ift For Mercy employee on COVID-19 floor, isolating from family is best Mother’s Day gift she can give By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 13:03:41 PDT This Mother’s Day, April Kelley just wants to give her daughter Jessica Kelley a hug. But she can’t. Jessica, 21, works on the COVID-19 floor at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. To protect her family and still do her job, Jessica is living full time at the hospital, which has made housing available to staff who need to isolate from their families during the pandemic. “Just based on the floor I’m on, I don’t want to put my family at risk. It’s not worth it,” she said. Her mother has an autoimmune disorder, adding another layer to Jessica’s worries. Though she does not interact with patients with the coronavirus directly, she still knows exposure is a risk. “It wasn’t too hard of a decision, but it’s hard on me sometimes,” she said. “I really miss her.” Jessica is a telemetry monitor technician. For her eight- to 12-hour shifts, her job is to watch heart monitors of patients in the hospital’s intensive care unit. If any patient starts to have cardiac distress or irregular heart rhythms, she and her fellow technicians are the first ones to notice and can notify the doctors and nurses in the main ward. “It was her choice to either work at the hospital or come home, which was really difficult for her,” April Kelley said. “She’s only 21, so I was pretty proud of her for choosing to help. I don’t think people realize the sacrifice people are making to be there, working in the hospitals right now.” Jessica is finishing her junior year as a nursing student at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. When classes moved online and the dorms closed, she had to figure out what to do. While many of her classmates moved back home with their families, doing so would have meant quitting her job. Right now, she said, that job feels more important than ever. In addition to being a full-time student, she works 32 to 36 hours a week at the hospital. She spent about a week at home with her mother and brother in Humboldt after the dorms closed, but even then, she stayed in her mother’s finished basement and didn’t interact directly with her. Her older brother, 26, is staying at home with their mom, and she misses him, too. Jessica said to stay connected, she does FaceTime with her mom, a social worker, almost every day. “She’s definitely one of my best friends, one of my biggest supporters. She is a single mom, and she’s worked two jobs for the last 12 years,” Jessica said. “She always provides for us, and she’s just wonderful in every single way. She’s very caring, she takes care of everybody, no matter where you are.” This Mother’s Day, those roles have reversed. Now, Jessica is protecting her mother instead of the other way around. “She said, ‘Mom, I just can’t come home again, I couldn’t put you in that kind of danger,’” April said. “I’m extremely proud of the young lady she is and how responsible she is, and what she is doing during this time, to make sure other people are safe.” Jessica’s interest in nursing came from her family. Her grandmother, aunt and cousin are all nurses. She also had an experience as a child that stuck with her and inspired her current career goal of becoming a pediatric intensive care nurse after graduation. In the second grade, she had encephalitis. At first, she said, doctors didn’t believe she was actually sick. Her mother had to take her to a different hospital to get help. “They said I was making it up, that my screaming and vomiting was just trying to get attention. They said I was faking it,” she said. “At one point, I really did not know who my mom was, and that’s the scariest part, to have someone tell you that’s not real. That’s just not right, and I don’t want other people, especially children to have to deal with that.” She became interested in the telemetry job after touring the hospital as a student. She said watching the monitors can be surreal, knowing each line she watches represents a patient she may never meet but whose life she is responsible for. “You see their heart, but you don’t see them,” she said. “Sometimes you watch them die, but never see them. Other times, you see someone going into a fatal rhythm, and you call the nurses ... and when they finally get that person stabilized, you know they might not have made it if we weren’t there. It’s very rewarding.” April stressed the need for people to follow public health guidelines on social distancing to stay healthy. “I know they’re starting to open back up and people are eager to get on with their lives,” she said. “But there are a lot of people putting their lives on the line right now ... and I would hate for Jessica to have to go back and self-isolate again if there was a second wave.” April’s sad she can’t spend this Mother’s Day with her daughter, but right now, that’s not what is important. “Remember, there’s going to be another Mother’s Day, she said. “We all just have to take care of our people.” Comments: (319) 398-8339; alison.gowans@thegazette.com Full Article
ift Climate Change Driving Population Shifts to Urban Areas By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:05:26 +0000 By Kristie Auman-Bauer Penn State News Climate change is causing glaciers to shrink, temperatures to rise, and shifts in human migration in parts of the world, according to a Penn State researcher. Brian Thiede, assistant professor of rural sociology, along … Continue reading → Full Article Climate & Climate Change Climate Change climate research Urban Areas
