Abstract: An apparatus and a process for determining resonant frequencies for a cantilever used to measure tip-to-sample distances on a scanning force microscope. The process uses a non-linear equation and does not require knowledge of the shape of the cantilever to obtain the measured forces. As the tip-to-sample distance varies, the resonant frequency of the cantilever changes. Instead of measuring the positions of the tip and sample and the spring constant (k) of the cantilever, the present invention measures the resonant frequency at each data point. The shifts in frequencies contain the information necessary to reconstruct the force-distance curve.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus and method illuminates one or more reflective elements, such as solder balls on an electronic component or other protruding surfaces or objects. The illumination apparatus includes one or more arc shaped or arc shape arranged light sources that provides a substantially even illumination across the one or more reflective elements. An illumination detection device detects light beams reflecting off of the illuminated reflective elements for forming a reflected image. A method of processing the reflected image includes locating one or more points on each reflected image element representing an illuminated reflective element. The points on the reflected image elements are used to located the pattern of the reflected image elements and/or to fit an outline around each image element corresponding to a known percentage of the true dimensions of each solder ball or other reflective element.

Abstract: A compound of structural Formula I or II which is useful for treating microbial infections in humans or other warm-blooded animals, or pharmaceultically acceptable salts thereof as defined herein.

Abstract: In an occupant restraint apparatus for installation in a vehicle, a smart airbag inflator is provided with a piston for regeneratively pumping liquid propellant from a reservoir into a combustion chamber for ignition and combustion to generate airbag inflation gases. To control the airbag inflation rate, the piston includes a piston head slidingly received in a damping chamber filled with a magneto-rheological fluid that is pumped through an orifice during the regenerative pumping stroke of the piston. An electromagnet is selectively energized to produce a varying magnetic field to adjust the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid flowing through the orifice and thus vary a damping force exerted on the piston stroke, thereby modulating the rate of liquid propellant combustion. Electromagnet current excitation is controlled in response to a particular accident scenario.

Abstract: A turbine blade including an airfoil section having contoured surface geometries between the consecutive ribs or turbulators on the leading edge passage walls is described. The contoured surface geometries increase the overall heat transfer surface area between adjacent ribs as compared to the heat transfer surface area of a smooth inter-rib wall. The contoured surface geometries do not, however, change the overall serpentine passage geometry or the large scale flow characteristics of the turbulated cooling passageways. The contoured surface geometries may have many different geometries (e.g., triangular, conical, semi-cylindrical, cylindrical columns or indentations in the side wall such as semi-circular dimples).

Abstract: A heat transfer tube having an internal surface that enhances the heat transfer performance of and also improves the workability of the tube and a method of manufacturing such a tube. The internal surface has a plurality of ribs that extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube. A pattern of parallel notches, extending at an angle to the ribs, extend through the ribs and into the main inner surface of the tube wall. The tube can be made by rolling embossing the pattern of ribs and notches on to one side of a flat metal strip, then roll forming the strip into a tubular shape with the embossed pattern on the interior of the tubular shape and the edges of the strip forming a longitudinal seam, then joining, preferably by welding, the edges along the longitudinal seam to form a tube. In a preferred embodiment, the notches in the inner surface extend into the weld zone of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of treating damaged hair and a system of formulations for carrying out the process. Treatment according to the invention incorporates protein into the structure of damaged hair by the use of an aqueous solution including an acid and a positively charged electrolyte.

Abstract: An inspection system and method uses a ring illumination apparatus to illuminate one or more reflective elements, such as solder balls on an electronic component or other protruding surfaces or objects. The ring illumination apparatus includes a substantially ring-shaped light source that provides a substantially even illumination across the one or more reflective elements. An illumination detection device detects light beams reflecting off of the illuminated reflective elements for forming a reflected image. A method of processing the reflected image includes locating one or more edges of each reflected image element representing an illuminated reflective element. The edges of the reflected image elements are located by determining the maximum intensity gradient in the pixels forming the reflected image element. The inspection system and method thereby determines various characteristics such as the absence/presence, location, pitch, size and shape of each reflective element.

Abstract: An inspection system and method uses a ring illumination apparatus to illuminate one or more reflective elements, such as solder balls on an electronic component or other protruding surfaces or objects. The ring illumination apparatus includes a substantially ring-shaped light source that provides a substantially even illumination across the one or more reflective elements. An illumination detection device detects light beams reflecting off of the illuminated reflective elements for forming a reflected image. A method of processing the reflected image includes locating one or more points on each reflected image element representing an illuminated reflective element. The points on the reflected image elements are used to located the pattern of the reflected image elements and/or to fit an outline around each image element corresponding to a known percentage of the true dimensions of each solder ball or other reflective element.

