81results about How to "Minimal component" patented technology

Devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject devices are meters characterized by having an internal structure that includes a test strip selecting element having a continuously reduced cross-sectional area configured to select a single test strip at a time and means for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample applied to the selected test strip. In the subject methods for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time, a meter having at least one test strip contained therein is provided. The meter is positioned with respect to the ground to cause the single test strip to move from a contained position to a dispensed position. The subject invention also includes kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

A collision determination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The collision determination apparatus includes: a chamber member that is arranged in a bumper and has therein a chamber space; a main sensor that senses pressure of the chamber space; a safing sensor that senses the pressure of the chamber space independently of the main sensor; and a vehicle speed sensor that senses a speed of the vehicle. The collision determination apparatus detects an occurrence of a collision between an object and a bumper and determines whether the collision necessitates activation of the protection apparatus based on sensing results of the main sensor, the safing sensor and the vehicle speed sensor.

A non-volatile memory device capable of reading and writing a large number of memory cells with multiple read / write circuits in parallel has an architecture that reduces redundancy in the multiple read / write circuits to a minimum. The multiple read / write circuits are organized into a bank of similar stacks of components. Redundant circuits such as a processor for processing data among stacks each associated with multiple memory cells are factored out. The processor is implemented with an input logic, a latch and an output logic. The input logic can transform the data received from either the sense amplifier or the data latches. The output logic further processes the transformed data to send to either the sense amplifier or the data latches or to a controller. This provides an infrastructure with maximum versatility and a minimum of components for sophisticated processing of the data sensed and the data to be input or output.

Vending machine product is moved by the use of an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors”. These motors drive (directly or indirectly) tension elements (belt, chain, cable, etc.) that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” (centered by springs) mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” (one slider for each product column) on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. That is, when a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport. A lower surface of the cup engages a sliding “door” to a balanced delivery “port” for delivery of product from the cup to the port. Delivery is made from the cup to the port simultaneously with the opening of the door.

A method is disclosed for operating a device that treats sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during successive treatment sessions; where the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep. The method comprises the steps of applying a constant treatment pressure during a first session (20) and deriving a sleep disorder index (SDI) (22) representative of the number of SDB episodes that occurred during the first session. If the treatment pressure should be increased based on the SDI, it is increase during a second, subsequent session (24).

A display device that can be mounted to a surface, such as a window, using static attraction. The display device has an illumination assembly circuit including a light source (such as an LED), a power supply (such as a battery) and a switch interposed therebetween. The illumination assembly is either attached to or enclosed within a mounting film, such as a flexible polymer that is electrostatically attracted to a surface. A preferred device has indicia printed on it to display, and with which the LEDs cooperate.

An embodiment of the present invention is a cable gripping apparatus comprised of a housing with a part conical shaped passageway, two serrated half-jaws, a spacer, a spring, a retaining clip and a cap. The apparatus is spring-loaded and self-locking for gripping and securing a cable. The serrated half-jaws and spring lock the cable in place and only allows the cable to move in one direction. The cap is placed at one end of the apparatus to prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating, thus minimizing the corrosion of the cable.

A method for fabricating ICs including via-first through substrate vias (TSVs) and ICs and electronic assemblies therefrom. A substrate having a substrate thickness including a top semiconductor surface and a bottom surface is provided including at least one embedded TSV including a dielectric liner and an electrically conductive filler material formed on the dielectric liner. A portion of the bottom surface of the substrate is mechanically removed to approach but not reach the embedded TSV tip. A protective substrate layer having a protective layer thickness remains over the tip of the embedded TSV after the mechanical removing. Chemical etching exclusive of mechanical etching for removing the protective substrate layer is used form an integral TSV tip that has an exposed tip portion that generally protrudes from the bottom surface of the substrate. The chemical etching is generally a three step chemical etch.

Provided is a maximum power point (MPP) tracker for a PV cell inverter, and a PV cell inverter. The MPP tracker decouples output power oscillations from the input power generation and extracts maximum available power from the PV cell. The PV cell inverter uses the MPP tracker and generates a sinusoidal output current from the MPP tracker output. The sinusoidal output current may be fed to a power distribution grid. The PV cell inverter may use a pulse width modulation technique to cancel harmonics in the sinusoidal output current. The circuits use a minimum number of components and avoid use of large electrolytic capacitors.

A target receptacle, for use in practicing baseball, softball, and the like, having a main part and a base plate. The base plate is secured to a ground surface. The main part is rotatably mounted to the base, has an intake opening, and exit port, and a fully enclosed conduit connecting the intake opening and exit port. When a ball is thrown into the intake opening, it travels through the conduit and exits through the exit port.