Abstract: A method for controlling the width of a polyester film support comprising, in order, the steps of: (a) extruding a polyester resin using one or more extruders; (b) casting the resin on a casting wheel to form a polyester sheet; (c) stretching the polyester sheet along the machine direction by ratios of 3 to 5 times at temperatures ranging from above the glass transition temperature to below the thermal crystallization temperature, wherein the machine contains extended edge rollers (14) in the drafter at the point where stretching occurs; (d) stretching the polyester sheet along the transverse direction by ratios of 3 to 5 times at temperatures ranging from above the glass transition temperature to below the thermal crystallization temperature; and (e) heat setting the polyester sheet at temperatures ranging from 180 to 250° C.

Abstract: A memory device includes a data array, array control logic, a delay locked loop circuit, timing control logic, and a first storage device. The array control logic is adapted to receive a read command synchronized with an external clock signal and to read at least a first data element from the data array based on the read command. The delay locked loop circuit is adapted to receive the external clock signal and delay the external clock signal by a programmable amount to generate a delay locked loop clock signal. The timing control logic is adapted to generate a first input enable signal based on the external clock signal and a first output enable signal based on the delay locked loop clock signal. The first storage device adapted to receive the first data element. The first storage device has an input terminal enabled in response to the first input enable signal and an output terminal enabled in response to the first output enable signal.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a power transistor receiving a drive current, and a current limit protection circuit connected to the power transistor. The current limit protection circuit includes a first resistance connected to the power transistor for sensing an output current, a limit switch transistor connected to the power transistor and to the first resistance, and a current generator and second resistance connected thereto. The current generator and second resistance biases the limit switch transistor to divert drive current from the power transistor based upon the output current through the first resistance exceeding a threshold. The first resistance has a value less than a value of the second resistance. The first resistance can be made considerably smaller than otherwise to thereby reduce power consumption.

Abstract: Ink-jet pen drop firing elements having extended use—namely, printheads used with a plurality of replaceable reservoirs—are provided with a more accurate life span and performance gauge by monitoring energy accumulations over time and using monitored data for certain printer activity or maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a memory integrated circuit during a period of power down mode operation by interrupting the clocking transitions of a delay line. A memory integrated circuit may include a delay lock loop including a plurality of delay elements connected to one another in series and adapted to delay propagation of the signal of a free running clock. When the delayed signal is not required, as during a period of power down mode operation, the free running clock signal is prevented from reaching the delay lock loop. Consequently the delay elements do not toggle, and power associated with delay element toggling is saved.

Abstract: This invention is related to an energy dissipating device for an automobile bumper, which includes two or more energy dissipaters, one or more oil tanks and oil pipes. There is a hollow rod-piston in each energy dissipater, which divides the dissipater into two chambers: a front chamber and a back chamber. In each back chamber a hollow oil-pin is installed with damping holes (oil-holes) on it. Energy dissipaters are filled with oil, and the oil-tank is filled with air. This invention can stand heavy force. When automobiles suffer severe bumping, this device can effectively dissipate bumping energy and reduce the damage to vehicles and personnel to a minimum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a memory integrated circuit during a period of power down mode operation by interrupting the clocking transitions of a delay line. A memory integrated circuit may include a delay lock loop including a plurality of delay elements connected to one another in series and adapted to delay propagation of the signal of a free running clock. When the delayed signal is not required, as during a period of power down mode operation, the free running clock signal is prevented from reaching the delay lock loop. Consequently the delay elements do not toggle, and power associated with delay element toggling is saved.

Abstract: An ink cartridge of a printer includes first and second electrodes on opposite sides of an ink reservoir. Level of ink in the reservoir may be measured by applying a sense signal to the first electrode, detecting a signal at the second electrode, extracting DC content of the detected signal, and using the DC content to determine the ink level.

