Abstract: A seat (chair, stool, etc.) has a seat base with a contoured front that is recessed in the middle. The recess extends towards a seating center and/or in a downward direction, creating an open area for a seated person. The open area is located under the body part around the testes of a seated male person so that the dispersion of body heat from that area via air circulation will not be blocked by the seat base, and at the same time, the pressure between the testes area and the seat base will be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the physiological condition for sperm, and in turn, may increase sperm activity and may reduce the possibility of infertility. A mobile recessed part that can be moved in and out of the open area in the seat base makes the seat convertible.

Abstract: A snowmobile seat having a ventilation system for allowing moisture that enters the cushion portion of the seat to be wicked away through a base section that is disposed between the tunnel of the snowmobile and the cushion. The base section provides ventilation spaces between the base section and tunnel and has ventilation holes there through that allow the moisture to be drawn away from the cushion. Grooves formed in the underside of the cushion and channels formed in the top side of the base section also help promote this process.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to the treatment area. Fluids may be injected into the formation to remove a component within the formation. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, fluids may be injected prior to production of formation fluids. Alternatively, fluids may be injected after production of formation fluids.

Abstract: A coated center disk wheel produced from sheet metal for a motor vehicle, which has a wheel-center disk (1) provided with a plurality of connecting eyes (3) which are distributed over a hole circle (2) and have in each case a through-hole (4). Around the hole is a countersink (7) against which rests, in the mounted state of the center disk wheel, the head (9) of a wheel bolt (6) projecting through the respective through-hole (4). Fastened to the wheel hub, at least a part (10) of the surface of each countersink (7) is structured by elevations (11) and indentations (12) located side by side. In the mounted state of the center disk wheel, the wheel bolt heads (9) are in contact only with the elevations (11) on those surfaces (13) which are substantially free of paint (14) with which the remaining surface of the center disk wheel is coated. The paint is removed from the contact surfaces (13) of the elevations (11) on tightening the wheel bolts (6).

Abstract: The system utilizes two bi-directional transmission lines which extend parallel to and spaced form one another along the train; a control unit operating as a main unit installed on the main engine is connected to the transmission lines and to brake control systems or devices for the train; a plurality of slave control units, each of which is installed on a respective carriage or wagon, are connected to both transmission lines, to solenoid valve units associated with pneumatic brake actuators, and to sensor devices associated with the carriage or wagon. The main control unit and the slave control units are arranged to communicate with one another via the transmission lines according to a predetermined serial protocol.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one wheel, a parking brake associated with the at least one wheel and a service brake associated with the at least one wheel, and a braking control system. The braking control system interprets operator on/off commands to the parking brake. The service brakes are actuated instead of or in addition to the parking brake when a parking brake application is ordered and the vehicle speed falls outside a preferred vehicle speed range. If the vehicle is stopped and the parking brake is engaged, the parking brake is not disengaged responsive to an operator command until the service brake condition is within a preferred ready range.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an air pressure system includes an inlet valve, a first control valve, and a second control valve. The inlet valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a control port. The inlet valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port when the inlet valve control port is above a threshold pressure. The first control valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, and a control member. The first control valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port. The first control valve outlet port communicates with one of the first control valve inlet port and the first control valve exhaust port as a function of a position of the first control valve control member. The second control valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, and a control member. The second control valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port.

Abstract: A fluid damping system for brake fluid disposed in a brake line on a vehicle in which the damping system converts incompressible fluid pulses into damped energy by an accumulator which dissipates the energy to remove the pressure pulses from the fluid system.

Abstract: A method for preventing a valve orifice from switching to the small size when a high build gradient is required includes briefly bleeding off a small amount of fluid at the upstream side of the valve. This momentarily reduces the pressure difference when beginning the pressure build. After the valve is opened with the large orifice, the fluid flow through the valve prevents a high pressure difference. The resulting build with the large orifice has the maximum pressure gradient.

