307results about How to "Minimizes number" patented technology

Traffic signal data is broadcast, for receipt by vehicles traversing the roadways controlled by the traffic signals. If desired, traffic lights are provided with the capability to broadcast their location, status, changing cycles and timing data continuously. A receiving system in a vehicle is configured to receive the traffic signal data and display, to a user of the vehicle, visual display information and / or audible information informing the user of a speed range which, if followed, optimizes the use of the highway and minimizes the number of starts and stops that must be made.

A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear minimizes the number of components while ensuring precise, reliable operation of the rack and pinion arrangement of the ratchet mechanism. A headband of a protective helmet or similar headgear generally has overlapping rear end portions which are enclosed in a housing. The ratchet mechanism includes a rotational element, which in this case is a unitary body that includes an adjustment knob portion which is positioned on an exterior side of the outer housing section and a pinion portion which is positioned on an interior side of the outer housing section is adapted to mate with and engage the respective rack gears of the overlapping rear end portions of the headband.

A method of partitioning and indexing multi-dimensional data that maps data to one-dimensional values according to the sequence in which an approximation of a Hilbert space-filling curve passes through all of the points corresponding to potential multi-dimensional data in a data space. Data is partitioned into ordered pages, each corresponding to a length of Hilbert curve and identified by the sequence of the first point on it. Practical application of the indexing method is made viable and useful by the provision of an efficient querying algorithm enabling data lying within any given hyper-rectangular query region to be retrieved. This is achieved by successively calculating ever higher sequence numbers of potential data points lying within a query region and each being the lowest such value for a point lying on a different curve section. Thus a single calculation is performed to identify each page potentially containing data of interest.

An apparatus and method of manufacturing a plasma torch consumable is disclosed. The invention includes at least two of a tip, a shielding cup, an electrode, and a swirl ring being integral to form a unitary one-piece assembly prior to being attached to the torch. Such a construction minimizes the number of parts that must be handled and orientated when connecting the consumable assembly to a plasma torch.

A remote keyless entry electroluminiescent (EL) device includes at least one depressible button segment for activating a vehicle function. The entry device includes an upper housing with at least one aperture in the upper housing. An EL film is integral to the upper housing for illuminating at least one display area. A printed circuit board is disposed under the upper housing. An electrical contact is provided for supplying a power source from the printed circuit board to the EL film for illumination. A lower housing is adjoined to the upper housing, the upper housing and the lower housing encasing the printed circuit board wherein the EL film is in-molded as part of the upper housing for forming a single component.

The present invention is directed at a system and process for allowing a user to treat email addresses as objects. This allows easy manipulation of the email addresses, such as allowing them to be added to a contact list, copied to the computer's clipboard, or double-clicked to open the related contact information for that email address' sender. Email addresses are treated as objects in the message preview pane and full message windows of both incoming and outgoing email messages. A small icon is added to the text of each address. In a preferred embodiment, the icons will vary depending on the pedigree of the address. The invention is not limited to single addresses. Rather, an entry denoting a mailing list could also be treated as an object and a unique icon could be employed to indicate the nature of the entry. For outgoing messages, the pedigree of the address or list is determined by monitoring where the user obtained the address. For incoming messages, the message header is parsed and searched to find addresses that match the receiving user's address book. If no match is found, a generic address icon is added before the text of the address, while the system checks the email header against other address sources such as server lists. Once the address is marked with an appropriate icon the user can manipulate the address in various ways allowing the user to readily edit or add email addresses to their contact list. Additionally, the invention may include contextual menus to assist the user in this manipulation.