Abstract: A circuit to control a switching characteristic of a switching device. The circuit includes a driver circuit comprising an output port, where the driver circuit is configured to generate, at the output port, a control signal to actuate the switching device within a first time period. The control signal comprising at least one electrical pulse, where a pulse width of the at least one electrical pulse being shorter than the first time period. The circuit also includes a coupling circuit that is configured to use the control signal to actuate the switching device to establish a target switching characteristic of the switching device according to a modulation of the at least one electrical pulse. The control circuit is also configured to provide a greater impedance to the control signal than an impedance of the output terminal of the driver circuit.

Abstract: A circuit to control a switching characteristic of a switching device. The circuit includes a driver circuit comprising an output port, where the driver circuit is configured to generate, at the output port, a control signal to actuate the switching device within a first time period. The control signal comprising at least one electrical pulse, where a pulse width of the at least one electrical pulse being shorter than the first time period. The circuit also includes a coupling circuit that is configured to use the control signal to actuate the switching device to establish a target switching characteristic of the switching device according to a modulation of the at least one electrical pulse. The control circuit is also configured to provide a greater impedance to the control signal than an impedance of the output terminal of the driver circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning trailer hitches are provided. A method for aligning a tow vehicle having a trailer hitch receiver to a trailer having a hitch pin compatible for use with the trailer hitch receiver comprises mounting an alignment device to the tow vehicle; observing the alignment of a mast section of the alignment device with the hitch pin; visually aligning the mast section of the alignment device with the hitch pin; and adjusting the relative position of the tow vehicle with respect to the trailer while backing the tow vehicle towards the trailer to keep the mast section aligned with the hitch pin.

Abstract: An input pad for a differential current input to an integrated circuit contains a switchable and tunable input impedance. The input pad also contains ESD protection and common mode rejection while maintaining low capacitance. The common mode rejection comprises two resistors that combine to remove the common mode current from the two input lines, produce a reference current, and drive two output transistors that cancel the common mode current from the outputs.

Abstract: A method for interconnecting sub-functions of metal-mask programmable functions that includes the steps of (A) forming a base layer of a platform application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprising a plurality of pre-diffused regions disposed around a periphery of the platform ASIC, (B) forming two or more sub-functions of a function with a metal mask set placed over a number of the plurality of pre-diffused regions of the platform application specific integrated circuit and (C) configuring one or more connection points in each of the two or more sub-functions such that interconnections between the two or more sub-functions are tool routable in a single layer. Each of the pre-diffused regions is configured to be metal-programmable.

Abstract: A method for producing a chip is disclosed. A first step of the method may include fabricating the chip only up to and including a first metal layer such that a core region of the chip has an array of cells, each of the cells having a plurality of transistors. A second step generally involves designing a plurality of upper metal layers above the first metal layer in response to a custom design created after the first fabricating has started, the upper metal layers interconnecting a plurality of the cells to form (i) a mixed-signal module and (ii) a digital module, the mixed signal module generating at least one analog signal and at least one digital signal. In a third step, the method may include fabricating the chip to add the upper metal layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning trailer hitches are provided. A method for aligning a tow vehicle having a trailer hitch receiver to a trailer having a hitch pin compatible for use with the trailer hitch receiver comprises mounting an alignment device to the tow vehicle; observing the alignment of a mast section of the alignment device with the hitch pin; visually aligning the mast section of the alignment device with the hitch pin; and adjusting the relative position of the tow vehicle with respect to the trailer while backing the tow vehicle towards the trailer to keep the mast section aligned with the hitch pin.

Abstract: A method for producing a chip is disclosed. A first step of the method may involve fabricating the chip only up to and including a first metal layer during a first manufacturing phase such that an input/output (I/O) region of the chip has a plurality of slots, where each of the slots has a plurality of first transistors. A second step of the method may involve designing a plurality of upper metal layers above the first metal layer in response to a custom design created after the first fabricating has started, the upper metal layers interconnecting a plurality of the first transistors to form a plurality of mixed-signal building block functions. A third step of the method may involve fabricating the chip to add the upper metal layers during a second manufacturing phase.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base layer of a platform application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a mixed-signal function and a built-in self test (BIST) function. The base layer of the platform ASIC generally includes a plurality of pre-diffused regions disposed around a periphery of the platform ASIC. Each of the pre-diffused regions is generally configured to be metal-programmable. The mixed-signal function may include two or more sub-functions formed with a metal mask set placed over a first number of the plurality of pre-diffused regions. The BIST function may be formed with a metal mask set placed over a second number of the plurality of pre-diffused regions. The BIST function may be configured to test the mixed-signal function and present a digital signal indicating an operating condition of the mixed-signal function.