Abstract: An audio visual system is provided comprising a housing, a video display, at least one speaker support coupled to at least one of the display and the housing, and at least one speaker mounted to and supported by the speaker support, the housing and the at least one speaker each having a front wall, the display and the at least one speaker support being movable from a first state, where the display and the at least one speaker, which is in a first position, are in the housing and hidden from view when viewing the front wall of the housing, to a second state, where the display and the at least one speaker are spaced from the housing and at least partially unobstructed thereby with the at least one speaker being in a second position differently spaced from the display than when in the first position. Among the many advantages of the invention is that the video display and speakers can be hidden from view when the system is not in use.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reversibly securing a shelf trim piece or the like to a refrigerator door panel. The shelf securing arrangement does not require holes to be disposed in the door panel. A positive snap-lock securement is provided.

Abstract: A drawer locking structure including a cabinet body, a drawer disposed inside the cabinet body and a lock device. The lock device includes a shift body, a stopper body and a resilient body. The shift body has a driving section and a force application section. The shift body is pivotally connected with the front board of the drawer. The stopper body is disposed on outer side of the drawer. The resilient body includes a first connecting section and an engaging section. Via the first connecting section, the resilient body is disposed on inner side of the cabinet body corresponding to the stopper body. When the drawer is positioned in the cabinet body, the engaging section is engaged with the stopper body, whereby the drawer is prevented from slipping outward due to inclination or movement of the cabinet body. When it is desired to draw out the drawer, a pulling force can be applied to the force application section. At this time, the driving section is driven to press down and deform the resilient body.

Abstract: A rail assembly for furniture has a stationary track, an internal track, a sliding frame, a latch bracket and a resilient latch. When the internal track and sliding frame are pushed in, the resilient latch engages the sliding frame as the sliding frame releases the resilient latch from an extended position. The latch bracket automatically pulls the resilient latch and the attached sliding frame to a completely closed position.

Abstract: A synchronizing device for a tri-sector slide includes a loading rail secured to a fixed rail to load a sliding rail, and is in such an arrangement that the loading rail and the sliding rails are capable of doing linear reciprocal movement with respect to the fixed rail. The loading rail comprises a linking plate at the rear end. The sliding rail comprises a protuberance corresponding to the linking plate. The fixed rail comprises a releasing member. By pulling the sliding rail, the protuberance engages with the linking plate, which brings the loading rail to slide simultaneously. The releasing member pushes the linking plate to swing, which brings the protuberance to detach from the linking plate to allow the sliding rail to extend along the loading rail to its extremity.

Abstract: An appliance cabinet side wall is secured to a front frame member by a first mechanical fastening element of a fastening system. Subsequently, a trim piece is attached along the side wall through the use of a second mechanical fastening element which is threadably connected to the first fastening element. Most preferably, a blind-type rivnut is utilized to prevent any foam, used in insulating the cabinet, from leaking. Utilizing multi-functioning mechanical fastening elements minimizes the number of assembly components, eases assembly and enables the trim piece to be easily removed and/or replaced in case of damage, or even if the consumer desires to simply utilize a trim piece of another color or design.

Abstract: A tray apparatus for a refrigerator is provided which optimizes the use of storage space in the refrigerator. A position of the tray within a storage space of the refrigerator is varied through the use of elastic means which moves the tray toward an upper surface of the storage space as an article is stored thereon. The tray is supported by supporting links which are then connected through interlocking links so that they are integrally pivoted. The link mechanisms are supported on the upper surface of the storage space. Thus, a storage article with a relatively large bottom area can be easily stored in the vicinity of the upper surface of the storage space, which is usually out of use, thereby maximizing the use of the storage space in the refrigerator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital image printer which incorporates a jogging system for providing an inexpensive printer for improving color saturation when imaging from a digital display which has monochromatic pixels. The device includes a printer having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement including a digital area array display, a plurality of lenses, and an image plane. The digital area array display, the plurality of lenses, and the image plane are spaced along an optical axis extending from the digital area array display through the plurality of lenses, and toward the image plane such that a digital image provided by the display can be brought into focus onto the imaging plane by the plurality of lenses. One of the plurality of lenses is a transposable lens, the transposable lens capable of being transposed out of the optical axis during the operation of the printer, to increase the perceived resolution of the digital image focused onto the imaging plane.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing head which can prevent an increase in the number of block enable signal lines, and can prevent changes in printing ink density caused by interference due to the relative pressures of nozzles generated in ink discharge, and an image printing apparatus using the printing head. For this purpose, an increase in the number of input signal lines along with an increase in the number of blocks is prevented using a block clock signal or the like instead of a block enable signal as an input signal to the printing head. Three ring counters generate signals having different nozzle driving orders. These signals are selectively used by a ring counter selection signal. Ink is not always discharged from the nozzles in the same output order. This can prevent changes in ink density caused by pressure interference.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fault, in a micro electro-mechanical device of a type having a support structure and an actuating arm that is moveable relative to the support structure under the influence of a heat inducing current flow, in which a single current pulse is passed through the moveable arm and movement of the arm in response thereto is determined.

