Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption during background operations in a memory array with a plurality of sections comprising the steps of (i) enabling the background operations in one or more sections of the memory array when one or more control signals are in a first state and disabling the background operations in one or more sections of the memory array when the one or more control signals are in a second state and (ii) generating the one or more control signals in response to an address signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to monitor a container associated with an item. According to one embodiment, an indication that a container has been opened is received. For example, the container may transmit a signal when a person opens the container to access an item. Based on the received indication, ownership of the item may be transferred and/or another item may be provided (e.g., to the person who opened the container). According to other embodiments, item quality information, item warranty information, and/or security information are determined based on the received indication. According to still other embodiments, a sender receives a notification based on the indication or the indication is recorded as an acceptance of an agreement. In yet another embodiment, the indication is used to verify that the container was opened in accordance with an item requirement.

Abstract: Data communication between a data sender and at least one data recipient is facilitated when the data recipient is associated with a telephone number that can not be used to access the user with a telephone call. An invention receives the telephone number associated with the data destination (data recipient) and receives an indication that data is to be communicated. The invention uses the telephone number to determine at least one characteristic of data destination/recipient. The invention also receives at least one characteristic of the data to be communicated that enable the data to be communicated to the data receiver/recipient.

Abstract: A method for testing the data strobe window (DQS) and data valid window (tDV) of a memory device (e.g., a DDR-type memory device) using the window strobe of a testing system.

Abstract: A programmable delay element includes a current source field-effect transistor (FET), a switch device, a precharge device, and an inverter device. The current source FET gates a programmable, predetermined amount of current. The switch device, which is coupled to the current source PET, receives an input signal having a first and second voltage level. The precharge device precharges the node coupled to the drain of the current source FET when the input signal is at a second voltage level. The inverter device, which is also coupled to the drain of the current source FET, outputs a delayed signal when the input signal is at a first voltage level, the delay of the delayed signal defined by the programmable, predetermined amount of current. The inverter device generates an inverter switch point that is substantially independent of parametric sensitivities, such as temperature variations.

Abstract: A programmable delay element includes a current source field-effect transistor (FET), a switch device, a precharge device, and an inverter device. The current source FET gates a programmable, predetermined amount of current. The switch device, which is coupled to the current source FET, receives an input signal having a first and second voltage level. The precharge device precharges the node coupled to the drain of the current source FET when the input signal is at a second voltage level. The inverter device, which is also coupled to the drain of the current source FET, outputs a delayed signal when the input signal is at a first voltage level, the delay of the delayed signal defined by the programmable, predetermined amount of current. The inverter device generates an inverter switch point that is substantially independent of parametric sensitivities, such as temperature variations.

Abstract: A programmable delay element includes a current source field-effect transistor (FET), a switch device, a precharge device, and an inverter device. The current source FET gates a programmable, predetermined amount of current. The switch device, which is coupled to the current source FET, receives an input signal having a first and second voltage level. The precharge device precharges the node coupled to the drain of the current source FET when the input signal is at a second voltage level. The inverter device, which is also coupled to the drain of the current source FET, outputs a delayed signal when the input signal is at a first voltage level, the delay of the delayed signal defined by the programmable, predetermined amount of current. The inverter device generates an inverter switch point that is substantially independent of parametric sensitivities, such as temperature variations.

Abstract: A method for obtaining contact lenses having optimized visual acuity involves providing the anterior surface or the posterior surface of the contact lens with a conic section having a shape factor value within the range of about 0.3 to 2.0, the shape factor value being selected so as to adjust spherical aberration in the central optical zone to a value within the range of about −0.2 diopter to about −0.6 diopter and to a value that provides optimal visual acuity.

Abstract: An electric hair dryer is connected to a portable housing having a plurality of angularly adjustable housing segments. The air passes through the segments and out spaced air outlet openings formed in the housing segments.

Abstract: A toric contact lens includes a posterior surface and an anterior surface, one of these surfaces including a toric optical zone, and these surfaces being shaped to form a ballast. A diameter of the posterior optical zone and a diameter of the anterior optical zone are selected to minimize thickness of the lens based on the cylindrical correction of the lens.

Abstract: A contact lens includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface where the posterior surface includes a central zone and a peripheral zone, where the radius of curvature of the central zone is at least 0.4 mm, and preferably at least 0.6 mm, greater than the radius of curvature of the peripheral zone.

Abstract: A drive-up mail distribution, storage and pick-up assembly comprising a plurality of mail boxes, the boxes arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns and retained in the assembly in an outer frame, each box defined by a central storage container bound at opposite ends by a lockable front door and rear access opening, the front doors of the boxes facing outward at heights above ground accessible from the window adjacent the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal imagining are described. An apparatus includes a rotatable radial scanning antenna. The systems and methods provide advantages in that fires can be detected, and their positions determined, over substantial distances and through obscurants such as smoke and/or rain.

Abstract: A method for obtaining contact lenses having optimized visual acuity involves providing the anterior surface or the posterior surface of the contact lens with a conic section having a shape factor value within the range of about 0.3 to 2.0, the shape factor value being selected so as to adjust spherical aberration in the central optical zone to a value within the range of about -0.2 diopter to about -0.6 diopter and to a value that provides optimal visual acuity.

Abstract: An improved, no -bleach process for the production of sulfonated fatty acid alkyl ester surfactants containing sulfonated fatty acid alkyl esters and less than 10% of sulfonated fatty acid disalt, fatty acid salt (soap), and fatty acid alkyl ester impurities, said process comprising sulfonating fatty acid alkyl esters, reacting with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alcohol, and continuously neutralizing with an alkoxide in a substantially anhydrous medium of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing particulate bodies containing a substantially water-insoluble organic peroxyacid compound, which process does not include a solidification step, including an early step of intimately mixing substantially water-insoluble peroxyacid compound with a peroxyacid-stable, water-soluble surfactant.

Abstract: Liquid alkyl lactam bleach activators are intimately mixed with a water-soluble surfactant and a thickener to form a bleach activator particle with good solubility, which perhydrolyzes well, and which is non-sticky and free flowing. Optionally, but preferably, the particles will further comprise binders and filler materials. Novel activator compositions comprising polyhydroxy fatty acid amides plus lactam activators are disclosed.

Abstract: Acyl lactam bleach activator is intimately mixed with a water-soluble surfactant to form a bleach activator particle, with good solubility and which perhydrolyzes well. Said process does not include a drying step. Optionally, but preferably, the particle will further comprise binders and a crystalline material.

Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises: an elongate valve body (1) having a flange (2) at one end, a valve plate (4), operative between an open and closed position, forming a seal with the said flange (2) in the closed position, and a valve plate support structure including: a location cam (14) seated within an abutment plate housing (10), and operable to effect movement of the valve plate (4); a shaft (5), operable to effect movement of the cam by rotational movement of the shaft; and an abutment plate (12), formed within the abutment plate housing (10); wherein rotational movement of the shaft (5) will result in independent rotational movement and linear movement of the said location cam (14) within the abutment plate housing (10) and operable to effect independent rotational movement and linear movement of the valve plate.