Abstract: An image deskew system and techniques are used in the context of optical character recognition. An image is obtained of an original set of characters in an original linear (horizontal) orientation. An acquired set of characters, which is skewed relative to the original linear orientation by a rotation angle, is represented by pixels of the image. The rotation angle is estimated, and a confidence value may be associated with the estimation, to determine whether to deskew the image. In connection with rotation angle estimation, an edge detection filter is applied to the acquired set of characters to produce an edge map, which is input to a linear hough transform filter to produce a set of output lines in parametric form. The output lines are assigned scores, and based on the scores, at least one output line is determined to be a dominant line with a slope approximating the rotation angle.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides medical devices that comprise an elongated drug delivery member, which is adapted to take on a radially expanded configuration upon actuation in vivo.

Abstract: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in the muscle layer of the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The at least one implant inhibits opening of esophagus at the lower esophageal sphincter and causes the mucosal layer to appose in the vicinity of the implants.

Abstract: A honeypot in a computer network is configured for use with a wide variety of computing resources that are defined by a network administrator or user which may include desktop and network resources such as address book contacts, instant messaging contacts, active directory user accounts, IP addresses, and files that contain particular content or that are stored in particular locations. The resources may be real for which protection against leakage is desired, or fake to operate as bait to lure and detect malicious attacks. The honeypot is implemented in an extensible manner so that virtually any resource may be honeypotted to apply honeypot benefits to resources beyond static IP addresses in order to improve both the breadth of information leakage prevention and the detection of malicious attacks.

Abstract: Platforms and techniques for defining, authorizing/authenticating, distributing, and presenting dynamic device experiences using a number of hierarchically-related, declarative language data structures, such as extensible markup language (“XML”) elements or attributes. A dynamic device experience is presented when two electronic devices are in communication via a communication medium. The data structures are processed to present a graphical user interface to a user—the graphical user interface implements a dynamic device experience associated with the other electronic device. In one exemplary scenario, independent hardware vendors (“IHVs”) author XML documents that include device experience information (such as branding or advertising information, access to Web services or applications, and access to device functionality), in the form of items of data stored in the data structures.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical device is provided which comprises a metallic substrate and polymeric region disposed over and in contact with the metallic substrate. The polymeric region comprises (a) a block copolymer that comprises (i) a hard polymer block that comprises a high Tg monomer and (ii) a soft polymer block that comprises a low Tg monomer, (b) an adhesion promoting copolymer that comprises (i) a first monomer that covalently or non-covalently bonds with the metallic substrate and (ii) a second monomer that is compatible with the low Tg monomer and/or the high Tg monomer and (c) a therapeutic agent. The polymeric region may further comprise an optional polymer that is used to tailor the release rate of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Network-side and client-side systems and techniques for managing metadata items describing digital media content available from a number of digital media content sources are described. Disparate metadata items are collected and transcribed based on a common format. The common format facilitates computerized cataloging, searching, and presentation of relevant metadata and/or digital content via a wide variety of client-side devices. The common format includes: a portion for storing descriptive data derived from the original metadata items; a portion for storing data specific to the digital media content source supplying the original metadata; and a services specifier portion used for accessing specific digital media content. The common format may be used to identify relationships between transcribed items of metadata based on virtually unlimited selection criteria, and to facilitate the creation and presentation to users of data sets of related metadata and/or digital media content.

Abstract: Methods are provided for loading polymeric regions of medical devices with therapeutic agents. In these methods, a polymeric region of a medical device is first pretreated with a solvent system. Subsequently, therapeutic-agent-containing particles are impacted into the pretreated polymeric region at a velocity that is effective to at least partially embed the particles within the pretreated polymeric region. The pretreatment step parameters (e.g., the particular solvent system employed, amount of time that the solvent system contacts the polymeric region, etc.) are typically selected such that the surface tack of the polymeric region is increased. Consequently, the depth, the amount, or both the depth and the amount of the particles that become at least partially embedded in the polymeric region is/are typically increased, relative to what would be achieved in the absence of the pretreatment step. Also provided are medical devices made by such methods.

Abstract: A communications device is presented for providing bi-directional audio communications between a near-end user and a far-end user via a bidirectional communications channel. The communications device includes an adaptive echo canceller receiving a near-end audio signal and a far-end audio signal and providing an echo-canceled near-end audio signal for transmission to the far-end user via the communications channel. The adaptive echo canceller includes a first bank of analysis filters for filtering the near-end audio signal, a second bank of analysis filters for filtering the far-end audio signal, and a bank of synthesis filters for filtering sub-band echo-canceled signals generated within the adaptive echo canceller. The first and second filter banks have a frequency response optimized to reduce echo residual gain.

