Abstract: Error diffusion is performed upon input image data. In one aspect, multiple error diffusion processing elements perform error diffusion on a selected pixel in parallel. In another aspect, the error diffusion logic is integrally formed with a fast local memory in the same electronic device, such as an ASIC. The error data produced by the error diffusion logic for a pixel is buffered in the fast local memory until it is to be used by the error diffusion logic on other pixels. In still another aspect, a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer regulates or buffers the color image data between the output of a color conversion system, such as a colorant lookup table, and the input an error diffusion processing element. In yet another aspect, the error diffusion logic has tagging logic that produces and stores an indicator, either in the output data stream itself or in a separate area, to indicate whether a raster contains printable data.

Abstract: Lines of input image data are scaled in a first dimension, the one-dimensionally scaled lines are stored in a buffer memory until a sufficient number of lines have been stored to perform scaling equally in two dimensions, and the stored lines are then scaled in a second dimension to produce image data scaled two-dimensionally by a user-selected scaling percentage. A first image scaling method is used to scale the input image data if the user-selected scaling percentage exceeds a predetermined threshold value, such as 50 percent, and a second scaling method is used if the scaling percentage does not exceed the threshold value. The first method can be, for example, linear interpolation, and the second method can be, for example, averaging.

Abstract: Image pixels are scaled on a conceptual grid having a predetermined number of potential pixel locations, such as 128, between locations of pixels of the input image data. The user-selected scaling percentage can be used to directly locate scaled pixels on the grid. A grid having a relatively large number of potential pixel locations provides a large scaling range. For example, 128 locations can provide a range of up to 12,800 percent.

Abstract: 1

Abstract: The gate latch described is for maintaining a wire gate in a closed position between a pair of gateposts embedded in the ground. The gate latch comprises a 36″ piece of #2 chain that is wrapped around the gatepost and secured by ¼″×1″ bolt and lock nut. The gate tension is adjusted by lengthening or shortening the chain. The gatepost is placed in the u-shape portion of the steel rod and pivots around the post when the handle is pushed toward the top wire of the gate. When the handle is in position, the hook on the end of the handle is hooked over the top wire of the gate, and the gate is in the closed position.

Abstract: A package or bag is provided with an easy open re-closable device for allowing ready access to the contents of the bag. The closure device is applied longitudinally in a vertical orientation in plastic bags but the closure device is spaced from the ends. In a layer paper bag, while the position of the closure device is preferably longitudinal, the closure device may have any orientation including a diagonal position. The closure device is incorporated in the fins of a fin bag and the closure devices extends longitudinally of the bag in a vertical direction. The process or making a multi layer paper material with a closure device incorporated therein is carried out in a continuous operation. The process of making zip-fin plastic bag or film containing the fins and closure are performed in a continuous operation.

Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).

Abstract: Smokable rods of cigarettes are manufactured using wrapping materials that incorporate at least one fibrous material (e.g., flax fibers, hardwood pulp fibers and/or softwood pulp fibers) at least one filler material (e.g., calcium carbonate in particulate form). The wrapping materials possess multi-layer coatings. The wrapping materials possess coatings in the form of series of spaced apart bands, each band possessing a series of layers. At least one of the coating layers can have a filler material dispersed or suspended within a film-forming material of that layer.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the following structural formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof, wherein: n is 2, 3, or 4 and W is CH2, CH(OH), C(O) or O; R1 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl-alkyl, heteroaryl-alkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, or t-butyl; R2 is H, alkyl, haloalkyl or phenyl; Y is an unsubstituted or substituted thiophen-2,5-diyl or phenylene; R3 is alkyl or haloalkyl; R4 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, naphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, quinolyl, pyridyl or benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl group; and R5 is H, alkyl, or aminoalkyl; are useful for modulating a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, particularly in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A luminaire supports different types of lamps or light bulbs in a strip which is adjustable as to length and as to angles or curvature between adjacent lamps. The luminaire consists of multiple support members, which can be fashioned as a variety of shapes and sizes. Each support member supports a lamp socket, and may additionally support a ballast or other equipment. A rigid conduit inserted into holes in the end of adjacent support members provides a connection between those adjacent support members. Additionally, the conduit provides a passageway for wires or other conductors running between support members. The rigidity of each conduit provides protection for such conductors. A restraining mechanism limits the movement of the rigid conduit with respect to each support member into which each end of the conduit is inserted, preventing the conduit from withdrawing from a support member and limiting movement of the conduit into the support mechanism.

