if

Ink stick identification system

A solid ink stick identification system enables accurate and efficient identification of solid ink sticks in a solid ink imaging device. The solid ink identification system includes an actuator configured to move one of an optical source and an optical sensor between a plurality of predetermined positions. The optical source emits light toward a face of the ink stick, and the optical sensor generates signals corresponding to an amount of reflected light received. A controller identifies features on the solid ink stick based on the signals as the one of the optical source and optical sensor is moved between the plurality of predetermined positions.




if

Satellite differential positioning receiver using multiple base-rover antennas

A rover processor determines position of a rover based upon the interaction between multiple antennas located at the rover and multiple antennas located at a base. The rover antennas may include a rover master antenna having a phase center located at the centroid of the antennas patterns of at least two auxiliary rover antennas. The rover processor may determine the position of the rover master antenna based upon the relative positions of at least two rover antennas (e.g., the rover master antenna and at least one rover auxiliary antenna, or at least two rover auxiliary antennas) with respect to at least two antennas of a base transceiver.




if

System and method for modifying adaptive cruise control set points

A driver performance mapping system for a vehicle system is disclosed. The system may include a GPS receiver generating GPS data indicative of a current location of the vehicle. In addition, the system may also have a radar device generating current gap data indicative of a current gap distance from the vehicle to a lead vehicle. Further, the system may include an electronic controller configured to generate learned gap data based on the current gap data and stored gap data, and then assign the learned gap data with the GPS data.




if

Device and method for determining a sample rate difference

In embodiments, a device is illustrated for determining a sample rate difference between a first information signal and a second information signal including an offset determiner for determining for each of a plurality of segments of the first information signal, associated offset values which temporally align the plurality of segments with respect to the second information signal and a calculator for calculating the sample rate difference on the basis of the offset values.




if

Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations based on an electronic manifest documenting physical locate marks on ground, pavement or other surface

A positive response notification to provide information regarding locate and/or marking operations for underground facilities may include time-stamp information to provide proof of a time at which the locate and/or marking operation was completed by a locate technician, and/or place-stamp information to provide proof of a presence of the locate technician at or near a work site. An electronic manifest image and/or a virtual white line image similarly may be included in a positive response notification. In one example, such images may be bundled together based on respective descriptor files (or descriptor metadata) that associates the corresponding images with a locate request ticket for the operation. In another example, a positive response notification may include environmental information regarding one or more environmental conditions present at or near the work site during the locate and/or marking operation.




if

System and method for providing simple feedback signals indicating if more or less power is required during inductive power transmission

An inductive power outlet for providing power to an electric load via an inductive power receiver includes at least one primary inductive coil wired to a power supply via a driver configured to provide a driving voltage across the primary inductive coil such that a secondary voltage is induced in a secondary inductive coil associated with the inductive power receiver. The driver may include a controller configured to receive feedback control signals from the inductive power receiver indicating if more or less power is required. The controller may be further configured to adjust the driving voltage according to the control signals.




if

Dual pressure control for a rotor brake actuator for vertical lift aircraft

In some aspects, a master cylinder assembly for vertical lift aircraft is configured to move pressurized fluid through a conduit in response to applied movement of an input lever. A low pressure relief valve can be connected to a first conduit to limit pressure to a low level. An isolation valve can be connected to the first conduit and configured to isolate the low pressure relief valve from the conduit when engaged. A high pressure relief valve can be connected to a second fluid conduit to limit pressure to a high level. In some aspects, a rotor brake actuator is fluidly connected to the first conduit and the second conduit and configured to engage a rotor brake in response to hydraulic fluid pressure.




if

Dynamically modified fan speed table for cooling a computer

A computer-implemented fan control method includes measuring a temperature within a computer system and dynamically selecting a fan speed step in response to the temperature received, wherein the fan speed step is selected from a fan speed table defining a finite number of fan speed steps each having an associated fan speed. A fan is operated at the dynamically selected fan speed step, wherein the fan is positioned to drive air through the computer system where the temperature is being measured. The fan output variation is measured over a prescribed time interval and the fan speed table is automatically modified to change the fan speeds associated with each fan speed step, wherein the fan speeds are changed as a function of the measured fan output variation while continuing to drive the fan.




