Abstract: A biochemical analysis system capable of sample preparation and processing can include at least one inlet channel having a non-fouling, slippery surface to autonomously transport a fluid sample to a chamber by a geometry of the at least one inlet channel. The at least one inlet channel can include a first end, which is open and exposed, and a second end connected to the chamber for mixing and reaction of the fluid sample, and the at least one inlet channel can include a converging or diverging angle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scalable compression of a digital image. The method contains the steps of extracting from the image semantic information at a semantic layer, extracting from the image structure information at a structure layer, extracting from the image signal information at a signal layer; and compressing each one of the semantic information, the structure information, and the signal information into a bitstream. A novel scalable cross-modality image compression is therefore provided where a wide spectrum of novel functionalities have been enabled, making the codec versatile for applications ranging from semantic understanding to signal-level reconstruction.

Abstract: The fail-over computer cluster enables multiple computing devices to operate using adaptive quorum rules to dictate which nodes are in the fail-over cluster at any given time. The adaptive quorum rules provide requirements for communications between nodes and connections with voting file systems. The adaptive quorum rules include particular recovery rules for unplanned changes in node configuration, such as due to a disruptive event. Such recovery quorum rules enable the fail-over cluster to continuing to operate with various changed configurations of its node members as a result of the disruptive event. In the changed configuration, access to voting file systems may not be required for a majority-group subset of nodes. If no majority-group subset remains, nodes may need direct or indirect access to voting file systems.

Abstract: The fail-over computer cluster enables multiple computing devices to operate using adaptive quorum rules to dictate which nodes are in the fail-over cluster at any given time. The adaptive quorum rules provide requirements for communications between nodes and connections with voting file systems. The adaptive quorum rules include particular recovery rules for unplanned changes in node configuration, such as due to a disruptive event. Such recovery quorum rules enable the fail-over cluster to continuing to operate with various changed configurations of its node members as a result of the disruptive event. In the changed configuration, access to voting file systems may not be required for a majority-group subset of nodes. If no majority-group subset remains, nodes may need direct or indirect access to voting file systems.

Abstract: The fail-over computer cluster enables multiple computing devices to operate using adaptive quorum rules to dictate which nodes are in the fail-over cluster at any given time. The adaptive quorum rules provide requirements for communications between nodes and connections with voting file systems. The adaptive quorum rules include particular recovery rules for unplanned changes in node configuration, such as due to a disruptive event. Such recovery quorum rules enable the fail-over cluster to continuing to operate with various changed configurations of its node members as a result of the disruptive event. In the changed configuration, access to voting file systems may not be required for a majority-group subset of nodes. If no majority-group subset remains, nodes may need direct or indirect access to voting file systems.

Abstract: The fail-over computer cluster enables multiple computing devices to operate using adaptive quorum rules to dictate which nodes are in the fail-over cluster at any given time. The adaptive quorum rules provide requirements for communications between nodes and connections with voting file systems. The adaptive quorum rules include particular recovery rules for unplanned changes in node configuration, such as due to a disruptive event. Such recovery quorum rules enable the fail-over cluster to continuing to operate with various changed configurations of its node members as a result of the disruptive event. In the changed configuration, access to voting file systems may not be required for a majority-group subset of nodes. If no majority-group subset remains, nodes may need direct or indirect access to voting file systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data transfer apparatus and method using color identification and coding, and an intelligent payment apparatus and method using the same. The intelligent payment apparatus using color recognition and coding, comprising a portable device and a receiving device, a first central processing unit and a chromatic display module being disposed in the portable device, and a color sensor, a color-to-code converter, a second central processing unit, and a multi-functional interface are disposed in the receiving device, wherein a signal output terminal of the first central processing unit is connected to the chromatic display module, the color sensor in the receiving device being capable of detecting colors displayed on the chromatic display module, a signal output terminal of the color sensor is connected to a signal input terminal of the color code converter, and a signal output terminal of the color code converter is connected to a signal input terminal of the second central processing unit.

Abstract: A modularly constructed object comprising: a frame formed from a mouldable material; and one or more sheets of material, each having at least part of one edge embedded in the frame so that the one or more sheets are held in place by the frame. A method for constructing the same.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing anticipatory changes to a resource governed by a locking mechanism. Entities (such as transactions in a database system) that want to modify a resource request permission to modify the resource. However, prior to receiving permission, they make anticipatory changes to a private version of the resource. The entities are prevented from making the anticipatory changes permanent until they receive permission to make the changes. Because they can make the changes, and proceed to other operations, before receiving permission, any delay in receiving permission has less adverse effect on their performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing locks in a database system is provided. A master node grants a lock on a first resource and a group of resources that includes the first resource to a first requester node. The requester node receives a mapping corresponding to the group of resources that may indicate that a lock already exists for a second resource in the group. If the requester node desires a lock on a resource located in the group, the requester node grants itself the lock without notifying the master node. A second requester node requests a lock for a particular resource in the group of resources. The first requester node grants the lock on the particular resource and updates the mapping to indicate that a different node holds a lock for the particular resource.

