Abstract: A decorative lighting apparatus has user-selectable color schemes corresponding to several holidays for year-round use. In one illustrative example, the decorative lighting apparatus includes a decorative light strand having a plurality of addressable color-controllable red-green-blue (RGB) light-emitting diode (LED) nodes positioned therealong; a decorating selector which provides a plurality of user-selectable switch settings; control circuitry; and memory. The memory stores data for a plurality of holiday color schemes, where each holiday color scheme is associated with one or more different holiday colors. The control circuitry is operative to illuminate the addressable color-controllable RGB LED nodes along the decorative light strand with a different holiday color scheme for each user-selectable switch setting.

Abstract: A system and method for computing a run-length encoded raster in which spans are successively added to a raster or overlapping spans are flattened. Spans are temporarily expanded into a pixel array representing part of the raster, where entries in the pixel array are references to color values and other property data. Successive spans modify the pixel array. References in the array are then compared to run-length encode the partial raster. Remaining parts of the raster are processed similarly. In one embodiment, the array contains pointers referencing color and property information. In another embodiment, the array contains small indexes referencing a color palette.

Abstract: A decorative light strand has user-selectable color schemes corresponding to each holiday for year-round use. The light strand has a plurality of differently colored lights; a decorating selector comprising a switch which provides a plurality of user-selectable settings; and logic coupled to the switch and the plurality of differently colored lights to provide different holiday color schemes in response to the user-selectable settings. In one specific example, the light strand includes a plurality of red lights, a plurality of white lights, a plurality of blue lights, a plurality of green lights, a plurality of orange lights, and a plurality of yellow lights.

Abstract: A process forms electrical interconnects between memory bits in a magnetoresistive memory device. An initial dielectric layer is formed to overlie a semiconductor substrate. A magnetoresistive storage layer is formed over the initial dielectric layer. An electrically conductive stop layer that is selective to etch processes and is mechanically hard is deposited over the magnetoresistive storage layer. A hardmask layer is formed to overlie the stop layer. The hardmask layer is etched to expose the stop layer. The stop layer and the magnetoresistive storage layer are etched using ion milling until the initial dielectric layer is exposed, defining individual magnetoresistive memory bits. An isolation layer is formed over the hardmask layer and in the etch regions between magnetoresistive bits. The isolation layer is planarized using chemical mechanical polish (CMP) until the stop layer is exposed.

Abstract: A decorative light strand has user-selectable color schemes corresponding to each holiday for year-round use. The light strand has a plurality of differently colored lights; a decorating selector comprising a switch which provides a plurality of user-selectable settings; and logic coupled to the switch and the plurality of differently colored lights to provide different holiday color schemes in response to the user-selectable settings. In one specific example, the light strand includes a plurality of red lights, a plurality of white lights, a plurality of blue lights, a plurality of green lights, a plurality of orange lights, and a plurality of yellow lights.

Abstract: A decorative light strand has user-selectable color schemes corresponding to each holiday for year-round use. The light strand has a plurality of differently colored lights; a decorating selector comprising a switch which provides a plurality of user-selectable settings; and logic coupled to the switch and the plurality of differently colored lights to provide different holiday color schemes in response to the user-selectable settings. In one specific example, the light strand includes a plurality of red lights, a plurality of white lights, a plurality of blue lights, a plurality of green lights, a plurality of orange lights, and a plurality of yellow lights.

Abstract: A low-cost, simple, and easy-to-use liquid soap spraying and sponge attachment for a water sprayer. The attachment includes a tubular body which forms a cavity having a first open end on the front side and a second open end on the rear side. The second open end is configured to receive the nozzle portion of the water sprayer while exposing the actuator and the handle portion of the water sprayer. The first open end is configured to allow water from the nozzle portion of the water sprayer to spray through the body in response to actuations of the actuator. A detachable circular sponge is positioned on the front side of the body, preferably using Velcro materials.

