Abstract: Methods, systems, and data structures for modeling information quality are provided. Information metrics, levels of maturity, and capabilities are integrated and linked with one another to provide an information quality and maturity assessment framework and tool. The framework is visualized and traversed in one or more dimensions. Sets of three metric values are provided to the tool for generating a current information quality state of a specific information repository. A desired information quality state is selected, and the tool generates a map of intermediate information quality states needed to optimally reach the desired state from the current state.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulator for measuring pacing impedance includes a tank capacitor for delivering charge to the heart via leads, a shunt resistor, and high-impedance buffers for measuring pacing current through the shunt resistor. During the stimulation pulse, the voltage across the shunt resistor, as sampled by a high-impedance buffer, variously indicates lead and cardiac tissue resistance or capacitance. A high-impedance buffer measures the voltage between the tank capacitor and ground immediately following the stimulation pulse to allow estimation of the lead/heart tissue capacitance. A lead/heart tissue capacitance estimate is determined by look-up table is in memory or successive approximation. When the lead/heart tissue capacitance and lead resistance have been determined, a plurality of parameters for analyzing and optimizing a cardiac stimulation system may be calculated, such as the instantaneous current, the average current, the charge, and the energy delivered to the cardiac tissue.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring service quality of at least one network connection point of a remote network connection service. The method includes establishing a network connection between a client device and the remote network connection service via the network connection point. The network connection point may be one of a plurality of remotely located network connection points via any one of which access to the remote network connection service is obtainable. The method includes monitoring access performance of the network connection point to generate access performance data, and processing the access performance data thereby to monitor the service quality of the network connection point.

Abstract: The invention provides inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases that are useful for encouraging the development of healthy skin and for treating wounds. The inhibitors are peptides having sequences related to cleavage regions of the proenzyme forms of matrix metalloproteinases. The peptide inhibitors of the invention can be formulated into therapeutic compositions, lotions, creams, skin covering and wound dressings that facilitate healing and healthy skin development, discourage scarring and wrinkling and ameliorate the effects of healing.

Abstract: A method and systems are provided for extracting heavy metal from glass waste. Glass is initially crushed to a diameter size of about 2 millimeters. The glass is then added to a tank having a solution of water and acid, where the acid removes metal from the surface of the glass particles. The solution is then separated from the glass particles. In some embodiments, the glass particles are also rinsed with water and the rinsed water is treated to remove any residual contaminates. In more embodiments, the solution can be reused for a number of iterations that treat glass waste in order to extract heavy metal from the glass waste.

Abstract: A method and systems are provided for extracting heavy metal from glass waste. Glass is initially crushed to a diameter size between about 10 nanometers and about 2 millimeters. The glass is then added to a tank having a solution of water and acid, where the acid removes metal from the surface of the glass particles. In some embodiments, the solution and glass particles are elevated to a configurable temperature above ambient temperature and circulated for a configurable period of time. The solution is then separated from the glass particles. In some embodiments, the glass particles are then rinsed while in transit to a final destination or in a separate rinsing tank.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a connection between a telephone agent and a computer user. A request is received from the user requesting a return call by an agent. The request is received through a web server and includes an identifier associated with the web page is transmitted to an agent that will contact the user. This allows the agent to view the web page that was being viewed by the user when the request was entered. A telephone connection is then established between the user and the agent. An agent can be selected based on the content of the web page being viewed by the user at the time the request for agent contact is entered. Additionally, for an incoming call, a web page can be generated that contains information about the incoming call. An identifier associated with the generated web page is transmitted to an agent that will answer the call. The agent then accesses the web page using the received identifier.

Abstract: A three-axis algebraic model is used to numerically compensate for magnetic errors in measured magnetic field values in an electronic compass for any orientation of the compass. This model is based on physical principles and uses a linear algebra approach that facilitates computation of the parameters needed for compensation. During a calibration procedure of the electronic compass, magnetic and gravity fields are measured in three axes at each of a variety of combinations of orientations and azimuths. This set of measured magnetic and gravity fields is used to calculate a matrix compensation coefficient and a vector compensation coefficient using a system of equations. These compensation coefficients are stored and then used during normal operations of the electronic compass to correct all subsequently measured magnetometer data to obtain corrected values for the Earth's magnetic field, from which the correct azimuth can be calculated.

Abstract: A navigation system for mounting on a human. The navigation system includes one or more motion sensors for sensing motion of the human and outputting one or more corresponding motion signals. An inertial processing unit coupled to one or more of motion sensors determines a first position estimate based on one or more of the corresponding signals from the motion sensors. A distance traveled is determined by a motion classifier coupled to one or more of the motion sensors, where the distance estimate is based on one or more of the corresponding motion signals processed in one or more motion models. A Kalman filter is also integrated into the system, where the Kalman filter receives the first position estimate and the distance estimate and provides corrective feedback signals to the inertial processor for the first position estimate.

