Abstract: A real time clock assembly includes paired crystal oscillators that experience changes in frequency responsive to temperature. The differences in frequency changes between the paired crystal oscillators are utilized to determine a temperature utilized to compensate for those shifts in frequency. The predictability of frequency responsive to temperature variations by the paired crystal oscillators is utilized for the determination of temperature.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a battery energy management system includes discharging a detector circuit to a minimum battery voltage, measuring an elapsed time that the minimum battery voltage is detected, resetting a timer circuit, and sampling the minimum battery voltage and the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage in response to a predefined prompt. The discharge of the detector circuit, the measurement of the minimum battery voltage, the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage, and the reset of the timer circuit are performed in response to an input voltage being less than the voltage stored within the detector circuit.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.

Abstract: The present invention optimizes the performance of integrated circuits by adjusting the circuit operating voltage using feedback on process/product parameters. To determine a desired value for the operating voltage of an integrated circuit, a preferred embodiment provides for on-wafer probing of one or more reference circuit structures to measure at least one electrical or operational parameter of the one or more reference circuit structures; determining an adjusted value for the operating voltage based on the measured parameter; and establishing the adjusted value as the desired value for the operating voltage. The reference circuit structures may comprise process control monitor structures or structures in other integrated circuits fabricated in the same production run. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more parameters are directly measured from the integrated circuit whose operating voltage is being adjusted.

Abstract: A mechanism for positionally restraining a microplate is disclosed. The mechanism is defined by a base having at least one surface with a receptacle for the insertion of a microplate into the base. Supports and/or positioning structures on a surface of the base have point contacts to restrain movement of the microplate in a stable position for repeatable optical detection measurements. The supports and/or positioning structures permit insertion of the microplate for an initial measurement, removal of the microplate for analytical manipulation, and re-insertion of the microplate to an exact position so as to allow analysis of precise comparative measurements by an optical reader.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article, e.g. a diaper, having a backsheet, an absorbent core and a topsheet, said absorbent article having a length L, said topsheet having an opening and primary elasticated areas and secondary elasticated areas, the latter being curved or angled, having an overall curvature with a radius of from 0.3 L to 3.2L, wherein the average transverse distance between a primary elasticated area and a secondary elasticated area of a crotch side portion is preferably at least 15 mm.

Abstract: A kettle for heating water or other liquid has a lid and lid actuator to move the lid between open and closed positions. The lid actuator may be connected to the container and movable relative to the opening about a pivot that is below a pivot about which the lid may move between the closed and open positions. The lid actuator may also lock the lid in position, such as in the open or closed position. The lid and lid actuator may also be arranged for movement independent of each other.

Abstract: A kettle for heating water or other liquid has an offset fill opening, e.g., to provide for easier filling of the kettle. A top portion of the kettle may include a relatively low thermal conductivity material to help reduce heat transfer through the top portion. A lid used to cover the fill opening may be recessed in the top portion of the kettle container so an upper end of the lid is flush with the top portion. The lid may have a gripping portion positioned below the upper surface of the top portion. The lid may have a bowl-shape with a gripping portion provided at an upper end of the bowl-shape.

Abstract: A kettle for heating water or other liquid may have a container with a top portion made separately from a lower portion and permanently secured thereto. The top portion may have a fill opening that may be registered with an opening in the lower portion and receive a lid to cover the fill opening. A spout liner may extend from the container and be at least partially surrounded by a spout jacket. The spout liner may have a rolled or flanged portion that forms a seal between the spout liner and the spout jacket or that engages with the spout jacket. A handle may be integrally formed with the spout jacket and/or the top portion, e.g., molded together in a unitary form.

Abstract: A pull roll assembly is described herein that is used to draw a glass sheet. The pull roll assembly includes a first roll assembly, a second roll assembly and a device (e.g., differential drive, sensor(s)). The device enables one to control the first and/or second roll assemblies based in part on pulling forces (e.g., glass contact normal force and/or required sheet pulling force) associated with a glass sheet while the glass sheet is being drawn between the first and second roll assemblies. A glass manufacturing system and method for using the pull roll assembly are also described herein.

Abstract: A method of printing a substrate includes contact printing a first graphic in a first operation and non-contact printing a second graphic in a second operation. A method of printing an outer cover for an absorbent article includes contact printing the outer cover in a first operation, non-contact printing the outer cover in a second operation, and joining the outer cover with an absorbent and a liner to produce an absorbent article. A method of minimizing substrate printing waste includes contact printing absence advertisements in a first operation and non-contact overprinting a second graphic in a second operation. A method of distributing customized products to different customers includes contact printing substantially uniform graphics on a substrate in a first operation, non-contact printing customized graphics on a substrate in a second operation, and distributing the substrate to customers.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.

Abstract: Circuits may provide series on-chip termination impedance to one or more input/output pins. In one embodiment, two off-chip reference resistors in combination with internal calibration circuitry are used to control termination transistors coupled to several input/output (I/O) pins. The termination transistors behave as programmably adjustable termination resistors that match the impedance of external resistors. By using only a small number of reference resistors (e.g., 2 resistors) for a large number of I/O pins, the present invention eliminates the external components that would otherwise be needed to provide resistance termination. The effective series termination resistance may be programmed, enabling the termination resistance to meet different I/O standards. Further, the resistance termination techniques of the present invention are not sensitive to process, voltage supply, and temperature (PVT) variations.

Abstract: A technique for providing ESD protection for integrated circuit devices with multiple power and/or ground buses is provided. The technique involves using a clamping device that is capable of handling both positive and negative ESD pulses to clamp each power bus, ground bus, and I/O pad within a device to a respective one of the ground buses. Without resorting to exhaustive cross-clamping, this arrangement provides a discharge path for an ESD pulse applied across any combination of power buses, ground buses, and I/O pads during an ESD event.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a mount, a housing, and a sensor. The mount is adapted to be disposed at least partially underneath a shoelace of a shoe, and the housing is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount. There is a tongue on one of the mount and the housing and a groove on the other of the mount and the housing, wherein the tongue is adapted to releasably engage the groove when the housing is attached to the mount. The apparatus further comprises a sensor, that senses motion of the shoe, disposed within the housing such that the sensor remains disposed within the housing when the housing is separated from the mount. In another embodiment, a method involves providing a housing that houses a sensor that senses motion of a shoe, and attaching a mount to an instep portion of the shoe such that at least a portion of the mount is disposed underneath at least a portion of a shoelace of the shoe.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a mount, a housing, and a sensor. The mount is adapted to be disposed at least partially underneath a shoelace of a shoe, and the housing is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount. There is a tongue on one of the mount and the housing and a groove on the other of the mount and the housing, wherein the tongue is adapted to releasably engage the groove when the housing is attached to the mount. The apparatus further comprises a sensor, that senses motion of the shoe, disposed within the housing such that the sensor remains disposed within the housing when the housing is separated from the mount. In another embodiment, a method involves providing a housing that houses a sensor that senses motion of a shoe, and attaching a mount to an instep portion of the shoe such that at least a portion of the mount is disposed underneath at least a portion of a shoelace of the shoe.