Abstract: An ink tank is provided which can efficiently perform detection of information in an ink tank such as an ink residual amount in the ink tank with a simple configuration in which it is unnecessary to set wiring or the like. A solid semiconductor element, which is provided with an acquiring unit for acquiring environmental information of the outside, an information storing unit, a discriminating unit for comparing acquired information and stored information to make a determination, and an information communicating unit for displaying the acquired information or communicating the acquired information to the outside, is embedded in an outer wall of an ink tank such that the solid semiconductor element is exposed to an internal side and an external side of the ink tank from the outer wall.

Abstract: A device and method for fabricating a display panel having ink-jet printing applied thereto is disclosed, in which it is possible to simplify fabricating process steps and to reduce production cost, and to prevent pattern failure. The device includes a stag having a hole and supporting a substrate; one or more ink-jet heads having nozzles spraying pattern forming solution onto the substrate; and one or more cameras positioned below the stage so as to monitor the nozzles through the holes.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fault within a micro-electromechanical device includes the step of passing a series of predetermined current pulses through a movable component of the device to generate reciprocal displacement of the component. A predetermined extent of displacement of the component is detected. A performance characteristic of the device is determined based on a relationship between said predetermined current pulses and said predetermined extent of displacement of the component. A variation from said relationship during subsequent operational use of the device is sensed.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink orifices formed therein. During printing, ink drops are ejected through the ink orifices into a print zone between the printhead and a print medium. An air current disruption system directs an air stream through the print zone as the ink drops are ejected so as to disrupt air currents acting on the ink drops during printing and prevent print defects caused by the air currents. The air stream, however, does not disrupt an intended trajectory of the ink drops during printing.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing droplets on a substrate, the apparatus includes a support for the substrate, a droplet ejection assembly positioned over the support for depositing the droplets on the substrate on the support, an enclosure structure defining with the support an enclosed region through which the droplets are ejected onto the substrate, the enclosure structure also defining with the support an inlet gap and an outlet gap through which the substrate travels and a source of pressurized gas connected to the enclosure structure to provide a flow of gas from the enclosure structure through the gaps.

Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a substrate and a plurality of fluid ejection devices each mounted on the substrate. The substrate includes a frame formed of a first material and a body formed of a second material such that the body substantially surrounds the frame and forms a first side and a second side of the substrate with each of the fluid ejection devices being mounted on the first side of the substrate.

Abstract: Multipass printing is carried out to print a plurality of registration patterns using different nozzle drive timings. A user selects the most appropriate one of the registration patterns. A driving pattern for the selected pattern is set as a reference value for the adjustment of a print position. This reference value is saved in a predetermined memory of a CPU. During a printing operation, in a unidirectional print mode, a printing operation is performed on the basis of the reference value. On the other hand, in a bidirectional and non-multipass print mode, a printing operation is performed on the basis of the reference value plus a predetermined correction value (+1). In a bidirectional and multipass print mode, a printing operation is performed on the basis of the reference value.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing color inkjet images includes an image processing unit which processes source color data to generate output color data together with a signal indicative of an order of ink squirts in which a plurality of inks of respective colors are squirted onto a given pixel, and an inkjet print unit which is configured to squirt the plurality of inks in different orders of ink squirts, and prints color images based on the output color data by squirting the inks in the order of ink squirts indicated by the signal.

