Abstract: A system and method where a client creates a basket of intended stock orders, slices the basket into one or more waves of orders, sends trade orders to a broker/dealer for execution, and allocates stocks to one or more client accounts. A backend server receives basket or wave orders, breaks each basket or wave order into individual stock orders, and queues the individual stock orders for submission to an order management system for execution of the order. A market data feed to the client continuously updates the information displayed to the client. The client may strike a basket or wave or individual stock by entering strike information into a client database residing on a client computer. The system also provides for allocation of executed trades to client-specified accounts.

Abstract: A simplified comparator circuit (10) having hysteresis and lower power requirements for its implementation. The circuit (10) includes 2 minimum-sized MOSFETs (MN4, MN5) providing feedback from the circuit output to an input device (MN1) body to produce hystereis, requiring very little power. This invention is suitable for applications not requiring a precisely set hysteresis magnitude.

Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents and material emissions from the target.

Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as a write head mirror circuit (30) having a Class-AB beta helper (32) providing immunity to severe perturbations of mirror current at the mirror circuit output. The typical single transistor beta helper is replaced with a Class-AB beta helper, advantageously preventing the beta helper from turning off, thereby providing output mirror current accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents, material emissions from the target, and electric field transients.

Abstract: A method and system for locating an RF transponder based on phase differences between signals received from the RF transponder. The method includes receiving a signal from the transponder and calculating distance, relative movement, and position by comparing I-Q phase angle vectors of the signals. Global scroll commands can be used following receipt of signals at first and second frequencies to quickly determine distance.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a patch antenna includes a patch coupled to a ground plane. The ground plane includes a first and second strip line. When the first strip line is activated, the antenna generates a signal having a first polarization, and when the second strip line is activated, the antenna generates a second polarization. The first polarization may be a horizontal polarization, and the second polarization may be a vertical polarization. The antenna may be incorporated into a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator, which may be used to read RFID tags attached to individual items.

Abstract: A metal sheet punch device for metal sheets which includes a longitudinally extended frame having forward and rearward ends and alignment devices for aligning the frame on a metal sheet. At least two metal punch devices are mounted on the frame, each including a metal punch support structure movably mounted on the frame and a metal punch having a pointed lower end, the metal punch mounted on the underside of the metal punch support arm structure. A support structure drive device such as a coiled spring is operatively connected to the metal punch support structure to rapidly move the metal punch support structure between a retracted position and an extended position and a trigger device is operatively connected to the metal punch devices to trigger each of them to drive the metal punch into the metal sheet to form at least two securement screw indentations therein.

Abstract: An field emitter array system (10) includes a housing (50). An emitter array (80) generates an electron beam and has multiple emitter elements (81) that are disposed within the housing (50). Each of the emitter elements has multiple activation connections (92).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying write signals including a first write signal and a second write signal to write information to a memory device includes a current directing circuit receiving the write signals and directing a write current to establish a write voltage between first and second write loci in a first or second excursion toward a first or second polarity in response to the first or second write signal. The first and second write loci are coupled with supply locus via an adjacent first or second impedance unit and a first or second switching unit. The first and second switching units are controlled at first and second control loci by the first and second write signals. First and second boost systems are coupled with the first and second control loci for boosting the write voltage toward the first and second polarities during first and second excursions.

Abstract: A system for generating images by using monochromatic x-rays is described. The system includes an accelerator configured to increase energy of an electron beam, at least one detector element configured to receive x-rays having multiple energies generated by interaction of the electron beam with at least one laser beam, and an image reconstructor configured to reconstruct at least one image by processing the x-rays.

Abstract: An imaging tube (52, 52?) includes a vacuum vessel (96) and an atmospheric-side supply line assembly (104, 104?). The vacuum vessel (96) has an internal vacuum (98). The supply line assembly (104, 104?) has an electromagnetic shield (94, 94?). An insulator (106, 106?) separates the internal vacuum (98) from an external atmosphere (126). A cathode post (92, 92?) resides within the vacuum vessel (96). The cathode post (92, 92?) is in conductive proximity with the electromagnetic shield (94, 94?) and prevents the bending of electrostatic field lines within the imaging tube (52, 52?).

