Abstract: A method and circuit for performing channel equalisation in a high speed transmission system comprising a transmitter and receiver. An application specific digital signal processor, ASDSP, performs channel equalisation and compensation on digital data received from an analogue-to digital converter of the receiver. The ASDSP is operable to execute an application specific set of op-codes needed for performing channel equalisation and compensation. An ASDSP register is coupled between the ASDSP and a system CPU in a feedback loop for performing channel equalisation at the receiver. The ASDSP stores equalizer parameters and bit error rate measurements used by the ASDSP for performing channel equalisation and compensation. An ASDSP program storage memory, coupled to and accessible by the ASDSP, stores an ASDSP micro-sequence program for controlling the processing steps for channel equalisation and dataflow through the ASDSP.

Abstract: A back protector having a back plate configured to, among other things, relieve, reduce, or eliminate the stress or discomfort that can be imposed on a person's upper trunk region during certain activities. The protected areas can include the upper back, spine, and/or lower shoulder area of a person, such as a plumber, in the supine position. The upper trunk protector further includes apparatus or means for attaching the plate to the person to be protected, such as a first elongate strap and a second elongate strap each having a first end and a second end, and a waist belt. Preferably, the waist belt is attached along a bottom portion of the back plate and is configured to be worn about the person's waist, while the first elongate strap and second elongate strap are each attached at the first end to a top section of the back plate and at the second end to corresponding points on the waist belt. Related methods are described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telephony apparatus comprising a base station and a handset, one of the base station and the handset being connected to a telephony system via an IEEE 802.11 interface, the base station and the handset each further being provided with a Bluetooth interface, speech data and/or control data being transmitted between the base station and the handset on the Bluetooth interface.

Abstract: Beers and processes for the production thereof are provided in accordance with the present invention, in which Monascus—derived pigments are employed as natural (i.e. non-synthetic) colorants.

Abstract: A method of assembling a print head that includes the steps of: (a) providing a print head base including a nozzle and at least one ink channel; (b) mounting in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base an ink regulator that includes: (i) a pressurized chamber including an ink inlet in fluid communication with an ink source, an ink outlet in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base, and an exterior flexible wall having an inner surface facing an interior of the pressurized chamber, (ii) a valve biased to restrict fluid communication between the ink source and the pressurized chamber, where the exterior flexible wall actuates the valve to overcome the bias in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the exterior flexible wall to provide fluid communication between the ink source and the pressurized chamber, where the fluid communication between the pressurized chamber and the ink source decreases the pressure differential ac

Abstract: A method of welding a first material of an apparatus to a second, semi-crystalline material of the apparatus. The method includes the acts of heating a weld area with a first power intensity for one time period and heating the weld area with a second power intensity (not equivalent to the first power intensity) for another time period. The method also includes applying pressure to the weld area and producing a collapse distance within at least a portion of the weld area.

Abstract: A printing cartridge including a body, the body having a base and a tower defining a passageway. The tower is made from a first polymer material, and has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is attached to the base. The distal end includes a surface. A frame, made of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, is attached to the surface of the tower. A filter is attached to the frame and positioned to extend over the passageway.

Abstract: Methods for disassembling at least two components of an inkjet printhead include applying heat, preferably in the form of laser energy, to one of the components and wholly or partially separating the components thereafter. The disassembly enables ease of refilling the inkjet printhead or replacing original parts. In one embodiment, the components comprise inkjet printhead lids and bodies originally laser welded to one another. In another aspect, methods of disassembly include laser unwelding inkjet printhead lids and bodies according to whether the inkjet printhead body embodies a mono or color ink body type through use of selective control of one or more laser light sources to illuminate the inkjet printhead lid in a specific pattern of light. Still other aspects include a disassembled inkjet printhead having components with laser welding residue thereon. The laser welding residue may have substantially matching edge lines between the two components.

Abstract: A printing cartridge including a body, the body having a base and a tower defining a passageway. The tower is made from a first polymer material, and has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is attached to the base. The distal end includes a surface. A frame, made of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, is attached to the surface of the tower. A filter is attached to the frame and positioned to extend over the passageway.

Abstract: A method of assembling a print head that includes the steps of: (a) providing a print head base including a nozzle and at least one ink channel; (b) mounting in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base an ink regulator that includes: (i) a pressurized chamber including an ink inlet in fluid communication with an ink source, an ink outlet in fluid communication with the at least one ink channel of the print head base, and an exterior flexible wall having an inner surface facing an interior of the pressurized chamber, (ii) a valve biased to restrict fluid communication between the ink source and the pressurized chamber, where the exterior flexible wall actuates the valve to overcome the bias in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the exterior flexible wall to provide fluid communication between the ink source and the pressurized chamber, where the fluid communication between the pressurized chamber and the ink source decreases the pressure differential ac

