Abstract: The present invention provides a process and system for identifying a person. According to the inventive method, and with the aid of the system, a sensor is used to capture biometric characteristics of a person to be identified. Identification data is extracted and the identification data of the person to be identified is compared to reference data in a database. In a preferred embodiment, an image is taken of creases in the skin of the person to be identified, reference crease data having been taken beforehand and stored in a database, and a first recognition is effected by means of the skin crease image in a filtering stage. After this first recognition, the reference data of the database may be filtered using other biometric characteristics, with continuing recognition using these other characteristics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transient blocking relying on a transient blocking device and a sampling circuit. The transient blocking device has at least one depletion mode n-channel device interconnected with at least one depletion mode p-channel device such that a transient alters a bias voltage Vp of the depletion mode p-channel device and a bias voltage Vn of the depletion mode n-channel device in such a manner that the depletion mode devices mutually switch off to block the transient. The sampling circuit is interconnected with the depletion mode p-channel device and the depletion mode n-channel device to determine whether the transient persists. In the event of a persistent transient, the sampling circuit uses a disconnect element for permanently blocking the transient blocking device.

Abstract: Methods for double auctions that permit bargaining between buyers and sellers as part of the price determination process may be implemented using a computer network connecting the buyers and sellers to a central market system. The central market computer system receives bids, determines matches between the buyers and sellers, and computes a price range for each of the matches. The matches and price ranges are communicated to the buyers and sellers, permitting matching sellers and buyers to bargain on a final price.

Abstract: The application concerns prototyped custom Programmable Logic Devices (Pills) for Boolean satisfiability (SAT) problems. This approach is based on the use of clause evaluation circuits (CECs), which indicate whether or not a single variable of the clause is asserted by the clause, and variable evaluation circuits (VECs), which identify the asserted variable of a clause having exactly one variable asserted by the clause. Scaling is provided by the use of partial CEC and VEC circuits.

Abstract: A method for assisting multi-tasking computer users includes receiving from a user a specification of a task being performed by the user or an indication of completion of a task, collecting state changes in multiple executing programs, predicting a current task being performed by the user based on a recent state change event, a past specification of a task being performed by the user, and past events and associated tasks. Based on the predicted current task, user interface elements in multiple executing programs are adapted to facilitate performance of the task. The method may also allow a user to specify a new task based on a task template derived from a completed task to facilitate completion of the new task. The task templates also may be shared among users, and active tasks may also be team tasks shared among users.

Abstract: Described herein are temperature-controllable devices, and methods for using them. In some variations, the devices comprise a fluid passageway region, which is configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough, and a splint. The splint may be moldable to at least a portion of a subject's anatomy, e.g., a nose. In other variations, the devices comprise a fluid passageway region configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough, and an absorbent pad. In some variations, the devices comprise three layers, in which two of the layers form a fluid passageway region and the third layer forms a pocket or pouch. In this way, the pouch may be configured to receive at least one splint therein, e.g., in order to provide support to an injured area such as a nose. Methods for using the devices to treat an injured area are also described. Kits are also described.

Abstract: A tissue-stapling device for repairing tissue is provided. The device has two guiding elements movable with respect to each other. Self-deployable wings are located on the outside of the inner guiding element, which are used for stabilizing tissue parts with respect to the device. A self-deployable clip with two or more edges can be advanced through the inner guiding element and is capable of penetrating the tissue parts. The self-deployable clip is sized so that it can be positioned against the tissue parts. The device further includes a clip penetrating mechanism that is capable of moving through the inner guiding element and is capable of penetrating the clip through the tissue parts and therewith securing the tissue parts clipped or stapled together.

