Abstract: A pop up prism camera (10) having a pop up prism lens assembly (11). A first lens assembly (14), a second lens assembly (18), and a prism assembly (21) are moved in relationship to a camera housing (12) controlled by a cam tube (20). The prism assembly (21) projects outside the camera housing (12) when the pop up prism camera (10) is in an operational configuration. A prism (100) of the prism assembly (21) redirects an optical path (48). A non-angled portion (44) of a first cam groove (30) causes the prism assembly (21) to remain fixed relative to the camera housing (12) while continued rotation of the cam tube (20) allows the first lens assembly (14) and the second lens assembly (18) to continue to move to accomplish a lens zoom function.

Abstract: A multiplexed pixel display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of storage elements, a first voltage supply terminal, a second voltage supply terminal, a common electrode, and a plurality of multiplexers each selectively coupling an associated one of the pixel electrodes with one of the first voltage supply terminal and the second voltage supply terminal responsive to a value of a data bit stored in an associated one of said storage elements. A controller is configured to sequentially write each bit of multi-bit data words to the storage elements, and assert, while each bit is stored in the storage elements, a first predetermined voltage on the first voltage supply terminal, a second predetermined voltage on the second voltage supply terminal, and a third predetermined voltage on the common electrode, for a time dependent on the significance of the stored bit. Various alternate controllers facilitate the use of additional driving schemes.

Abstract: A device includes a logic circuit having first, second, and third input ports, a first output port, and a feedback path between the first output port and the third input port. In a first operating state, a logic state change at the first input port triggers a logic state change at the first output port, but a logic state change at the third input port does not trigger a logic state change at the first output port. This allows signals to be routed through the device. In a second operating state, a logic state change of the third input port triggers a logic state change of the first output port. This change is fed back, delayed by a time value, to the third input to maintain an oscillation with at least two edges. The frequency of this oscillation is used to determine a value of a measurement variable.

Abstract: (Problems) To provide an integrated circuit having the wiring structure including pads with a small wiring area and capable of highly integrating elements, a solid image pickup element having the wiring structure, and an imaging device having the solid image pickup element.

Abstract: A medical image management system includes: a medical imaging device for imaging a patient to receive a medical treatment and creating a medical moving picture; and a recording unit for recording the medical moving picture imaged by the medical imaging device. The system further includes: a measurement unit for measuring biological information on a person who performs the medical treatment; and an indexing unit for adding an index to the medical moving picture recorded in the recording unit, according to the measurement result obtained by the measurement unit. By providing this system, it is possible to add an index to the medical moving picture recorded, according to the change of the biological information on the person who performs medical treatment on a patient.

Abstract: A novel camera module includes a housing having a lens unit receiving portion and an image capture device receiving portion, which includes a plurality of discrete support members. A lens unit is coupled to the lens unit receiving portion of the housing. An image capture device has a top surface, which includes an image sensor array. The top surface of the image capture device contacts the bottom of the discrete support members of the housing to align the tilt of the image capture device with respect to the housing. In a particular embodiment, the image capture device is mounted on a surface of a circuit substrate that is coupled to the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the housing is coupled directly to the image capture device.

Abstract: Footwear with an embedded tracking device includes a sole and an upper. The tracking device is disposed in a cavity formed in the top surface of the sole. A wireless communication antenna and/or a location signal antenna is disposed on the upper. The antenna(s) is/are connected to the tracking device via a flexible circuit substrate. In a particular embodiment, the location signal antenna is a passive, directional GPS antenna supported in an upwardly facing position in the heel portion of the upper. A method for manufacturing footwear with an embedded tracking device is also disclosed. The method includes providing a footwear upper, incorporating an antenna in the footwear upper, providing a footwear sole, fixing the footwear upper to the footwear sole, incorporating a tracking device into the footwear sole, and connecting the tracking device to the antenna.

