Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for enhancing a data signal in reading optical discs, such as holographic data discs. The techniques involve adjusting the position of a detector, or multi-pixel detector, such that the reflection corresponding to a micro-hologram or micro-reflector is enhanced. For example, the detector position may be adjusted to a position where the surface reflection and the micro-hologram reflection constructively interfere, resulting in an amplified micro-hologram reflection signal. Other parameters such as disc reflectivity and detector pinhole size may be adjusted to increase signal enhancement. Furthermore, the detector position may be adjusted to a position where the phases of the surface reflection and the micro-hologram reflection result in a weaker cross term.

Abstract: A memory cell including magnetic materials and heating materials, and methods of programming the memory cell are provided. The memory cell includes a free region, a pinned region, and a heating region configured to generate and transfer heat to the free region when a programming current is directed to the cell. The heat transferred from the heating region increases the temperature of the free region, which decreases the magnetization and the critical switching current density of the free region. In some embodiments, the heating region may also provide a current path to the free region, and the magnetization of the free region may be switched according to the spin polarity of the programming current, programming the memory cell to a high resistance state or a low resistance state.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catenary seal structure may be mechanically supported only by two adjacent rotor wheels to isolate a volume between the two adjacent rotor wheels. The catenary seal structure may be annularly disposed about the rotational axis of the adjacent rotor wheels.

Abstract: A two stroke engine of a particular configuration can have its power output increased by running bigger pistons and using ports in the piston skirt through which to conduct compressed air within the skirt through short passages in the cylinder housing that conduct the air from within the skirt to above the piston. As a result a larger piston can be used for the same spacing and opening size in the block to save the need to redesign the block and the crankshaft. A position adjuster for the piston moves it axially without rotation of the piston ports out of alignment with inlet ports in the housing. The piston rod is held in the crosshead using a flat to prevent rotation while an adjuster nut that is turned creates axial movement in the piston rod with a lock nut securing the final piston position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing shopping-related information to a consumer are provided. Embodiments of the system allow a consumer to create an electronic shopping list by scanning products. In some embodiments, shopping-related information may be obtained for items in the shopping list, such as pricing information, product quality, consumer ratings, and other information that may help a consumer to make an informed purchasing decision. Other embodiments allow a consumer to obtain and compare retail prices offered by several retailers for products in the shopping list. Still other embodiments provide a store-wide network that allows a shopper to scan items in the store, add the scanned items to a shopping list, and then check-out electronically.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided that include multichannel tube configurations designed to promote flow of refrigerant within the multichannel tubes near the edges of the tubes that are contacted first by an external fluid. The tube configurations include flow paths of varying cross-sections, spacings, and sizes. Flow control mechanisms, such as inserts, blocking plates, sleeves, crimped sections, and crushed sections, may be employed with the flow paths to favor flow near the edges of the tubes that are contacted first by an external fluid.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for more reliable reading of optical data disks. In embodiments, a multi-pixel detector that is segmented into multiple areas, or detector segments, may be used to detect a pattern in the light reflected from an optical data disk. The pattern may include light scattered from a single bit that may be under a center detector, as well as light scattered from proximate bits. The detector system may then combine the quantized values from each of the detector segments mathematically to determine the presence or absence of a bit or bits of data. The mathematical combination may also use data that is known about the status of adjacent data bits (such as previously read bits, or bit patterns which are allowed or not allowed by specific data encoding schemes) to improve the accuracy of the bit prediction.

Abstract: A sensor for physiological constituent detection may be adapted to include a mucoadhesive. A sensor is provided that is appropriate for use on mucosal tissue. The mucoadhesive provides a mechanism for holding the sensor on the mucous membrane in order to measure physiological constituent levels in the tissue and blood.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing JFET transistors with improved operating characteristics are provided. Specifically, one or more embodiments of the present invention relate to JFET transistors with a higher diode turn-on voltage. For example, one or more embodiments include a JFET with a PIN gate stack. One or more embodiments also relate to systems and devices in which the improved JFET may be employed, as well as methods of manufacturing the improved JFET.

Abstract: Systems, methods of operating a memory device, and methods of arbitrating access to a memory array in a memory device having an internal processor are provided. In one or more embodiments, conflicts in accessing the memory array are reduced by interfacing an external processor, such as a memory controller, with the internal processor, which could be an embedded ALU, through a control interface. The external processor can control access to the memory array, and the internal processor can send signals to the external processor to request access to the memory array. The signals may also request a particular bank in the memory array. In different embodiments, the external processor and the internal processor communicate via the control interface or a standard memory interface to grant access to the memory array, or to a particular bank in the memory array, for example.