Abstract: A total-ink method ensures that the total amount of available colors remains the same such that the color characterization process can treat the restricted printing process as if it is dealing with a non-restricted printing process without loss of quality. This method enhances non-lossless, black generation methods traditionally used for total-ink restriction by generating compensated target device contone image data in which colorant applied to the media is limited based on a total ink constraint by providing a one-to-one mapping between each possible input contone image data value and each possible compensated target device contone image data value, using a bijective function, for example.

Abstract: A printing assembly has a printing unit and an inert gas supply that supplies an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to components of the printing unit during a printing operation. The inert gas environment prevents oxidation of any high temperature components of the printing unit, such as thermal actuators of a printhead chip.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an elongate channel member having a floor and a pair of opposed sidewalls. The elongate channel member is of a metal having thermal expansion properties that are similar to thermal expansion properties of silicon. A number of printhead modules are positioned in the support structure, along a length of the support structure. Each printhead module includes an elongate ink supply assembly that is positioned in the channel. The ink supply assembly is configured to receive a supply of ink and to provide a plurality of ink flow paths interposed between the supply of ink and a plurality of outlet openings defined by the ink supply assembly. An elongate printhead chip is mounted on the ink supply assembly to be fed with ink from the ink supply assembly.

Abstract: A base plate for use in a recording head, which is used by an ink jet head for printing by discharging ink onto a recording medium, the recording head being provided with energy converting element for discharging the ink by generating a bubble in the ink by converting electric energy to thermal energy, and an anti-cavitation film to protect the energy converting element from shocks generated at the time of bubble growth and extinction, the anti-cavitation film being used as electrodes for detecting the state of the ink by energizing the ink. The base plate comprises a first diode having the a cathode thereof connected to the anti-cavitation film and an anode thereof connected to a ground potential; and a second diode having the anode thereof connected to the anti-cavitation film and the cathode thereof connected to a power supply potential.

Abstract: A first piezoelectric layer is laminated on a first common electrode and comprised of a first piezoelectric material having a first residual stress. A drive electrode is laminated on the first piezoelectric layer, to which a drive signal is supplied externally. A second piezoelectric layer is laminated on the drive electrode and comprised of a second piezoelectric material having a second residual stress lower than the first residual stress. A second common electrode is laminated on the second piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A recording head cartridge in which ink tanks include a removal preventing pawl which is provided at a rear surface of an ink container and engages with a tank holder, and a latch lever which is provided at a front surface of the ink container and which has a latch pawl engaging with the tank holder. The height of a rear wall and a side surface of the tank holder are set to be lower than corresponding heights of the ink tank. During removal, the container abuts the upper end of the peripheral wall of the tank holder an dis rotated about this upper end so that a part of the side surface of the container is protruded externally of the holder. Accordingly, a space required to remove the container form the tank holder is placed external of the peripheral wall of the tank holder. Thus, removal space ordinarily wasted by a conventional tank holder can be eliminated.

Abstract: A media hold down system includes electrodes configured to create an electric field at a surface and a vacuum source configured to create a vacuum at the surface.

Abstract: Print is made on a recording paper by running an ink carriage along the supporting axis in a reciprocating motion. The ink carriage includes ink heads respectively provided with a front ink nozzle and a back ink nozzle facing their respective directions, so that print is made simultaneously at two portions on the recording paper along the transportation direction in which the recording paper is transported through a single transportation path one by one. Consequently, there can be provided an ink jet printer which can improve printing efficiency by increasing a printing rate and printing resolution, and realizing printing of an overstrike character, simultaneous printing of mixed information, double-side printing, etc.

