Abstract: A comparing circuit and a control loop are used to maintain the peak level of current flowing through an inductor of a flyback converter. An inductor switch control signal controls an inductor switch through which the inductor current flows. The inductor current increases at a ramp-up rate during a ramp time and stops increasing at the end of the ramp time. The comparing circuit generates a timing signal that indicates a target time at which the inductor current would reach a predetermined current limit if the inductor current continued to increase at the ramp-up rate. The control loop then receives the timing signal and compares the target time to the end of the ramp time. The pulse width of the inductor switch control signal is increased when the target time occurs after the end of the ramp time. Adjusting the pulse width controls the peak of the inductor current.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes an enclosure having an open end defining a plane, a baffle, a loudspeaker operating in the 4 kHz to 10 kHz range, and a device, preferably a ribbed portion having a plurality of grooves, coupled to the baffle for modifying the spectral profile of the projected sound waves. The baffle includes first and second angled surfaces each oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane. The speaker is coupled to the first angled surface and the ribbed portion is coupled to the baffle along the intersection of the first angled surface and the second angled surface. When mounted in a wall or ceiling, the system projects a sound field substantially indistinguishable from that of a loudspeaker located within the listener's listening plane. The baffle can also have acoustic damping material attached thereto, with grooves formed therein, to prevent reflections of 4 kHz to 10 kHz sound.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of tiles. One tile is a master tile. Other tiles contain writable registers of memory structures. Information for configuring circuitry of the tile is stored in the register in the tile. An individual one of the registers can be written via the master tile. Each memory structure of a register includes a non-volatile floating gate cell (that stores the configuration information) as well as a volatile cell. All transistors have the same gate insulator thickness. Although a programming pulse signal is applied to all memory structures, the state of the non-volatile cell of a memory structure is only changed if the state stored by the associated non-volatile cell differs from the state stored by the volatile cell. Floating gates are automatically refreshed by the programming pulse signal. By storing configuration information in each tile, inefficiencies associated with using blocks of non-volatile memory are avoided.

Abstract: A power supply for plural loads coupled in parallel comprises a voltage regulator, a plurality of current regulators, and an error control circuit. The voltage regulator provides a common output voltage to the plural loads. The voltage regulator comprises a sensor circuit providing a voltage sense signal corresponding to the output voltage, which provides feedback to regulate the output voltage at a selected level. The plurality of current regulators are coupled to respective ones of the plural loads. Each of the plurality of current regulators regulates current drawn by respective ones of the plural loads to within a desired regulation range. The plurality of current regulators each further provide a respective error signal corresponding to an ability to remain within the desired regulation range. The error control circuit is operatively coupled to the voltage regulator and to the plurality of current regulators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for varying dye loads. A fluid ejection apparatus includes a reservoir and an assembly. The reservoir stores ink with a first dye load and the assembly receives the ink with the first dye load from the reservoir. To obtain ink with higher dye load, the assembly evaporates a portion of the liquid solvent in the ink to obtain ink with a higher dye load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a first pixel array and a second pixel array disposed along an optical path. The first pixel array is adapted to generate an image. The second pixel array is adapted to adjust an output luminescence of the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-fermentative methods for the production of ASA intermediates, KDG, DKG and KLG and methods for the regeneration of co-factor. The invention provides genetically engineered host cells comprising heterologous nucleic acid encoding enzymes useful in the process.

Abstract: Method and system for creating animated books include one or more processors, memory, video capture controller, user input controller, audio input controller, display controller, audio output controller, vending unit, I/O interface and a book creation system. The method includes converting video data into at least two images, where each image represents a portion of the video data at an instant within a time interval, reproducing one of the images onto one of a plurality of sheets, reproducing another one of the images onto another one of the sheets, and binding the sheets together to create an animated book. Movement of a first bound sheet of the book in a first direction and away from a second bound sheet of the book creates an appearance of motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-fermentative methods for the production of ASA intermediates, KDG, DKG and KLG and methods for the regeneration of co-factor. The invention provides genetically engineered host cells comprising heterologous nucleic acid encoding enzymes useful in the process.

Abstract: The invention provides a means of reducing the force required for fitting a lever connector. A connector 20 is divided into partitioned housings 22L and 22R. The timing of the fitting operation differs for each of the partitioned housings 22L and 22R, thereby causing the time at which peak fitting resistance occurs to differ. The peak fitting resistance being dispersed over the period between the beginning and the ending of the fitting operations of the two partitioned housings 22L and 22R. As a result, the overall peak value of the fitting resistance (the force required for the fitting operation) is reduced for the connector as a whole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-fermentative methods for the production of ASA intermediates, KDG, DKG and KLG and methods for the regeneration of co-factor. The invention provides genetically engineered host cells comprising heterologous nucleic acid encoding enzymes useful in the process.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a cover (20) attached by a center latching arm (15) and two side latching arms (26). The rigidity of a center arm (15) is decreased, and the rigidity of side arms (26) is increased, by specifying the material from which a housing (10) and a cover (20) are formed. Neither of the two side edges of the center arm (15) join with other parts. This decreases the rigidity of the center arm (15). An edge of each side arm (26) is joined to an L-shaped circumference wall (27). As a result, the rigidity of the side arms (26) is high. By this means, the release operation of the center arm (15) is improved, and the side arms (26) are not vulnerable to accidental released by a pull on the electric wires (12).

