Abstract: A process of producing an asphalt concrete with enhanced performance is provided by utilizing a primer. The primer is added to a hot aggregate with a surface temperature of at least 250 deg. F. prior to addition of an asphalt-derived base binder. The primer forms a primer interlayer between the hot aggregate and the base binder. As a result, the asphalt concrete has enhanced performance when compared with other asphalt concretes produced without a primer being added.

Abstract: Methods and structures for protecting programmable logic device (“PLD”) programming files are disclosed. In one respect, an embodiment of the present invention includes applying a particular protective setting to a PLD, the setting has a relationship to proper programming of the PLD. A configuration program generates programming data including a non-pre-processed and a pre-processed portion. The pre-processed data reflects the results of processing that is carried out off-device (e.g. by the configuration program on a user computer), but is consistent with the logic of certain on-device processing circuitry. The pre-processing also takes into account information regarding the particular applied setting. The non-pre-processed portion of the programming data is further processed by the certain on-device processing circuitry. The output of the on-device processing circuitry is combined with the pre-processed portion of the programming data in a bit stream for programming the PLD.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a trench MOS-gated transistor includes a first region of a first conductivity type forming a pn junction with a well region of a second conductivity type. The well region has a flat bottom portion and a portion extending deeper than the flat bottom portion. A gate trench extends into the well region. Channel regions extend in the well region along outer sidewalls of the gate trench. The gate trench has a first bottom portion which terminates within the first region, and a second bottom portion which terminates within the deeper portion of the well region such that when the transistor is in an on state the deeper portion of the well region prevents a current from flowing through those channel region portions located directly above the deeper portion of the well region.

Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus applicable to super thin-sizing thereof, and further a sliding drive mechanism for an optical pickup, having a tilt adjustment mechanism, being suitable to such the optical disk apparatus, the sliding drive mechanism for an optical pickup slides the optical pickup 330 in the radial direction of an optical disk, wherein the optical pickup is attached to be movable on a pair of main and counter sliding shafts 331 and 332, being disposed in parallel with, and in neighboring to the main sliding shaft is disposed a lead screw 336, which is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 337, in parallel, while being engaged with a rack 335 formed in a part of the optical pickup.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for creating an electronic greeting card enclosing an electronic gift is disclosed. In one step, the electronic greeting card selection is received from a sender along with a selection of at least one of a type of electronic gift, an amount for the electronic gift, and an identifier for a receiver of the electronic gift. Payment for the electronic gift is received from a money handler chosen by the sender. A code indicative of the electronic gift is received, whereby the code facilitates redemption of the electronic gift. The code is embedded in the electronic greeting card.

Abstract: A system (and methods) for transferring multimedia information from a source location to a destination location through one or more networks, which may be different. The system has a source output which provides a first stream of information in a first format. The system also has a destination input which receives a second stream of information in a second format. A proxy transcoder server (“PTS”) is coupled between the source output and the destination input. The PTS has a transcoding module transcoding data. The PTS also has a capability module identifying a first capability of the source output and a second capability of the destination input, and selecting a transcoding process based upon the first capability and the second capability.

Abstract: A DMOS device having a trench bus structure thereof is introduced. The trench bus structure comprises a field oxide layer formed on a P substrate, and a trench extending from an top surface of the field oxide layer down to a lower portion of the P substrate. A gate oxide layer and a polysilicon bus are formed to fill the trench as a main portion of the bus structure. In addition, an isolation layer and a metal line are formed atop the polysilicon bus and the field oxide layer. An opening is formed in the isolation layer to form connections between the polysilicon bus and the metal line. In specific embodiments, the bus trench and the gate trenches of the DMOS device are formed simultaneously, and the polysilicon bus and the gate electrode are formed simultaneously as well. Therefore, the bus structure is able to form the DMOS transistor without demanding any lithographic step for defining the position of the polysilicon bus.

Abstract: A compositor for providing a pixel value corresponding to a current pixel is implemented on a chip. A desktop pixel logic circuit supplies a desktop pixel value. A cursor logic circuit supplies a cursor pixel value. A hardware icon logic circuit provides an icon pixel value by accessing an icon memory located on the compositor chip. The hardware icon logic circuit supports selectable magnification and color modes. Priority logic selects one of the icon pixel value, the desktop pixel value, and the cursor pixel value as the final pixel value. Whether the hardware icon is displayed can be controlled based on a hardware condition.