if

Lift assembly

A lift apparatus includes an elongated spine having a top portion and a bottom portion, a traveler operatively connected along the elongated spine for traveling up and down the elongated spine, a single linear actuator operatively connected to the traveler configured to move the traveler up and down the spine, an arm, and a single hinge operatively connected between the traveler and the arm allowing the arm to hinge outwardly and upwardly to a dump position when the traveler is proximate the top portion of the elongated spine.




if

Telescoping cargo lifting apparatus for a truck

An apparatus for loading and unloading a truck with cargo includes a mounting frame for attaching adjacent to a truck doorway. The mounting frame includes a first guide member forming a first channel, a first support member slideably received within the first channel, a second guide member forming a second channel, and a second support member slideably received within the second channel. A platform for supporting the cargo is pivotally coupled to the first support member and to the second support member. A power driven lift elevator slides the first support member within the first channel and slides the second support member within the second channel to thereby raise and lower the platform. A power driven platform elevator pivots the platform respect to the first and second support members to move the platform between horizontal and vertical positions.




if

Human-machine interface based on task-specific temporal postural synergies

A synergy-based human-machine interface that uses low-dimensional command signals to control a high dimensional virtual, robotic or paralyzed human hand is provided. Temporal postural synergies are extracted from angular velocities of finger joints of five healthy subjects when they perform hand movements that are similar to activities of daily living. Extracted Synergies are used in real-time brain control, where a virtual, robotic or paralyzed human hand is controlled to manipulate virtual or real world objects.




if

System and apparatus for improved wheelchair lift

A wheelchair lift mounted on the rear of an automobile for transporting a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility device includes two or more sets of sensors. A first set of sensors is located at the distal ends of the wheelchair lift platform for use when the platform is horizontal. A 2nd set of sensors is located on the base of the wheelchair lift for use when the platform is folded vertically. The sensors alert a driver to the presence of objects in close proximity to the rear of the vehicle when driven in reverse. They switch automatically activates the base sensors when the platform is folded and the platform sensors when the platform is horizontal.




if

Identifying a geographically nearby mobile computing device

In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying proximity of a mobile computing device to another mobile computing device. A computing system determines that a set of mobile computing devices are geographically proximate to a first mobile computing device based on identifying that each of the mobile computing devices received a first type of signal from an emitting device for which the first mobile computing device also received the first type of signal. The computing system determines a subset of the mobile computing devices that share a physical space with the first mobile computing device based on identifying that each of the mobile computing devices emitted a second type of signal that was detected by the first mobile computing device, or detected the second type of signal that was emitted by the first mobile computing device.




if

Life management apparatus and life management method

A fatigue degree input unit inputs a fatigue degree of a user through use of a processing device, and writes an input value of the fatigue degree into a storage device. A recommended duration calculation unit reads the input value of the fatigue degree written by the fatigue degree input unit from the storage device. In accordance with the input value of the fatigue degree read from the storage device, the recommended duration calculation unit calculates a bath duration to be recommended to the user, as a recommended duration, through use of the processing device. A recommended duration informing unit informs the user of the recommended duration calculated by the recommended duration calculation unit, through an output device.




if

Defining a radio frequency identification read area

Defining a radio frequency identification read area includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader operable to read RFID tags within a specified read area. An RFID transmitter is coupled with the RFID reader and is operable to radiating a modulated carrier in an area adjacent to the specified read area. The RFID reader controls the RFID transmitter to transmit the modulated carrier during a preamble transmission of the RFID reader to prevent any RFID tags in the adjacent area from recognizing an interrogation signal from the RFID reader.




