Abstract: A data management method is provided. The method includes: dividing each of physical programming units into a data bits area and a spare bits area; generating first data management information corresponding to first data according to a first write command and the first data; determining whether the first data is compressible; and generating first data compression information corresponding to the first data. The method further includes: if the first data is compressible, compressing the first data to generate first compressed data, programming the first compressed data and the first data management information corresponding to the first data into a first data bits area of a first physical programming unit among the physical programming units, and programming the first data compression information into the first spare bits area of the first physical programming unit.

Abstract: A data management method is provided. The method includes: dividing each of physical programming units into a data bits area and a spare bits area; generating first data management information corresponding to first data according to a first write command and the first data; determining whether the first data is compressible; and generating first data compression information corresponding to the first data. The method further includes: if the first data is compressible, compressing the first data to generate first compressed data, programming the first compressed data and the first data management information corresponding to the first data into a first data bits area of a first physical programming unit among the physical programming units, and programming the first data compression information into the first spare bits area of the first physical programming unit.

Abstract: A temperature gradient management arrangement for a turbine system includes a rotor comprising a rotor bore extending axially along the rotor. Also included is a secondary flow path comprising an inlet for a secondary airflow to flow to the rotor bore and an outlet disposed axially upstream of the inlet, relative to a main flow direction of the turbine system. Further included is a flow rate manipulator disposed proximate the outlet and configured to increase a flow rate of the secondary airflow during a first turbine system operating condition and to decrease the flow rate of the secondary airflow during a second turbine system operating condition.

Abstract: A block intra prediction direction detection algorithm comprises acts of dividing a block, finding directions from edge assent rules, determining a main edge of the block, selecting prediction modes from the main edge, choosing base prediction modes and using all unique selected and base prediction modes in intra prediction. The algorithms comprise a 4×4 block intra prediction direction detection algorithm, a 16×16 luminance block intra prediction direction detection algorithm and an 8×8 chrominance block intra prediction direction detection algorithm.

Abstract: A method for command transmission between systems is introduced. The command transmission between the systems, such as a north bridge chip, a south bridge chip and a central processing unit (CPU), employs the signals transmission specified by a PCI Express bus originally for the communication between system chips or peripheral devices. The signals transmission includes an interrupt or a system management instruction specified by the PCI Express bus, which further defines the specific addresses of a memory packet and a system message packet. In the preferred embodiment, the method thereof comprises the steps of transmitting an INTA command first, then a second system chip upstreams an INTR/system-management command to a first system chip. After that, the first system chip downstreams an EOI/system-management command to the second system chip.

Abstract: A block intra prediction direction detection algorithm comprises acts of dividing a block, finding directions from edge assent rules, determining a main edge of the block, selecting prediction modes from the main edge, choosing base prediction modes and using all unique selected and base prediction modes in intra prediction. The algorithms comprise a 4×4 block intra prediction direction detection algorithm, a 16×16 luminance block intra prediction direction detection algorithm and an 8×8 chrominance block intra prediction direction detection algorithm.

Abstract: A method for command transmission between systems is introduced. The command transmission between the systems, such as a north bridge chip, a south bridge chip and a central processing unit (CPU), employs the signals transmission specified by a PCI Express bus originally for the communication between system chips or peripheral devices. The signals transmission includes an interrupt or a system management instruction specified by the PCI Express bus, which further defines the specific addresses of a memory packet and a system message packet. In the preferred embodiment, the method thereof comprises the steps of transmitting an INTA command first, then a second system chip upstreams an INTR/system-management command to a first system chip. After that, the first system chip downstreams an EOI/system-management command to the second system chip.

Abstract: A pocket lighter of the present invention comprises a gas container having an outlet valve through which ignitable gas is released. An igniter device having a reciprocative plunger is also provided. The igniter device is operative to produce a spark when the plunger is axially moved. A thumb actuator is operative to cause opening of the outlet valve and axial movement of the reciprocative plunger, thereby producing a controlled flame. The pocket lighter is constructed and arranged such that at least ten pounds of force is required to operate the thumb actuator.

Abstract: A pocket lighter of the present invention comprises a gas container having an outlet valve through which ignitable gas is released. An igniter device having a reciprocative plunger is also provided. The igniter device is operative to produce a spark when the plunger is axially moved. A thumb actuator is operative to cause opening of the outlet valve and axial movement of the reciprocative plunger, thereby producing a controlled flame. The pocket lighter is constructed and arranged such that at least ten pounds of force is required to operate the thumb actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating acne and related pilosebaceous disorders with a safe and effective amount of salicylic acid and pantothenic acid or a pantothenic acid derivative. This combination of materials is found to be less irritating and drying to the skin than salicylic acid alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating acne and related pilosebaceous disorders with a safe and effective amount of salicylic acid and pantothenic acid or a pantothenic acid derivative. This combination of materials is found to be less irritating and drying to the skin than salicylic acid alone.

Abstract: An eraser device comprising a thin flat rubberlike erasing material and a stiff plastic holder structure therefor, the latter having a trough shape holder bottom locking together by snap clips with an inverted trough shape front cover and an inverted trough shape rear cover so as to form a clamping front end and a rear storage space. The thin flat eraser is clamped firmly at the front end so as to eliminate requirement of exerting extra force or paying special attention to the holder in order to prevent the eraser from slipping backward in the erasing operation. Additionally, the holder structure provides a smooth surface for comfortably grasping the eraser device in the hand. As the eraser front end is worn in use, it can be easily adjusted to maintain the proper protrusion by releasing the clamp action of the front cover. Refilling of long flexible thin eraser can be easily accomplished by removal of both front and rear covers.