Abstract: A clip for use in a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate comprising a generally flat base member having a top surface having a plurality of surface irregularities, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of opposing tensioning arms extending from the top surface; and, (ii) a top plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, a lip protruding from a top surface thereof having a channel defined therein, wherein the top plate is adapted to secure an edge of a substantially flat medium between the base plate and the top plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are in an engaged relationship, and wherein the channel can receive a portion of a cable.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus designed to display at least one condition associated with the breathing apparatus to the user of the breathing apparatus. The breathing apparatus includes a breathing mask, a display assembly and a sensor assembly. The display assembly includes at least one display designed to display at least one condition of the display assembly and/or the sensor assembly. The breathing apparatus design can be designed to enable a third party to view at least one condition of the display assembly and/or the sensor assembly while a user is wearing the breathing mask. The breathing apparatus can include a sealing arrangement for forming a seal between a circuit board and/or other electronic components and a housing of the display assembly and/or the sensor assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for designing an architecture for e-business solutions. A business description of the e-business solution is developed. The business description describes each actor and each business function in the e-business solution. The business description further describes each interaction among one or more actors and one or more business functions. A pictorial representation of the business description is developed. Business pattern(s), integration pattern(s), composite pattern(s), and application pattern(s) that are identifiable within the pictorial representation are established. Each business pattern is indicative of each grouping of one or more actors and one or more business functions based on a nature of the interaction among the one or more actors and the one or more business functions. Each integration pattern is indicative of an integration of two or more business patterns.

Abstract: Methods of inspecting ophthalmic lenses contained in packages by treating the packages with an electrical charge prior to adding a liquid and the ophthalmic lens to the package.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for hydrating ophthalmic lenses and leaching excess materials from the ophthalmic lenses. The methods include the steps of exposing contact lenses with a hydration solution comprising about 30 to 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. In some embodiments, the hydration solution is maintained at an elevated temperature. Exposure to a first hydration solution causes the ophthalmic lenses to swell to a size larger than their functional size, and exposure to a second ophthalmic solution causes the lenses to shrink back to a functional size.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse stick design and method of using same providing, inter alia, (1) an extendable lacrosse stick, (2) a quick release head/stick design, (3) a method of changing the lacrosse stick head or stick length “on the fly” so as to avoid leaving the playing field, and (4) a method of changing a lacrosse head or stick length without the use of any tools.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse stick design and method of using same providing, inter alia, (1) an extendable lacrosse stick, (2) a quick release head/stick design, (3) a method of changing the lacrosse stick head or stick length “on the fly” so as to avoid leaving the playing field, and (4) a method of changing a lacrosse head or stick length without the use of any tools.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the adherence of soft contact lenses to hydrophobic packing materials.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse stick design and method of using same providing, inter alia, (1) an extendable lacrosse stick, (2) a quick release head/stick design, (3) a method of changing the lacrosse stick head or stick length “on the fly” so as to avoid leaving the playing field, and (4) a method of changing a lacrosse head or stick length without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A game system and method of playing for entertaining a plurality of players. The game system and method of playing includes a game board. A playing path is positioned on the game board. The playing path is comprised of a plurality of play spaces. A plurality of player tokens are placed one the playing path for representing the place of the associated one of the players on the playing path. A fish containment assembly is operationally coupled to the game board. The fish containment assembly selectively contains a plurality of fish members. Each of a plurality of retrieval members is for retrieving one of the fish members from the fish containment assembly by one of the players when one of the player tokens of an associated one of the players is placed on a portion of the play spaces of the playing path.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a continuous conduction mode (CCM) power factor corrected boost converter circuit, the boost converter circuit including a rectifier connectable to an ac input and having a rectified dc output provided across a dc bus; an inductor having first and second terminals connected in one leg of the dc bus, a first terminal of the inductor coupled to the output of said rectifier; a boost rectifier diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the inductor and having a second terminal; and a storage capacitor connected to the second terminal of the diode; the integrated circuit comprising a control circuit and a switch controlled by the control circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a housing enclosing the control circuit and switch, the integrated circuit having a power terminal, a ground terminal, a first control input terminal for coupling to an output of the converter circuit, and a second control input terminal for coupling to a sensor for sensing current in the de