ift My Favorite Gifts For Photographers Under $100(ish) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 23:12:51 +0000 Every holiday season, I get an influx of DMs, tweets, texts and messages from followers, friends and family asking for my photo gear recommendations. This year, rather than putting together a list of all the high-tech cameras and lenses that come with high-price tags to match – I wanted share some affordable add-ons that thrifty photographers should have in their arsenal. As I like to say, the best camera is the one you have with you and most of the time that’s the one in your pocket ???? If you are looking for gift ideas for the photographer on your list these are my go-tos under $100(ish). Moment Lens These pocket size lenses will transform your mobile device into a lightweight DSLR. With a variety of lenses from fisheye to macro, Moment add-ons are durable, easy-to-use and have incredible clarity. Compatible with almost every smartphone, these compact lens take the camera in your pocket up a notch. Shure Mic Shure has transformed mobile audio with its line of mobile mics. Regardless of your price point, the audio company creates options that will take your sound from distorted to crystal clear. As a photographer and podcaster […] The post My Favorite Gifts For Photographers Under $100(ish) appeared first on Chase Jarvis Photography. Full Article Pop Culture
ift Almost invariant subspaces of the shift operator on vector-valued Hardy spaces. (arXiv:2005.02243v2 [math.FA] UPDATED) By arxiv.org Published On :: In this article, we characterize nearly invariant subspaces of finite defect for the backward shift operator acting on the vector-valued Hardy space which is a vectorial generalization of a result of Chalendar-Gallardo-Partington (C-G-P). Using this characterization of nearly invariant subspace under the backward shift we completely describe the almost invariant subspaces for the shift and its adjoint acting on the vector valued Hardy space. Full Article
ift Automorphisms of shift spaces and the Higman--Thomspon groups: the one-sided case. (arXiv:2004.08478v2 [math.GR] UPDATED) By arxiv.org Published On :: Let $1 le r < n$ be integers. We give a proof that the group $mathop{mathrm{Aut}}({X_{n}^{mathbb{N}}, sigma_{n}})$ of automorphisms of the one-sided shift on $n$ letters embeds naturally as a subgroup $mathcal{h}_{n}$ of the outer automorphism group $mathop{mathrm{Out}}(G_{n,r})$ of the Higman-Thompson group $G_{n,r}$. From this, we can represent the elements of $mathop{mathrm{Aut}}({X_{n}^{mathbb{N}}, sigma_{n}})$ by finite state non-initial transducers admitting a very strong synchronizing condition. Let $H in mathcal{H}_{n}$ and write $|H|$ for the number of states of the minimal transducer representing $H$. We show that $H$ can be written as a product of at most $|H|$ torsion elements. This result strengthens a similar result of Boyle, Franks and Kitchens, where the decomposition involves more complex torsion elements and also does not support practical extit{a priori} estimates of the length of the resulting product. We also give new proofs of some known results about $mathop{mathrm{Aut}}({X_{n}^{mathbb{N}}, sigma_{n}})$. Full Article
ift A Shift Selection Strategy for Parallel Shift-Invert Spectrum Slicing in Symmetric Self-Consistent Eigenvalue Computation. (arXiv:1908.06043v2 [math.NA] UPDATED) By arxiv.org Published On :: The central importance of large scale eigenvalue problems in scientific computation necessitates the development of massively parallel algorithms for their solution. Recent advances in dense numerical linear algebra have enabled the routine treatment of eigenvalue problems with dimensions on the order of hundreds of thousands on the world's largest supercomputers. In cases where dense treatments are not feasible, Krylov subspace methods offer an attractive alternative due to the fact that they do not require storage of the problem matrices. However, demonstration of scalability of either of these classes of eigenvalue algorithms on computing architectures capable of expressing massive parallelism is non-trivial due to communication requirements and serial bottlenecks, respectively. In this work, we introduce the SISLICE method: a parallel shift-invert algorithm for the solution of the symmetric self-consistent field (SCF) eigenvalue problem. The SISLICE method drastically reduces the communication requirement of current parallel shift-invert eigenvalue algorithms through various shift selection and migration techniques based on density of states estimation and k-means clustering, respectively. This work demonstrates the robustness and parallel performance of the SISLICE method on a representative set of SCF eigenvalue problems and outlines research directions which will be explored in future work. Full Article
ift On Exposure Bias, Hallucination and Domain Shift in Neural Machine Translation. (arXiv:2005.03642v1 [cs.CL]) By arxiv.org Published On :: The standard training algorithm in neural machine translation (NMT) suffers from exposure bias, and alternative algorithms have been proposed to mitigate this. However, the practical impact of exposure bias is under debate. In this paper, we link exposure bias to another well-known problem in NMT, namely the tendency to generate hallucinations under domain shift. In experiments on three datasets with multiple test domains, we show that exposure bias is partially to blame for hallucinations, and that training with Minimum Risk Training, which avoids exposure bias, can mitigate this. Our analysis explains why exposure bias is more problematic under domain shift, and also links exposure bias to the beam search problem, i.e. performance deterioration with increasing beam size. Our results provide a new justification for methods that reduce exposure bias: even if they do not increase performance on in-domain test sets, they can increase model robustness to domain shift. Full Article