Abstract: Methods for compression molding through holes in polymer layers are provided, as are the resulting patterned polymer layers. Two key aspects of the invention are provision of a mold and substrate having different mechanical hardness, and provision of room for local flow of material. These aspects of the invention facilitate formation of through holes by compression molding that are not blocked or partially blocked by undesirable material. These polymer layers can be formed into three dimensional patterned structures by bonding patterned layers together. Since the layers include through holes, a three-dimensional polymer pattern can be formed. These patterned polymer layers and three dimensionally patterned polymer constructs have a wide variety of applications. For example, these constructs can be used for fabrication of micro-fluidic devices, and/or can be used for various medical and biological applications including drug delivery devices and tissue engineering devices.

Abstract: A network-based system for routing data between software applications with access to the network is taught, the system including at least one router connected to the network for routing between applications and the router, software in the router for creating and deleting routes and for converting incoming data of differing markup languages into a common format, at least one client device connected to the network, the device adapted for communication with the router, and software in the client device for determining how data sent to its host device is rendered for use by the device. The client device receives data from the router in the form of the common format wherein the receiving device reads the data, builds an object model from logic instructions embedded in the data and executes the object model to implement the logic at the device for data rendering.

Abstract: An optically controlled microfluidic chip is provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The chip is made of at least one unit or pixel, each of which constitutively emits fluid in the dark, and reduces emission of fluid in response to light. The individual pixels are capable of being individually controlled, thereby translating a spatial pattern of incident light into a spatial pattern of neuronal stimulation. Each pixel contains a housing, an aperture in the housing, and a reservoir containing fluid that is connected to the aperture. The aperture is designed to allow continuous emission of fluid from the reservoir through the aperture when the pixel is in the dark. Each pixel also includes an optical control, which reduces the emission of fluid from the reservoir through the aperture in response to light.

Abstract: A hook-up assistant (HUA) capable of assisting people in hooking up with other people, in various business and social settings, and of achieving decision-making, planning, and commitment activities asynchronously, thereby advantageously off-loading an event requester's tedious tasks of communicating with multiple potential participants and resource/service providers for an intended event/activity. The HUA effectively eliminates “phone tag” problems and beyond, by enabling a user to simply “make a wish,” e.g., “make an event happen.” The HUA takes appropriate actions to “make the wish a reality,” i.e., contacting all parties involved, determining mutually agreeable dates, times, arranging necessary devices, resources, and services, securing reservations, purchasing admission tickets, etc., to ensure all parties involved can actually participate in the event at the planned time and place.

Abstract: A directional balloon is provided that can be used for a medical intervention of a body lumen. In one aspect, the directional balloon inflates in a distal to proximal direction and deflates in a proximal to distal direction. In another aspect, the directional balloon inflates in a proximal to distal direction and deflates in a distal to proximal direction. The directional balloon is capable of providing an occlusive seal to protect against embolization. A suction catheter with a control means is provided to provide suction in a controlled fashion in a body lumen. The suction catheter is used during periods of a medical intervention that risks distal embolization. When turned on, the suction catheter is capable of removing unwanted materials. The suction means could be operated by a control means.

Abstract: This invention discloses a loudspeaker 100 that includes a casing 110, a drive assembly 111 with a magnetic core 112, and an induction (voice) coil 113 attached to a first rigid plate 114 for the transmission of vibrations to a support 300. The first rigid plate 114 is attached to the casing 110 by a second plate 115 used for the suspension and the radial positioning of the voice coil 113, and elastic studs 116, used for the elastic suspension of the first rigid plate 114 in relation to the casing 110. By virtue of the invention a room can be transformed easily into an auditorium.

Abstract: The devices presented herein are capacitive sensors with single crystal silicon on all key stress points. Isolating trenches are formed by trench and refill forming dielectrically isolated conductive silicon electrodes for drive, sense and guards. For pressure sensing devices according to the invention, the pressure port is opposed to the electrical wire bond pads for ease of packaging. Dual-axis accelerometers measuring in plane acceleration and out of plane acceleration are also described. A third axis in plane is easy to achieve by duplicating and rotating the accelerometer 90 degrees about its out of plane axis Creating resonant structures, angular rate sensors, bolometers, and many other structures are possible with this process technology. Key advantages are hermeticity, vertical vias, vertical and horizontal gap capability, single crystal materials, wafer level packaging, small size, high performance and low cost.

