Abstract: An optical lens and method for designing the lens are disclosed. The lens includes a first surface and a second surface. Light emitted from multiple light emitting elements enters the lens through a central section of the first surface. The light can be reflected from a reflective central section of the second surface and/or undergo total internal reflection at an outer ring section of the second surface one or more times before exiting the lens through the outer ring section of the second surface. Upon exiting the lens, the light beam has a predetermined divergence angle and has a fairly uniform color in the far field even if the multiple light emitting elements have different peak wavelengths.

Abstract: An active cooling assembly is described. One embodiment of the active cooling assembly includes a fin configured to enable convective heat transfer to an airflow passing over the fin. A boundary layer accumulates between the fin and the airflow, and the boundary layer includes a region of heated air attached to a side of the fin. The embodiment also includes a blade configured to oscillate proximate to the fin to shear the boundary layer that accumulates between the fin and the airflow. The region of heated air is sheared from the side of the fin so that the impedance attributable to the boundary layer of the convective heat transfer from the fin to the airflow is reduced. The fin is coupled to a stationary arm, and the blade is coupled to a swing arm. The swing arm and a spring are driven at a resonant frequency by an actuator.

Abstract: A heat removal assembly for a light emitting diode lighting apparatus is described. One embodiment of the heat removal assembly includes a plurality of fins configured to receive heat from a light emitting diode. In the plurality of fins, two adjacent fins are separated by a gap width, and each fin has a fin length. The heat removal assembly also includes a duct configured to draw a stack-effect airflow through the plurality of fins to remove heat from the plurality of fins. The gap width separating two adjacent fins and the fin length of each of the fins are configured to prevent boundary layer choking the plurality of fins. In one embodiment, the heat removal assembly also includes a conductor and a thermal storage system configured to receive heat from the light emitting diode. A lighting apparatus including the heat removal assembly, a light emitting diode, and a connector plug is also described.

Abstract: A pallet content identification mechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. The pallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the pallet using an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information into corresponding barcode information, and transmits the corresponding barcodes to a barcode-based inventory control system in a format that looks like output of a wireless barcode scanner. In this manner the pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the barcode-based inventory control system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems and apparatus for managing back end problems at a server. Resources at a server may become unavailable for several reasons, for example, due to heavy traffic accessing the resource, errors while running applications, accessing databases, and the like. When requests for accessing such unavailable resources are received, the requests may be immediately failed upon receipt, thereby preventing the server from becoming bogged down with the processing of requests known to access the unavailable resource. Requests associated with available resources may be processed normally. Therefore, by preventing a server from processing requests associated with a known unavailable resource, server performance may be improved.

Abstract: A method for compensating for disruption caused by trace enablement is provided. The method includes receiving a selected target to run a program, receiving a selected program that has been identified as having a problem, and receiving a selected trace type. The method also includes enabling a trace compensator for identifying non-critical code in the selected program. The non-critical code is determined by the trace type. The method further includes running the program with a trace to identify the problem, the trace compensator causing the program to suppress the non-critical code for problem reproduction to adjust for timing discrepancies.

Abstract: An emergency notification feature for a mobile station calls for automatically and periodically activating the mobile station and polling a wireless communications network for emergency messages. Notice of an emergency is provided to a user of the mobile station through at least one of a ring tone and an automatic call-back.

Abstract: A pallet content identification mechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. The pallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the pallet using an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information into corresponding barcode information, and displays the corresponding barcodes on a small display. These barcodes may then be scanned by a conventional barcode scanner, thereby allowing all of the items on the pallet to be scanned into the barcode system without unpacking the pallet. The pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the inventory control system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for authenticating identification documents. We also teach an identification document including two or more digital watermarks. The watermarks correspond with each other or with indicia carried by the identification document. The correspondence can be verified to determine authenticity. We also provide digital watermark detection methods and systems to identify the different watermarks through embedded orientation components. We then focus watermark message-decoding efforts on areas identified as likely including watermark orientation components. In another implementation we provide a watermark detection trigger to identify so-called legacy documents. The trigger may indicate the presence or expected absence of a digital watermark. In other implementations we provide a versatile document authenticator to toggle between watermarking and non-watermarking authentication processes depending on a detection trigger. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil, platform, and dovetail. The airfoil includes a plurality of flow channels being separated by partitions. A primary partition includes an inner saddle. And, a bipedal damper includes a pair of legs extending into the flow channels, and integrally joined together at a seat bridging the saddle.

Abstract: A coating system and coating method for damping vibration in an airfoil of a rotating component of a turbomachine. The coating system includes a metallic coating on a surface of the airfoil, and a ceramic coating overlying the metallic coating. The metallic coating contains metallic particles dispersed in a matrix having a metallic and/or intermetallic composition. The metallic particles are more ductile than the matrix, and have a composition containing silver and optionally tin. The method involves ion plasma cleaning the surface of the airfoil before depositing the metallic coating and then the ceramic coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a dual-path fluid routing system that uses a flow restriction device to enhance temperature and pressure control of fluid are provided. Systems and methods for using a setpoint pressure control system to accurately control the setpoint pressure of a regulator are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for heating a thermal storage unit (TSU) are provided. A thermal storage system is provided that includes a system of heaters removably disposed at least partially within the TSU, a control system for adjusting power provided to the heaters, and a removal tool for removing one or more of the heaters from the TSU when the TSU is still hot. The thermal storage system may be used in a thermal and compressed air storage system for backup power applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for authenticating identification documents. We also teach an identification document including two or more digital watermarks. The watermarks correspond with each other or with indicia carried by the identification document. The correspondence can be verified to determine authenticity. We also provide digital watermark detection methods and systems to identify the different watermarks through embedded orientation components. We then focus watermark message-decoding efforts on areas identified as likely including watermark orientation components. In one implementation we provide a watermark detection trigger to identify so-called legacy documents. The trigger may indicate the presence or expected absence of a digital watermark. In other implementations we provide a versatile document authenticator to toggle between watermarking and non-watermarking authentication processes depending on a detection trigger.

Abstract: Audio data and visual data are processed by providing storage devices (211, 212) for storing digital samples which are then read in response to edit events defined by a timeline (352, 353). Active audio tracks are processed in real time and an event, such as a cross-fade, defined by a single track that requires two interacting tracks of material, is identified. The location of events within available tracks is re-arranged so as to reduce the total number of active tracks required during playback. In effect, events are transferred to blank regions of existing tracks, thereby allowing both of the interacting tracks of cross-fades to be read without requiring additional track capacity during playback. In this way, an event defined by two interacting tracks is processed without requiring additional processing capacity.

Abstract: A globulin protein composition is described. The globulin concentrate is internally administered to animals including humans through food or water, or through conventional pharmaceutical dosage forms. The composition is effective in lowering blood cholesterol and phospholipids.