Abstract: A portfolio of debt instruments, managed by an asset manager according to the terms of an asset management agreement between the asset manager and a sponsor, is a debt index. Multiple deals, as collateralized obligations, are linked to the debt index. Changes to the index by the asset manager are reflected in the linked deals. A break in the linkage to the index can be triggered by different events.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a continuous conduction mode (CCM) power factor corrected boost converter circuit, the boost converter circuit including a rectifier connectable to an ac input and having a rectified de output provided across a de bus; an inductor having first and second terminals connected in one leg of the dc bus, a first terminal of the inductor coupled to the output of said rectifier; a boost rectifier diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the inductor and having a second terminal; and a storage capacitor connected to the second terminal of the diode; the integrated circuit comprising a control circuit and a switch controlled by the control circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a housing enclosing the control circuit and switch, the integrated circuit having a power terminal, a ground terminal, a first control input terminal for coupling to an output of the converter circuit, and a second control input terminal for coupling to a sensor for sensing current in the dc

Abstract: A self-oscillating circuit for driving high-side and low-side switching devices, such as MOSFETs connected in a half-bridge configuration. The circuit alternately turns on the switching devices by providing alternating gate pulses varying in duration or width. The pulses are separated by dead time to prevent cross conduction. At start up, the pulses increase from a minimum duration of zero to a maximum duration, while dead time duration simultaneously decreases to its minimum duration, to provide soft start.

Abstract: A lattice-structured multiple description vector quantization (LSMDVQ) encoder generates M descriptions of a signal to be encoded, each of the descriptions being transmittable over a corresponding one of M channels. The encoder is configured based at least in part on a distortion measure which is a function of a central distortion and at least one side distortion. For example, if M=2, the distortion measure may be an average mean-squared error (AMSE) function of the form ƒ(D0, D1, D2), where D0 is a central distortion resulting from reconstruction based on receipt of both a first and a second description, and D1 and D2 are side distortions resulting from reconstruction using only a first description and a second description, respectively. Further performance improvements may be obtained through perturbation of the lattice points.

Abstract: A multi-auction service system and method for replicating an item to be auctioned at a plurality of remote auction services, where the multi-auction service detects bids at the plurality of remote auction services for the item in order to replicate the optimal bid at each of the remote auction services such that the optimal bid is afforded to a bidder or seller.

Abstract: A self-oscillating circuit for driving high-side and low-side switching devices, such as MOSFETs connected in a half-bridge configuration. The circuit alternately turns on the switching devices by providing alternating gate pulses varying in duration or width. The pulses are separated by dead time to prevent cross conduction. At start up, the pulses increase from a minimum duration of zero to a maximum duration, while dead time duration simultaneously decreases to its minimum duration, to provide soft start. The circuitry includes an oscillator for providing a periodic signal in which each cycle includes a rising portion followed by a falling edge to a low portion. Reference circuitry provides a varying reference signal. A comparator responds to the periodic signal and the varying reference signal, and provides a pulse output signal whose pulse width is proportional to the reference signal.

Abstract: A multi-auction service system and method for replicating an item to be auctioned at a plurality of remote auction services, where the multi-auction service detects bids at the plurality of remote auction services for the item in order to replicate the optimal bid at each of the remote auction services such that the optimal bid is afforded to a bidder or seller.

Abstract: A Class D amplifier system utilizing high voltage level shifting technology and an adaptive power supply which adjusts the magnitude of the output voltage based on audio input levels to reduce switching losses at low audio input levels. The amplifier system of the present invention also removes any DC offset at the output by providing an equal positive and negative power supply with respect to ground.