Abstract: A wafer-level device fabrication process forms standing structures around emitting areas of multiple VCSELs. The standing structures can be shaped to hold ball lenses or other optical elements for respective VCSELs or can include platforms on which optical elements are formed. Ball lenses that are attached to the standing structures either during chip-level or wafer-level processes fit into the standing structures and are automatically aligned. Wafer level fabrication of optical elements can align the optical elements with accuracies associated with photolithographic processes. The optical elements can be formed using a molding or replication process, a printing method, or surface tension during a reflow of lithographically formed regions.

Abstract: Compactness is preserved while enabling beam monitoring of optical properties of an output beam by employing a combination of reflection and diffraction. An input beam is reflected, divided using reflection/diffraction, and re-reflected. As a consequence, both a light source and one or more beam monitoring detectors may be disposed along a single side of an optical module. In one embodiment, an input beam is introduced from a first side of an optical module, is reflected by a 45 degree mirror, and is divided by a diffraction grating which redirects a minor portion of the beam energy back to the 45 degree mirror. Following the second reflection from the mirror, the returned portion of the beam is used to measure one or more optical properties.

Abstract: In a method of forming a device so as to include a reflective surface at a specific angle to an incident optical axis, a region of a first major surface of a substrate is exposed to an anisotropic etchant to form a surface having the specific angle with respect to the first major surface, but the etched surface is then used as a mounting surface. That is, rather than anisotropically etching a reflective surface, the etching provides the mounting surface and the second major surface of the substrate functions as the reflective surface when the fabricated device is properly mounted. The substrate may be a <100> silicon wafer having a 9.74 degree off-axis cut. Then, a 45 degree mirror is formed by the process. When the reflector is used in an optical device, the <111> crystalline plane will be generally parallel to the surface of the support.

Abstract: An optical package includes a sub-mount, an edge-emitting laser mounted on the sub-mount, a collimating ball lens mounted on the sub-mount adjacent to the edge-emitting laser, a mirror mounted on the sub-mount adjacent to the collimating ball lens. The sub-mount is made of a bottom wafer. A lid is bonded to the sub-mount to form the laser package. The lid is made of a middle wafer bonded to a top wafer. The middle wafer defines an opening that accommodates the edge-emitting laser, the collimating ball lens, and the mirror. The opening is defined by vertical sidewalls. The top wafer further includes a lens above the mirror.

Abstract: A method for making a diffractive optical element (DOE) includes forming a first mask that exposes a portion of a substrate, depositing a first film over the substrate, removing the first mask to form a first optical element on the substrate, forming a second mask that exposes a portion of the first optical element, depositing a second film over the substrate, and removing the second mask to form a second optical element. A method for making a DOE includes patterning a first material to expose a portion of a substrate, depositing a first film over the substrate, planarizing the first film and the first material to form a first optical element, patterning a second material to expose a portion of the first optical element, depositing a second film over the substrate, and planarizing the second film and the second material to form a second optical element.

Abstract: A wafer-level device fabrication process forms standing structures around emitting areas of multiple VCSELs. The standing structures can be shaped to hold ball lenses or other optical elements for respective VCSELs or can include platforms on which optical elements are formed. Ball lenses that are attached to the standing structures either during chip-level or wafer-level processes fit into the standing structures and are automatically aligned. Wafer level fabrication of optical elements can align the optical elements with accuracies associated with photolithographic processes. The optical elements can be formed using a molding or replication process, a printing method, or surface tension during a reflow of lithographically formed regions.

Abstract: An optical module includes an active optical component, an optical fiber, a beam shaping optical component and a positioning device. The optical fiber is arranged with respect to the active optical component to be capable of propagating light along an optical path between the active optical component and the optical fiber. The beam shaping optical component is located in the optical path between the optical fiber and the active optical component. The positioning device is for moving either the beam shaping optical component with respect to the optical fiber, the beam shaping optical component with respect to the active optical component, or the active optical component with respect to the optical fiber, or a combination.

Abstract: An alignment assembly for an optics module includes an alignment stage that is enabled to provide an adjustment of the relative positioning of a light beam and a lens, but also includes a locking mechanism which disables the movement of the alignment stage following a one-time alignment procedure. The locking mechanism may include one or more heaters and meltable material which is heated during the one-time alignment procedure and cooled when the target relative position between the beam and the lens is achieved.

Abstract: A package for a surface-emitting laser encloses the die between a sub-mount and a cap. The sub-mount and the cap can be formed using wafer processing techniques that permit a wafer level packaging process which attaches multiple die to a sub-mount wafer, attaches caps either separated or as part of a cap wafer to the sub-mount wafer, and cuts the structure to separate individual packages. The cap includes a transparent plate that can be processed to incorporate an optical element such as a lens. An alignment post attached to the cap indicates the position of an optical signal from the laser and fits snugly into one end of a sleeve while an optical fiber connector fits into the other end.

Abstract: A package for a surface-emitting laser encloses the die between a sub-mount and a cap. The sub-mount and the cap can be formed using wafer processing techniques that permit a wafer level packaging process which attaches multiple die to a sub-mount wafer, attaches caps either separated or as part of a cap wafer to the sub-mount wafer, and cuts the structure to separate individual packages. The cap includes a transparent plate that can be processed to incorporate an optical element such as a lens. An alignment post attached to the cap indicates the position of an optical signal from the laser and fits snugly into one end of a sleeve while an optical fiber connector fits into the other end.