ift Ensuring Fairness under Prior Probability Shifts. (arXiv:2005.03474v1 [cs.LG]) By arxiv.org Published On :: In this paper, we study the problem of fair classification in the presence of prior probability shifts, where the training set distribution differs from the test set. This phenomenon can be observed in the yearly records of several real-world datasets, such as recidivism records and medical expenditure surveys. If unaccounted for, such shifts can cause the predictions of a classifier to become unfair towards specific population subgroups. While the fairness notion called Proportional Equality (PE) accounts for such shifts, a procedure to ensure PE-fairness was unknown. In this work, we propose a method, called CAPE, which provides a comprehensive solution to the aforementioned problem. CAPE makes novel use of prevalence estimation techniques, sampling and an ensemble of classifiers to ensure fair predictions under prior probability shifts. We introduce a metric, called prevalence difference (PD), which CAPE attempts to minimize in order to ensure PE-fairness. We theoretically establish that this metric exhibits several desirable properties. We evaluate the efficacy of CAPE via a thorough empirical evaluation on synthetic datasets. We also compare the performance of CAPE with several popular fair classifiers on real-world datasets like COMPAS (criminal risk assessment) and MEPS (medical expenditure panel survey). The results indicate that CAPE ensures PE-fair predictions, while performing well on other performance metrics. Full Article
ift Lifted Regression/Reconstruction Networks. (arXiv:2005.03452v1 [cs.LG]) By arxiv.org Published On :: In this work we propose lifted regression/reconstruction networks (LRRNs), which combine lifted neural networks with a guaranteed Lipschitz continuity property for the output layer. Lifted neural networks explicitly optimize an energy model to infer the unit activations and therefore---in contrast to standard feed-forward neural networks---allow bidirectional feedback between layers. So far lifted neural networks have been modelled around standard feed-forward architectures. We propose to take further advantage of the feedback property by letting the layers simultaneously perform regression and reconstruction. The resulting lifted network architecture allows to control the desired amount of Lipschitz continuity, which is an important feature to obtain adversarially robust regression and classification methods. We analyse and numerically demonstrate applications for unsupervised and supervised learning. Full Article
ift As The Rise of Skywalker readies to put a bow on a chapter in Star Wars lore, the franchise's omnipresence has shifted its fandom By www.inlander.com Published On :: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 01:30:00 -0800 With all due respect to Greta Thunberg and Billie Eilish, nobody had a better 2019 than Baby Yoda. The real star of the Disney+ flagship Star Wars series The Mandalorian, the little green puppeteering/CGI marvel (aka "the Child") might be the most adorable creature ever created.… Full Article Film/Film News
ift High speed and low power circuit structure for barrel shifter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A barrel shifter uses a sign magnitude to 2's complement converter to generate decoder signals for its cascaded multiplexer selectors. The sign input receives the shift direction and the magnitude input receives the shift amount. The sign magnitude to 2's complement converter computes an output result as a 2's complement of the shift amount using the shift direction as a sign input, assigns a first portion (most significant bit half) of the output result to a first decoder signal, and assigns a second portion (least significant bit half) of the output result to a second decoder signal. This encoding scheme allows the decoder circuits to be relatively simple, for example, 3-to-8 decoders for an implementation adapted to shift a 64-bit operand value rather than the 4-to-9 decoder required in a conventional barrel shifter, leading to faster operation, less area, and reduced power consumption. Full Article
ift Power shifting in multicore platforms by varying SMT levels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Power consumption in a microprocessor platform is managed by setting a peak power level for power consumed by a multi-core microprocessor platform executing multi-threaded applications. The multi-core microprocessor platform contains a plurality of physical cores, and each physical core is configurable into a plurality of logical cores. A simultaneous multithreading level in at least one physical core is adjusted by changing the number of logical cores on that physical core in response to a power consumption level of the multi-core microprocessor platform exceeding the peak power level. Performance and power data based on simultaneous multi-threading levels are used in selecting the physical core to be adjusted. Full Article
ift Lifter for an injection molding tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An actuator for an injection molding tool includes a housing, a plunger and a slide member. The housing includes an aperture extending therethrough and a first recess extending through an open end of the aperture. The plunger is slidably received in the aperture and is movable therein relative to the housing between first and second positions. The plunger may include a second recess formed therein that cooperates with the first recess to define a cavity when the plunger is in the first position. The slide member slidably engages the plunger for movement relative to the plunger between an extended position in which the slide member extends into the cavity and a retracted position in which the slide member is retracted out of the cavity. Full Article
