Abstract: A computer-implemented method separates gingiva from a model of a tooth by defining a cutting surface along the gingiva; and applying the cutting surface to the tooth to separate the gingiva from the tooth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for scanning an illumination spot over a target area. The present invention removes stored energy from a scanning element to stop the scanning element from vibrating and to substantially return the scanning element to its starting position so as to enable high frame rates.

Abstract: Techniques for managing instant message (IM) communications are provided. Instant message communications of a plurality of network implementations is managed using an instant message module that uses one or more policies. A policy in the one or more policies includes an action applicable for an IM communication. The techniques comprise receiving an instant message communication at the instant message module. The IM communication may be in a network implementation of one of the plurality of network implementations. Then, a policy is determined from the one or more policies that is applicable for the instant message communication. An action associated with the policy for the instant message communication is then performed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing data from a database using an analytic database function includes receiving a selection of measured items from a user, receiving a placement item from the user, and determining a partitioning of the selection of measured items from the placement item. A placement item can be a column, a row, or an axis. A template associated with the analytic database function is adapted to define at least one partitioning relative to the placement item. The template is further adapted to define an ordering parameter for the analytic database function and optionally an aggregation level for the analytic database function. A database query is created with the partitioning. The database query can be an SQL statement.

Abstract: A method for determining the compensation due an affiliate from a merchant for traffic to a merchant Web site that originates from an affiliate Web site. The method may include steps of defining a plurality of compensation plans, exposing one or more of the plurality of compensation plans to the affiliate, the selected compensation plan(s) exposed to the affiliate being tailored to the affiliate and/or a product or service offered by the merchant; accepting a selection of compensation plans by the affiliate, and measuring traffic to the merchant Web site that originates from the affiliate Web site and applying the measured traffic to the compensation plan(s) selected by the affiliate to determine the compensation due to the affiliate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.

Abstract: A system for authenticating items includes: a processing unit for generating indicia for imprints to be applied to items and authenticating imprints applied to items, each indicium including a cryptographically encoded component; at least one item printing station for printing imprints on items as generated by the processing unit; and at least one item presentation station to which items are presented in authenticating the same. The item presentation station is configured to transmit data relating to the indicium on an item presented thereto to the processing unit, and to receive an authentication message in dependence upon whether the indicium is determined to be valid or invalid.

Abstract: A method of controlling wafer critical dimension (CD) uniformity on a track lithography tool includes obtaining a CD map for a wafer. The CD map includes a plurality of CD data points correlated with a multi-zone heater geometry map. The multi-zone heater includes a plurality of heater zones. The method also includes determining a CD value for a first heater zone of the plurality of heater zones based on one or more of the CD data points and computing a difference between the determined CD value for the first heater zone and a target CD value for the first heater zone. The method further includes determining a temperature variation for the first heater zone based, in part, on the computed difference and a temperature sensitivity of a photoresist deposited on the wafer and modifying a temperature of the first heater zone based, in part, on the temperature variation.

Abstract: Radar beams are generated with radars disposed at different positions within an environment that attenuates at least a portion of one of the radar beams. A measured reflectivity of the environment is determined along a path of each of the radar beams. An intrinsic reflectivity is determined from different volume elements within the environment from the measured reflectivity.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods measure, diagnose, and/or treat one or both eyes of a patient. Adaptive optics systems (such as those having a deformable mirror) may be configured to an aspherical or multi-spherical presbyopia-mitigating prescriptive shape to allow objective and/or subjective measurements of a candidate prescription. A plurality of viewing distances allow subjective and/or objective evaluations of performance using a light spot or a test viewing image. Measurements of aberrations at selected viewing conditions (including distances and/or brightness) with correlating pupil sizes may also be provided. Wavefront measurement systems and methods may help position and isolate the eye from ambient light.

Abstract: A reflective spatial light modulator device features two pairs of electrodes formed on different metallization layers. Elevation of the upper electrode pair reduces its distance from the overlying reflecting surface, thereby requiring a smaller applied voltage to generate an equivalent electrostatic attractive force for altering or maintaining physical orientation of the reflecting surface relative to incident light. In one embodiment, the reduced distance between the electrode and reflecting surface allows operation at lower voltages, reducing the possibility of breakdown and avoiding the need for complex device designs to eliminate such breakdown. In another embodiment, the reduced distance between the electrode and the reflecting surface allows the use of stiffer hinges for the reflecting surface, thereby increasing the speed of device operation. Other embodiments can employ both reduced voltage operation and the use of stiffer hinge structures.

