Abstract: Media sharing using contact data involves identifying contact records on a personal electronic device of a user. Each of the contact records includes a contact address of a person associated with the respective contact record. The contact records are communicated to a media sharing service via a network. Media items of the user are sent to the sharing service. One or more of the contact records are associated with each of the media items. A notification is sent to the persons associated with the one or more contact records. The notification describes sharing of the media items associated with the contact records. The sharing service facilitates access to the media items by the persons associated with the contact records in response to the persons receiving the notification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate and a seed layer comprising a Ni alloy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to generate a data map for a data storage device. A data map may be generated by scanning, during a power-on initialization process, data units of data stored on a data storage medium of a data storage device. The scanning may start from a selected data unit and proceed through the data units in an order opposite to a write order to identify a first data unit that is not fully erased. Also. an error recovery status of the first data unit may be determined based on an error correction code. A likely erased status of the first data unit may be assigned when the determined error recovery status is unrecoverable.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence comprising an independent sequence of image frames, wherein at least one reference image frame is predictable from at least one previous image frame that is earlier than the previous reference image frame in decoding order. An indication of at least one image frame is encoded into the video sequence, which indicated image frame is the first image frame, in decoding order, of the independent sequence, said at least one reference image frame being included in the sequence. In the decoding phase, the indication of at least one image frame is decoded from the video sequence, and the decoding of the video sequence is started from said first image frame of the independent sequence, whereby the video sequence is decoded without prediction from any image frame decoded prior to said first image frame.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting capture using pacing artifact cancellation are described. One or more pacing artifact templates are provided and a cardiac signal is sensed in a cardiac verification window. Each of the pacing artifact templates may characterize the pacing artifact associated with a particular pacing energy level, for example. A particular pacing artifact template is canceled from the cardiac signal. Capture is determined using the pacing artifact canceled cardiac signal. Detection of fusion/pseudofusion beats may be accomplished by comparing a cardiac signal to a captured response template.

Abstract: A signal detection scheme is provided. According to the provided signal detection scheme, a received signal is correlated in a frequency domain with a reference signal. Additionally, the reception power of the received signal is calculated and the correlation value is normalized with the reception power. Therefore, a single threshold value may be used regardless of the reception power of the received signal when comparing the correlation between the received signal and the reference signal with the threshold value in order to determine whether the received signal is a desired signal or noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing features or functions of an implantable cardiac device involve forming a baseline evoked response template prior to delivery of defibrillation therapy to a patient's heart, and acquiring a post-shock evoked response signal subsequent to defibrillation therapy delivery. The baseline evoked response template is compared to the post-shock evoked response signal. A determination is made whether to enable, disable or adjust a cardiac device feature based on the comparison. The cardiac device feature may be a therapy feature, a monitoring feature, or a diagnostic feature.

Abstract: An implantable product includes an optical cavity structure with first and second parts, each of which can operate as an optical cavity. The first part includes a container with at least one opening through which bodily fluid can transfer between the container's interior and exterior when the product is implanted in a body. The second part includes a container that is closed and contains a reference fluid. The implantable product can also include one or both of a light source component and a photosensing component. Photosensed quantities from the first part's output light can be adjusted based on photosensed quantities from the second part's output light. Both parts can have their light interface surfaces aligned so that they both receive input light from a light source component and both provide output light to a photosensing component.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, an optical transducer includes at least three optically conductive blades arranged symmetrically about a center gap. The optical transducer is adapted to receive polarized light from a light source and to focus the polarized light onto a recording medium while conserving polarization of the polarized light.

Abstract: Methods and systems are directed to detecting atrial tachyarrhythmia. A plurality of A-A intervals is detected. The detected A-A intervals are selected and used to detect atrial tachyarrhythmia. Selecting A-A intervals may be based on determining that A-A intervals are qualified. Qualified A-A intervals may be determined if a duration of the particular A-A interval falls outside a predetermined duration range, for example. Qualified A-A intervals may also be determined based on events occurring between consecutively sensed atrial events of the particular A-A interval, and whether the duration of the particular A-A interval falls within the predetermined duration range, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a camera unit, comprising an image sensor (10), a mechanical shutter (16), a host module (12), and connections between them, in particular a data and control connection (D1, C1) between the image sensor and the host unit. In the image sensor (10), there is a photoelectric pixel matrix (101), a timing unit controlling it, an electronic shutter (ERS), and a ‘global reset’ circuit for resetting the pixels simultaneously. The said data and control connection comprises: a data connection (D1) based on a series bus, a control connection (C1) based on a series bus, and a global-reset signal connection (G1, G2) separate from these. The invention also relates to a method for controlling an image sensor in a camera unit.

