Abstract: The expanded beam, single fiber, fiber optic connector includes a lens holder, a lens, and a ferrule. The lens holder retains the lens, and the lens holder accommodates the ferrule. The lens is in optical communication with an optical fiber retained in the ferrule. The lens holder has an outside diameter that is substantially the same as the outside diameter of a ferrule of a physical contact, single fiber, fiber optic connector, such as one of an LC, SC, FC, and ST style or standard fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: A disclosed a gaming machine includes an input mechanism with a non-physical contact data interface. The non-physical contact data interface may be capable of reading loyalty program data from a loyalty program instrument without contact between the loyalty program instrument and the non-physical contact data interface. The input mechanism with the non-physical contact data interface may be one of a bill validator, a bar-code reader and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader. The loyalty program instrument may be a substrate including at least one of a 1-D bar-code printed on the substrate, a 2-D bar-code printed on the substrate, a symbol printed on the substrate, alpha-numeric character printed on the substrate, a RFID tag embedded in the substrate, a RFID tag printed on the substrate and combinations thereof. The loyalty program instrument may be used to store an index to a record in a database or a portable data file.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The thickness of the spacer is configured to effect a read range between an RFID reader and the RFID component. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna has a complex impedance, and the EAS component forms a part of an impedance matching network of the antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting X phase intermediate voltages on X intermediate lines to output voltage for driving a single three phase load, the apparatus comprising a positive DC bus, a negative DC bus and first and second three phase drives that each include a rectifier section and an inverter section, the rectifier sections each linked to a separate three of the X intermediate lines and to the positive and negative DC buses and the inverter linked to each of the positive and negative DC buses and to the single phase load such that each of the drives has a common positive DC bus and a common negative DC bus.

Abstract: Human SULF genes are identified as modulators of the beta catenin pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective beta catenin function. Methods for identifying modulators of beta catenin, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of SULF are provided.

Abstract: Printhead-to-panel spacing is controllable to maintain a predetermined constant distance from the printing element to the surface of the panel where the ink is to be applied. Each of a plurality of printheads may be independently moveable to control the spacing of the printheads from the substrate surface. Sensors on the printhead carriage measure the shape, or vertical position of, the printhead's distance from the printhead carriage to the surface of the substrate being printed. The position or focal length of the UV light curing head may be varied to maintain focus of the UV light on the ink on a contoured surface of the substrate. UV curing heads may be located on the printhead carriage, one on each side of the printheads, and activated alternately as the carriage reciprocates, to spot cure and freeze the dots of ink immediately after being deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A wound dressing that includes two layers for a two part solution to the needs of a healing skin wound. The first step involves a relatively closed system wherein moisture is kept near the skin to promote healing. The second step allows for removal of a top layer of the dressing to reveal a layer with a series of apertures that allows for 100% moisture vapor and oxygen transmission rates to avoid irritation and itching of the skin. At the same time, the bottom layer of the wound dressing maintains a significant outer perimeter that prevents the perimeter migration of microorganisms into the healing wound. The wound dressing can also be used as a means for securing medical instruments, such as intravenous catheters, to the skin of a patient while avoiding the itching and irritation associated with traditional methods.

Abstract: An anodization method includes steps of providing an object formed of an aluminum-copper alloy, providing an anodizing bath comprising a basic silicate solution, providing an AC power supply including a first electrode and a second electrode, placing the first electrode in contact with the anodizing bath, connecting the second electrode to the object, placing the object in the anodizing bath, applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes to maintain a current density of about 10 mA/cm2 or less to form an anodized coating on the object, removing the object from the bath, and sealing the anodized coating on the object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product implement dynamic customization of environment for enhanced network meeting experience. Users connect to a network meeting and environment data are submitted for the users to a computer system for a presenter. A primary recipient is selected by the presenter. A view is rendered of display for at least one recipient for viewing by the presenter. An optimization setting option is selected by the presenter and predefined presentation settings are altered for the network meeting. A selected secondary recipient is selectively suspended by the presenter, for example, based upon a slow connection speed for a selected recipient, or when a maximum number of secondary recipients is reached.

