Abstract: A blade sharpening system is provide that includes a base and a pendulous arm having a first end rotatably coupled to the base by a pivot joint. The blade sharpening system also includes a sharpener suspended by the pendulous arm and configured to engage a generally circular agricultural implement blade while mounted on the agricultural implement. The pendulous arm is configured to enable movement of the sharpener to accommodate lateral variations in blade profile.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for processing a call in a call center includes monitoring a characteristic of at least a portion of the call, comparing the characteristic to a threshold for the characteristic, and generating a signal indicative of a potential problem call based on the comparison.

Abstract: A drivetrain for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission and electric machine, and an electrical energy store. The electric machine is usable as a generator for charging the electrical energy store and/or as a motor while discharging the electrical energy store. The electrical energy store is implemented as a flywheel mass accumulator having an assigned second electric machine. The flywheel mass accumulator is able to be mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine via a separate clutch, and thus also is mechanically chargeable and dischargeable.

Abstract: Animating speech of an avatar representing a participant in a mobile communication including selecting one or more images; selecting a generic animation template; fitting the one or more images with the generic animation template; texture wrapping the one more images over the generic animation template; and displaying the one or more images texture wrapped over the generic animation template. Receiving an audio speech signal; identifying a series of phonemes; and for each phoneme: identifying a new mouth position for the mouth of the generic animation template; altering the mouth position to the new mouth position; texture wrapping a portion of the one or more images corresponding to the altered mouth position; displaying the texture wrapped portion of the one or more images corresponding to the altered mouth position of the mouth of the generic animation template; and playing the portion of the audio speech signal represented by the phoneme.

Abstract: Binding apparatus and a related process are particularly suited for binding digitally-printed sheets into booklets. The apparatus is adapted to fold individual sheets and then to apply adhesive to the fold line before gathering the sheets in a collator ready for binding. The collator includes either a rotatable or retractable finger that is moveable to temporarily inhibit registration of a first sheet of a new stack on a stacking area, as a previous stack is transported away.

Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking activity over networks and, in particular, tracking web activity over the Internet are described. Exemplary systems and methods may include a receiver for receiving a request from a visitor for a data object, a processor for providing a cookie to track the visitor's web activity, and a transmitter for transmitting the cookie to the visitor in response to the request. The cookie may comprise tracking information for a plurality of web sites visited by the visitor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a battery mounted to a vehicle, with a charge state circuit located in the electric vehicle and coupled to the battery, the charge state circuit configured to provide a charge state signal indicative of the charge state of the battery. The embodiment includes a charging coupler port located proximate to a user accessible exterior of the electrical vehicle and coupled to the battery, the charging coupler port to conduct charging energy to the battery and to provide a charger connection signal indicative of a connection to an external power source. The embodiment also includes a lighting circuit coupled to the charging coupler port and the charge state circuit to control the brightness and color of an illuminated indicator responsive to the charge state signal and the charger connection signal.

Abstract: An architecture for collecting performance data in a processor, that includes: a trace read control unit and a trace data collect unit, each unit coupled to a plurality of trace array and multiplex units for providing performance data, the coupling accomplished by a trace read control bus, a data select bus, a trace row address bus and a data return bus; wherein each of the trace array and multiplex units receives a trace read signal and provides data including trace data and the trace read signal to the trace data collect unit. A method and a computer program product are provided.

Abstract: A hollow piston drive mechanism for a hammer drill comprises a crank pin 54 having a cylindrical link member 68 rigidly connected to a part-spherical bearing 70. The part-spherical bearing 70 is slidably and rotatably disposed in a part-spherical recess 72 formed in the crank plate 52, as a result of which the bearing 70 can be easily mounted to the recess 72. The cylindrical link member 68 is slidably disposed in a cylindrical bearing 56 formed in the end of the hollow piston 58. The crank pin 54 is therefore able to rock back and forth in the spherical recess 72 as well as slide up and down in the cylindrical bearing 56.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an image printing system that prints color images on an image bearing surface movable in a process direction is provided. The method includes placing marking material to form a row comprising a plurality of registration marks on the image bearing surface, wherein each row of registration marks extends along a cross-process direction transverse to the process direction; detecting a position of each registration mark using a linear array sensor extending in the cross-process direction, wherein the position of each registration mark is detected in both the process and cross-process direction; determining a process direction misregistration between the registration marks of each row in the process direction and cross-process direction misregistration between registration marks from each of the rows.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a therapy delivered to a patient include detecting a value of at least one sensed patient parameter and adjusting a therapy parameter value to accommodate different patient parameter values. A data structure including a plurality of patient parameter values and associated therapy parameter values may be stored within a medical device or a programming device. Upon detecting a patient parameter value, an associated therapy parameter value from the data structure may be selected. If no therapy parameter value is associated with the detected patient parameter value, an intermediate therapy parameter value may be generated by interpolating between the most recently implemented therapy parameter value and a stored therapy parameter value. In some embodiments, the rate of shifting between parameters of two stored or interpolated therapy parameter values may be based on the rate of change of the patient parameter value over time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for providing a distributed wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, at least one information processor is coupled to and accessible over a communication network, such as the internet. Network bandwidth is provided to a first user of at least two end users for a first fee and to a second user of the at least two end users for a second fee. The bandwidth is provided by at least one network service provider. Further, at least two wireless gateway devices are each respectively operated by the end users, and the wireless gateway devices are configured to provide wireless access to the communication network within a transmission range and to communicate with the at one least information processor. Also, at least two wireless receiving devices are provided that are operable to receive the respective bandwidth from the at least two wireless gateway devices when in transmission range.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-mode user input for a mobile device, the system including: a second portion of the mobile device; a first portion of the mobile device that is movably engaged with the second portion to move between a closed position and an open position to allow access to an open user input area; and a detent mechanism configured to allow the first portion to be held at a first mode position between the closed position and the open position to allow access to a partial user input area that is less than the open user input area. The partial user input area has predetermined functions associated therewith, which may be changed when the first portion is moved to an open position, exposing the open user input area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a die with at least one electrode on a surface thereof, at least one solderable contact formed on the electrode, and a passivation layer formed over the electrode and including an opening that exposes the solderable contact. The passivation layer opening may be wider than the solderable contact such that a gap extends between the contact and the passivation layer. The device also includes a barrier layer disposed on the top surface of the electrode, and along the underside of the solderable contact and across the gap. The barrier layer may also extend under the passivation layer and may cover the entire top surface of the electrode. The barrier layer may also extend along the sidewalls of the electrode. The barrier layer may include a titanium layer or a titanium layer and nickel layer. The barrier layer protects the electrode and underlying die from acidic fluxes found in lead-free solders.

Abstract: An electrical port is integrated within a side view mirror assembly of an automotive vehicle. The electrical port is electrically connected with a charging system of the vehicle. The electrical port may be coupled with a power source remote from the vehicle to power the charging system. The electrical port may be concealed or exposed depending on a position of the side view mirror assembly.