if

Method of identifying natural substances capable of complexation

The present invention relates to a method of identifying a natural substance that is capable of complexation with Ni2+, Cu2+ and/or Fe2+ ions, wherein an extract containing natural substances is led over a stationary phase loaded with Ni2+, Cu2+ and/or Fe2+ ions, which is suitable for immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC).




if

Signal amplification in lateral flow and related immunoassays

The present invention provides methods, devices, compositions (e.g., capture complexes), and kits useful for enhancing the detection of antibodies in a test sample. The methods, devices, and compositions utilize detectable Fc-binding molecules such as Protein A, Protein G, and/or an Fc-specific antibody to amplify the signal of a detected antibody in immunoassays, such as lateral flow assays.




if

Method of analysis for determining a specific protein in blood samples using fluorescence spectrometry

The invention encompasses analyzers and analyzer systems that include a single particle analyzer, methods of using the analyzers and analyzers systems to analyze samples, either for single particles, e.g., protein molecules, or for multiple particles (multiplexing), methods of doing business based on the use of the analyzers or analyzer systems of the system, and electronic media for storing parameters useful in the analyzers and analyzer systems of the invention.




if

Surgical instrument with stowing knife blade

A surgical instrument with a stowing knife blade includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft and including two opposed jaws, a housing included in one of the jaws, a first member mounted in the housing and movable distally, a knife pivotally coupled with the first member, and a second member. The knife is configured to cut when advanced distally. The first and second members are moved distally at the same rate during a cutting motion of the knife and the second member blocks a rotation of the knife relative to the first member during the cutting motion of the knife. After moving through the first distance, relative movement between the first and second members occurs so as to permit or induce the previously blocked rotation of the knife so that the knife can be stowed.




if

End effector identification by mechanical features

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.




if

Process for the purification of organometallic compounds or heteroatomic organic compounds with hydrogenated getter alloys

A process for the purification of organometallic compounds or heteroatomic organic compounds from oxygen, water and from the compounds deriving from the reaction of water and oxygen with the organometallic or heteroatomic compounds whose purification is sought, comprising the operation of contacting the organometallic or heteroatomic compound to be purified in the liquid state or in form of vapor, pure or in a carrier gas, with a hydrogenated getter alloy, and optionally also with one or more gas sorber materials selected among palladium on porous supports and a mixture of iron and manganese supported on zeolites.




if

Process for the synthesis of 1-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one

The present invention is concerned with a novel process for the preparation of 1-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one (CAS 30071-93-3). This compound is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of therapeutic agents.




if

Chemically-modified peptides, compositions, and methods of production and use

Compositions and methods for inhibiting and controlling the growth of microbes are disclosed. The composition comprises at least one chemically-modified peptide with antimicrobial activity and at least one carrier. The method comprises of administering an amount, effective for the prevention, inhibition and termination of microbial growth for industrial, pharmaceutical, household and personal care use.




if

Process for purifying off-gases of a melamine plant

A two-stage process is provided for purifying off-gases from a high-pressure melamine plant. In the first stage, the off-gases are contacted with a recirculated urea melt containing melamine precursors and NH3. In the second stage, the off-gases are contacted with a fresh urea melt.




if

Organometallic compound purification and apparatus

A method of purifying crude organometallic compounds using a stripping column and a gas stream is provided. This method removes relatively more volatile impurities as compared to the organometallic compound.




if

360 degree rotatable lifter arm for log singulator

The present invention discloses a log sawing system comprising multiple cutting blades. The multiple cutting blades are positioned to cut laterally or perpendicular to the centerline of the log which is to be cut. The logs are transported into cutting position using some type of log positioner. The multiple cutting blades are rotatably mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a shaft in groups, being driven by an electrical or like motor, all of which are mounted onto a platform positioned adjacent to the log to be cut. Hydraulic lifters are used to partially rotate the saw blades into the cutting position adjacent the log. Means utilizing a computer and lasers are provided to develop a log cutting solution to best utilize the logs.