ift Bicycle gear shift control system capable of avoiding frequent gear shifting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bicycle gear shift control system capable of avoiding frequent gear shifting includes: a power module; a microcomputer electrically connected to the power module for allowing a cyclist to switch between the automatic gear shifting mode and a manual gear shifting mode; a gear shifting driver electrically connected to the microcomputer, substantially connected to a derailleur, and instructed by the microcomputer to drive the derailleur to perform gear shift control; and a manual shifting controller electrically connected to the microcomputer. The microcomputer has an automatic gear shifting logic whereby the microcomputer determines the timing of automatic gear shifting and performs gear shifting. The microcomputer further has a gear shifting delay logic that involves delaying for a delay time interval from commencement of gear shifting according to a gear shifting criterion and ruling out all other gear shifting commands during the delay time interval. Full Article
ift Method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift and electronically servo-assisted bicycle gearshift By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift comprising at least one derailleur is disclosed, comprising the sequential steps of: a) imparting a movement on the derailleur of the gearshift until the derailleur is in an intended position;b) waiting for a predetermined time period,c) performing a check whether the derailleur is in the intended position, within a possible predetermined tolerance,d) in case said check has a negative outcome, imparting a movement on the derailleur of the gearshift until the derailleur is in the intended position. A derailleur and an electronically servo-assisted bicycle gearshift comprising control electronics comprising modules adapted to carry out the method outlined above are also disclosed. Full Article
ift Rear derailleur device for a bicycle shifting system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A derailleur device, particularly a rear derailleur, includes at least one locking device for locking a chain guide at least in one locking position that is different from the starting position in relation to a movable element, and it is provided therein that the locking device includes a locking element displaceable between a passive position, in which the chain guide is released in relation to the movable element, and at least one active position, in which the chain guide is held in the at least one locking position. Full Article
ift Fluorescent dyes with large stokes shifts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Herein are disclosed fluorescent dyes based around a framework for a ligand comprising a pyridyl group linked to a diaryl anilido unit. A variety of ligands based on this framework are disclosed. The ligands chelate to a BF2 center to produce the fluorescent dye. The disclosed dyes combine longer Stokes shifts (approximately 100 nm) with increased quantum yields. They are also photostable in aqueous and organic solutions for several hours. These dyes may be used in the labeling of biomolecules for bioimaging and assays. Also disclosed are methods for the synthesis of these dyes. Full Article
ift Variable strength magnetic end effector for lift systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A device and method for adjusting the magnetic strength of a magnetic end effector for lift systems is described. The magnetic end effector is capable of lifting discriminate payloads by selectively varying the strength of the magnetic forces output by the magnetic end effector. An actuator can be operatively coupled to the variable strength magnet end effector, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to control the adjustment of the variable strength magnet. The actuator may also be configured to maintain the variable strength magnet at a desired magnetic force output strength once achieved for any given amount of time. Full Article
ift Accommodating intraocular lens using trapezoidal phase shift By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) includes an optic adapted to produce a trapezoidal phase shift and a plurality of haptics. Each haptic extends from a haptic-optic junction to at least one transverse arm contacting a capsular bag of the eye, and each haptic has sufficient length and rigidity to stretch a capsular bag of the eye to contact ciliary muscles of the eye. The haptic-optic junctions vault the optic forward relative to the haptics and compression of the haptics by the ciliary muscles moves the anterior optic forward. A combined accommodative power produced by the motion of the anterior optic and the trapezoidal phase shift is at least 0.5 Diopters. Full Article
ift Remote time shift buffering with shadow tuning By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A remote time shift buffer system with shadow tuning. The remote time shift buffer system includes a client in communication with a remote video recorder. The client tunes to a channel from a television signal source and sends the channel content to a television. When a channel change occurs at the client, the remote video recorder tunes to the same channel as the client and buffers the content. When a pause live television (PLTV) function is initiated, the remote video recorder generates an independent RTSB content stream using the buffered content. Once the RTSB content stream is available, the client switches inputs and displays the RTSB content stream from the remote video recorder. Manipulating the position within the RTSB content stream does not affect buffering of the live content. The remote time shift buffer system provides pause live television functionality with minimal loss of content. Full Article
