Abstract: A fabricated microstructure includes a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are capable of providing substantially parallel adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2000 nano-Newtons. A flexible shaft supports the protrusions, and a flexible member or beam is attached to the shaft to form a manipulator or gripper device.

Abstract: A passive transponder is started up by receiving an interrogation signal and returning a requested response signal. The startup is controlled by an interrogator using a startup control method by judging presence or absence of a return of the response signal while monotonically increasing transmission power of the interrogation signal from an initial value by an amount which is made smaller stepwise every time presence of the return is judged and maintaining the transmission power, after presence of the return is judged, at its value as of the time when presence of the return was judged.

Abstract: A shift register having a plurality of stages connected in cascade shifts an output signal by a plurality of clocks having different phases. Each of the stage includes an input diode to which a signal is input from a preceding stage, a capacitor for holding charge having a voltage level of the input signal, a first transistor that is turned on or off by the held voltage level to output an output signal to a following stage in synchronization with a clock signal, and a second transistor connected between the input diode and an output terminal. A control electrode of the second transistor is connected to the input diode in the following stage. The second transistor has a clamping function for discharging the accumulated charge and turning off the first transistor when the clock signal is phase-shifted.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for identifying, locating and provisioning individual RFID devices in a network. According to some implementations of the invention, a combination of EPC code information and existing networking standards form the basis of identifying and provisioning methods. For example, MAC address information and EPC information can be combined to identify a particular device and its location in a network. For implementations using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), DHCP Options may be used to pass provisioning information. Some implementations employ Domain Name Service (“DNS”) and dynamic DNS (“DDNS”) to allow easy identification of RFID devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for transmitting a packet from a data queue through a protocol stack. The protocol stack is associated with one or more linked data structures. Each data structure indicates whether an associated protocol context is congested and is associated with a next data structure. It is determined whether a current protocol context in the protocol stack is congested by reference to an associated current data structure. If it is determined that the current protocol context is congested, the packet is held within the data queue. If it is determined that the current protocol context is not congested, it is determined whether there is a next data structure. If it is determined that there is not a next data structure, the packet is transmitted through the protocol stack.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for verifying and validating operation of a design under test (DUT). Input data sequences having information used to check expected outputs are provided to a DUT. The input data sequences include checking headers and data. The checking headers and data are randomized using encryption to verify and validate operation of the DUT on a variety of bit sequences. Different keys are used to allow further scrambling.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides an induction chamber used to sedate one or more living specimens. The induction chamber comprises at least one gas inlet through which anesthesia gas and oxygen are supplied. To minimize escape of anesthetizing gas is into the ambient room or surroundings, the induction chamber includes a gas outlet or port that draws anesthesia gas. The induction chamber also comprises a device that obstructs gas flow through the gas outlet based on the position of the door. In one chamber design, when the door closes, the gas outlet is blocked. Thus, opening the door to the induction chamber causes anesthesia gas is to be drawn through the outlet while closing the door allows anesthesia gas to collect in the chamber and sedate any specimens located therein.

Abstract: Bispecific single chain antibody molecules are disclosed which may be used to advantage to treat various forms of cancer associated with the overexpression of members of the EGFR protein family.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wideband SSFP, wherein a standard balanced SSFP MRI sequence is played with repetition times of alternating lengths, TR and TRs, where TRs<TR. The result is significantly improved tradeoff between signal bandwidth and available acquisition interval lengths. This is particularly important as it enables the combination of balanced SSFP with high field imaging for many applications such as cardiac, musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging.