Abstract: A method for writing data to a display includes the steps of receiving a plurality of data bits, where each bit is associated with a different pixel of the display, reading the value of each data bit, determining whether each data bits has an off-state value, and generating a disable signal if each data bit has an off-state value. Responsive to a disable signal, the method further includes suspending the transfer of data to the pixels of the display, turning off a light source (e.g., an LED, laser, etc.) for a time period dependent on the significance of at least one of the data bits, and/or forcing each pixel of the display into an off state for a time period dependent on the significance of at least one of the data bits. A display driver circuit for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A water hammerless valve includes a pneumatically-operated valve having a valve disc for opening and closing a fluid channel by moving upward and downward through a pneumatic actuator operation, and a limiting mechanism for interfering with upward movement of the valve disc when the water hammer occurs. The limiting mechanism includes a stepping motor including a rotation shaft fixed on the upper actuator; a vertical movement component connected to the rotation shaft for moving upward and downward via rotation of the rotation shaft; a lower detecting component for detecting the fact that the vertical movement component contacts the upper end of a stem when the lower detecting component moves downward; and a control device for rotating the stepping motor, for controlling the air supply, and for transmitting a stop signal to the stepping motor when the lower end of the lower detecting component detects the fact.

Abstract: A solidified biomass consisting of semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter is pressure-formed from raw biomass material while being heated and has a maximum compressive strength of 60-200 MPa and calorific value of 18-23 MJ/kg. A method for producing the solidified biomass: includes crushing raw biomass material; loading a barrel with the crushed raw biomass material; inserting a pressure applying piston into a hollow of the barrel; pressure-forming the crushed raw biomass materials by applying pressure with the pressure applying piston while heating the material; obtaining semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter by retaining constant time of the heating and the pressurizing; cooling the semi-carbonized or pre-semi-carbonized solid matter while maintaining pressure to obtain a cooled solid; and taking out and drying the cooled solid, wherein the pressure applying piston and the hollow of the barrel have very small clearance between their outer and inner peripheries.

Abstract: A novel ankle gapping device includes a lower leg engaging apparatus, a foot engaging apparatus, and a biasing member disposed between the lower leg engaging apparatus and the foot engaging apparatus. The leg engaging apparatus is adapted to securely engage a user's leg such that the leg engaging apparatus will remain stationary when the biasing member exerts an upward force thereon. The foot engaging apparatus is contoured to fit the user's foot. In a particular embodiment, the biasing member is a pneumatic biasing member, such as an inflatable tube that is actuated by a pump. As the pump provides compressed air (or some other fluid) to the biasing member, the pressure inside the biasing member increases, causing an increase in the volume of the biasing member. This pressure and volume increase exerts an upward force via the leg engaging apparatus to the lower leg, and a downward force via the foot engaging apparatus to the foot.

Abstract: A device for detecting an approach or a touch related to at least one sensor element, in particular in an electrical appliance, the device comprising an input side and an output side, between which a first signal path with a first input and a first output and a second signal path with a second input and a second output are arranged, wherein the first signal path comprises a delay device with a delay, the delay device configured to delay a digital first input signal at the first input into a digital first output signal at the first output, wherein the delay is dependent on a capacitance value resulting from the approach or the touch related to the sensor element, and wherein the second signal path comprises an XOR-element, which is configured to generate an edge in a digital second output signal at the second output, when the digital first output signal outputted by the delay device exhibits an edge.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a liquid crystal alignment layer between the substrate and the liquid crystal layer, a barrier layer between the liquid crystal alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer, and a gasket formed around the perimeter of the liquid crystal layer and abutting the barrier layer. The gasket has a width less than or equal to 400 micrometers. A second substrate also includes a liquid crystal alignment layer and a barrier layer formed over the liquid crystal alignment layer. The gasket also abuts the barrier layer of the second substrate. In a particular embodiment, the substrate is a reflective display backplane, and the second substrate is a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode layer. The gasket of the present invention is much narrower than gaskets of the prior art, which enables LCD devices to be made smaller and cheaper because more LCD devices can be produced per wafer.