Abstract: A portable media player is configured with a flip form factor in which a flip cover is hingedly fixed to a main body portion of the player. The flip cover rotates about the hinge between open positions that expose the display screen and user controls of the player and a closed position that covers that screen and controls to keep them clean and protected against damage when the player is being used or transported. The flip cover includes a set of secondary user controls on its exterior surface so that the user may operate the player when the flip cover is in its closed position. The hinge is configured to provide sufficient frictional torque over its angular range of motion to enable the flip cover to operate as a built-in display stand to angle the display screen for comfortable viewing. The flip cover further provides additional surface area for personalization.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided in which post-surgical adhesions at a surgical site in a patient are inhibited. The method includes topically applying a liquid composition comprising a hydrophobic species, which has a melting point above normal body temperature, to tissue at the surgical site in an amount effective to inhibit the formation of adhesions during healing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: A graphical text entry system for an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may be, for example, a portable or hand-held electronic device such as a cellular telephone, PDA, or the like. The system includes a graphical text entry screen and a graphical text entry ring displayed on the graphical text entry screen. A plurality of characters such as letters or numbers is positioned on the graphical text entry ring. The system also includes a touch sensor ring located on the graphical text entry screen for selecting individual characters from among the plurality of characters located on the text entry ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for the contactless determination of conductivity-influencing properties and their spatial distribution over the entire cross section of an electrically conductive substance moving in a primary magnetic field (B). The substance may be a liquid or a solid. A simultaneous measurement of a number of mechanical state parameters of the magnetic system is performed (three-dimensional components of the force and the torque), said parameters being variable by the effect of a secondary field on the magnetic system, the secondary field being produced on the basis of eddy currents induced in the substance by the primary field (B). To determine the spatial distribution of the property that is sought, the primary field is changed in intensity or form a number of times and a measurement of the state parameters is carried out for each change.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing spherical activated carbon, wherein polymer globules, which comprise thermally decomposing chemical groups, are carbonized. It is characterized by that during the carbonization, a supplier of free radicals is added to the polymer globules, the supplier of free radicals forming free radicals, which are different from the free radicals that are generated by the decomposition of the chemical groups.

Abstract: Endoluminally delivered tissue patches and related systems and methods for delivering the tissue patches for treating lesions of the alimentary tract are disclosed. A tissue patch includes a substrate, a tissue implant attached to the substrate, and a protective liner covering at least a portion of the tissue implant. A method includes providing a tissue patch having a tissue implant attached to a substrate and a protective liner covering at least a portion of the tissue implant. The tissue patch is formed into a contracted state and inserted into a lumen containing the lesion. The tissue patch then is positioned in the vicinity of the lesion. After removing the protective liner to reveal the tissue implant, the tissue implant is placed in the lesion.

Abstract: An arrangement for managing cables of accessories such as earphone sets, chargers, and synchronization arrangements used with portable electronic devices is provided by a flexible and elastically deformable loop that extends from a base that optionally includes a hook or other loop retention feature. The base may be alternatively configured to be integrally formed with a component of an accessory, or be configured as a discrete clip that may be detachably coupled to the component, or to the cable portion of the accessory. The elastically deformable loop is configured to be removably fastenable by a user to articles such as buttons on clothing to help keep cables out of the way when the accessory is in use. In addition, the elastically deformable loop may be used to keep an accessory cable neatly stowed during storage by being stretched around a bundled cable and then secured on the hook.

Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a first subassembly comprising a heat sink and a first patterned polymer layer disposed on a surface of the heat sink to define an exposed portion of the first surface. The exposed portion of the first surface extends radially inward along the heat sink surface from the first layer. The subassembly also includes a second patterned polymer layer disposed on a radially outer portion of the first patterned polymer layer. The first and second layers define a cell for accommodating a power semiconductor die. Solder material is disposed on the exposed portion of the heat sink surface and in the cell. A power semiconductor die is located within the cell on a radially inward portion of the first layer and thermally coupled to the heat sink by the solder material.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a substrate and a coating over the substrate that comprises at least one type of conductive polymer and at least one type of additional polymer.