Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage regulator having input terminals for connection to a voltage supply, output terminals for supplying power to a circuit at a predetermined maximum supply voltage, and a voltage regulator circuit connecting the input and output terminals. The voltage regulator circuit has a first supply path connecting first input and output terminals, a second supply path connecting the other input and output terminals, and an active component arranged between the first input and output terminals. A feedback control loop connected to a control terminal of the active component is arranged to sense the voltage on the output side of the active component and, when the voltage is above the maximum supply voltage, limit the output voltage to the maximum supply voltage, and, when the voltage is below the maximum supply voltage, signal the active component to pass power from the input terminals to the output terminals.

Abstract: A reflectometer calibration technique is provided that may include the use of two calibration samples in the calibration process. Further, the technique allows for calibration even in the presence of variations between the actual and assumed properties of at least one or more of the calibration samples. In addition, the technique utilizes a ratio of the measurements from the first and second calibration samples to determine the actual properties of at least one of the calibration samples. The ratio may be a ratio of the intensity reflected from the first and second calibration samples. The samples may exhibit relatively different reflective properties at the desired wavelengths. In such a technique the reflectance data of each sample may then be considered relatively decoupled from the other and actual properties of one or more of the calibration samples may be calculated. The determined actual properties may then be utilized to assist calibration of the reflectometer.

Abstract: A technique is provided for monitoring and controlling surface contaminants on optical elements contained within the optical path (or sub-path) of an optical metrology instrument. The technique may be utilized in one embodiment in such a manner as to not require that additional components and/or instrumentation be coupled to, or integrated into, existing metrology equipment. Surface contaminants on optical elements within an optical metrology instrument are monitored so that cleaning procedures can be performed as deemed necessary. The cleaning procedures may include the use of exposing the optical elements to optical radiation. The optical metrology instrument may be an instrument which operates at wavelengths that include vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) wavelengths.

Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.

Abstract: A device, for example a ZigBee device, includes an 802.15.4 MAC layer 4 and a ZigBee networking layer 2. A switch layer 10 is provided, having an interface 12 imitating a MAC layer interface and a database 18. The switch layer 10 is able to parse commands from the ZigBee networking layer 2 and route them if appropriate to an alternative lower layer 14.

Abstract: A retention device for computer expansion cards, a system including the device, a method of manufacture of the device, and a method of using the device, where the retention device includes a retention clip configured to engage the bracket of the expansion card to reduce flex and rotation of an expansion card when the expansion card and the retention device are installed in an expansion card bay of a computer system, and wherein the retention clip is configured to contact the proximal end of the expansion card.

Abstract: A modem to modem communication system supports call waiting services by exchanging hold request and acknowledge signals before relinquishing the line servicing incoming calls. Thereafter, the modem to modem session is reestablished without having to redial. The hold request may be denied or accepted, and may define the duration a modem will hold before hanging up. The holding modem maintains the session by fooling the higher protocol layers, making them believe that the modem is not on hold. Three-way calling services are also used to free up the shared line for outgoing calls while maintaining the session with holding modems. A table may be employed to screen incoming calls through a comparison of the caller ID information with that in the table. The table may be within the modem or the host computer.

Abstract: A method and circuit are shown for decoding a Manchester encoded data input signal, wherein preamble found, data input, and recovered clock signals are received and a phase of the data input signal stored responsive thereto. A decision time signal alternates state responsive to the recovered clock signal. A switch pulse signal asserts when the decision time signal is active and the stored phase and current phase of the data signal have the same logic value, which is stored and cleared responsive to the recovered clock signal. A data output is decoded from a decision pair of phases responsive to the recovered clock, preamble found and decision time signals. The stored and current phases of the data input signal are selected to be the decision pair when neither the switch pulse signal or stored switch pulse signal are asserted and, otherwise, the stored phase and inverted stored phase are selected.