Abstract: A system comprises a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container; an operation center; and a device (e.g., a lock) outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors (possibly using a wireless standard) and with the operation center (possibly using a satellite or cellular network), capable of receiving the sensor information, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center. The sensor network may include an arrangement of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radioactivity sensors, chemical/biological toxin sensors, chemical explosive sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, collision sensors, and/or light sensors. The device may include a communication module capable of communicating with other device on other containers. The operation center may monitor messages received from the devices to determine proper responses.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communication with a tracking device are disclosed. An example tracking device includes a location detector, a communication device, memory, a processor, and a configuration routine. The location detector is operative to determine locations of the tracking device. The communication device is operative to communicate with a remote system. The memory stores data and code, the data including location data determined by the location detector and configuration data. The processor is operative to execute the code to impart functionality to the tracking device. The functionality of the tracking device depends at least in part on the configuration data. The configuration routine is operative to modify the configuration data responsive to communications from the remote system. Thus, functional access to the tracking device is provided to the remote system.

Abstract: The invention involves a papilloma pseudovirus that can induce immune response after oral intake as well as its preparation. It is characterized in that HPV or BPV pseudovirus are made by disrupting HPV-VLP or BPV-VLP, mixing them with plasmids (plasmids or DNA vaccine), and reassembling them into the pseudoviruses (VLPs with plasmids inside). Oral administration of the pseudoviruses will result in delivery to mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues and induce immune responses for disease prevention and treatment. The pseudovirus induces stronger immune response than DNA vaccines. Additionally, the pseudovirus can be applied in gene therapy by bringing the therapeutic genes into lymphoid tissues in the human body.

Abstract: A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a circuit substrate, a lens unit and a housing that is mounted to the circuit substrate before the image capture device is mounted to the circuit substrate. In one particular embodiment, the housing is formed onto the circuit substrate via molding. The housing includes a bore to receive the lens unit, with the diameter of the bore being larger than the diagonal of the image capture device such that image capture device can be mounted to the circuit substrate through the bore. In another particular embodiment, the circuit substrate includes an aperture so as to facilitate the flip-chip bonding of the image capture device. The order in which the image capture device and the housing are coupled to the circuit substrate helps prevent damage to the image capture device during the mounting of the housing to the circuit substrate.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a digital camera includes dispersing white light through a test device to generate a color dispersion image including a plurality of different wavelengths of light; capturing a test image of the color dispersion image; obtaining intensity values corresponding to at least two of the different wavelengths of light from the test image; and comparing the intensity values to expected intensity values. The test device may include a color dispersion medium, e.g., a variable band pass filter, and/or a light transmission medium. The method may further include obtaining at least two different values corresponding to an intensity pattern image containing a plurality of intensities of undispersed light transmitted through a light transmission medium.

Abstract: A method of providing sense perception to an electronic system includes capturing a plurality of data sets, each data set representing an observation of a scene from a different perspective, comparing the data sets to identify invariants in the data sets, comparing the invariants to identify objects including the invariants, comparing the identified invariants and objects to other identified invariants and objects to identify additional objects including invariants not yet included in previously identified objects, and outputting data indicative of the identified objects and invariants. The different perspectives can be temporal (e.g., time sequenced), positional (e.g., movement of sensors), etc. The data sets can include data indicative of optical images, sound, and/or any other type of sensory data. The invariants can be data representations of color patches in an optical image. The data sets can include data indicative of at least three different types of sense perceptions.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for verifying a commercial transaction between a card-holder, a merchant, and a credit card company. The card-holder makes a purchase with the merchant using a full credit card number. The merchant submits a transaction approval request for approval with the credit card company. The credit card company executes conventional credit approval of the transaction approval request, as well as verifies the transaction approval request with the card-holder. An approval is sent to the merchant only after the transaction approval request is both conventionally approved by the credit card company and verified by the card-holder. The card-holder, or the credit card company, may initiate verification of the transaction approval request. The transaction approval request can also be automatically verified if one or many pre-verification criteria is/are satisfied by data contained in the transaction approval request.