Abstract: A sprayer gun includes a handle and a valve stem slidably received in the rear portion. A stop is secured to the valve stem and engaged with the handle, and has one or more ratchet teeth. A spring lever has one end secured to the handle and has a number of ratchet teeth for engaging with the ratchet teeth of the stop and for preventing the stop from being moved forward relative to the spring lever. The water is thus allowed to continuously flow out of the sprayer gun without continuously depressing the control hand grip toward the handle by the the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A bulldozer-type cleaning system is provided for removing ink residue from an electrostatic drop detecting sensor which detects ink droplets contacting the detector. A scraper head scrapes the ink residue from the sensor, and then contacts a flexible, compliant cleaning member, illustrated as a coil spring. The spring is secured at each end and is stretched when pushed by the scraper head. This stretching flexation allows the spring to trap the ink residue between the coils. As the scraper head retracts, the resulting contracting flexation of the spring squeezes the ink residue from between the coils. Any ink residue remaining on the coils dries and then flakes off the coils when the spring is stretched again during the next cleaning stroke of the scraper head. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a cleaning system, and a method of cleaning a sensor are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for simultaneously removing from a silicon surface polymeric films and damaged silicon layers by exposing the surface to a cleaning solution that contains amine or ethanolamine for a length of time that is sufficient to remove all such unwanted materials. The method is effective in cleaning away damaged silicon layers having a thickness between about 20 Å and about 60 Å in a period of time between about 2 minutes and about 20 minutes. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning solution is a water solution of ethanolamine and gallic acid.

Abstract: A monitoring system monitors a pressure wave developed in the surrounding ambient environment during inkjet droplet formation. The monitoring system uses either acoustic, ultrasonic, or other pressure wave monitoring mechanisms, such as a laser vibrometer, an ultrasonic transducer, or an accelerometer sensor, for instance, a microphone to detect droplet formation. One sensor is incorporated in the printhead itself, while others may be located externally. The monitoring system generates information used to determine current levels of printhead performance, to which the printer may respond by adjusting print modes, servicing the printhead, adjusting droplet formation, or by providing an early warning before an inkjet cartridge is completely empty. During printhead manufacturing, an array of such sensors may be used in quality assurance to determine printhead performance. An inkjet printing mechanism is also equipped for using this monitoring system, and a monitoring method is also provided.

Abstract: A radiographic storage panel includes a storage phosphor layer disposed on a unique support that comprises two or more separate flexible substrates that are laminated or adhered together.

Abstract: A method of producing and using photo media to print a glossy, photo-quality image. The image is printed onto the back of a coated transparent base. Thereafter, an opaque backing is applied to cover the printed image. The resulting print is viewed from the front, which provides the photo-quality, attractive appearance primarily because of the substantial gloss depth and uniformity attributable to the transparent base. The transparent base and backing protect the ink-receiving coating and make the resulting print very durable. The image is light fast because the ink is sandwiched between the transparent base and the backing, thereby sealing the ink from oxygen. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing is applied as a liquid using substantially the same mechanism as used for printing the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing output data and data strobe signals uses internal interleaved clock signals in a double data rate (DDR) DRAM that are synchronized with an external clock. A delay-locked loop internal to the DDR DRAM is locked to an external clock signal and generates the internal interleaved clock signals. The internal interleaved clock signals are delay matched with the external clock signal as they propagate through timing circuitry coupled to latency and burst length selection signals. A data strobe signal is generated using clock signals from the delay-locked loop and is synchronized with the internal interleaved clock signals. The data strobe signal and the data are coupled via paths having comparable numbers and types of delay elements to provide output data and data strobe signals having predetermined delay relationships with the external clock signal.

Abstract: Ink-jet pen drop firing elements having extended use—namely, printheads used with a plurality of replaceable reservoirs—are provided with a more accurate life span and performance gauge by monitoring energy accumulations over time and using monitored data for certain printer activity or maintenance.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing in real-time interactive data extracted from a video signal to a plurality of client computers via a computer network. A plurality of data source computers extract the interactive data from the video signals, and forward them to a distribution server. The distribution server buffers the interactive data and broadcasts the interactive data to a Web server cluster. A program executing on each client computer periodically sends updation requests to the Web server cluster to retrieve new interactive data for display to the user. A re-direct server receives a user request for access to a remote computer resource identified in the interactive data, and re-directs the user request to the remote computer resource. A computer program operating within a Web server and the distribution server further enables script files containing additional interactive data to be created and processed by the system.

Abstract: The invention, a kind of improved three-way valve structure is to install a ball valve inside the main structure of a three-way valve. The top of the ball valve equips a clip base and the lateral sides of its opening equip guiding tracks. The bottom of a turning bar equips a clip base. After assembling a washer on a tuning bar, it is placed inside the valve majority. The ball valve is installed inside a valve majority by using a guiding bar. The clip groove on a ball valve fits the clip base on a turning bar for positioning. After moving guiding bar backward and placing a washer, finally a positioning ring is fitted for completion of assembly and effect of convenient assembly is achieved.