences of open frame base line exposures performed at doses of from about 92% E0 to about 98% E0, and ranges therebetween, at multiple fields of the wafer separated by intervening programmed delay intervals, wherein E0 is the photoresist dose-to-clear; performing a post-exposure bake of the photoresist; developing the photoresist; performing a full wafer inspection to generate a grayscale map of the wafer; and analyzing the grayscale map to determine whether the intervening programmed delay intervals had an effect on the open frame base line exposures during the lithography process. Exposure dose compensation can then be applied to maintain a constant effective dose.

Abstract: Methods for determining unintentional exposure dose such as flare or out-of-band radiation of a lithography tool are provided. The methods generally include performing a series of open frame exposures with the lithography tool on a substrate having a photoresist therein to produce a primary array of controlled exposure dose blocks in the photoresist. Secondary exposure blocks are embedded within the primary array. The resultant open frame images are scanned with oblique light and the light scattered from the substrate surface captured. A haze map is created from a background signal of the captured scattered light data and converted to a graphical image file. Analyzing the graphical image file can be used to correlate any localized changes in the effective dose of the primary exposure array to the impact of secondary exposure blocks to characterize flare or out-of-band radiation associated with the exposure dose.

Abstract: A tunable hydraulic vibration damping mount comprises a universal outer housing, inner sleeve, main spring assembly, bottom compliance assembly, and inner bushing. Each of a plurality of flow channel members comprises a cylinder having a common inner diameter, a common outer diameter, and a helical track having a cross-sectional area and a length defining a volume of the helical track. The helical track of each flow channel member defines a different volume. A selected flow channel member is positioned between the inner bushing and the outer housing and between the main spring assembly and the bottom compliance assembly. The selected flow channel member provides a selected dynamic performance of the damping mount.

Abstract: A brace, comprising: (i) a palmar piece configured to conform to the palmar side of a user's wrist, comprising an opening sized for the user's thumb, the palmer piece further comprising a first pin extending outwardly from an outer surface of the palmar piece in a first direction, further comprising a second pin extending outwardly from the outer surface in a first direction, wherein the first and second direction are opposite one another; and (ii) a forearm piece configured to conform to the user's forearm, comprising a first pin opening sized to receive the first pin, further comprising an elongated slot configured to receive the second pin in a sliding relationship; wherein the palmar piece is moveable relative to the forearm piece such that the user can move the wrist along the user's dart thrower's plane.

Abstract: A system and method of exercising targeted muscles of the face using electrotherapy. An electrotherapy machine is provided that produces both burst mode oscillating current and biphasic current. Burst mode oscillating current is used to map positions for electrodes that cause contractions in specific regions of the targeted muscles. Biphasic current is used to map positions for electrodes that stimulate the buccal nerve branch and cause simultaneous contractions of the entire targeted muscles. After mapping burst mode oscillating current is directed from the electrotherapy machine to the first set of electrodes during a first period of time. Biphasic current is directed from the electrotherapy machine to a second set of electrodes during a second period of time that is subsequent to the first period of time. The cycles are repeated to cause concentric and eccentric contractions in the targeted muscles. The contractions exercise and tone the targeted muscles.

Abstract: A banknote validator (1) including a banknote transport mechanism (9) and a detachable printer module (3), said printer module comprising: a media printer device (10); a print media transport passage (11) interconnecting a print media input aperture (12) and the banknote transport mechanism (9) via the media printer device (10). A first wall section (13) of the print media passage disposed between the media printer device and the banknote transport mechanism is moveable to create a vent (14) that opens to the exterior of the banknote validator.

Abstract: A banknote validator (1) including a banknote transport mechanism (9) and a detachable printer module (3), said printer module comprising: a media printer device (10); a print media transport passage (11) interconnecting a print media input aperture (12) and the banknote transport mechanism (9) via the media printer device (10). A first wall section (13) of the print media passage disposed between the media printer device and the banknote transport mechanism is moveable to create a vent (14) that opens to the exterior of the banknote validator.

Abstract: A distributed cloud computing platform can comprise a plurality of user devices and a plurality of servers connected by a network connection. The plurality of servers can be configured for collectively maintaining a communication session. A high bandwidth and low latency network connection between the plurality of servers can be configured for the transfer of communication session information between the plurality of servers. The plurality of user devices can be configured for participating in a communication session by interacting with the nearest of the plurality of servers.

Abstract: A banknote and voucher handling apparatus (10) comprises an acceptor/dispenser unit (11) including a transport path (12) connected to an acceptor/dispenser unit first aperture (14), a banknote and voucher validator device (18), a printer (20), and a storage container (22). The printer is housed within a printer module (30) that is detachably connected to the acceptor/dispenser, and the acceptor/dispenser unit includes a second aperture (16) disposed at an opposite end of the transport path to the acceptor/dispenser first aperture (14), and the printer module includes printable media holding and storage means (32).

Abstract: Apparatus for storing/dispensing notes such as bills of monetary value, wherein the notes are stored between opposed webs wound onto drums, and notes having different characteristics may be stored on the same drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing/dispensing notes such as bills of monetary value, wherein the notes are stored between opposed webs wound onto drums, and notes having different characteristics may be stored on the same drum.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that generates or creates database entity models using entity models. The system can include devices and components that receive database vendor specific store schema descriptions. The vendor specific store schema descriptions can be employed in conjunction with mapping files that characterize a instance of a database to generate a common object model that can be used to provide a common interface comprehensible across multiple vendor or database types.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that generates or creates database entity models using entity models. The system can include devices and components that receive database vendor specific store schema descriptions. The vendor specific store schema descriptions can be employed in conjunction with mapping files that characterize a instance of a database to generate a common object model that can be used to provide a common interface comprehensible across multiple vendor or database types.