Abstract: Spin current generators and systems and methods for employing spin current generators. A spin current generator may be configured to generate a spin current polarized in one direction, or a spin current selectively polarized in two directions. The spin current generator may by employed in spintronics applications, wherein a spin current is desired.

Abstract: Techniques for differentially enhancing selected areas within a digital image are disclosed. In certain embodiments, one or more attributes of a selected pixel or a group of pixels is determined. Examples of such attributes include color properties, grayscale properties, and/or multi-pixel properties, such as texture. In certain embodiments, the attribute may be used in conjunction with the properties of a modification tool, such as a brush, to selectively modify pixels having the attribute value or a similar attribute value.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes at least one sector comprising a first control logic configured to set the value of a first register, the first register having a default value before it is set, and a non-default value after it is set, and a first command to be read sequentially after the sector. The first command is configured to direct the player to play a first content on the article if the first register is set to the default value and to direct the player to play a second content on the article if the first register is set to the non-default value. The optical article includes a mark containing an optical state change material disposed on the sector, wherein the mark is in one of a first optical state or a second optical state, and wherein the first control logic can be read only when the mark is in the second optical state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for applying lens shading correction to image data captured by an image sensor are provided. In one embodiment, multiple lens shading adaptation functions, each modeled based on the response of a color channel to a reference illuminant, are provided. An image frame from the image data may be analyzed to select a lens shading adaptation function corresponding to a reference illuminant that most closely matches a current illuminant. The selected lens shading function may then be used to adjust a set of lens shading parameters.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring body fluid-related metrics using spectrophotometry to facilitate therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring body fluid balance. The specific body fluid-related metrics include the absolute volume fraction of water in the extravascular and intravascular tissue compartments, as well as the shifts of water between these two compartments. The absolute volume fraction of water is determined using algorithms where received radiation measured at two or more wavelengths are combined to form either a single ratio, a sum of ratios or ratio of ratios, in which the received radiation in the numerator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the received radiation in the denominator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the sum of the absorbances of non-herne proteins, lipids and water in tissue. The difference between the fraction of water in the intravascular fluid volume and extravascular fluid volume compartments are also determined.

Abstract: A scanning imaging system is provided. The scanning imaging system comprises an illumination source for illuminating a sample with an excitation light, a filter to block emission light wavelengths from the illumination source. Further, the scanning imaging system comprises a SSPM module comprising a solid state photo multiplier to detect a photon flux and generate electrical signals based on impinging photons; a conditioning circuit to accumulate charge from the SSPM and a micro-controller to change a bias voltage applied to the SSPM to achieve a higher signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The present techniques relate to catalyst compositions, methods, and polymers encompassing a Group 4 metallocene compound comprising bridged ?5-cyclopentadienyl-type ligands, typically in combination with a cocatalyst, and an activator. The bridged ?5-cyclopentadienyl-type ligands are connected by a cyclic substituent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosed method includes receiving a user selection of a machine system type from a plurality of machine system types, where the system types corresponding to specific machine component combination. The method also includes configuring alarms based on the machine system type, configuring calculations of vibration parameters based on the machine system type, wherein the calculations are adjusted for the machine system type, and configuring diagnostic information based on the machine system type.

Abstract: A technique of providing wireless network service utilizes an initial threshold to determine whether a signal received from a cellular device is of sufficient strength to warrant further processing. The technique may be implemented in a power controller of a base station, where the power controller includes an outer loop power control and an inner loop power control. The outer loop power control determines the strength of the received signal and compares it to an initial threshold. If the signal strength is below the initial threshold, the outer loop power control does not process the signal further. However, if the signal strength is above the initial threshold, the outer loop power control determines whether the signal contains any errors. If not, the signal is processed normally.

Abstract: A memory in a sensor is used to store multiple coefficients for a physiological parameter. In one embodiment, not only are the sensor's specific calibration coefficients stored in a memory in the sensor for the formula to determine oxygen saturation, but multiple sets of coefficients are stored. The multiple sets apply to different ranges of saturation values to provide a better fit to occur by breaking the R to SpO2 relationship up into different pieces, each described by a different function. The different functions can also be according to different formulas for determining oxygen saturation.