Abstract: A cage nut assembly is provided having a nut and a cage wrapped therearound. The nut has a number of stand-offs or protrusions provided on a lower surface thereof such that the stand-offs are the only part of the nut which are in contact with the cage. The stand-offs reduce the amount of bearing surface interface between the cage and the nut thus reducing the possibility that the two parts will stick to each other after a coating is applied to the mating surface which the cage is welded to. The nut is engaged by a male threaded fastener which is torqued into place and the stand-offs push into the material of the cage causing the cage material to flow out of the way such that the stand-offs embed into the material of the cage without deforming the stand-offs to a flattened condition.

Abstract: An improved oil and gas drilling control system which utilizes improved braking and feedback technology which, in turn, permits more precise weight-on-bit control and more smooth transitions of weight-on-bit than any existing technology. In addition, the system also permits more accurate feedback and control with respect to drilling depth, pipe transitions, and rate of penetration than prior systems.

Abstract: Modular orthopaedic components are disclosed. One set comprises orthopaedic trials and the other set comprises orthopaedic instruments. Both sets provide several interchangeable elements. Two or more modular components can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. Some of the modular components have open female ends with interior grooves that hold a garter-type canted coil spring. Others of the modular components have male ends with exterior grooves. When the two ends are pushed together, the canted coil spring is received in the aligned grooves, temporarily holding the elements together until the surgeon uses force to pull them apart. No special tool is needed to assemble and disassemble these modular components.

Abstract: Smokable rods of cigarettes are manufactured using wrapping materials that incorporate at least one fibrous material (e.g., flax fibers, hardwood pulp fibers and/or softwood pulp fibers) at least one filler material (e.g., calcium carbonate in particulate form). The wrapping materials possess multi-layer coatings. The wrapping materials possess coatings in the form of series of spaced apart bands, each band possessing a series of layers. At least one of the coating layers can have a filler material dispersed or suspended within a film-forming material of that layer.

Abstract: A command and control system uses J2EE compliant format signals to communicate to the track management system. The track management system operates on an application server arrangement including one or more J2EE compliant application servers. The track management system uses Enterprise Java Beans software components, which are allocated among the various CPUs of the computer processing arrangement by the application server arrangement. Thus, commercial off-the-shelf equipment can be used pursuant to commercial standards to obtain the reliability associated with ready allocation of the Enterprise Java Beans among any of the available CPUs or clusters of CPUs.

Abstract: A system and method for framing bits wherein fifteen bits of a parallel bit stream are examined to identify a first repeating byte and, upon identification of a first repeating byte, a bit offset of the byte from a bit zero of the parallel bit stream is determined. The bits in the parallel bit stream are then shifted by the determined bit offset to generate a byte aligned parallel bit stream. Each byte of the byte aligned parallel bit stream is then examined to identify a second repeating byte and, upon identification of a second repeating byte, a byte offset of the second repeating byte from a byte zero of the parallel bit stream is determined, and the bytes in the parallel bit stream are shifted by the determined byte offset to generate a frame aligned parallel bit stream. The frame aligned parallel bit stream is then transmitted, and a frame pulse is generated to accompany the frame aligned parallel bit stream.

Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).

Abstract: Interruptible high-voltage current limiter in a monolithic configuration: The structure comprises serially-connected complementary depletion-mode FET's where at least the gate of one of the FET's shares a common semiconductor region with the drain of the other FET. In a preferred embodiment, the FET's comprise a vertical n-channel depletion mode FET and a lateral depletion mode P-type FET. A Zener diode may be used to help control the cutoff voltage of the limiter.

Abstract: An electronically controlled micro-dispensing apparatus (10) is described. The apparatus includes a container (12), an adaptor (18), a nozzle (28) and a control circuit (34 or 42). The container is filled with the chemical (104) and propellant (102). The adaptor, nozzle and control circuit are removable from the container and are reusable. The control circuits controls the length of pulse and the time duration between each pulse. By controlling these factors, the apparatus dispenses a precise amount of liquid over a set time period. The ejector allows for controlled dispensing and allows the liquid to be sprayed a greater distance. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus are used to dispense a pheromone in an outdoor setting, such as an orchard (100), to control insects.