Abstract: A token-based centralized authentication method for providing access to a service provider to user information associated with a user's relationship with the service provider includes the steps of: authenticating a user presenting a user token at a user terminal, the user token having stored thereon a user ID; deriving a resource identifier using at least two data input elements, the at least two data input elements including the user ID of the user and a service provider ID of the service provider, wherein the user information is stored in a storage network and the resource identifier is associated with the user information; retrieving the user information from the storage network using the resource identifier; and providing the retrieved user information to the service provider.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments describe an automatic, adaptive system and method for efficiently and effectively scheduling advertising spots in commercial break locations across various networks, zones, channels, dates, times, and specific products, for example. The disclosed embodiments make use of fixed and relative factors, that may be user-defined, which assign a “cost” to one or more particular breaks which thereby allow for quick and accurate scheduling of spots. The “costs” may represent a value, or desirability, of a break for the advertiser and may be a function of both the fixed and relative factors. The fixed and relative factors may be configurable and may change for different advertising clients, different contract lines, different networks, different spot placement, etc. The placement of spots may be accomplished through the use of an ordered list which may be generated based on a number of inputs that may be user-selected.

Abstract: A space transformer for a semiconductor test probe card and method of fabrication. The method may include depositing a first metal layer as a ground plane on a space transformer substrate having a plurality of first contact test pads defining a first pitch spacing, depositing a first dielectric layer on the ground plane, forming a plurality of second test contacts defining a second pitch spacing different than the first pitch spacing, and forming a plurality of redistribution leads on the first dielectric layer to electrically couple the first contact test pads to the second contact test pads. In some embodiments, the redistribution leads may be built directly on the space transformer substrate. The method may be used in one embodiment to remanufacture an existing space transformer to produce fine pitch test pads having a pitch spacing smaller than the original test pads.

Abstract: Applied kinesiology method and device utilizes an examiner's autonomic response to truth/false or beneficial/non-beneficial stimulus and provides immediate feedback to the examiner in the context of an applied kinesiology exam. Kinesiology glasses detect local pupillary response to truthfulness locally and remotely. Through measurements of the pupils dilation or constriction and processing of the measurements, the response is obtained and feedback, via sensory stimulation, is provided to the examiner that reflects the pupillary response. The device and method effectively eliminate the subjective components of prior art muscle testing response from the hands of the testing examiner.

Abstract: A continuous-time delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a first delta-sigma modulator configured to quantize a most significant bit or bits of a digital input signal and produce a first quantization error signal, and a second multi-stage delta-sigma modulator configured to quantize less significant bits of the digital input signal. A first DAC is coupled to an output of the first delta-sigma modulator, and a second DAC is coupled to an output of the second noise-shaping filter. The second DAC has a greater resolution than the first DAC. A low pass output filter is coupled to a sum of an output of the first DAC and an output of the second DAC.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.

Abstract: A system and method of determining calibration data at non-calibrated location points is disclosed. A mobile station may be geo-located at most locations, if not all locations, within communication range of one or more serving and/or neighboring base stations of a mobile network. Calibration data may be collected and stored in memory via a data collection procedure. Known calibration data for locations proximate to the mobile station may be necessary when attempting to geo-locate the mobile station. A geographical region may be calibrated via a standard calibration data collection procedure, however, various obstacles, such as, buildings, mountains, ponds etc. may inevitably create deficiencies in the calibration data for one or more areas of the region. Certain techniques may be applied to estimate the calibration data of areas that have not been properly calibrated.