Abstract: A snap-on, flip-up pair of eyeglasses mounting over and modifying a conventional pair of eyeglasses. A pair of lenses are engaged by a frame having a bridge and mounting apparatus snap-on and flip-up mounts the frame over the conventional pair of glasses, while maintaining the snap-on, flip-up pair of eyeglasses a sufficient distance from the conventional pair of eyeglasses to prevent damage therebetween when the snap-on, flip-up pair of eyeglasses is snapped on/off or flipped up/down. The mounting apparatus includes a pair of arms extending rearwardly from the bridge of the frame and terminating in a pair of fingers that depend therefrom and which are spaced-apart from each other so as to form a resilient space therebetween that snappingly receives the bridge of the conventional pair of eyeglasses so as to allow the snap-on, flip-up pair of eyeglasses to snap-on/off and flip-up/down over the conventional pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-emitting eyeglasses structure. The light-emitting eyeglasses structure comprises a frame and light-emitting devices. The frame has two transparent arms on two sides respectively, and each arm has a trench on the outside and a cover adapted to insert into the trench. The light-emitting devices are in the trenches and have a switch, a drive circuit, a light-emitting unit, and a power source. The power source comprises a control circuit, a starting circuit. The power source, the switch, the control circuit, the starting circuit, and the light-emitting unit are electrically conductible, so the power is conducted by the switch or a sensor, such as photo sensor, electricity sensor, and signal sensor, to make light-emitting unit emit a light and the light can passes through the transparent frame or arms. The eyeglasses structure according to the present invention is simple and utility, and can emit light with various means.

Abstract: A contact lens is fitted to a cornea of a patient's eye to gradually alter the patient's cornea during continued wear to reshape the altered cornea conditions such as the corneas of post refractive surgery, post previous Ortho-K. and keratoconus. The contact lens has a plurality of zones that comprise one optical zone, at least one conformation zone, a connecting zones complex, an alignment zone and a peripheral zone. The one or more conformation zones are utilized to conform the angle of the central optical zone, as well as the alignment zone, to compress on the central and mid-peripheral portion of the altered cornea for redistribute cornea tissue to reduce the residual refractive errors, after refractive surgery, or to smooth out the central cornea surface of the keratoconus for better bare or spectacle vision after contact lens are removed.

Abstract: A method of marking an ophthalmic lens, including a step of irradiating the ophthalmic lens formed of a resin material with a laser radiation, such that the laser radiation is condensed at each of predetermined at least one spot within the ophthalmic lens, to form a whitened portion at the each of the predetermined at least one spot, for thereby providing the ophthalmic lens with a marking.

Abstract: There is now provided a method for determining vision defects and for collecting data for correcting vision defects of the eye. The method comprises projecting an image into the eye of the patient with an adaptive optical system having adaptive optical elements. The optical characteristics of the optical elements can be individually changed by an electrical signal. The presence of distortions of the image as perceived by the patient is determined by interaction of the patient with the examiner. By way of an electronic control system the optical characteristics of the adaptive optical elements are changed through outputting of an electrical signal to obtain a modified image with minimized distortions in the eye of the patient. The optical characteristics of the adaptive optical elements, as modified, are determined and vision correcting data for the eye being examined are computed from the optical characteristics of the adaptive optical elements, as modified.

Abstract: In a method for detecting, evaluating, and analyzing look sequences of a test person using a look detection system, the field of view of the test person is detected by a first camera, which is directed forwardly and firmly held on the person's head, and recorded in a field of view video. The movement of the pupils is detected by a second camera, also firmly held on the person's head and recorded in an eye video. The pupil coordinates for each frame of the eye video are determined by automatically measuring the contrast of the pupils relative to the surrounding areas with an image recognition program, and the centroid of the dark area, which corresponds to the pupil center having the pupil coordinates is established. A correlation function between pupil coordinates in the eye video and the coordinates of the corresponding visual point is determined in the field of view video.