Abstract: A computer system automatically senses characteristics of diverse peripheral devices connected to a common communications port, and automatically maximizes the communications speed with the devices. Coupled in daisy chain fashion to the communications port, all peripheral devices receive every signal issued from the controller port, each device responding only to signals addressed to that device or signals addressed to a universal address. The controller first receives an identifier from peripheral devices attached to the controller port. The controller then interprets the received identifiers to determine a maximum communications speed for each device. Next, the controller and the attached peripheral devices are configured to communicate at the maximum communications speed of the slowest device. This guarantees that all messages sent by the controller are compatible with all peripheral devices.

Abstract: A food utensil which is useful for picking up and delivering food to a mouth of a consumer comprises a gripping portion and a food adhering portion. The gripping portions allows a consumer to hold the utensil. The food-adhering portion adheres food thereto and provides enough surface adhesion to attract and nominally retain food having a residue which would otherwise be deposited onto the consumer's hands.

Abstract: To achieve a reduced inflation rate of an airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus, an airbag inflator is provided with a seal ring acting, in response to initial pressurization by a pyrotechnic initiator, to open injection ports, such that liquid propellant may be regeneratively pumped by a piston from a reservoir into a combustion chamber for combustion. The resulting combustion gases flow through a series of swirl chambers to increase residence time and through a plenum chamber where the combustion gases are cooled. The combustion gases exit the plenum chamber as an airbag inflation gas.

Abstract: An inspection system and method uses a ring illumination apparatus to illuminate one or more reflective elements, such as solder balls on an electronic component or other protruding surfaces or objects. The ring illumination apparatus includes a substantially ring-shaped light source that provides a substantially even illumination across the one or more reflective elements. An illumination detection device detects light beams reflecting off of the illuminated reflective elements for forming a reflected image. A method of processing the reflected image includes locating one or more edges of each reflected image element representing an illuminated reflective element. The edges of the reflected image elements are located by determining the maximum intensity gradient in the pixels forming the reflected image element. The inspection system and method thereby determines various characteristics such as the absence/presence, location, pitch, size and shape of each reflective element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for displaying image and facsimile data on a host-based application display. A host computer generates control and download command data for displaying the image or facsimile data. The image and facsimile data is processed by a non-programmable-terminal (NPT) or a programmable work station (PWS) for presentation of a display screen. When a user requests another function, the NPT or PWS stores image information and sends image information to the host computer. The save image information includes cache image counter data, scaling and viewed image screen location data that is used to restore the displayed image and facsimile data when the user returns to the previous function.

Abstract: A tray packing-shrink wrapping machine for packaging articles along a conveyor is disclosed. The machine is operable in a dual lane mode and a single lane mode. In both modes a collation section receives articles from an infeed section and arranges the articles into rows and columns to create batches of articles. In dual lane mode a lane divider structure separates each batch into smaller microbatches. Separate trays and sheets of heat shrinkable film are simultaneously formed around the microbatches. An in-line stacker is selectively operable in single lane or dual lane modes to stack a packed tray on top of the preceding packed tray. The machine is quickly converted to single lane mode by removing the lane divider structure and center trayforming structures, removing the center stacker elements and retracting knives in the blank feeding and film wrapping devices. A method for converting a dual lane machine to a single lane machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of stolen mobile identification number (MIN) and electronic serial number (ESN) information to fraudulently place wireless calls is prevented by having the switches of multiple wireless carriers forward or direct, over a telephone connection, all calls placed from selected MINs to a central authentication platform that serves the multiple wireless carriers. The central authentication platform engages in a so-called "challenge-response" authentication with local processors that are interfaced to the wireless telephones from which non-fraudulent calls originate. The challenge-response authentication uses a shared secret key (S-Key) that is not broadcast over the air interface, thus preventing the key from being "stolen".

Abstract: A regimen and composition for treating Attention Deficit/Hperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by the use of proanthocyanidin both with and without a heterocyclic anti-depresssant, preferably desipramine and a citrus bioflavinoid.

Abstract: The present invention provides for new 5-amidomethyl, .alpha.,.beta.-saturated and--unsaturated butyrolactone antibacterial agents of formula I ##STR1## characterized by 3-aryl substituents that include, for example, indolinyl and phenyl substituted with zero (0) to two(2) halogen atoms and substituted in the para position with, e.g., piperazinyl, thiomorpholinyl (and corresponding sulfoxide and sulfone), thiazolidinyl (and sulfoxide and sulfone), morpholinyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolyl, azepinyl, troponyl, 3,7-diazabicyclo?3.3.0!octan-3-yl, bridged thiazinyl or bridged oxazinyl moieties. In those cases where a ring nitrogen is present, then this is substituted to form an amide, formamide, sulfonamide, urethane, or alkylated with a wide variety of moieties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of treating damaged hair and a system of formulations for carrying out the process. Treatment according to the invention incorporates protein into the structure of damaged hair by the use of an aqueous solution including an acid and a positively charged electrolyte.