Abstract: A cellular phone includes, for the sake of privacy protection, a camera for outputting a pick up image in which an operator is photographed, a touch panel to accept designation of at least a partial region of the pick up image, and a control portion to determine a masked region to mask at least a part of the pick up image based on the accepted region, generate a composite image in which the masked region of the pick up image is converted to another image, and transmit the composite image.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit structure includes a dual directional silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) formed in a substrate. The SCR includes first and second P-wells laterally interposed by an N-well. A deep N-well is disposed underneath the P-wells and the N-well. First and second N-type regions are disposed in the first and second P-wells, respectively, and are coupled to a pair of pads. First and second P-type regions are disposed in the first and second P-wells, respectively, are coupled to the pads, and are disposed closer to the N-well than the first and second N-type regions, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure, at least one process chamber, a robot and at least one valve. The enclosure has a gas therein and at least one door configured to cover an opening into the enclosure. The gas includes at least one reduction gas. The robot is disposed within the enclosure and configured to transfer a substrate between the door and the process chamber. The valve is coupled to the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a wireless device has transmitted one or more forged satellite measurements. An estimated location of the wireless device may be determined as a function of information from a cellular network. Acquisition assistance data may be determined for a first set of satellites as a function of the estimated location, the assistance data including an uncertainty window. If measured code phase information in the satellite measurements substantially correlates to the uncertainty window, then the wireless device may be transmitting forged satellite measurements.

Abstract: A tunable duplexer using voltage-controlled varactors is presented. The center frequency, the pass band, and the stop band are each tunable to meet system requirements. A calibration circuit driving digital to analog converters produces the necessary voltages used in the resonant circuits. The tunable duplexer can be fabricated on a single silicon chip. On-chip transformers can be used to reduce the voltage level of signals in the filters to improve the linearity of the duplexer.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus having a plurality of antennas 11-1 to 11-M and for diversity-combining signals received by the antennas 11-1 to 11-M, includes a first combining unit (23, 24) for combining received power of the antennas 11-1 to 11-M based on a first algorithm; a second combining unit (21-1 to 21-M, 22, 23) for combining received power of the antennas 11-1 to 11-M based on a second algorithm, which is different from the first algorithm; a determination unit 15 for determining whether there is a delayed wave based on the received signals; and a control unit 16 for selecting either one of the first combining unit (23, 24) and the second combining unit (21-1 to 21-M, 22, 23) depending on a determination result by the determination unit 15 and controlling a selected combining unit to combine received power of the antennas 11-1 to 11-M.

Abstract: The present invention relates a process for the preparation of catalytic support and the supported metallocene catalysts used in the production of ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers with ?-olefins, of high and ultra high molecular weight with broad molecular weight distribution, in gas or liquid phase polymerization processes, the latter being in slurry, bulk or suspension, and the products obtained from these processes.

Abstract: To evaluate an exact bone mineral density, when a reference bar region in an X-ray picture of a mandible and a reference bar disposed beside the mandible is selected, the mean value and deviation of the brightness of this region are displayed by means of letter groups. When an evaluation object region is selected, the brightness of this region is corrected according to the mean value and deviation of the brightness of the reference bar region and standard mean value and deviation, or, in other words, according to a fixed reference. The corrected brightness is displayed in the form of histogram. Furthermore, the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness are determined, and they are displayed by means of letter groups. The bone mineral density is quantitatively evaluated from the histogram and the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for wireless communication in a producing well system associated with oil and gas production, comprising at least one well bore. The system comprises at least two communication units, the communication units each comprising a transmitter and/or receiver for sending and/or receiving data, at least one, control unit for controlling the communication between the communication units.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides that inhibit expression of human replication-initiation protein as well as methods of preventing or treating hyperproliferative conditions using said oligonucleotides are disclosed. One aspect provides an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits the expression of human replication-initiation protein and has a sequence complementary to at least a portion of a target sequence encoding a human replication-initiation gene. By administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antisense oligonucleotide or by contacting the hyperproliferating cells with an effective amount of one or more antisense oligonucleotides, expression of replication-initiation protein is inhibited. Methods of screening and testing active antisense oligonucleotides for their ability to inhibit gene expression are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the sacrificial layer. A plurality of conductive structures are formed within the sacrificial layer and the first dielectric layer. The sacrificial layer is treated through the first dielectric layer, at least partially removing the sacrificial layer and forming at least one air gap between two of the conductive structures. A surface of the first dielectric layer is treated, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, after the formation of the air gap. A third dielectric layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. At least one opening is formed within the third dielectric layer such that the second dielectric layer substantially protects the first dielectric layer from damage by the step of forming the opening.