Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention facilitate learning a subject matter in the form of a game. Difference in competency level of the participants may be addressed. For example, distinctive difficulty levels of the players' boards allow participants to play a game together according to their competency level by selecting an appropriate board for each player's skill level. For example, a game may utilize information or pieces or other features in common, but the meaning or interpretation or significance of those information or pieces or other features to each user may be different, depending on the particular interpretation or mapping (e.g., as indicated or utilized by a game element—e.g., a game board, physical or virtual).

Abstract: An interface system includes separate optical and mechanical interfaces between opto-electronic devices and fibers. This allows each of these components to be optimized for their particular function. The mechanical interface includes an aperture through which light is transmitted between the fibers and optical element on the optical interface. Protruding features on the optical interface mate with the aperture in the mechanical interface to align the optics block with the mechanical interface.

Abstract: The absorbent article provides a signal viewable from the top surface of the absorbent article which gives a perception of depth within the absorbent article. This creation of depth perception is accomplished by the use of at least two tones within a color and/or by the use of multiple tones and multiple colors operating together to create a perception of depth within the absorbent article.

Abstract: An interface system includes separate optical and mechanical interfaces between opto-electronic devices and fibers. This allows each of these components to be optimized for their particular function. The mechanical interface includes an aperture through which light is transmitted between the fibers and optical element on the optical interface. Protruding features on the optical interface mate with the aperture in the mechanical interface to align the optics block with the mechanical interface.

Abstract: The absorbent article provides a signal viewable from the top surface of the absorbent article that gives a perception of depth within the absorbent article. This creation of depth perception is accomplished by the use of at least two tones within a color and/or by the use of multiple tones and multiple colors operating together to create a perception of depth within the absorbent article.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate having an electronic circuit theron and a number of bond pads thereon. The bond pads are coupled to the electronic circuit and permit power to be supplied to the electronic circuit and signals to be input to and output from the electronic circuit. The bond pads are arranged on the surface of the substrate such that at least some of the pads are separated from the edge of the substrate by other bond pads. A lead frame is also provided in which two of the contact pins are electrically coupled to each other by a contact strip which extends along at least a portion of an edge of a die pad. The contact strip is located between the die pad and some of the other contact pins.

Abstract: A bib having one or more portions which are permanently elongated. The bib can include a strainable network. The network can be formed in a laminate of a paper layer and a plastic film layer. The strainable network can have at least two visually distinct regions. The strainable network can provide improved flexibility and fit of the bib against the wearer.

Abstract: This invention provides technology (including apparatus, method, software, and/or data structures) to broadcast data from one or more content providers via one or more broadcast channels to one or more content recipients. This technology meets the different needs of the three major stakeholders—the content providers, the broadcasters, and the content recipients. The technology provides support for identifying the data to be broadcast, setting the broadcast schedule, getting the data inserted into the broadcast stream, extracting it from the broadcast stream at the receiver, and many ancillary activities such as compression, error correction, bandwidth management, bandwidth usage reporting, and content filtering at the receiver.

Abstract: A bib having an improved pocket. The bib has a body panel, a pocket panel, and a third panel disposed between the body panel and the pocket panel. The third panel helps to maintain the pocket in an open configuration.

Abstract: A method for reducing digital video frame frequency while maintaining temporal smoothness during processing of video frames for display is disclosed. The method predicts the number of video frames to be dropped prior to decoding of a video frame in response to a delay in the processing of video frames, adjusts the timestamp for each video frame surrounding the video frames to be dropped in response to the predicting and displays the video frames surrounding the video frames to be dropped according to the adjusted timestamp.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bib having improved pocket opening. The pocket is formed by a pocket panel disposed adjacent a body panel. A pocket opening mechanism in combination with a predetermined hinge line sustain pocket opening. The pocket opening mechanism can comprise an elastic member, and the predetermined hinge can be provided by a crease formed by folding. In one embodiment, the bib includes an apron panel for facilitating gravitational opening of the pocket. The apron can comprise a longitudinally extending crease. The creases in each panel can extend generally parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the bib.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, incontinent device, or the like. The absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article further comprises a pair of longitudinally extending cuffs disposed on the body surface of the topsheet on each side of a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article The cuffs comprise an elastic member and a resilient member and are joined to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet in a longitudinally elastically elongated state. The elastic member preferably comprises first and second regions which are visibly distinct from each other. The first region comprises at least two substantially planar portions and the second comprises a plurality of raised, rib-like elements.