Abstract: A voltage buffer includes a high impedance input and a low impedance output. In one example, the buffer includes a source-follower FET and load FET, at least one of which has a forward-biased source-body junction. Another example includes a cascade of two source-follower FETs of opposite conductivity types, and corresponding load devices. Another example further reduces the buffer's output impedance by using a diode-connected load device. The voltage buffer is effectively referenced to a first power supply and effectively isolated from a second power supply. Therefore, it tracks variations in the first power supply voltage, but does not track variations in the second power supply voltage.

Abstract: A programmable logic array is provided. The programmable logic array includes first and second logic planes. The first logic plane receives a number of input signals. The first logic plane includes a plurality of vertical transistors arranged in rows and columns that are interconnected to provide a number of logical outputs. The second logic plane also includes a number of vertical transistors arranged in rows and columns that receive the outputs of the first logic plane and that are interconnected to produce a number of logical outputs such that the programmable logic array implements a logical function.

Abstract: Methods for improving the performance of VLSI layouts designed by a timing driven physical design tool. According to one embodiment of the present invention cells of a circuit design are placed in a placement of an integrated circuit, and wires are routed between the cells to complete a layout of the integrated circuit having a number of nets. The placement is analyzed for timing performance, and an improved location is identified for each cell in the placement. The improved location is identified based on an estimated savings in delays caused by all of the nets in the layout to a signal propagating through the layout when the cell is placed in the improved location and a net criticality of each net in the layout.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device in which an antenna is embedded within a dielectric around the periphery of the device. Such a circumferential antenna saves space while still permitting far-field telemetry over a desired range of frequencies.

Abstract: An inductor for an integrated circuit or integrated circuit package comprises a three-dimensional structure. In one embodiment the inductor is arranged on an integrated circuit substrate in at least two rows, each row comprising upper segments and lower segments, with the upper segments being longer than the lower segments. The upper segments in a first row are offset 180 degrees from those in an adjoining row to provide greater coupling of magnetic flux. The materials and geometry are optimized to provide a low resistance inductor for use in high performance integrated circuits. In another embodiment the inductor is arranged on an integrated circuit package substrate. Also described are methods of fabricating the inductor on an integrated circuit or as part of an integrated circuit package.

Abstract: Improved methods and structures are provided that allow for fast access of a memory device. Embodiments of a structure include a memory device that comprises a decode logic circuitry that decodes an address. The memory device also includes a counter circuitry coupled to the decode logic circuitry that generates a counter value based on the decoded address. Other embodiments of a structure include a compare circuit that determines whether a page count is complete in a memory structure. The compare circuit includes a holding circuitry that includes a number of latches for holding an encoded version of a memory address. The compare circuit also includes a multiplexing circuitry coupled to the holding circuitry.

Abstract: A voltage-to-current circuit utilizes an NMOS-input voltage-to-current (V-I) converter and a PMOS-input V-I converter, with both driving a common gate output stage. Each of the V-I converters includes a transconductance amplifier and a current mirror. The common gate output stage includes two series connected complementary pairs of transistors. One complementary pair drives the output, and the other complementary pair biases the first. The V-I circuit can be utilized as part of a phase detector, which is in turn can be utilized as part of a phase lock loop or a delay lock loop.

Abstract: Mercury is efficiently and effectively removed from waste materials by a process and apparatus which heats waste containing mercury to temperatures well above the boiling point of mercury to create a vapor stream laden with mercury vapor. This vapor stream is first cooled to a temperature at least 100° F. above the boiling point of mercury, which allows some condensation of impure mercury with other materials, and creates a second vapor stream comprising mercury. This second vapor stream is then cooled to a temperature below the boiling point of mercury to condense more pure condensates of mercury. A third cooling step optionally may then be used to cool the remaining vapor stream to temperatures below the boiling point of mercury to remove further mercury content from the vapor stream. Filters and/or scrubbers may be added to remove trace amounts of mercury from the effluent vapor stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the removal of material from a semiconductor substrate in an integrated circuit fabrication process is disclosed. The method and apparatus utilize a light source or charged particle beam (electron or ion beam) to induce a current in at least one P-N junction formed in the semiconductor substrate. The induced current is monitored during the removal of material and the process is stopped or endpointed in response to the induced current making a predetermined transition.

Abstract: Control of a loop of a fiber-channel arbitrated-loop serial communications channel is maintained (i.e., the loop connection is held open) as long as a minimum amount of data, which optionally is determined by programming (called a “programmable amount of data”), is available for transmission, in order to reduce the overall amount of time spent arbitrating for control of the loop. The improved communications channel system includes a channel node having one or more ports, each port supporting a fiber-channel arbitrated-loop serial communications channel loop, wherein each port arbitrates for control of that port's attached channel loop. The system also includes an arbitration-and-control apparatus to reduce arbitrated-loop overhead, wherein control of the channel loop, once control is achieved by arbitration, is maintained by the arbitration-and-control apparatus as long as a predetermined amount of data is available within control of the node.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for picking up debris from a surface includes a frame and wheels attached to said frame to support the frame of the sweeping machine over the surface being swept. A cylindrical brush is rotatably attached to said frame. The cylindrical brush includes a tubular main body and tufts attached to said tube such that the tufts extend radially outward from said tube. The tube has regions devoid of tufts bounded by regions having tufts. The sweeping machine also includes a mechanism for rotating said cylindrical brush.