Abstract: Several aspects of an in-line welding gun are disclosed. In one aspect, the welding gun has a variable profile insulating boot disposed over the torch barrel of the gun. The variable profile insulating boot may be comprised of a molded material having varying thickness to provide the desired insulating properties. In another aspect of the welding gun, a speed control mechanism for the motor driving the wire feed assembly is positioned in a recess in the housing such that it reduces the risk of being unintentionally adjusted during operation of the welding gun. In another aspect of the welding gun, the wire feed mechanism features a feeder roller and an idler roller that may be separated without opening the housing of the welding gun. To separate the rollers, the user may depress a portion on the exterior of the housing to press on a pivotable lever on which the idler roller is disposed.

Abstract: Envelope detector and method for determining whether the level of a differential input signal DPIN?DNIN is above a reference voltage VREF. The differential input signal is converted to a differential current IDP?IDN, the reference voltage is converted to a reference current IREF, the currents are compared to determine if |IDP?IDN| is greater than IREF, and a valid differential signal is indicated when |IDP?IDN| is greater than IREF.

Abstract: A welding gun includes a motor, a wire feed mechanism, a power block, a welding tip, a and a cup. A substantially rigid shell surrounds the motor to form a handle. The gun includes a spindle, a spool and a quick disconnect mechanism for coupling the spool to the spindle.

Abstract: A hermetic pressure connector which provides a pressure-tight, electrically conductive connection through a hole in a bulkhead. The connector includes a transverse support member having a high pressure side and an opposite low pressure side. A passage extends through the transverse support member between the opposite sides. A conductor pin having an axial portion extends through the passage. An insulating sleeve surrounds at least the axial portion of the conductor pin, thereby electrically insulating the transverse support member from the conductor pin. A molded connected body surrounds at least a central portion of the conductor pin at least at one of the high and low pressure sides to thereby mechanically support the conductor pin in the passage. The molded connector body is directly sealingly engaged with the conductor pin, the insulating sleeve and the transverse support member.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing transactions, and more specifically for receiving, processing and transmitting electronic payment transaction information. The system and method accesses a transaction software engine that effectuates the authorization of electronic payment requests and the settlement of authorized electronic payments. The transaction software engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, resides at a merchant's site and more specifically within the merchant's server or computer which is in communication with one or more network terminals. With such a system, authorization requests may be sent by a terminal as each transaction occurs. Batches of settlement requests are processed after a predetermined time, although the transactions are processed on a transaction-by-transaction basis. In addition, the software engine enables the transmission of data over the Internet.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for storing multimedia information to a medium. In another embodiment, a method is provided for retrieving multimedia information stored on a medium.

Abstract: A user command communicating at least one log record search key is received from a user. A first set of one or more log records matching the log record search key is retrieved. Utilizing one or more fields from these log records, additional search criteria is dynamically composed. A second set of one or more log records matching the additional search criteria is retrieved from the DBMS log file wherein this second set of log records is logically related to the first set of log records and wherein the second set of log records is void of the log record search key. A log retrieval routine or tool deploying the above method is hereinafter referred to as a “self-learning log retrieval tool”.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a retail transaction at a digital image forming device are disclosed. Paper and blank electronic media may be purchased at the digital image forming device. The electronic media includes CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs and floppy disks. A computer file may be transferred to the storage media as part of the transaction. The file may be transferred from any external electronic media. The file may be transferred from any storage media controlled by a portable digital device, such as a digital camera, a cell phone, a portable computer or a PDA. Alternately, the file may be transferred from a remote storage device accessible via the Internet to either media sold at or external to and in communication with the digital image forming device.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for storing multimedia information to a medium. In another embodiment, a method is provided for retrieving multimedia information stored on a medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides users with access to Internet-accessible databases via one portal of entry, such that queries need not be repeated multiple times in order to obtain needed information. Advantageously, the present invention will harness a systematic dynamic query profiler, document scoring, and display of retrieved documents via a knowledge-based system that facilitates user editing. Thus, the present invention will aid users so that less of their time and effort are required in order to obtain precisely the desired information for which they are searching.

Abstract: A method and system of providing access to a shared memory interconnected to a first controller and a second controller via a bus, the bus having control signals associated therewith for data transfer control and communication between the first and the second controllers. The second controller transmits an access request to the first controller for control of the bus to access the memory. The first controller selectively grants the access request and transmits an acknowledge to the second controller; and upon receiving the acknowledge, the second controller accesses the memory for data transfer. The first controller has a first priority for accessing the memory, and the second controller has a second priority for accessing the memory, the second priority being lower than the first priority such that upon request the first controller selectively grants control of the bus to the second controller for memory access, otherwise the first controller maintains control of the bus for memory access.