ift Engine ignition-transmission shift interlock By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for controlling a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and engine includes automatically engaging a brake, locking the transmission in neutral and starting the engine, in response to a signal whose origin is remote from the vehicle representing a desired engine start; and automatically engaging a brake and locking the transmission in neutral in response to a second signal indicating that the driver has exited the vehicle while the engine is running. Full Article
ift Pilot downshifting system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to air mass flow not reaching a threshold for CAC self-cleansing for a set duration, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request and maximum air mass flow levels for engine misfire. Full Article
ift Method and system for determining clutch assembly vent time for transmission shift control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and transmission control unit configured to improve shift event performance in a vehicle with an automatic transmission by determining a vent time for release of a clutch assembly in a transmission of a vehicle. The vehicle must be stopped and a gear selector in the vehicle must be set to a drive condition. If these conditions are met, the clutch assembly is vented. The vent time from when venting begins to when a turbine (or input shift) speed of the transmission rises is tracked. Once the turbine speed of the transmission rises, the clutch assembly is reapplied. The clutch assembly vent time is set based on the tracked vent time. Full Article
ift Method and apparatus for executing a shift path to a target powertrain state By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for controlling a transmission of a powertrain system includes executing a single source shortest path search to identify a preferred shift path originating with an initial powertrain state and terminating at a target powertrain state, wherein the single source shortest path search employs transition-specific costs and situational costs to identify the preferred shift path. The preferred shift path is executed to achieve the target powertrain state. Full Article
ift Method of shifting a transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling a multiple step downshift is disclosed. Two offgoing shift elements are released and two oncoming shift elements are engaged to complete the downshift. During a first phase of the downshift, one of the offgoing shift elements controls the rate of increase of input shaft speed. During a second phase of the downshift, one of the oncoming shift elements controls the rate of increase of the input shaft speed. The method computes target torque capacities such that output torque and input shaft acceleration are continuous during the transition between phases. Furthermore, the method computes target torque capacities such that both oncoming clutches reach zero relative speed simultaneously as the input shaft reaches the final speed ratio. Full Article
ift Transmission shift assembly for a vehicle and a method of monitoring the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides for a transmission shift assembly for a vehicle and methods of monitoring and controlling the same. The transmission shift assembly includes a transmission having a shift position member movable between a plurality of gear positions, an actuator configured to move the shift position between the gear positions, and a linkage coupled to the actuator and movable between a plurality of positions in response to movement of the actuator. The assembly further includes a controller to control the actuator, an ignition to receive a key, and at least one key sensor positioned within the ignition and configured to transmit a signal to the controller upon sensing removal of the key, the controller controlling the actuator to move the shift position member to a predetermined gear position upon receiving the signal from the key sensor that the key has been removed from the ignition. Full Article
ift Gift packaging system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 08:00:00 EDT An envelope has a top face, a bottom face and an open lower edge. A plurality of gift items are in a generally rectangular configuration. The gift items have a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. The gift items have a length and a width each less that the length and the width of the envelope. A plurality of adhesive stripes are adapted to attach the plurality of gift items end to end. In this manner the gift items are held end to end when the gift items are folded in a corrugated fashion and placed within the envelope. The gift items may be removed by pulling them out from the open lower edge of the envelope. Full Article
ift Automotive construction machine, as well as lifting column for a construction machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is an automotive road construction machine, particularly a recycler or a cold stripping machine, comprising an engine frame that is supported by a chassis, a working roller which is stationarily or pivotally mounted on the engine frame and is used for machining a ground surface or road surface. The chassis is provided with wheels or tracked running gears which are connected to the engine frame via lifting column and are vertically adjustable relative to the engine frame. Each individually vertically adjustable lifting column is equipped with a device for measuring the actual vertical state of the lifting column. Full Article