if

Verification of a portable consumer device in an offline environment

A portable consumer device includes a base, and a computer readable medium on the base. The computer readable medium comprises code for an issuer verification value and a supplemental verification value. The issuer verification value is used by an issuer to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an on-line transaction and the supplemental verification value is used to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an off-line transaction.




if

Verification of a portable consumer device in an offline environment

A portable consumer device includes a base, and a computer readable medium on the base. The computer readable medium comprises code for an issuer verification value and a supplemental verification value. The issuer verification value is used by an issuer to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an on-line transaction and the supplemental verification value is used to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an off-line transaction.




if

Method of preparing soybean mixed powder, method of preparing a solidified soybean food, and a method of preparing a packaged raw material for preparing a solidified soybean food

A method of preparing soybean mixed powder comprising a soybean powder having properties wherein formation of agglomerate is small when the powder is added to water and then heated with stirring to dissolve the powder.




if

Laccase for detoxification of feed products

The present invention relates to a method for detoxification of feed products contaminated by the mycotoxin zearalenone.




if

Saccharification enzyme composition and method of saccharification thereof

The present disclosure relates to a Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase (AmyE) or its variants thereof. AmyE or its variants thereof may be used to more efficiently produce fermentable sugars from starch. Also disclosed are a composition comprising a glucoamylase and AmyE or variant thereof and a method of processing starch utilizing the described enzyme composition.




if

Centrifugal blower with asymmetric blade spacing

A centrifugal blower in a cooling system of an electronic device having asymmetrical blade spacing with acceptable balance. The asymmetrical blade spacing is determined according to a set of desired acoustic artifacts that are favorable and balance that is similar to that found with equal fan blade spacing. In one embodiment, the fan impeller can include thirty one fan blades. The perceived sound quality from the fan is improved with essentially no effect on the thermal performance of the fan.




if

Simplified modularized contact type of conductive building block

A simplified modularized contact type of conductive building block includes: a brick, at least one pair of conductive pieces, a circuit board and a base. The brick includes at least one pair of studs projected from a top thereof. The conductive piece has an insertion electrode and a connection electrode respectively disposed at two ends thereof and a contact electrode disposed between the insertion electrode and the connection electrode. The conductive pieces are inserted through the insertion through holes of the circuit board. The circuit board includes a positive electrode circuit and a negative electrode circuit respectively contacted with the at least one pair of the conductive pieces. The conductive pieces are further inserted through the through holes of the base. The circuit board and the base are fixed in the brick.




if

Echelle diffraction grating and its manufacturing method, excimer laser and its manufacturing method

A manufacturing method for an excimer laser that includes a reflective Echelle diffraction grating includes obtaining information of a wavelength of a light source, a blazed order, a repetitive pitch of the grating, a material of the grating, and a predefined orientation ratio B/A that is a ratio between that a diffraction efficiency A of the blazed order and a diffraction efficiency Bb of an order lower by one order than the blazed order, and determining an initial value of a blaze angle based upon these pieces of information.




if

Slab amplification device, laser apparatus, and extreme ultraviolet light generation system

An EUV light generation system includes a driver laser comprising a master oscillator such as a semiconductor laser, a spatial filter, gas slab amplification devices, relay optical systems, and high-speed axial-flow amplifiers. The slab amplification devices include beam adjusting optical units disposed, respectively, at input and output sides of the slab amplifiers SA to convert the beam profile and/or polarization direction and/or an elongated direction of the beam profile with the slab amplifiers is parallel to a free space axis AF of the slab waveguides, i.e. parallel to the discharge electrodes.




if

Transverse pumped laser amplifier architecture

An optical gain architecture includes a pump source and a pump aperture. The architecture also includes a gain region including a gain element operable to amplify light at a laser wavelength. The gain region is characterized by a first side intersecting an optical path, a second side opposing the first side, a third side adjacent the first and second sides, and a fourth side opposing the third side. The architecture further includes a dichroic section disposed between the pump aperture and the first side of the gain region. The dichroic section is characterized by low reflectance at a pump wavelength and high reflectance at the laser wavelength. The architecture additionally includes a first cladding section proximate to the third side of the gain region and a second cladding section proximate to the fourth side of the gain region.