Abstract: A vibration control system for a structure having a first structural member and a second structural member. The vibration control system having a liquid spring operably interposed between the first structural member and the second structural member. The liquid spring uses a compressible liquid to seamlessly generate spring and/or damping forces in the suspension system in response to relative displacement between the first structural member and the second structural member. A second volume of compressible liquid is located in a second chamber. The second volume is removably connected to the liquid spring by a fluid passage. A valve is coupled to the fluid passage, the valve selectively operable to place the second volume in communication with the liquid spring. A controller is electrically coupled to the valve. The controller emitting a control signal to control the valve.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Abstract: Composite parts such as plastic laminates are formed using a pre-assembled, integral double bag to vacuum bag the part. The double bag is formed of two sheets of bag material that are cut to pre-determined width dimensions, with the width of one sheet being less than that of the other. The bag sheets are prealigned and then attached to each other by spaced apart bonds between the sheets which hold the bag sheets in registered relationship to each other when the double bag is placed over the part and sealed to a tool base. The attachment bonds may be formed by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing or an adhesive.

Abstract: Treating a skin condition with electromagnetic radiation includes receiving the radiation at an image-shaping device, and causing the image-shaping device to form a shaped treatment image including the electromagnetic radiation on a patient's skin based on the skin condition.

Abstract: A system and method to optimize multi-core microprocessor performance using voltage offsets is presented. A multi-core device tests each of its processor cores in order to identify each processor core's optimum supply voltage. In turn, the device configures voltage offset networks for each processor core based upon each processor core's identified optimum supply voltage. As a result, the offset voltages produced by the voltage offset networks are subtracted from the multi-core device's main voltage, which results in the voltage offset networks supplying optimum supply voltages to each processor core. The voltage offset networks may include fuses to generate a fixed voltage offset, or the voltage offset networks may include a control circuit to dynamically adjust voltage offsets during the multi-core device's operation.

Abstract: An immersion lithographic projection apparatus having a megasonic transducer configured to clean a surface and a method of using megasonic waves to clean a surface of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer controlled roll-forming apparatus is adapted to provide a repeating pattern of different longitudinal shapes to a continuous beam “on the fly” during the roll-forming process. A sweep station on the apparatus includes a primary bending roller tangentially engaging the continuous beam along the line level and an armature for biasing the continuous beam against the primary bending roller for a distance partially around a downstream side of the primary bending roller to form a sweep. Further, actuators adjustably move the armature at least partially around the downstream side of the primary bending roller between at least first and second positions for imparting multiple different longitudinal shapes into the continuous beam. In one form, the apparatus also includes a coordinated cut-off, so that when separated into bumper beam segments, the ends of the individual beam segments have a greater sweep than their center sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a front plate for an ion source that is suitable for an ion implanter. The front plate according to the invention comprises obverse and reverse sides, an exit aperture for allowing egress of ions from the ion source that extends substantially straight through the front plate between the obverse and reverse sides, and a slot penetrating through the front plate from obverse side to reverse side at a slant for at least part of its depth, the slot extending from a side of the front plate to join the exit aperture. The slot is slanted to occlude line of sight into the ion source when viewed from in front, yet provides an expansion gap.

Abstract: A variable ratio gearbox is combined with a drive motor and an interactive control system. A coaxial shaft connects to a differential gear set to power an output shaft. The transmission has a drive shaft with an inner shaft and an outer shaft. A friction disk nonrotatably mounts to said outer shaft and a shifter connected to the friction disk moves the friction disk along the outer shaft. At least two cones engage the periphery of the friction disk and a differential gear set combines the rotation of the inner and outer shaft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions containing polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resins (PAE resins) of low molecular weight and a soy protein or lignin in which the weight ratio of protein or lignin to PAE is 100:0.1 to 0.1:100. The invention is also directed to the use of the compositions as adhesives for binding wood materials. The lower adhesive viscosity provides better handling properties, as well as allowing for less water in the adhesive formulation.

Abstract: A fluid system comprises a static LS valve, a dynamic LS valve, a priority valve biased to preferentially supply pressurized fluid to both the static LS valve and the dynamic LS valve, and a signal-mimicking device fluidly coupled to a static LS port of the static LS valve, a dynamic LS port of the dynamic LS valve, and a dynamic LS pilot port of the priority valve for mimicking a static LS signal from the static LS port of the static LS valve into a dynamic LS signal from the dynamic LS port of the dynamic LS valve to produce a combined LS signal communicated to the dynamic LS pilot port of the priority valve. Such a fluid system may be applied to a steering system. An associated method is disclosed.