Abstract: A method of assembling an ink filtration system in fluid communication with an ink source comprising the steps of: (a) providing a printhead base including at least one ink channel in fluid communication with at least one nozzle; (b) positioning an ink filter in fluid communication with at least the one ink channel of the printhead base; and (c) laser welding the ink filter in series with the printhead base to provide a sealed fluidic interface therebetween ensuring that ink within at least the one ink channel has passed through the ink filter. Also disclosed are methods and resulting apparatuses utilizing laser welding to mount components of an ink cartridge for use with an inkjet printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a series of radio controlled vehicles or objects used to play the popular game of tag. Each vehicle or object used to play tag is specially built to contain a means of disabling the vehicle when tagged. In one series the tag zone is positioned in the rear bumper. The second series contains 3 tag zones on the vehicle. The third series contains multiple tag zones on the object being used. Competitors race their vehicles or objects around a contained area trying desperately to tag their opponents in each of the tag zones located on their challengers' vehicles, while trying to avoid from being tagged themselves. Vehicles with multiple tag zones require the competitors to tag each tag zone with their front bumper. The opponent's vehicle will not be disabled until all the tag zones have been tagged in any random sequence. Zone lights will indicate which zone has been tagged. When the last zone light is activated the vehicle's engine is shut down.

Abstract: The ball throwing machine of this invention includes a vertical base plate mounting a wheel support plate for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which defines an arcuate slot in the base plate through which a clamp bolt extends from the wheel support plate. The wheel support plate mounts top and bottom pneumatic tired wheels for rotation to grip a ball between them and project it forward. An electrical control circuit affords adjustment of wheel rotational speed by a single rotary switch and also allows selection of a variety of types of pitches by a single rotary switch. The electrical circuit also provides for the setting of a differential rotational speed between the top and bottom wheels, for optimum quality of pitching control, and also provides for limiting the minimum and maximum wheel rotating speeds to achieve realistic pitching speed range.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine which includes a tripod leg support is provided with the rearwardly positioned leg formed as a pair of telescopic sections. Rack and pinion components are mounted one on each leg section and the pinion is operated by a crank to effect lengthening or shortening the telescopic sections, to effect an incremental change in the trajectory of a ball thrown by the machine.

Abstract: Silver metal-coated boron carbide (B.sub.4 C) particle reinforce aluminumthium alloy or magnesium-lithium matrix composites which are prepared by coating the B.sub.4 C particles with molten AgNO.sub.3, decomposing the molten AgNO.sub.3 to form a coating of silver metal on the B.sub.4 C particles, mixing the silver coated B.sub.4 C particles into a molten aluminum-lithium alloy or magnesium-lithium alloy matrix, allowing the mixture to cool and solidify the solid composite.

Abstract: A Nb-Ti or Nb-Zr low temperature superconducting (LTS) wire is coat with ten AgN0.sub.3 which is then decomposed to form a uniform silver metal (Ag) coating on the LTS wire. A uniform coating of molten Al or Al alloy is formed on the Ag coated LTS wire and then solidified. A bundle of the coated LTS wires is inserted into an Al or Al alloy tube and cold worked to form a multifilamentary LTS cable comprising the Ag coated LTS wires each surrounded by an Al or Al alloy matrix.

Abstract: A reaction vessel comprising (1) a porous ceramic structure having intercecting, open pores and (2) silver metal coating the inner ceramic surfaces of the reaction vessel and filling the interconnecting, open pores to form a strong bond between the porous ceramic structure and the silver coating.The reaction vessel can be produced by(1) coating the inner surface and infiltrating the continuous, open pores of an unglazed porous ceramic structure (or vessel) with molten AgNO.sub.3 ;(2) decomposing the AgNO.sub.3 to silver metal; and then(3) repeating steps (1) and (2) until all the pores are filled with silver metal.

Abstract: A reaction vessel comprising (1) a porous ceramic structure having intercecting, open pores and (2) silver metal coating the inner ceramic surfaces of the reaction vessel and filling the interconnecting, open pores to form a strong bond between the porous ceramic structure and the silver coating.The reaction vessel can be produced by(1) coating the inner surface and infiltrating the continuous, open pores of an unglazed porous ceramic structure (or vessel) with molten AgNO.sub.3 ;(2) decomposing the AgNO.sub.3 to silver metal; and then(3) repeating steps (1) and (2) until all the pores are filled with silver metal.

Abstract: Apparatus for removal of connectors from printed circuit boards. The connors have spring-lock type of conductor pins therein which secure the connectors to the printed circuit board in substantially permanent relation and if some conductor pins were to become defective the whole printed circuit board would be thrown away. The device of the present invention is disposed for removal of the connectors from the printed circuit board without causing damage to the board.

Abstract: Packaging of microelectronics utilizing a series of various size cylinders hich are assembled and sealed from the environment, providing electrical connections out opposite ends of the cylinders and providing for a center opening in the inner cylinder to allow other structure such as a warhead to be mounted therein are aspects of this invention.