Abstract: Noise reducing circuits for electronic receiving instruments, such as telephone receivers in headsets or handsets that are used in noisy locations, provide compensation of the set's receiver unit-to-error microphone transfer function to enhance the noise reduction. Further circuits provide pre-conditioning of the incoming voice signal to make the noise cancellation more effective. The tendency of these noise cancelling circuits to oscillate is substantially lessened by added circuitry which rapidly detects onset of oscillation and momentarily reduces the noise cancellation without interrupting the incoming speech path altogether.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, that have longitudinal side wrapping elements comprising overlapping components that automatically wrap the sides of a wearer's panties and provide an alternative to conventional side flaps.

Abstract: A flushable and dispersible absorbent article is described. The absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet which preferably comprises a wet laid, apertured fibrous web having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein, the topsheet also having a body surface provided with a plurality of fibrils, the fibrils comprising a water resistant resinous material, a backsheet impervious to bodily fluids which preferably comprises a wet laid fibrous assembly having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein, the body surface of the backsheet being coated with a water resistant resinous material, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and means for removably attaching the sanitary napkin to a wearer's undergarment. The topsheet and the backsheet are joined, at least about their periphery, using a water soluble adhesive. Alternative embodiments of the present invention can also comprise laterally extending flaps.

Abstract: An array (10) of diode lasers (12) is comprised of a substrate (22) having a plurality of electrically conductive surface areas (24, 24a, 24b, 24c) and a plurality of diode laser subassemblies (20) individual ones of which are conductively coupled to one of the plurality of surface areas (24a). Each of the diode laser subassemblies includes a diode laser (12), preferably a SE-DFB diode laser, that is conductively coupled to and mounted upon a first surface of an electrically conductive body or submount (14). The submount has a second opposite surface that is electrically coupled to and mounted upon one of the electrically conductive areas, preferably with a layer (25) of compliant, deformable material such as indium foil or an indium alloy. The individual diode lasers are preferably electrically connected in a series, voltage adding configuration.

Abstract: A method of imparting improved conditioning properties to hair comprising treating the hair with a clear conditioning composition comprising an amidoamine salt, said amidoamine salt comprising an amidoamine compound having the general structural formula: ##STR1## neutralized with a suitable acid, wherein R.sub.1 is a fatty acid chain having about 11 to about 21 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkylene group having two to about four carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or a hydroxyalkylene group having one to about three carbon atoms, R.sub.4 is methyl, ethyl or a hydroxyalkylene group having one to about three carbon atoms, and Y is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing moiety, like morpholine or pyridine; and a silicone compound having at least one quaternary ammonium moiety.

Abstract: A method of imparting improved conditioning properties to hair comprising treating the hair with a clear conditioning composition comprising an amidoamine salt, said amidoamine salt comprising an amidoamine compound having the general structural formula: ##STR1## neutralized with a suitable acid, wherein R.sub.1 is a fatty acid chain having about 11 to about 21 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkylene group having two to about four carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or a hydroxyalkylene group having one to about three carbon atoms, R.sub.4 is methyl, ethyl or a hydroxyalkylene group having one to about three carbon atoms, and Y is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing moiety, like morpholine or pyridine; and a silicone compound having at least one quaternary ammonium moiety.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured to one another. The first absorbent article includes a grasping member having a portion that extends outwardly from the periphery of the first absorbent article. The grasping member is used to separate the first absorbent article from the second absorbent article after the first absorbent article has become soiled.