Abstract: A test chip comprises at least one level having an array of regions. Each region is capable of including at least one test structure. At least some of the regions include respective test structures. The level has a plurality of driver lines that provide input signals to the test structures. The level has a plurality of receiver lines that receive output signals from the test structures. The level has a plurality of devices for controlling current flow. Each test structure is connected to at least one of the driver lines with a first one of the devices in between. Each test structure is connected to at least one of the receiver lines with a second one of the devices in between, so that each of the test structures can be individually addressed for testing using the driver lines and receiver lines.

Abstract: Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs are disclosed. An example method includes identifying intersections of line segments from different ones of first polygonal objects, determining relationships between the line segments based on the intersections, removing a redundancy between at least two of the line segments, generating, using a computer, second polygonal objects based on the intersections and the line segments, and outputting, from the computer, embroidery data representative of the second polygonal objects.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for embroidery thread color management are disclosed. An example method comprises determining a first set of thread colors to be used in an embroidery design, determining a second set of thread colors assigned to a first embroidery machine, determining a third set of thread colors assigned to a second embroidery machine, determining a first difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the second set of thread colors, determining a second difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the third set of thread colors, and assigning the embroidery design to a queue for the first embroidery machine when the first difference is smaller than the second difference.

Abstract: Rendering methods, systems, and computer-readable media for rendering a simulated embroidery design image based on an embroidery design are presented. Given an embroidery design comprising a plurality of stitch representations and a lighting angle for the simulated embroidery design image, embodiments process the stitch representations to determine a stitch length and lighting angle and select from a stitch image database a stitch image corresponding to the stitch length and lighting angle, and place the selected stitch on a rendering canvas in a position corresponding to the stitch position indicated by the stitch representation. When rendered, all of individual stitch image on the rendering canvas appear to be illuminated from the same direction.

Abstract: An embroidery workstation utility cart for optimizing the positioning of supports for the embroidery machine, thread spool rack, monitor, workpiece queue, and other accessories desired for optimal embroidery processing.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system is described comprising controlling an optical power within the ultra-short pulse system and control-system controlling a width of an optical pulse. In some embodiments, the method also comprises tuning a compressor by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a Bragg grating to control the width of the optical pulse output from the compressor. In other embodiments, the method may comprise tuning a multi-pass stretcher by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a loop of the multi-pass stretcher to control the width of the optical pulse output from the multi-pass stretcher. A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system may also comprise accessing a control system from a remotely located command station, communicating status information from the control system to the command station, and communicating information from the command station to the control system.

Abstract: An example printer driver system and method disclosed herein includes determining a set of line segments corresponding to received image information, determining a first polygon from a first subset of the set of line segments, determining a second polygon from a second subset of the set of line segments, determining that a first line segment in the first subset and a second line segment in the second subset are collinear, removing the first line segment from the set of line segments, subtracting the first line segment from the second line segment to form a third line segment, replacing the second line segment in the set of line segments with the third line segment, determining a path corresponding to the set of line segments, determining a set of coordinates corresponding to the path, and instructing an embroidery machine to stitch the path in a substrate using the set of coordinates.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a handle and a toothbrush head is disclosed. The head includes a base portion and a cleaning portion. The cleaning portion includes a plurality of cleaning elements, wherein the cleaning portion is attached to the base portion at a first end and a second end. A mid-section of the cleaning portion is elevated above the base portion such that an opening is created between the base portion and the cleaning portion, and wherein the opening extends along a longitudinal axis of the head.

Abstract: A clamp arrangement for securing first and second accessories to an oscillating power tool can include a tool body including a motor that drives the first accessory. A clamp assembly can include a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the first accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp member of the clamp assembly is offset from the first accessory permitting removal of the first accessory while the first clamp member remains coupled to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly further includes a second clamp member that cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the first accessory between the first and second clamp members. An auxiliary attachment surface is configured on the second clamp member and selectively connects with the second accessory while the first accessory is concurrently retained by the clamp assembly.

Abstract: A clamp arrangement for releasably securing an accessory to an oscillating power tool can include a tool body including a motor that drives an output member. A clamp assembly can include a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp member of the clamp assembly is offset from the accessory permitting removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly. A lever can have a user engagement portion and a pivot portion including a pivot axle. The lever can be pivotally coupled to the tool body about the pivot axle between a first position, wherein the clamp assembly is in the closed position and a second position wherein movement of the user engagement portion of the lever causes the clamp assembly to be moved to the open position.