Abstract: This invention relates to cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing such inhibitors, and the use of such inhibitors to treat certain disease/conditions optionally in combination with certain therapeutic agents e.g., antihypertensive agents.

Abstract: Transmission attenuation correction device for scintigraphic cameras that contain a source of gamma rays that sweep the active surface of a detector facing it through the body of the patient in order to measure the attenuation of the photon energy through this body and therefore allow for the correction of the attenuation of the photon energy emitted by the radiated organ. The radioactive source (30) is inserted in a rod (29) located in a removable cassette (21), this rod can automatically isolate the source (30) when the cassette (21) is not in its support. Each device is contained in a box attached to the detector other than the one facing it. The rod (29) that contains the source has different realization forms that make it possible to include materials that each have their own attenuation coefficient.

Abstract: An erosion gauge tool for measuring the erosion of a movable contact in a circuit breaker having a stationary contact and movable contact, both of which are sealed in a housing. The movable contact is coupled to a drive insulator. An erosion mark is etched on the housing adjacent to the drive insulator. The erosion gauge tool has a handle, a tab, and a pointer. The tab is adapted to rest on the drive insulator. The pointer is disposed adjacent to erosion mark when said tab is resting on said drive insulator. As the moveable contact erodes, the pointer moves closer to the erosion mark. The erosion gauge is sized to indicate when the moveable contact needs to be replaced, e.g. when the pointer is immediately adjacent to or above the erosion mark.

Abstract: A device for generating high frequency power comprises an AC to DC converter comprising an AC to DC input and AC to DC output, a step down converter comprising a step down input and a step down output, said step down input coupled to the AC to DC output, a radio frequency amplifier comprising a RF input and a RF output, the RF input coupled to said step down output, a first winding comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal and said second terminal coupled to said RF output; and a second winding magnetically coupled to said first winding.

Abstract: A driver circuit that is powered by a power supply voltage has an output terminal, and includes a pull-up transistor for pulling the output terminal up toward the power supply voltage. A voltage divider that is connected across the power supply voltage has a tap connected in circuit to an input of the pull-up transistor and includes variable resistance elements whose resistance varies together with a threshold voltage of the pull-up transistor for limiting a voltage at the output terminal to within a predetermined range that is lower than the power supply voltage.

Abstract: A gamma camera equipped with at least two radiation detectors inclined in relation to each other and a patient-carrier bed including a platform which includes a window that is more transparent to radiation than the rest of the platform. The platform includes two parts defining the window therebetween and connected to each other by a lateral arch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of (input/output) I/O design, utilizing a predetermined relationship, whereby the outer ring area of an integrated circuit die are set aside for the I/O circuits which are contained in I/O cells. The height of the I/O cell is first reduced from the prior art cell heights, and the width of the cell is then varied according to the particular need of the circuit. When the drive strength of the I/O circuit is high, and the circuit is more complicated, a wider cell is assigned. Conversely, for a circuit that is relatively simple, a narrower cell will be assigned. Each I/O cell has one associated bonding pad which is placed directly below the starting point of that cell. The height of the cells may also be varied on each side of the chip in order to be able to place more I/O cells along one or more sides or edges of the chip.

Abstract: An electronic system such as a Single-Chip-Module (SCM), a Multi-Chip-Module (MCM), or a Board-Level-Product (BLP) includes a plurality of units which are interconnected by a terminated transmission bus line. Each unit includes a CMOS circuit, a terminated bus line for signal transmission, and a driver/receiver circuit which is spaced from the CMOS circuit on a substrate. A guard ring is formed around at least a part of the CMOS circuit which faces the driver/receiver circuit. The driver/receiver circuit includes a driver for receiving an input logic signal from the CMOS circuit and inducing a corresponding signal onto the bus line, and a receiver for receiving an output signal from the bus line and providing a corresponding output logic signal to the CMOS circuit.

Abstract: A microelectronic circuit includes a plurality of circuitry blocks and sub-blocks, a clock driver, an electrical interconnect that directly connects the clock driver to the sub-blocks, and balanced clock-tree distribution systems provided between the electrical interconnect and circuitry in the sub-blocks respectively. A method of producing a hierarchial clock distribution system for the circuit includes determining clock skews between the clock driver and the sub-blocks respectively. Delay buffers are selected from a predetermined set of delay buffers having the same physical size and different delays, with the delay buffers being selected to provide equal clock skews between the clock driver and the distribution systems respectively. Each delay buffer includes a delay line, and a number of loading elements that are connected to the delay line, with the number of loading elements being selected to provide the required clock delay for the respective sub-block.