ift Lipstick case lipstick body lift seat anti-slipped structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lipstick case lipstick body lift seat anti-slipped structure includes a lipstick case, an outer tube, a lift seat with an opening facing upward, and a lipstick body. A plurality of anti-slipped blocking grooves is formed on an upwardly inclined side of each of the two inclined guiding grooves. The outer tube is sleeved on an outer side of the small diameter guiding tube, and a spiral guiding groove is disposed on an inner wall of the outer tube concavely. The lipstick body is sleeved in the lift seat. Two lift guiding columns are disposed on an outer wall of the lift seat protrudingly for engaging with the inclined guiding grooves correspondingly and pressing into the spiral guiding groove. An anti-slipped blocking portion is protrudingly disposed on an outer diameter of each of the lift guiding columns corresponding to the anti-slipped blocking grooves. Full Article
ift Dimmable light source with temperature shift By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An illumination device (1) comprises: input terminals (2) for coupling to AC mains;a LED string (10) connected in series with the input terminals;a rectifier (30), having input terminals connected in series with the LED string;a controllable voltage source (40), having input terminals coupled to the rectifier output terminals;a series arrangement of at least one auxiliary LED (51) and a second ballast resistor (52) connected to the output terminals of the controllable voltage source. The voltage source comprises: a series arrangement of an adjustable first resistor (46) and a second resistor (47) connected in parallel to the input terminals;a tuneable Zener diode (49) connected in parallel to the output terminals, having a control input terminal (48) connected to the node between the two resistors; wherein positive output terminal is connected to positive input terminal and negative output terminal is connected to negative input terminal. Full Article
ift Media content shifting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording media content. For example, in one embodiment, a method for recording media content is disclosed that includes communicating with a home gateway to determine whether a device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space to store a media content in response to a determination that an internal data storage unit of a set top box does not have sufficient free storage space to store the media content. In one embodiment, the method routes the storage of the media content to the device via the home gateway in response to a determination that the device connected to the home gateway has sufficient free storage space to store the media content. Full Article
ift Pin lifting system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An aspect of the present invention is drawn to a device for use with an electrostatic chuck having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface being separated from the bottom surface by a width, the electrostatic chuck additionally having a hole therein, the hole having a first width at the top surface and having a second width at the bottom surface, the first width being less than the second width, the top surface being capable of having wafer disposed thereon. The device includes a pin, a shaft, a neck portion and an outer housing portion. The pin has a pin width less than the first width. The shaft has a pin-holding portion, an end portion and a central portion disposed between the pin-holding portion and the end portion. The central portion has a first bearing portion. The outer housing portion has a first end and a second end and includes a second bearing portion. The shaft is disposed within the outer housing portion and is moveable relative to the outer housing portion. The neck portion is disposed at the first end. The second bearing portion is stationary relative to the neck portion. The first bearing portion is movable relative to the second bearing portion. Full Article
ift Dual pressure control for a rotor brake actuator for vertical lift aircraft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Lift assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Telescoping cargo lifting apparatus for a truck By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift System and apparatus for improved wheelchair lift By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift 360 degree rotatable lifter arm for log singulator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register and driving method thereof, gate driving apparatus and display apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register and liquid crystal display device for detecting anomalous sync signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register, gate driving circuit and display By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register, signal line drive circuit, liquid crystal display device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
ift Shift register unit, shifter register circuit, array substrate and display device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Shift register and active matrix device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Bidirectional shift register and image display device using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display device including various portions, circuits and other arrangements for outputting various pulses and triggers, for controlling forward shift and backward shift operations. Full Article
ift Shift register circuit and driving method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Pulse signal output circuit and shift register By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Shift register circuit, display panel, and electronic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
ift Active level shift driver circuit and liquid crystal display apparatus including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article