Abstract: A drum pedal sensing system may include a base, a foot board, a pedestal, a beater, beater stem, and beater holder operatively connected to the foot board, a sensor holder, and a sensor fixedly coupled to the sensor holder. The beater holder may include a sensing surface that may rotate as the foot board is depressed and that may remain a substantially constant distance from the sensor as the sensing surface rotates. Additionally, the system may include a microprocessor operatively coupled to the sensor that receives signals from the sensor corresponding to motion of the sensing surface. Based on sensed changes such as changes in position, velocity, or acceleration, the microprocessor may determine whether the beater has contacted a drum face and, if so, may send an output signal to a stomp box, drum brain or similar element, with the amplitude of this output signal proportional to strength of the hit.

Abstract: An absorbent structure having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a z-direction axis normal to the longitudinal and lateral axes, longitudinally opposite ends and laterally opposite side edges. An upper surface of the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography relative to the longitudinal and lateral axes and defines a plurality of peaks and valleys of the upper surface relative to the z-direction. A lower surface of the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography relative to the longitudinal and lateral axes and defines a plurality of the peaks and valleys of the lower surface relative to the z-direction. The absorbent structure has a projected area as determined by a Topography Analysis Method, and the upper surface of the absorbent structure has a vertical area as determined by the Topography Analysis Method of at least about 0.1 cm2 per 1.0 cm2 projected area of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing an FM transmitter and FM receiver in a single chip FM transmitter and receiver are disclosed and may include receiving an FM signal from each of multiple selected antenna configurations. The received signal strength obtained for each configuration may be measured and stored in a memory, and FM signals may be transmitted and/or received utilizing a configuration that generates a received signal strength above a desired threshold from the measurement. The FM transmitter and receiver may be integrated on-chip, and may be impedance matched to the antennas utilizing selectable capacitors integrated on-chip and/or off-chip and selectable inductors located off-chip. The multiple antennas may comprise antennas that are internal and antennas that are external to the wireless device, each of which may be tuned for one or more wireless protocols. One or more of the antennas may comprise metal components within the wireless device.

Abstract: A liquid phase process is disclosed for producing halogenated alkane adducts of the formula CAR1R2CBR3R4 (where A, B, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification) which involves contacting a corresponding halogenated alkane, AB, with a corresponding olefin, CR1R2?CR3R4 in a dinitrile or cyclic carbonate ester solvent which divides the reaction mixture into two liquid phases and in the presence of a catalyst system containing (i) at least one catalyst selected from monovalent and divalent copper; and optionally (ii) a promoter selected from aromatic or aliphatic heterocyclic compounds which contain at least one carbon-nitrogen double bond in the heterocyclic ring. When hydrochlorofluorocarbons are formed, the chlorine content may be reduced by reacting the hydrochlorofluorocarbons with HF. Azeotropes of CClF2CH2CF3 with HF and azeotropes of CF3CH2CHF2 with HF are also disclosed; as are process for producing such azeotropes.

Abstract: In a radio comprising a transmitter and a receiver, transmission and reception of signals may be controlled based on received signal strength measurements from a signal strength indicator module and transmitted signal strength measurements from the signal strength indicator module. For the transmitted signal strength measurements, the shared signal strength indicator module may measure signal strength of a signal output by a power amplifier. For the received signal strength measurements, the shared signal strength indicator module may measure signal strength of a received signal. A capacitance coupled to an output of the power amplifier may be configured based on a frequency of the signal output by the power amplifier. A gain of the power amplifier may be controlled based on the transmitted signal strength measurements. For the transmitted signal strength measurements, an analog-to-digital converter may process the signal output by the power amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for determining hydration of an article and/or a person. The physical and/or electrical properties of a device in the absorbent article may be altered by hydration received in the absorbent article. The alteration of the physical or electrical properties may indicate the amount of hydration in the absorbent article. Furthermore, a time period for receiving the hydration in the absorbent article may also be determined. The hydration of the person may be determined based on a fluid output rate from the person computed using the amount of hydration output from the person and the time period for receiving the hydration.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a wireless integrated power test and measurement are provided. In this regard, concurrently with receiving a first signal via a first antenna, a second signal that indicates received signal strength of the first signal may be generated and transmitted via a second antenna. The second signal may be utilized to determine performance of the first antenna. A frequency of the generated second signal may be controlled so as to mitigate interference between the transmitted second signal and the received first signal. The first signal may be formatted in accordance with one or more first wireless standards and the second signal may be formatted in accordance with one or more second wireless standards. The received signal strength of the first signal may be determined via an analog-to-digital converter and the second signal may be updated at the sample rate of the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: Modeling a plurality of fabric layers on a subject to predict thermal strain. The computerized model combines subject data, fabric data, and environmental conditions to simulate the thermal comfort of the subject over time. In an embodiment, a user interface enables a user to modify or define the input data to compare the predicted thermal comfort of different garments under the same working conditions.

Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for enhanced sound quality for stereo audio are provided. In this regard, levels of audio signals received via an FM radio channel may be controlled based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the RF channel. The SNR of the FM radio channel may be determined based on signal strength in an unused portion of the FM radio channel. The recovered audio signals may comprise an FM multiplex signal, and an unused portion of the FM radio channel may be a guard band adjacent to a carrier of the FM multiplex signal. A level of one or both of a mono component and a stereo component of an FM multiplex signal may be controlled based on the SNR.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for matching an integrated system to an antenna utilizing on-chip measurement of reflected signals are provided. In a chip comprising at least a portion of a receiver and at least a portion of a transmitter, a best impedance match between an antenna and the chip may be determined based on on-chip measurement of one or more signals reflected from the antenna. The best impedance match between the antenna and the chip may be determined utilizing a correction algorithm. The correction algorithm may be determined utilizing data from an external test set that measures signals transmitted by the chip via the antenna. The reflected signals may be routed to a signal analyzer via on on-chip directional coupler. The best impedance match may be determined for each of a plurality of frequencies and/or each of a plurality of transmit signal strengths.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auto detecting and auto switching antennas in a multi-antenna FM transmit/receive system are disclosed and may include electronically detecting when an external antenna may be coupled to an external port of the wireless device and utilizing the external antenna for transmitting and/or receiving FM signals. The decoupling of an external antenna from an external port may be detected, which may cause the FM radio transmitter/receiver to be configured to transmit and/or receive FM signals utilizing antennas internal to the wireless device. One or more test signals, which may include AC signals, may be generated within the chip for detecting whether an external antenna may be coupled to an external port. A reflected signal from an external port may be measured and compared to a prestored value corresponding to a reflection due to an open circuit at the one or more external ports of the wireless device.

Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for non-invasive monitoring thermal stress of a user. The device is capable of monitoring the internal body temperature and changes in the internal body temperature of a user. Also, the device is capable of alerting a user when the user is in danger of thermal stress.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring thermal stress in a user is described. The device is designed to include a material having specific thermodynamic properties and physical dimensions defined as a function of those thermodynamic properties. A system for thermal stress monitoring including a thermal stress monitoring device configured within a garment is also described.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for matching an integrated FM system to an antenna utilizing on-chip measurement of reflected signals are provided. In this regard a portion of a signal output by an integrated FM radio transmit block and reflected by an antenna may be routed to an on-chip signal analyzer. Accordingly, measurements of the reflected signals may be utilized to configure a matching network in order to provide a best impedance match between the FM radio and the antenna. In this regard, a best impedance match may maximize radiation efficiency and/or radiated power. Additionally, the configuration of the matching network may incorporate a correction algorithm/offset experimentally determined via a calibration utilizing external components.

Abstract: The invention relates to high-functional polyisocyanates containing allophanate and silane groups, a method for their production and their use as a starting component in the production of polyurethane plastics, in particular as a crosslinker component in polyurethane paints and coatings.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auto detecting and auto switching antennas in a multi-antenna FM transmit/receive system are disclosed and may include detecting when an external antenna may be coupled to an external port of the wireless device and utilizing the external antenna for transmitting and/or receiving FM signals. The decoupling of an external antenna from an external port may be detected, which may cause the FM radio transmitter/receiver to be configured to transmit and/or receive FM signals utilizing antennas internal to the wireless device. One or more test signals, which may include AC signals, may be generated within the chip for detecting whether an external antenna may be coupled to an external port. A reflected signal from an external port may be measured and compared to a prestored value corresponding to a reflection due to an open circuit at the one or more external ports of the wireless device.

Abstract: A method and system for wireless communication is provided and may include transmitting FM radio signals utilizing antenna configurations in a wireless device including a frequency modulation (FM) radio transmitter, an FM radio receiver, and one or more other receivers. The transmitter may be calibrated based on a signal received from a second wireless device via the other receivers. The second wireless device may include an FM radio receiver and corresponding other transmitters that may utilize other wireless protocols. The signal received at the wireless device may be generated at the second wireless device via the other transmitters. A frequency of the transmitted FM radio signals may be varied, and may be utilized adjust the antenna configurations. An impedance of the antenna configurations may be matched based on the frequency variation. A capacitive and/or inductive load for the matching of the impedance of the antenna configurations may be programmably adjusted.

Abstract: A method, management system, and management information system operated and maintained by a borrower for the plurality of its loan obligations in the form of a computer software system and database wherein the a borrower's loan transactions are recorded in the system and retained in the database for the plurality of its loans while exporting accounting entries to the borrower's other financial systems. Periodic interest is calculated by the system for verification against the lender's calculation. Payments of principal, accrued interest and escrow amounts are calculated and initiated for payment to a borrower's plurality of lenders by the system. The system retains a current balance for outstanding principal balance, accrued interest, escrow accounts, lender's commitment to lend and remaining interest reserve for each of a borrower's loan obligations. The system manages every practical method of loan servicing as commonly practiced in real estate lending and other industries.