Abstract: A portable winch assembly includes a winch mechanism connected to a support structure adapted to be manually transportable. A battery pack is releasably coupled to a remote control unit. The remote control unit is operated to control the winch mechanism. The battery pack and the remote control unit can be electrically connected to the winch mechanism by a flexible power cable, or the battery pack can be mounted with the winch mechanism and a wireless remote control unit can be used to operate the winch mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manipulate embroidery designs via a communication network are disclosed. The method includes receiving at a server, via the communication network, a request from a client computer, the request including first data associated with the embroidery design, processing at least some of the first data at the server to generate at least one of image data or embroidery data, and transmitting, via the communication network, a response to the client computer, the response to be received by a user interface for manipulating embroidery design information at the client computer and including at least one of the image data or the embroidery data.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for creating and manipulating embroidery designs over a wide area network. The method includes steps to transmit various embroidery design data over a wide area network between a client and a server The manner in which the embroidery design data is created, manipulated, and transmitted allows a user to preview photo realistic renderings of possible finished products, and more precisely adjust interpretations through a provided user interface with minimum latency.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated and purified DNA molecule comprising the coding region of a PCFT cDNA. Also provided is a segment of the above DNA molecule, capable of serving as a primer for amplifying at least a portion of the DNA molecule. Additionally provided is a pair of the above segments that can be used together as forward and reverse PCR primers for amplifying at least a portion of the above DNA molecule. Further provided is an isolated and purified human PCFT protein. Also provided is a method of evaluating the ability of a human to undergo intestinal folate absorption.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically generating embroidery designs from a scanned image. A described method of generating embroidery data from image data includes identifying an object from the image data, wherein the object corresponds to a contiguous portion of an image defined by the image data. The described method further includes determining a plurality of possible stitch angles for the object and determining respective numbers of fragments required to stitch the object for each of the possible stitch angles. The method further includes selecting a stitch angle from the plurality of possible stitch angles, wherein the selected stitch angle is to result in a least number of fragments to stitch the object, and generating the embroidery data based on the selected stitch angle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for embroidery thread color management are disclosed. An example method comprises determining a first set of thread colors to be used in an embroidery design, determining a second set of thread colors assigned to a first embroidery machine, determining a third set of thread colors assigned to a second embroidery machine, determining a first difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the second set of thread colors, determining a second difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the third set of thread colors, and assigning the embroidery design to a queue for the first embroidery machine when the first difference is smaller than the second difference.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system is described comprising controlling an optical power within the ultra-short pulse system and control-system controlling a width of an optical pulse. In some embodiments, the method also comprises tuning a compressor by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a Bragg grating to control the width of the optical pulse output from the compressor. In other embodiments, the method may comprise tuning a multi-pass stretcher by controlling a number of passes of the optical pulse through a loop of the multi-pass stretcher to control the width of the optical pulse output from the multi-pass stretcher. A method of controlling an ultra-short pulse system may also comprise accessing a control system from a remotely located command station, communicating status information from the control system to the command station, and communicating information from the command station to the control system.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a highly radiant heat absorbing material placed closely spaced from and generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel disposed in a wall or a door so as to form therebetween a plenum, the highly radiant heat absorbing material being at least partially visually clear.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically generating embroidery designs from a scanned image. An embroidery data generating mechanism generates accurate embroidery designs. The embroidery data generating mechanism first reads an image data file, which contains bitmapping information generated from a software scanning tool, the information being related to an embroidery pattern that has been scanned. The scanned pattern is broken up into pixels, each pixel in the scanned image having a bitmap associated with the color of the pattern. Each unique color in the scanned pattern has its own unique bitmap. The embroidery generating mechanism also includes a segmentation mechanism and a chain-encoding mechanism which perform operations to enhance the quality of the bitmapped information and to separate regions of the scanned image into objects. A distance transform evaluation mechanism classifies each object as being either a thick object or a thin, predominantly regular object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid ibuprofen concentrate composition and method of producing the composition. The solid ibuprofen concentrate contains (a) a solid ibuprofen free acid and (b) a solid ibuprofen alkali salt, and is characterized in that at least 90% of the weight of the solid ibuprofen concentrate is ibuprofen free acid and ibuprofen alkali salt.