if

Verifying the physical characteristic of printed content for binding

Disclosed are various embodiments relating to verifying a printed work comprises a correct number of pages. Associated with a stack comprising one or more pages is an identifier that may be used to obtain an expected thickness of the pages in the stack. A sensor may then measure an actual thickness of the pages in the stack. Before binding the pages in the stack, the expected thickness of the stack may be compared to the actual thickness of the stack in order to verify the stack comprises the correct number of pages.




if

Shift register

A shift register is disclosed, which can prevent malfunctioning of device by decreasing the load on a discharging voltage source line, and can decrease a size of stage. The shift register comprises a plurality of stages to sequentially output scan pulses through respective output terminals, wherein each of the stages comprises a pull-up switching unit controlled based on a signal state of node, and connected between the output terminal and any one among a plurality of clock transmission lines to transmit the clock pulses provided with sequential phase differences; and a node controller to control the signal state of node, and to discharge the node by using the clock pulse from any one among the plurality of clock transmission line.




if

Shift register and driving method thereof, gate driving apparatus and display apparatus

A shift register and driving method thereof, a gate driving apparatus and a display apparatus, the shift register comprises a pulling-up unit(21), a precharging and resetting unit(22), an output signal terminal at present stage(OUTPUT), a pulling-down unit(23), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at previous stage(OUTF), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at next stage(OUTL), and a scan control signal input terminal(INPUT), wherein: the precharging and resetting unit(22) precharges a gate of a first thin film transistor(T1) included in the pulling-up unit(21) and resets its potential; the pulling-down unit(23) pulls down a potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1) and the output signal at present stage after the precharging and resetting unit(22) resets the potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1), so that the pulling-up unit(21) is turned off and the output signal at present stage is at a low level. The present shift register realizes a bidirectional gate driving scan from up to down or from down to up by a conversion control for high-low levels of input signals.




if

Shift register and liquid crystal display device for detecting anomalous sync signal

A display panel drive circuit includes a shift register constructed of unit circuits connected in stages. The unit circuits generate signal line selection signals, respectively, which signal line selection signals are made active for a respective certain period of time to form a respective pulse, and the pulses are outputted successively from respective unit circuits in order of ordinal number starting from a first stage until an end stage. In at least one embodiment, each of the unit circuits receive (i) clock signals generated based on a sync signal received from outside of the display panel drive circuit, (ii) a start pulse signal generated based on the sync signal, or a signal line selection signal generated in a stage different from its own stage, and (iii) a clear signal. The clear signal is made active in a case where anomalousness is included in the sync signal, and no pulse is outputted from the shift register until a subsequent vertical scanning period starts. This configuration achieves a display panel drive circuit which prevents display disorder or holds down increase in load given to a power source, each of which occurs in a case where anomalousness is included in the sync signal.




if

Shift register

Disclosed herein is a shift register in which leakage of charges from a voltage at a set node is prevented to stabilize an output from a stage. The shift register includes a plurality of stages for sequentially outputting scan pulses. Each stage includes a node controller for controlling signal states of a set node and a reset node, and an output unit supplied with any one of a plurality of clock pulses having different phases. The output unit outputs the supplied clock pulse as a scan pulse through an output terminal thereof according to the signal states of the set node and reset node. The node controller includes a first discharging switching device which is turned on or off in response to a scan pulse from a downstream stage. The first discharging switching device is connected between any one of a plurality of clock transfer lines and the set node.




if

Shift register, gate driving circuit and display

A shift register, comprising a plurality of shift register sub-units connected in cascade, each of the plurality of shift register sub-units comprising first to third TFTs, an eleventh TFT, a first capacitor and a first reset control module for controlling the second TFT to be turned on or off. Besides the shift register sub-unit at a first stage, for each of the shift register sub-units at other stages, the second TFT gate control terminal thereof is connected to the third TFT gate control terminal of the shift register sub-unit at a previous stage. Accordingly, a gate driving circuit comprising the shift register and a display comprising the gate driving circuit are provided. Compared with the prior art, reliability of the shift register is highly improved and area occupied by the shift register is smaller.