Abstract: A low cost fare collection system includes a removable farebox having an integral collection box. The farebox can be installed in a temporary installation at a fare collection location for the collection of fares and can be removed to a secure location for emptying and reconciliation. The farebox can include an integral collection box for receiving fares deposited in the farebox. The farebox can be configured such that the collected fares can be emptied only when the farebox is removed from the temporary installation to reduce tampering and theft. A fare validator can be used to verify the amount and value of a fare deposited in the farebox to eliminate human validation of fares. Electronic monitors can collect data relating to fares deposited, total revenue collected, time of fare collection, and other data items that can be retrieved when the farebox is removed and emptied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for frame classification and rate determination in voice transcoders. The apparatus includes a classifier input parameter preparation module that unpacks the bitstream from the source codec and selects the codec parameters to be used for classification, parameter buffers that store previous input and output parameters of previous frames, and a frame classification and rate decision module that uses the source codec parameters from the current frame and zero or more frames to determine the frame class, rate, and classification feature parameters for the destination codec. The classifier input parameter preparation module separates the bitstream code and unquantizes the sub-codes into the codec parameters. The frame classification and rate decision module comprises M sub-classifiers and a final decision module.

Abstract: A document storage and distribution system includes distributing documents in accordance with a distribution list. Each copy of the distributed document is identified with an identifier that includes the information indicative of the computer system in which it was created. Modifications to the document can be uploaded to the system from any computer system to which the document had been distributed. The modified documents are then re-distributed from the computer system in which it was originally created.

Abstract: Network flows are identified by analyzing network traffic and network host information. The network host information may be collected by network host monitors associated with network hosts. Network traffic and network host information are evaluated against network flow profiles to identify network flows. If a network flows are identified with high certainty and are associated with previously identified network applications, then network flow policies can be applied to the network flows to block, throttle, accelerate, enhance, or transform the network flows. If a network flow is identified with lesser certainty or is not associated with a previously identified network application, then a new network flow profile can be created from further analysis of network traffic information, network host information, and possibly additional network host information collected to enhance the analysis.

Abstract: Dynamic knee balancing devices, systems and methods provide for enhanced total knee arthroplasty (“TKA”) procedures. Devices generally include a stationary femoral member for removably attaching to a distal femur and an adjustable femoral member coupled with the stationary member for adjusting ligament tension of the knee. The adjustable femoral member includes at least one positioning feature for providing positional and/or orientation information for facilitating the TKA procedure. Additionally, the adjustable femoral member is movably couplable with a tibial member engaged with the proximal tibia to allow movement of the knee through a range of motion without removing the device from the joint space. When the adjustable femoral member is adjusted, the positional feature(s) move relative to the distal femur to provide positional information.

Abstract: A method for rendering an object includes determining illumination values for surface points on the object, associating a grid including vertices and voxels with the object, determining illumination values associated with vertices from illumination values for surface points on the object, performing one or more low pass filters on the illumination values associated with the vertices to form compensation values associated with the vertices, and determining compensated illumination values for the surface points by combining the illumination values for the surface points and the compensation values associated with the vertices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking a position and torsional orientation of a patient's eye. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and software for registering a first image of an eye with a second image of an eye. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods and software for tracking a torsional movement of the eye. In a particular usage, the present invention tracks the torsional cyclorotation and translational movement of a patient's eye so as to improve the delivery of a laser energy to the patient's cornea.

Abstract: A slit lamp for illuminating an eye comprises several LEDs electrically coupled to an LED driver. A user input accepts input for a length, a width and an intensity of a shaped beam of light. An LED driver selectively drives a set of LEDs of an LED array to form a shaped light beam having a desired size across a beam cross-section. In some embodiments, several optical fibers at a first end of a fiber optic manifold are optically coupled to LEDs of an LED array, and an optic is placed near a second end of a fiber optic manifold. Several ends of optical fibers of the fiber optic manifold are optically coupled to the set of selectively driven LEDs, and are arranged so as to form the shaped light beam having a desired size across the beam cross-section.