Abstract: Min-axis based mip map determination logic receives a plurality of texture space derivatives with respect to screen space for a given pixel and texel location and selects from a plurality of mip map levels a mip map level based on a min-axis without using a max-axis value and without using an amount of anisotropy. The plurality of mip map levels corresponds to mip map levels of a mip chain. The min-axis may be identified as the squares of the texture space derivatives with respect to either the x-axis or the y-axis of screen space. Selecting the mip map level based on the min-axis ensures that each texel of the selected mip map never maps to more than one pixel during texture mapping where the main texture is of sufficient resolution. Thus, using the mip map level based on the min-axis to fetch texture data from memory and render images results in few aliasing artifacts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with or powering implantable medical devices using a direct inductive/acoustic telemetry link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes an interrogator device located outside of the patient's body, an implantable medical device including an energy translator circuit adapted to convert inductive or RF signals received from the interrogator device into an acoustic signal for driving an acoustic transducer, and a remote device adapted to sense one or more parameters within the body.

Abstract: A method of probing a plurality of analyzer molecules distributed about a detection platform is disclosed. The method includes contacting a test sample to the plurality of analyzer molecules, scanning the plurality of analyzer molecules at a rate relating to a carrier frequency signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a biological molecule based at least in part upon the presence or absence of a signal substantially at a sideband of the carrier frequency signal. A molecule detection platform including a substrate and a plurality of targets positioned about the substrate is also disclosed. Specific analyzer molecules adapted to bind a specific analyte are immobilized about a first set of the targets. Nonspecific analyzer molecules are immobilized about a second set of the targets. The targets positioned about the substrate along at least a segment of a scanning pathway alternate between at least one of the first set and at least one of the second set.

Abstract: A handheld tool is disclosed which may be used to transfer a plurality of plant tissue explants from a first container to a second container. The handheld tool may include a disposable tip member which couples the plurality of plant tissue explants through use of negative pressure. An automated system which transfers a plurality of plant tissue explants from a first container to a second container is also disclosed. The automated system may include a first presentment system which moves the first container to a region, a second presentment system which moves the second container to the region, and a robot system that transfers the plurality of plant tissue explants from the first container to the second container.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying an operation of a hardware descriptor program under test includes a lexical analyzer, a parsing engine and a generator. The lexical analyzer receives input/output (I/O) information of hardware descriptor language code that represents a circuit description of an integrated circuit to be tested. The lexical analyzer performs lexical analysis on the I/O information of the hardware descriptor language code so as to generate a stream of tokens. The parsing engine interprets the stream of tokens representing the I/O information of the hardware descriptor language code based on an interpretation of rules required to test a plurality of functions capable of being executed by the integrated circuit. The generator generates verification module code based on the interpretation of the stream of tokens representing the I/O information of the hardware descriptor language code and the rules interpretation.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatuses for operating and controlling AOD pumps (10, 10?, 10?, 100, 460, 580, 740) and other pumps.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed including: a top jaw member extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a first top anchor target slot and a second top anchor target slot; a bottom jaw member extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a first bottom anchor target slot and a second bottom anchor target slot; and a joint member connected to the proximal ends of the top jaw member and the bottom jaw member.

Abstract: A graphics processor or a graphics block for use in a processor includes a type buffer used for determining if a currently processed pixel requires further processing. Each pixel has a number of sub-pixels and each sub-pixel line includes at least one counter that is stored in an edge buffer. A limited edge buffer that can store edge buffer values in a limited range can be employed. Each buffer can include information regarding the whole screen or a portion of thereof. The edge buffer also can be an external or internal buffer, and when implemented internally, the graphics processor or graphics block need not employ a bi-directional bus.

Abstract: A microstructured fiber or photonic crystal fiber is described having a doped solid core region and a cladding region, holes being provided in the cladding region, the fiber having a low hybrid splice loss to conventional fiber as well as being able to be tightly bent due to the microstructured cladding. The cladding region can contain a plurality of holes surrounding and distanced from the core. These holes are preferably located symmetrically around the core and extend longitudinally along the length of fiber. The holes may be two or more D-shaped holes or truncated D-shaped holes arranged symmetrically around the care. In other embodiments, the holes comprise hole structures arranged symmetrically around the core in a ring. The holes may be arranged having the inner side facing the core formed from arcs of a circle, e.g. equal arcs of a circle. Between the arcs circular holes may be provided called capillaries, i.e. smaller holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission unit (1), particularly multi-range transmission (2), comprising an input (E) and an output (A) and arranged between them a continuously variable transmission part (3) and a mechanical transmission part (4), comprising two three-shaft planetary gear sets (5, 6), each having a first (5.1, 6.1), second (5.2, 6.2) and third shaft (5.3, 6.3), wherein the first shafts of both planetary gear sets can be connected to the input and at least one second or third shaft of the respective planetary gear set can be non-rotatable connected to the output (A). The invention is characterized in that the planetary gear sets can be connected via two shiftable coupling units (K1, K2), which can be selectively and alternately actuated, to form a four-shaft planetary gear set and that the first coupling unit (K1) is arranged between the first shaft (6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clearance compensation unit for a plug connection, in particular an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a plug connector and a counter connector, the clearance compensation unit comprising a clearance compensation spring which has at least two spring portions in such a way that clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can be compensated in at least two dimensions by means of the spring portions, it being possible to push the plug connector against another spring portion of the clearance compensation spring or against a limit stop of the counter connector. The invention further relates to a plug connector; a counter connector; in particular a plug, a built-in plug, a coupling or a socket; a housing therefor; or a support collar; preferably for an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a clearance compensation unit according to the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for rendering an image includes a command binning module. The command binning module generates binned image information by classifying command information into bins that each correspond to a display tile of an image to be rendered. The command binning module generates image depth information for each display tile based on the binned command information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a female electrical connector having a contact volume for receiving a jack, a shell for securing the position of the connector relative to a substrate and a status switch, which is adapted to be operated by inserting the jack into the contact volume. In order to provide for a smaller connector, the present invention provides that the switch is at least partially integrated into the shell.

Abstract: A security system and method of operation thereof are provided in which users of the security system are each assigned a preferred language. A user interface of the security system communicates information to particular users in their assigned preferred languages.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first, second and third voltage output from a temperature sensing element of an integrated circuit using a respective, corresponding first, second and third, switched current source, for sequentially switching a respective first, second and third excitation current through the temperature sensing element. The third switched current source generates the corresponding third voltage output as a reference voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage. An error corrected difference is calculated between the first voltage and the second voltage using the reference voltage. In the method, the second excitation current is proportional to the first excitation current by a value n, and the third excitation current is proportional to the first excitation current by the square root of n.

Abstract: A method is proposed for segmenting a 2- or 3-D space, spanned by a set of medical data comprising intensity values at locations within the space, to estimate the position of an object of medical significance. The method using a level set function having a level set which provides a model of boundary of the object. The level set function is iteratively updated by a force defined based on the medical data. For computational efficiency, only the force in the narrowband of the model boundary needs to be calculated. Minimization of an energy function, related to the force, provides a termination condition for the iteration. High level knowledge can be incorporated in several ways, such as by an explicit force term which takes over from the force based on the medical data when prior knowledge of the object is about to be violated by the model.