Abstract: Improved ease of mode matching to a passive optical cavity is provided by selecting a cavity design that has a predetermined deviation from a reference cavity design having high transverse mode degeneracy. This predetermined deviation tends to be small, so that the first overlap of high-order transverse modes with the lowest order transverse mode in frequency occurs at relatively high transverse mode numbers. Coupling to high-order transverse modes is thereby reduced, since high-order transverse modes having relatively high transverse mode numbers tend to be more difficult to couple to, and tend to have high loss. During assembly of such a cavity, it can be useful to apply a perturbation to the cavity to further optimize mode matching. For example, the length of an enclosed cavity can be adjusted by altering the number and/or length of spacers in the cavity housing.

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly (1) comprising an electrolyte layer (2) having a frame (21) and an electrolyte (22) retained in the frame, a pair of separators (5, 6) are bonded to the electrolyte layer by that a metallic material (27) is deposited on one of the frame and each separator and a laser beam is irradiated onto the metallic material through the frame or the separator in a state that the frame and each separator contact each other whereby the metallic material forms a eutectic with the other of the frame and each separator.

Abstract: An electro-optic semiconductor device (e.g., an optical modulator) having side access and beam propagation within the device is provided. Side access for the optical input and/or output facilitates disposition of electronic circuitry and/or heat sinking structures on the top and bottom surfaces of the modulator. Internal beam propagation instead of internal waveguiding advantageously simplifies optical coupling and alignment to the modulator. Interaction length within the device is preferably enhanced by passing through the device active region at a relatively shallow angle. The internally propagating beam is reflected from a reflective face parallel to the device active region. The side faces can be perpendicular or tilted with respect to the reflective face. Tilted side faces are preferably tilted to provide external beam paths parallel to the reflective face. Internal reflection from an angled side face can be employed to provide configurations having one side port and one top or bottom port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical characterization based on symmetry-reduced 2-D RCWA calculations are provided. The invention is applicable to gratings having a grating reflection symmetry plane. A sample can be illuminated at normal incidence or at a non-zero angle of incidence such that the plane of incidence is parallel to or identical with the symmetry plane. The diffracted field components are either symmetric or anti-symmetric with respect to the grating symmetry plane. This symmetry is exploited to provide a symmetry-reduced 2-D RCWA having reduced matrix dimension (by about a factor of two) that is mathematically equivalent to a conventional 2-D RCWA. For normal incidence on a grating having two reflection symmetry planes, a symmetry-reduced 2-D RCWA having reduced matrix dimension (by about a factor of four) is provided. This normal incidence RCWA can be used to approximately characterize a sample illuminated at non-normal incidence.

Abstract: Improved integrated circuit (IC) design optimization in the physical design stage after detail routing is provided. A geotopological layout representation is employed, in which some nets are represented by their determined geometrical wiring paths and other nets by their respective wiring topology. In the IC design flow, a routed layout with geometrical wiring paths is transformed into a geotopological layout. All layout modifications are then performed according to the geotopological layout. An embedded design rule checker ensures layout validity. Finally, a new geometrical layout is regenerated accordingly, including all the layout changes for the targeted optimization. This geotopological approach enables an IC designer to modify a routed layout for various optimization targets, while maintaining the exact routing paths of critical nets that are not modifiable.

Abstract: A distributed acoustic reverberator including a network audio connection between at least two separated locations is provided. When a sound is emitted at one of the locations, the reverberator provides a reverberation signal to that location with a procedure. An algorithm implemented by the distributed reverberator includes such a procedure for each location. The delay of the network connection is an input to the procedures. Thus, a shared and acoustically consistent space including the separated locations is provided. The reverberator may include procedures for providing a reverberation signal to one location responsive to sound at another location.