Abstract: A method for improving the quality of printing processes involving black pixel depletion by printing composite ink in pixel spaces where a black pixel depletion process leaves unfilled pixel spaces. Black pixel depletion data are employed (for example, a depletion mask is inverted) to generate a composite printing mask which designates pixel spaces which are candidates for being filled in with a composite ink. In a preferred embodiment, edge pixels of black fill areas are excluded from the candidate pixels. In a preferred embodiment, the white pixel spaces are filled in by printing a plurality of different colored inks (e.g., cyan/magenta/yellow or cyan/magenta) within these unfilled pixel spaces. In a preferred embodiment, the composite printing mask additionally serves as an under/overprinting (UOP) map.

Abstract: A method for improving the quality of printing processes involving black pixel depletion by printing composite ink in pixel spaces where a black pixel depletion process leaves unfilled pixel spaces. Black pixel depletion data are employed (for example, a depletion mask is inverted) to generate a composite printing mask which designates pixel spaces which are candidates for being filled in with a composite ink. In a preferred embodiment, edge pixels of black fill areas are excluded from the candidate pixels. In a preferred embodiment, the white pixel spaces are filled in by printing a plurality of different colored inks (e.g., cyan/magenta/yellow or cyan/magenta) within these unfilled pixel spaces. In a preferred embodiment, the composite printing mask additionally serves as an under/overprinting (UOP) map.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector wherein a retainer slides from a side direction of a connector housing in which it is to be installed. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of preventing a connector connected in a condition in which the retainer is not installed, and transferred to subsequent processes. As a solution, a housing main body is provided with a slider capable of sliding, the slider is hooked in a regulating position in a condition in which the retainer is not installed on the housing main body, and interferes with detection pins provided on a male connector. Therefore the connection of both the connectors becomes impossible. To the contrary, when the retainer is installed on the housing main body, the slider is transferred from a regulating position to a permitting position by the slider contact part provided on the retainer which does not interfere with the detection pins, and the connection of both connectors is permitted.

Abstract: The invention provides a means of reducing the force required for fitting a lever connector. A connector 20 is divided into partitioned housings 22L and 22R. The timing of the fitting operation differs for each of the partitioned housings 22L and 22R, thereby causing the time at which peak fitting resistance occurs to differ. The peak fitting resistance being dispersed over the period between the beginning and the ending of the fitting operations of the two partitioned housings 22L and 22R. As a result, the overall peak value of the fitting resistance (the force required for the fitting operation) is reduced for the connector as a whole.

Abstract: A lever 23 of a lever connector is provided with an identifying means 31. When two housings 10 and 20 are in a shallowly fitted state, the identifying means 31 allows the positional relationship between the lever 23 and cam pins 14, relative to the direction of movement of the lever 23, to be identified visually. When the lever 23 is in a correct stand-by position, the cam pins 14 are entirely covered by a covering member 32. When the lever 23 is even slightly misaligned from the correct stand-by position, a portion of the cam pin 14 protrudes into an aperture 33. Thus, it is possible to ascertain whether the lever 23 is in the correct stand-by position according to whether the cam pins 14 are entirely covered.

Abstract: A connector mounting construction includes a male housing (50) with a receptacle (52) into which a mating female housing is fittable. The male housing (50) has a shaft (53) that extends along an axis of connection (Z-axis direction) with the female housing, and a planar base (57). A holder (70) is provided with an accommodating portion (73) for accommodating the base (57), and holds the male housing (50) for sliding movement in directions normal to the axis of connection and for rotation about the axis of connection. Four elastic ribs (82F, 82R) are provided to be located around the shaft (53), so that the male housing (50) is biased to a specified proper position. Rotation of the male housing (50) about the axis of connection is restricted by contact of the base (57) with side walls (75) or a rear wall (76) of the accommodating portion (73).

Abstract: Communications signals are transmitted over a power distribution network. A plurality of communications stations which are coupled to the power lines are served by a base station. Communications signals are coupled between the base station and the distribution network, and the flow of the communications signals is controlled according to the station that it is desired to communicate with by preferentially transmitting along or receiving from a power line to which the desired communications station is coupled. The base station can be coupled to each of the power lines or to the busbars at a distribution station.

Abstract: A sprinkler unit with riser damping comprises a tubular housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, a tubular riser reciprocally mounted in the tubular housing and moveable from a retracted position within the housing to an extended position from the housing, the riser having an outlet having a nozzle for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, a passage connecting the inlet to the outlet, a retraction spring normally biasing the riser to the retracted position, and a shock absorbing ring mounted on the riser for damping movement of the riser to the extended position.