Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and verifying circuit layouts from computer-aided design tools for vertically integrated, three-dimensional integrated circuits are disclosed. In one instance, a 3-D technology file of these teachings is obtained by providing an identifier for two or more circuit levels, providing for each one of the two or more circuit levels an identifier for a 2-D technology file corresponding to each of the one or more circuit levels and providing a file structure including the two or more circuit levels and each identifier, corresponding to each one of the one or more circuit levels, for the 2-D technology file corresponding to each one of the two or more circuit levels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide detector and method for installing a carbon monoxide detector. The carbon monoxide detector is capable of being hardwired into an installed wall electrical outlet box without reduction of the number of available electrical receptacles.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising substantially purified serpin that are useful in methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The invention also includes methods for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection comprising contacting a composition of the invention with a human patient or treating HIV infection by introducing into a cell susceptible to HIV infection a DNA molecule encoding a serpin. Additionally, the invention includes antibodies and kits useful in the detection, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: Sensor circuits including an oscillator circuit are disclosed. In one instance, the sensing element is a variable reactance element (a variable inductor or/and capacitor).

Abstract: A publicly accessible drop box for isolating items deposited therein, includes a securable enclosure, a depository port, a closeable container having an opening and located within the securable enclosure, and a closure device for closing the opening prior to removal of the container. The depository port may include a housing forming a reception chamber having an entrance, wherein the housing is rotatably mounted within the drop box. The drop box may include a view port to allow viewing of the opening of the closeable container. The drop box may include a manipulation device extending into the securable enclosure to enable manipulation of the closure device or to enable movement of any items in proximity to the opening of the container.

Abstract: A network appliance for monitoring, diagnosing and documenting problems among a plurality of devices and processes (objects) coupled to a computer network utilizes periodic polling and collection of object-generated trap data to monitor the status of objects on the computer network. The status of a multitude of objects is maintained in memory utilizing virtual state machines which contain a small amount of persistent data but which are modeled after one of a plurality of finite state machines. The memory further maintains dependency data related to each object which identifies parent/child relationships with other objects at the same or different layers of the OSI network protocol model. A decision engine verifies through on-demand polling that a device is down. A root cause analysis module utilizes status and dependency data to locate the highest object in the parent/child relationship tree that is affected to determine the root cause of a problem.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing splinters and minimizing the number of injuries attributable to falling onto pressure-treated wooden members, such as landscape ties or timbers used in play areas and landscape projects, through the use of a resilient cover. A cover and various embodiments include a moldable or extrudable waterproof material in the form of a channel having a top wall and two opposing side walls. The combination of channel thickness and composition provides an impact resistance suitable to prevent injuries when one falls upon it. The inner dimensions of the channel are such that the channel fits tightly over the top and sides of a construction beam or timber.

Abstract: Processing separate audio input packets from each connection of a telephone conference assigns audio input packets from each connection to a sequence of output periods. Each connection is then sequenced a first time during each output period for processing any input packets assigned to that output period. Each connection is then sequenced a second time during each output period for preparing a separate audio output packet for each connection.

Abstract: Method for optimizing plant production in a cost effective manner. System (100) includes a processor (102) in communication with resource controllers (110, 112) for controlling resources (106, 108) such as, for example, lighting and carbon dioxide. Each resource has a cost that varies temporally or with other factors. The processor implements an algorithm that receives a desired plant production rate and other input, such as operating conditions of the system and environment, and determines amounts of each resource to expend consistent with plant production goals and resource costs.

Abstract: Feedforward compensated systems and methods for their use in disturbance rejection in switching power converters and other systems. In one instance, a compensating component receives a sensed output and provides a duty cycle adjustment signal, the duty cycle adjustment signal being obtained from signals indicative of present and past load current variations. In another instance, an adaptive compensating component receives a sensed output and provides an adjustment signal for compensating for load variations. A compensator design component receives the digitized sensed output and of provides compensating component parameters to the adaptive compensating component; the compensator design component including a learning function.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions. The protection methods and protection systems detect the anomalies in the behavior of the junction and protect the device from damage.

Abstract: Image acquisition methods and systems are provided. The image acquisition system comprising a pixellated optical transducer capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation in a first range of wavelengths received from an input source and also capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation in a second range of wavelengths, an optical system, a detector and an analysis component, wherein each pixel in the pixellated optical transducer is substantially thermally isolated from each other pixel in the pixellated optical transducer and an image is obtained from alteration in optical thickness of one layer of material of the pixellated optical transducer.

Abstract: Wireless remote control system for engine piston with in-piston circuit (50) and an external processing unit mounted on the exterior of the crank case (51). A carrier signal generated in the external processing unit is fed to a primary coil (P) located within the crank case and the secondary coil (S), loosely coupled to coil (P) and tuned for resonance therewith is located in the skirt of the piston. The secondary coil picks up a carrier signal from the primary coil and the carrier signal is rectified, smoothed and regulated to provide DC power to a micro controller in the piston circuit. The micro controller may use data from a number of sensors to modulate the signal in the secondary coil, which modulation is picked up by the primary coil and thus sensor data is transmitted to the external processing unit where it is filtered and decoded.

Abstract: Methods and systems that enable a cooperative form of transmission performed by a set of asynchronous transceivers operating as a distributed joint communication system. In an embodiment of the method of this invention, information is transmitted from one or more predetermined nodes (the source nodes) in the network. The information is received at the other nodes (the receiving nodes) in the network. For every information symbol/codeword each of the receiving nodes receives an accumulation of signals from nodes transmitting an earlier stage. At each of the receiving nodes a predetermined criterion is utilized to decide whether to retransmit the received information. If retransmission is indicated, the signal modulating the information symbol is retransmitted from the receiving nodes and delivered to an increasing number of downstream nodes.

Abstract: A system and method to provide navigation screens during remote control of devices. A matrix is used to relate button depression and navigation screen to a particular activity. Generic buttons on the remote control can be dynamically defined according to the content of the navigation screens and the configuration of the devices under the control of the remote control.

Abstract: Methods and systems for high-confidence utilization of datasets are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a metric for determining substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives in a data set, applying an optimization technique, and obtaining, from the results of the optimization technique, a value for at least one optimization parameter, the value for at least one optimization parameter resulting in substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives. A number of true positives and a number of false positives are a function of the one or more optimization parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying contextually relevant information to a wireless client (112) is disclosed. More particularly, an emitter (108) transmits a diffuse infrared signal to a client (112) having an IrDA infrared communication interface (130). Emitter (108) communicates with client (112) by making a link layer in emitter (108) compliant with an IrDA link layer running on client (112). To perform communication, data is received at emitter (108) from a service provider (102). The data is formatted into an IrDA compliant diffuse infrared signal and transmitted to client (112). Client (112) receives the data and parses it to extract contextually relevant information contained therein.

Abstract: Improved method of encoding and repairing data for reliable storage and transmission using erasure codes, which is efficient enough for implementation in software as well as hardware. A systematic linear coding matrix over GF(2q) is used which combines parity for fast correction of single erasures with the capability of correcting k erasures. Finite field operations involving the coding and repair matrices are redefined to consist of bitwise XOR operations on words of arbitrary length. The elements of the matrix are selected to reduce the number of XOR operations needed and buffers are aligned for optimal processor cache efficiency. Decode latency is reduced by pre-calculating repair matrices, storing them in a hashed table and looking them up using a bit mask identifying the erasures to be repaired.