Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and circuitry for protecting against overdrive and electrostatic discharge. For example, protection circuitry may include field effect transistors to discharge overdrive outside of an operational voltage range of a circuit in some embodiments to prevent damage to the circuit. Further, the protection circuitry may utilize diode features inherent in the field effect transistors to protect against electrostatic discharge in some embodiments. The circuitry may be implemented in radio frequency sampling analog-to-digital converters and can provide for single-ended signal input and/or output for the analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and circuitry for protecting against overdrive and electrostatic discharge. For example, protection circuitry may include field effect transistors to discharge overdrive outside of an operational voltage range of a circuit in some embodiments to prevent damage to the circuit. Further, the protection circuitry may utilize diode features inherent in the field effect transistors to protect against electrostatic discharge in some embodiments. The circuitry may be implemented in radio frequency sampling analog-to-digital converters and can provide for single-ended signal input and/or output for the analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: This invention discloses a storage vessel, namely a wine bottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of from about 750 milliliters to about 1,500 milliliters and including an integral pedestal base configured to fit typical glassware fixtures employed in restaurants and taverns. The stem and base portions of the pedestal may be solid or hollow. A hollow pedestal may be advantageous to capture sediments settling out of the wine when the bottle is in an upright position. Pigments may be included in the glass construction to minimize photochemical reactions with the wine contained within the bottle.

Abstract: A method for consolidating canning, pulp, paste, or shelf stable processing and fresh cut produce processing which utilizes existing harvesting and processing facilities. The method comprises the steps of machine harvesting a plurality of fresh produce for example tomatoes, placing the plurality of fresh produce into a cut, pulp or paste processing stream associated with a shelf stable processing system, diverting superior quality produce into a fresh cut produce stream, cutting the diverted portion of the fresh produce and depositing the fresh cut produce into one or more packages. In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more packages comprise modified atmosphere packages. In another embodiment of the invention, at least the tops and bottoms are removed from the diverted fresh produce. The removed tops and bottoms and any juices generated by the cutting are then reintroduced into the shelf stable processing stream thus improving production yield and reducing unnecessary solid waste generation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing a transaction using a credit card includes the steps of: maintaining a credit card account associated with the credit card, the credit card account having a credit limit and a transaction balance indicative of an aggregate of previously authorized transaction amounts in a predetermined period; maintaining a cash account associated with the credit card, the cash account having a cash balance; receiving a request for authorization for a new transaction amount against the credit card account in exchange for goods or services; and authorizing the requested transaction amount when the aggregate of the credit limit and cash balance less the transaction balance exceeds the requested transaction amount.