if

Shift register, signal line drive circuit, liquid crystal display device

A shift register includes a plurality of stages of unit circuits each including a flip-flop. Each of the unit circuits generates, by obtaining a sync signal in accordance with an output from the flip-flop, an output signal. The flip-flop includes a first switch and a second switch and a latch circuit for latching a signal supplied thereto and outputting the signal as the output from the flip-flop. A first shift direction signal is supplied to the latch circuit via the first switch, and the second shift direction signal is supplied to the latch circuit via the second switch. In each unit circuit other than those of the first and last stages, an output signal from a previous stage is supplied to a control terminal of the first switch, and an output signal from a subsequent stage is supplied to a control terminal of the second switch.




if

Shift register unit, shifter register circuit, array substrate and display device

The present invention provides a shift register unit, a shift register circuit, an array substrate and a display device, and relates to the area of display manufacturing. The time of the bias working on the de-noising transistor can be reduced without affecting the circuit stability, so that the operational lifespan of the device can be extended. A shift register comprises: a capacitor, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a de-noising control model. The present invention is used for manufacturing displays.




if

Shift register and active matrix device

A shift register includes cascade-connected stages, each of which includes a data latch and an output stage. In at least one embodiment, the latch has a single data input which, in use, receives a date signal from a preceding or succeeding stage. The output stage includes a first switch, which passes a clock signal to the stage output when the output stage is activated by the latch. The output stage also comprises a second switch, which passes the lower supply voltage to the stage output when the output stage is inactive.




if

Bidirectional shift register and image display device using the same

A display device including various portions, circuits and other arrangements for outputting various pulses and triggers, for controlling forward shift and backward shift operations.




if

Shift register circuit and driving method thereof

A shift register circuit includes a first shift register string and a second shift register string. The first shift register string is configured to receive a first start signal and output a first-stage control signal. The second shift register string, electrically connected to the first shift register string, is configured to receive the first-stage control signal and a second start signal and output the first pulse of a first-stage scan signal according to the first-stage control signal and the second start signal and consequently output the second pulse of the first-stage scan signal according to the second start signal; wherein the first and second pulses are configured to have different pulse widths. A driving method of a shift register circuit is also provided.




if

Pulse signal output circuit and shift register

To provide a pulse signal output circuit and a shift register which have lower power consumption, are not easily changed over time, and have a longer lifetime. A pulse signal output circuit includes a first input signal generation circuit; a second input signal generation circuit; an output circuit which includes a first transistor and a second transistor and outputs a pulse signal in response to a signal output from the first and second input signal generation circuits; a monitor circuit which obtains the threshold voltages of the first and second transistors; and a power supply output circuit which generates a power supply potential raised by a potential higher than or equal to a potential which is equal to or substantially equal to the threshold voltage and supplies the power supply potential to the first and second input signal generation circuits. A shift register includes the pulse signal output circuit.




if

Shift register circuit, display panel, and electronic apparatus

Disclosed herein is a shift register circuit that is formed on an insulating substrate with thin film transistors having channels of the same conductivity type and includes shift stages, each of the shift stages including: a first thin film transistor; a second thin film transistor; a 3(1)-th thin film transistor; a 3(2)-th thin film transistor; a 4(1)-th thin film transistor; a 4(2)-th thin film transistor; a fifth thin film transistor; and a sixth thin film transistor.




if

Active level shift driver circuit and liquid crystal display apparatus including the same

An active level shift (ALS) driver circuit and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the ALS driver circuit are disclosed. The ALS driver circuit includes an input unit configured to apply a first polarity voltage to a first node and to apply a second polarity voltage to a second node, a level compensation unit configured to adjust the voltages of the first node and the second node, and an output unit configured to alternately output a first power voltage and a second power voltage according to the adjusted voltages of the first and second nodes.