Abstract: A method for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids such as DNA, RNA, and PNA from various sources using cellulose particles or cellulose paper. Adjusting the concentrations of the salt and polyalkylene glycol to the levels that result in binding of nucleic acids to the cellulose particles or cellulose paper. Separating the nucleic acids bound to the cellulose particles or paper and eluting the nucleic acids from the particles or paper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for immunization against a viral infection caused by a virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV), a novel, atypical and unusually virulent form of a calicivirus that results in a highly contagious and fatal hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The present invention further encompasses methods of immunizing cats against particular strains of VS-FCV.

Abstract: In an information system, caller identification information for incoming telephone calls can be selectively displayed on displays at any of the set top box, television, remote or keyboard. Further, microphones and speakers on each of the remote control and keyboard can be used for communication on a telephone call, at the user's option, in place of a microphone on the main unit and a television speaker.

Abstract: To reduce the burden of labor relating to setting and changing management items in an environment where a plurality of management tools are used. In one specific embodiment, management tools 1332 control management targets 1331 on the basis of retained management definition information (management items) 1333. A user I/F unit 1131 displays operations management information 36 and selects an editing class and management items of the management tools 1332 by an instruction of a user, and an editing instruction unit 1134 sends the editing class and the management items to an editing execution unit 1334 and conducts editing of the management items. A status monitoring unit 1335 monitors status, a change detection unit 1135 detects a status change and notifies the editing instruction unit 1134, and the editing instruction unit 1134 receives this notification and instructs editing processing with respect to management items relating to the management targets 1331.

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 crossover nozzle system for transferring molten plastic from an inlet at the center of the stationary platen of an injection machine to the main manifold of the molding chambers of the stack molds of the injection molding machine. The nozzle system has a sprue bar, a sprue bar extension adjustably connected with the sprue bar, the sprue bar extension having a transfer chamber. The nozzle system also has symmetrically placed inlet apertures located in the sprue bar, the apertures are configured to be in fluid communication centrally with the transfer chamber in the sprue bar extension, and a shut-off surface configured to seal the transfer chamber from the inlet apertures.

Abstract: A management system manages data collected at a selected frequency and data collected at a lower frequency. If the lower frequency data is abnormal, it is deleted. Deletion of the data collected at the specified frequency is dependent upon the deletion of the data collected less frequently.

Abstract: Tile buffers in a graphics processing system are managed using “copy-on-write” semantics, in which tile data stored in a memory location is not transferred to another location until the tile data for one of the buffers is modified, thereby providing copy on flip behavior to support incremental updating of the data. Tile data for a new frame is written to one of the two memory spaces by reference to a first logical buffer that associates each tile with one of the memory spaces. Concurrently, tile data for a current frame is read from the two memory spaces by reference to a second logical buffer that also associates each tile with one of the memory spaces. In response to a frame flip signal, the tile associations of the second logical buffer are modified to match those of the first logical buffer. Subsequent tile data updates are written to the memory spaces by reference to the second logical buffer after modifying one of the first and second tile associations such that they no longer match.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precise positioning of an object using linear actuators based on linear stepper motors operating in microstepping or full step mode, a control algorithm based on compensation table, and a calibration apparatus for obtaining the compensation table.

Abstract: A heat sink module for light and thin electronic equipment, where the module includes a concave top cover, and a bottom cover having on its top surface several equidistantly spaced heat conducting fins of a certain height separated by gaps. Copper powder may cover the concave side of the top cover, and in the gaps between the fins on the top surface of the bottom to form a heat conductor. The top cover and the bottom cover are fit and brazed together to form a unit, where the gaps between the fins form a plurality of connected heat-circulating chambers that are evacuated of air and completely filled with a working fluid. Also, a method of making a heat sink module for light and thin electronic equipment is described.

Abstract: In a transmission apparatus, still picture outputting control information is multiplexed to a transmission signal and in a receiving apparatus, still picture is extracted from moving picture. Still picture data to be outputted can be processed and the charge can be set for each kind of processing. A broadcasting system and a receiver can output the still picture data of which the copyright is protected in accordance with use.

Abstract: Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, with the proximal end of the optical fiber being proximate a light source, and the distal end having a first angled surface. A refractive lens element is positioned proximate the distal end of the optical fiber. The lens element and the fiber end are both configured to separately rotate about the axis so as to image a conical scan volume when light is provided by the source. Reflected light from a sample under investigation is collected by the fiber and analyzed by an imaging system. Such probes may be very compact, e.g., having a diameter 1 mm or less, and are advantageous for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.