Abstract: An apparatus that may include a base layer of a platform application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a mixed-signal function. The base layer of the platform application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) generally comprises a plurality of pre-diffused regions disposed around a periphery of the platform ASIC. Each of the pre-diffused regions may be configured to be metal-programmable. The mixed-signal function may include two or more sub-functions formed with a metal mask set placed over a number of the plurality of pre-diffused regions.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a logic portion. The integrated circuit may have a plurality of regions each (i) pre-diffused and configured to be metal-programmed and (ii) configured to connect the integrated circuit to a socket. The logic portion may be implemented on the integrated circuit. The plurality of metal programmable regions are each (i) independently programmable and (ii) located in one of said pre-diffused regions. Each of the metal programmable regions comprises (a) a regulator section configured to generate an operating voltage from a common supply voltage, (b) a logic section configured to implement integrated circuit functions and operate at the operating voltage, and (c) a level shifter configured to shift the operating voltage to an external voltage level.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an integrated circuit having (i) a number of regions each pre-diffused and configured to be metal-programmed and (ii) a plurality of pins configured to connect the integrated circuit to a socket. A logic portion may be implemented on the integrated circuit (i) configured to implement integrated circuit operations and (ii) having one or more I/O connections and one or more supply connections. A first group of the pre-diffused regions are metal-programmed and coupled to said I/O connections. A second group of the pre-diffused regions are metal-programmed and coupled to the supply connections.

Abstract: Dosage forms and methods of use are disclosed for: a) the simultaneous administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) or a derivative, homolog or precursor thereof and lipoic acid (LA), or dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), or a derivative, homolog or salt thereof or, b) the administration of a conjugate consisting of tetrahydrobiopterin bis-lipoate (TBL).

Abstract: Chronic glaucoma, cataract, ocular and periocular aging are treated and prevented by the administration of agents that affect metabolic subsystems such as (i) mitochondrial bioenergetics, (ii) free radical moderation and glutathione maintenance, (iii) constitutive nitric oxide/endothelin-1 balance, and (iv) calcium wave signaling and associated neuronal excito-toxicity. Included among the agents are tetrahydrobiopterin, R-alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, 17 alpha-estradiol, and glutathione.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low leakage, source modulated, differential output level shifter that has reduced duty-cycle distortion and better crossover symmetry. The system utilizes P-type assisting transistors that drive the sources of the P-type cross-connected transistors in the level shifter. In this fashion, the width to length ratio of the N-type transistors to the P-type transistors can be reduced causing lower leakage in the N-type transistors, quicker switching in the P-type, cross-connected transistors which results in better crossover symmetry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripping device that removably attaches onto a user's wrist to enable the user to grip onto a handle. The gripping device comprises a wrist-wrapping, elongated belt portion having opposite ends, and a gripping structure that extends outward from the plane of the belt portion.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is disclosed a leg stretching device characterized by a leg support arm mounted to a primary shaft at a first end, the leg support arm having a leg support secured to the leg support arm at a second end; and means for rotating the primary shaft from an initial position to a final position so that the leg support arm moves through a range of about 30 to 70 degrees and preferably about 40 to 60 degrees. In addition, there are provided means for adjusting the location of the initial position of the leg support arm. In addition, the length of leg support arm is adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention is a massage device (10) for massaging one or more body parts. The device includes a first paddle (61) extending outward from the side of a housing (78) that is rotatably mounted on a wobble bearing journal (56) of a wobble bearing (72, 74); a drive shaft (38) from a rotational motive device (32, 34) that is rotationally engaged with a passage (57) of the journal (56), wherein the passage (57) passes through the journal (56) at a non-zero wobble angle (?) measured between a rotational axis (RA) of the drive shaft (38) and the geometric axis of revolution (CS) of the journal (56); a detaining fin (62) attached to the housing (78) and encompassing a detaining rod (36); and a frame (40) that fixedly holds the detaining rod (36) and rotational holds the drive shaft (38).

Abstract: An exercising device is described that permits exercising the arms and/or legs of a person, such as a wheelchair-bound person. The device has a drive shaft to which foot pedals are mounted. The foot pedals are mounted off of the axis of rotation and at an angle to the axis of rotation such that when a person's feet are strapped to the foot pedals and the drive shaft is rotated, the feet will circle the axis of rotation and will cause circular motion of the ankles. Arm exercising members are attached to the drive shaft will cause an oscillatory pivotal motion of the arm exercising members.

Abstract: An amplifier for a differential signal drain is able to amplify a signal over a frequency range and boost the signal within a specified frequency range. A resistor is placed between the drain and gate of the first transistor of a cascode amplifier and can be selected to provide additional signal boost at a specified input frequency. An additional input transistor may be added to provide a stepped amplification over the frequency range. The amplifier is further able to reject common mode signals by using regulating transistors.