Abstract: A layered structure can be formed having immobilized or segregated pH buffering groups that can be used to separate carbon dioxide or other gases. The pH buffering groups can be immobilized within a matrix, confined within a gel, or segregated by a semi-permeable membrane. The pH buffering groups can be configured to increase the efficiency of the system by maintaining a desirable pH profile within the cell and to permit the flow of the carbon-containing ions within the system while controlling diffusion of protons and/or hydroxyl ions.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying capture in the heart involves the use of pacing artifact templates. One or more pacing artifact templates characterizing a post pace artifact signal associated with a particular pace voltage or range of voltages are provided. A pacing artifact template is canceled from a cardiac signal sensed following a pacing pulse. Capture is detected by comparing the pacing artifact canceled cardiac signal to an evoked response reference. Fusion/pseudofusion detection involves determining a correlation between a captured response template and a sensed cardiac signal.

Abstract: Cardiac systems and methods using ECG and blood information for arrhythmia detection and discrimination. Detection circuitry is configured to produce an ECG. An implantable blood sensor configured to produce a blood sensor signal is coupled to a processor. The processor is coupled to the detection and energy delivery circuitry, and used to evaluate and treat cardiac rhythms using both the cardiac electrophysiologic and blood sensor signals. The blood sensor is configured for subcutaneous non-intrathoracic placement and provided in or on the housing, on a lead coupled to the housing, and/or separate to the housing and coupled to the processor via hardwire or wireless link. The blood sensor may be configured for optical sensing, using a blood oxygen saturation sensor or pulse oximeter. A cardiac rhythm may be evaluated using the electrocardiogram signal and the blood sensor signal, and tachyarrhythmias may be treated after confirmation using the blood sense signal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a patterned recording medium includes providing a workpiece with a non-magnetic substrate and at least one overlying magnetic layer, laminating a thermal insulation barrier partially in a soft under layer of one of the at least one magnetic layers and forming a topographical pattern including a plurality of trenches in the soft under layer. Blocks of track triplets are formed between adjacent trenches that are magnetically and thermally insulated from other adjacent blocks of track triplets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a wireless interface of a first electronic device, comprising establishing a wired connection with a second electronic device having a wireless interface; negotiating, via said connection, a configuration for said wireless interface with said second electronic device, said configuration enabling a wireless connection between said first and said second electronic device; and configuring said wireless interface of said first electronic device according to said configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing participation in gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple hands may be played concurrently.

Abstract: A method includes programming a non-volatile memory. The memory includes a plurality of cells, wherein each cell is configured to store a plurality of values, wherein each of value is represented by N digits where N is an integer greater than 1, wherein each of the plurality of cells is further configured to store electric charge representing a plurality of voltage levels, and wherein each of the plurality of voltage levels represents one of the plurality of values. Programming comprises providing the plurality of voltage levels into a first group of voltage levels and a second group of voltage levels in one of the plurality of cells, wherein a highest voltage level of the first group is less than or substantially equal to a lowest voltage level of the second group, and storing, in the first group of voltage levels, electric charge representing a value comprising, at most, N-1 digits.

Abstract: A data storage device, e.g., a disc drive, includes one or more heads including a transducer. Each head also includes a deformable material that allows the spacing adjustments between the transducer and a data storage medium, e.g., a data storage disc, according to each of a plurality of settings. The device calculates a response function of a spacing change to a setting change for each head by measuring a change in the pole tip-data storage medium spacing corresponding to at least two settings. The device also determines an optimal setting. The device may also repeat response function calculations and/or determination of optimal settings to ensure continued optimal performance of the device. In summary, the device sets an optimal setting for each head according to a calculated response function particular to each head.