Abstract: Bispecific single chain antibody molecules are disclosed which may be used to advantage to treat various forms of cancer associated with the overexpression of members of the EGFR protein family.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving message-based security in a Fibre Channel network. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing confidentiality for Fibre Channel control messages encapsulated within Common Transport Information Units. Control messages transported with the Fibre Channel Common Transport protocol, and passed between Fibre Channel network entities, can be encrypted providing confidentiality combined with data origin authentication, integrity and anti-replay protection provided by existing Fibre Channel security mechanisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing network address translation (NAT) in a fully connected mesh with NAT virtual interface (NVI). In general terms, mechanisms (e.g., within a combination router/NAT device) are provided for translating network addresses of traffic going between two private domains or realms. These mechanisms may also be used to translate traffic going between a private and public domain. When a particular private address is translated into a public address, a binding is formed between the pre-translation address, the post-translation address, and the interface associated with the private or public address (e.g., an interface of the router/NAT device). Since bindings of different interfaces are tracked, a private address and its associated particular interface may be associated with a particular public address.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for generating predicted data utilizing data gathered from portions of one or more bit streams present in a static buffer, or look-ahead window buffer over a first time period. By generating predicted data for the bit streams over a second time period, the present invention provides a longer “effective” look-ahead window buffer(s) time period without increasing system delay usually associated with increasing the “actual” look-ahead window buffer size.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for allowing rapid re-provisioning of a cable modem at the MAC/physical layer in a cable modem network. After a cable modem goes through power-up/self-test, i.e., a hard boot, and goes through initial provisioning, the modem is in a steady state in which standard DOCSIS periodic ranging is performed. It is during periodic ranging that the provisioning status, such as bit rate, ISP, etc., can be rapidly changed to allow for “on the fly” changes in provisioning. A cable modem is synchronized with the cable modem network. The modem is then provisioned once it receives a configuration file from a provisioning system. Periodic ranging is then performed between the modem and the CMTS, located either in a headend or a fiber node in the cable plant. The periodic ranging is interrupted by a command or action taken by the CMTS on the cable modem instead of the modem being affected directly by the provisioning system.

Abstract: A method for providing handling of data sent between a first network and at least a second network and a third network, wherein the first network is of a first protocol and the at least second and third networks are of a second protocol at least partially overlap is provided. A packet transmitted from the first network is received. The packet has a first address prefix if the packet is directed to the second network and has a second address prefix if the packet is directed to the third network. A destination address of the packet and a source address of the packet are translated from the first protocol to the second protocol. The packet is directed to the second network if the packet has the first address prefix. The packet is directed to the third network if the packet has the second address prefix.

Abstract: A laser scanning device for measuring the distance to an object in a target area by projecting laser light scanningly is provided not only with a light receiving element for receiving reflected light from the target area to detect its intensity but also with an auxiliary light receiving element for receiving reflected light from a neighboring area which will be scanned next. The gain of amplifier for amplifying the intensity of light received by the light receiving element is adjusted based on the intensity of light received by the auxiliary light receiving element so as to avoid saturation. A one-dimensional or two-dimensional light receiving element for simultaneously receiving reflected light from a plurality of areas including the target area may be used instead.

Abstract: A connecting element includes a support member, a flexible substrate wrapped around the support member, and elastic contacts provided on the flexible substrate. A positioning hole is formed in the support member. A first positioning component is positioned and soldered on a metal layer formed on a motherboard, and a second positioning component is positioned and soldered on a metal layer formed on an electronic component. The first positioning component is inserted into the positioning hole in the connecting element, and the second positioning member is fitted to the first positioning component. Accordingly, the connecting element is positioned with respect to both the motherboard and the electronic component.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for detecting or preventing unauthorized upgrades to a customer's quality of service in an access data network. Several aspects of the invention require customer nodes to properly perform an initialization procedure. For example, the initialization procedure may involve making a request to a server controlled by, or at least trusted by, the service provider. The initialization procedure may involve downloading a configuration file, such as a DOCSIS configuration file, from the trusted server. According to some such aspects of the invention, nodes that cannot properly perform the initialization procedure are prevented from coming online. According to other such aspects of the invention, nodes that cannot properly perform the initialization procedure are marked. A warning may be sent to marked nodes. A customer associated with a marked node may be charged a higher rate for service.

Abstract: An interlaced television signal is derived from an interlaced 625 line, nominally 50 Hz field rate television signal, the derived television signal having perceived reduced line structure and reduce flicker. The field rate and the number of lines of the derived television signal are increased with respect to the field rate and the number of lines of the original television signal, such that perceived flicker and line structure in the derived television signal is reduced. The increase in the field rate and the increase in the number of lines in the derived television signal results in a horizontal scanning rate that does not substantially exceed twice the horizontal scanning rate of the original television signal while minimizing undesirable motion artifacts.