Abstract: An imaging tube (52, 52?) includes a vacuum vessel (96) and an atmospheric-side supply line assembly (104, 104?). The vacuum vessel (96) has an internal vacuum (98). The supply line assembly (104, 104?) has an electromagnetic shield (94, 94?). An insulator (106, 106?) separates the internal vacuum (98) from an external atmosphere (126). A cathode post (92, 92?) resides within the vacuum vessel (96). The cathode post (92, 92?) is in conductive proximity with the electromagnetic shield (94, 94?) and prevents the bending of electrostatic field lines within the imaging tube (52, 52?).

Abstract: An adhesively attached armed suture has a needle with a suture hole formed therein. The suture has an end thereof inserted into the suture hole and is adhesively bonded therein. The adhesive has a viscosity when uncured permitting the suture to be inserted into the suture hole, and preferably has a low viscosity to facilitate easy insertion. A UV-curing adhesive may be of low viscosity and be rapidly cured to more rapidly attach the suture and needle. A “bottle-shaped” suture hole may be utilized to enhance the interlocking between the adhesive and the needle.

Abstract: A HDD write driver circuit (10) having a boost current overshoot programmed by a plurality of pull-up devices (MP35, MP36, MP39, MP45). The pull-up strength of an inverter (20) is adjustably selected by programming pull-up PMOS devices, and less power is dropped across a resistor (R41) such that there is less boost current overshoot when an overshoot MSB is low.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a focal spot position during a scan of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system having a z-axis. The CT imaging system includes a detector array having a plurality of detector elements and an x-ray tube configured to direct an x-ray beam towards the detector through an object to be imaged. The method includes turning on the x-ray tube and reading a z-ratio from the detector. A shift in a position of a focal spot of the x-ray tube is then determined utilizing the read z-ratio. The method further includes using a transfer function to determine a compensating electronic deflection value; and applying the electronic deflection value to the x-ray tube as at least one of a deflection voltage or a deflection current to track the focal spot in the z-axis direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit and method for generating a tail current for a main reader amplifier (200) input stage using a scaled master differential stage (160) with a given offset to force a given output current, preceded by a balanced stage (150) to get a balanced offset. Current must be set by a feedback arrangement in the dummy master stage (160) which is a scaled version of the main reader amplifier input stage (200). The current derived in the dummy master stage (160), when appropriately scaled and used as the tail current of the main reader amplifier (200) input stage provides a precisely controlled gain.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the automatic control of a debarking system for use in a chip mill, paper mill, or the like. The present invention comprises one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that receive input from ultrasonic sensors that measure the quantity of wood present at various locations within the system. Based on this data, the PLCs reference look-up tables that contain information on start, stop, speed up, and slow down times for various system components based on such criteria as wood variety and season. The control system optimizes the fiber yield from the debarking system while also reducing mechanical wear on components of the system by reducing the time at which components are run at high speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining multi-slice images having a total thickness of up to about 160 mm or more in a single gantry rotation in computed tomography or volume computed tomography are described. One embodiment comprises an extended, multi-spot x-ray source for computed tomography or volume computed tomography imaging, comprising: an electron gun capable of producing a plurality of electron beams, each electron beam focused at a predetermined distance and aimed in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of targets positioned to receive the electron beams and generate x-rays in response thereto, each target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon, wherein each electron beam is synchronized to strike, at an appropriate time, a predetermined target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon.

Abstract: A cathode (38) for an imaging tube (33) is provided. The cathode (38) includes an emitter (74) that emits an electron beam (98) to a focal spot (46) on an anode (44). A backing member (76) is electrically disposed on a second side (78) of the emitter (74) and contributes in formation of the electron beam (98). A deflection electrode (82) is electrically disposed between the backing member (76) and the anode (44) and adjusts position of the focal spot (46) on the anode (44). A non-contact x-ray source component position measuring system (32) is also provided. The position measuring system (32) includes an electromagnetic source (18) having an electromagnetic radiation source component (42) and a probe (50) that directs an emission signal (52) at and receives a return signal from the electromagnetic radiation source component (42). A controller (28) generates the emission signal (52) and determines position of the electromagnetic radiation source component (42) in response to the return signal (54).