Abstract: A process of forming electrical interconnects between memory bits in a magnetoresistive memory device. A dielectric layer is formed to overlie a semiconductor substrate. A magnetoresistive storage layer is formed over the dielectric layer. An electrically conductive stop layer that is selective to etch processes and is mechanically hard is deposited over the magnetoresistive layer. A hardmask layer is formed to overlie the stop layer. The hardmask layer is etched to expose the stop layer. The stop layer and the magnetoresistive layer are etched using ion milling until the initial dielectric layer is exposed, defining individual magnetoresistive memory bits. A dielectric layer is formed over the hardmask layer and in the etch regions between magnetoresistive bits. The dielectric layer is planarized using chemical mechanical polish (CMP) until the stop layer is exposed.

Abstract: A CRT compensation system (10) is disclosed which utilizes a cathode stabilizer circuit (16) to correct a cathode current I.sub.k which deviates from an ideal transfer function. The cathode stabilizer circuit (16) takes the cathode voltage V.sub.K and the cathode current I.sub.K and removes the ideal gamma transfer function from I.sub.K to produce a linear output. This linear output is then subtracted from the cathode voltage V.sub.K to produce an error voltage V.sub.err which is used to adjust the CRT drive to minimize the error in the cathode current. For example the V.sub.err the error voltage may be utilized to change the voltage level of the grid one element of the CRT (14). As a result, the CRT (14) will more closely approximate the ideal transfer function. The system (10) operates continuously and thus is able to correct for short term cathode current effects on a real time basis.

Abstract: An extended nip press belt having a longitudinal running direction for the press-section of a papermaking machine includes an apertured membrane having two opposite faces and an impermeable coating layer at at least one face thereof. The material of the coating layer of layers engaging the apertures in the membrane extend at least to the plane of the face of the membrane opposite the one face. The membrane may include reinforcing yarns in the longitudinal running direction of the belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing papermakers or like fabrics wherein preformed apertured fabric bands are joined together in spaced edge-to-edge disposition in a manner to provide substantial uniformity of construction throughout the fabric width. The invention proposed supporting the bands (11, 12) in spaced parallel disposition on a pinned roller (26) wherein the distribution and configuration of the pins (34) matches the apertures in the bands and creating an infill band in the region between adjacent preformed bands (11, 12) by feeding thermoplastic matrix material to the surface of the pinned roller in said region, causing said matrix material to flow into interstices between the pins and to bond with the material of the preformed bands. Reinforcing yarns (13) will be provided in the region between adjacent preformed bands and extending in a direction parallel to the bands and will be embodied within the matrix material of the joined structure.

Abstract: An ENP belt for use in the press-section of a papermaking machine is disclosed which comprises a sheet-like body part (11) having integrally formed machine-direction ribs (12) extending outwardly from the surface therefrom, there being reinforcing yarns (16) in register with respective ones of some at least of the said ribs (12) and at least partially located therein. Cross machine direction ribs (15) extending between adjacent machine direction ribs may be provided, if desired.

Abstract: In order to protect the longitudinal edges of a link belt against damage or undue wear it is proposed to provide an edge guard comprising a multiplicity of guard elements engaged with the coils of the belt, the elements each comprising a body part for disposition adjacent the edge of the belt and a mounting element for engagement with a respective coil. The body part is preferably flexible, and the body parts of adjacent elements may partially overlie one another in providing a reinforcing wear resistant edge to the belt for protecting the ends of the coils.

Abstract: A pair of short skiis each comprising a flexible forward shovel section and a less flexible after section, the flexible shovel section including a substantially flat running portion and a leading turned up tip portion, the total running length of the ski being comprised of the running portion and the less flexible section. The boot location area on each ski is so disposed with reference to the total running length of the ski that the ball of the skier's foot is disposed at or slightly behind the approximate median of the ski's total running length. The flexible shovel section extends from just forward of said median. Binding means are provided to hold the skier's foot on each ski such that when the skier's boot is placed and held in said binding means, the heel of the skier's boot will be disposed approximately 6 inches forward of the tail end of the ski.