Abstract: A film trap and gate assembly for use in a motion picture projector is described. The film trap includes an image aperture and a first and second trap rail assembly. The film trap further includes a stripper plate having an angled stripper blade attached to an attachment flange. The stripper blade is attached to the attachment flange at an at least one degree angle, preferably biased towards the trap body. The film gate includes a projection aperture and a first and second gate rail assembly. A film tensioning assembly is attached to the gate body, the film tensioning device having a deformable body disposing at least two tensioning rollers, and an adjustable tensioning device. When assembled, the film trap and gate assembly forms a film movement channel to guide the film past an illumination source, while reducing the contact between the film strip and the film trap and gate assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a scanning collimated light source that creates an image by illuminating a suspension of light-scattering particles in an optically transparent medium with a collimated beam, where the brightness of the collimated beam is modulated at each moment in time by an amount that is dependent upon the momentary direction of the beam and also on the distance of the scattering particle encountered by the beam at that moment. A method for producing a volumetric display. An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a light source for providing light. The apparatus includes a mechanism for producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source. The method includes the steps of producing light from a light source. There is the step of producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source.

Abstract: In a reflective liquid crystal projector, illumination light is separated into blue, green and red illumination light bundles. The three color illumination light bundles are respectively modulated through three reflective liquid crystal elements into blue, green and red color optical images. A first polarizing beam splitter prism directs the blue optical image to a first incident surface of a recombination prism, whereas a second polarizing beam splitter prism directs the red and green optical images to a second incident surface of the recombination prism. The three color optical images are recombined through the recombination prism into a full-color image, and the full-color image is projected through a projection lens onto a screen. The first and the second polarizing beam splitter prisms and the recombination prim are fixed merely at their bottom surfaces to a prism base plate.

Abstract: An optical system including two or more micromirror arrays is disclosed. The micromirror arrays include alternately disposed transparent and opaque surfaces. The system spatially separates an image toward the micromirror arrays, the image is reflected from the micromirrors, and the reflected image is combined into a composite image that can be displayed or projected. Control and support circuitry that is typically disposed beneath the transparent surfaces of the micromirror arrays can be disposed beneath the opaque surfaces.

Abstract: The invention includes a color projection system. System includes a light source, a first relay lens, disposed on a first optical path, optically coupled to the light source. System also includes a second relay lens, disposed in a second optical path, optically coupled to the first lens, the second optical path being of a predetermined vertical distance above the first optical path. The color projection system also includes a light management device, having a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, the light entrance surface optically coupled to the second lens along the second optical path, the light exit surface located on a third optical path, and the third optical path being substantially parallel to the first and second optical paths and being a predetermined distance below the second optical path. A projection lens may be optically coupled to the light exit surface of the light management device.

Abstract: A scrolling unit and a projection system using the same are provided. The scrolling unit is formed by spirally arranging on an outer circumferential surface of a column-like plate at least one lens cell which separates the incident light into a plurality of beams. As the scrolling unit rotates about a predetermined rotating axis, a lens array, defined by an area of the scrolling unit through which light passes, moves rectilinearly. Due to the use of the scrolling unit, a simple projection system can be obtained, and color scrolling is easily performed.

Abstract: A projector determines horizontal and vertical tilt angles. Using the tilt angles and the inherent properties of the projector, keystone correction corner points for the image can be computed. The keystone correction corner points can be used to perform keystone correction on the image.

Abstract: A digital projection display includes a light source producing a light beam, and an integrator, an illumination lens, an illumination fold mirror, a light director, and a digital light modulator which sequentially process the light beam. The digital projection display further has a projection lens that receives the spatially modulated light beam from the light director and includes two projection lens elements. A projection lens fold mirror is disposed between the two projection lens elements. A projection fold mirror receives the light beam from the projection lens and redirects the light beam to a display.

Abstract: A lamp has a deformed lamp reflector and a lamp front glass. The deformed lamp reflector is formed by deforming a paraboloid of revolution of a conventional lamp reflector to an aspherical reflection surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to an optical axis. The lamp front glass is obtained by deforming the incident plane of a conventional lamp front glass to an aspherical lens surface rotationally symmetric with respect to the optical axis. A light flux radiated from the center point of the light source of an illuminant is reflected by the deformed lamp reflector, and is output through the lens as a parallel light flux having a circular cross section equal in area to the lens.