Abstract: A technique is provided for generating and subsequently monitoring the controlled environment(s) within an optical metrology instrument in such a manner as to minimize absorbing species within the light path of the metrology instrument and to minimize the build-up of contaminants on the surfaces of optical elements that may result in performance degradation. Both evacuation and backfill techniques may be utilized together along with a monitoring technique to determine if the environmental is suitable for measurements or if the environment should be regenerated. The optical metrology instrument may be an instrument which operates at wavelengths that include vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and associated system are disclosed for verifying charging failures for smart batteries by measuring input charging voltage and associated systems. In one embodiment, a determination is made whether or not a charging current is indicative of a battery failure by utilizing an analog-to-digital (A/D) port to measure the input charging voltage. As long as the measured input charging voltage is below the cell pack voltage or some set voltage value, whichever is higher, the BMU considers a charging current detection to be a false failure indication. If the measured charging voltage is above the cell pack voltage or a set voltage value, whichever is lower, the BMU considers the charging current detection to be a positive failure indication. The BMU can then disable the battery or implement other verification steps before disabling the battery, as desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mounting components of an information handling system such as a desktop computer or other desktop information handling system. The supported components may be motorized or other vibration-producing components that are supported and mounted directly or indirectly to a mounting structure of an information handling system using an isolation apparatus that is configured on a first end with one or more insertable snap-fit retaining features configured to retainably engage one or more internal retaining features of the mounting structure in order to fixedly couple the isolation apparatus to the mounting structure, and that is configured on an opposing second end with one or more insertable pins that may in turn be employed to couple the isolation apparatus to the vibration-producing component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling battery cell charge current based on the ambient temperature conditions to which battery cell/s of a battery are exposed, for example, to control battery cell charging current for battery systems that may be exposed to environments where ambient temperature conditions are not controllable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling concurrent behavior in a sequential programming environment using sequential-execution languages to describe and model multiple different processes which are running simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing RF spectrum use by two or more network computing wireless communication technologies operating in the same wireless communication environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for multi-processor initialization in an information handling system with two or more application processors (APs). One of the APs is configured to be a boot strap processor (BSP) that communicates with the other APs to initialize them prior to initialization of main memory. A basic input output system (BIOS) can be coupled to the APs and can be configured to hold BSP code and AP code used for initialization. APs are then discovered and initialized before the main memory of the system is initialized.

Abstract: A battery system may be provided with a battery charge current path that is different from the battery discharge current path of the battery system, for example, by providing no controlled charge circuitry (e.g., providing no C-FETs) in the discharge current path of the battery system to avoid the power loss experienced across the C-FETs of a conventional battery system during battery system discharging operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing wireless communication between information handling system/s and one or more peripherals or other external devices, and that may be implemented in one embodiment to provide a virtual wireless docking environment for a portable information handling system and associated wired and wireless attached devices and peripherals.

Abstract: Field expandable battery pack systems and related methods are disclosed that allow for increased battery life while reducing cost and still meeting shipping regulations. In part, the expanded battery system includes a primary battery having a battery management unit (BMU) and additional expansion batteries that couple to the primary battery and are managed together by the shared-BMU within the primary battery. Each battery has its own protection circuitry, and the batteries can be lithium-ion batteries. As such, multiple batteries can be shipped together and then combined by a user to achieve a desired level of battery capacity that is managed as a single battery through the use of the shared-BMU.

Abstract: A modem to modem communication system supports call waiting services by exchanging hold request and acknowledge signals before relinquishing the line servicing incoming calls. Thereafter, the modem to modem session is reestablished without having to redial. The hold request may be denied or accepted, and may define the duration a modem will hold before hanging up. The holding modem maintains the session by fooling the higher protocol layers, making them believe that the modem is not on hold. Three-way calling services are also used to free up the shared line for outgoing calls while maintaining the session with holding modems. A table may be employed to screen incoming calls through a comparison of the caller ID information with that in the table. The table may be within the modem or the host computer.