Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates automatic adjustment of logical channels in a Fibre Channel (FC) network. During operation, the system receives FC data frames. A respective data frame is associated with a logical channel. The bandwidth on an FC link can be allocated into a plurality of logical channels, and a respective logical channel is associated with a dedicated buffer and can transport a plurality of data flows with data frames of variable length. The system then identifies a slow data flow in a first logical channel. Next, the system assigns the slow data flow to a second logical channel, thereby preventing the slow data flow from slowing down other data flows in the first logical channel. The system subsequently forwards the data frames in the slow data flow on the second logical channel onto an outgoing link.

Abstract: A catheter having shaft segments which are joined together by a strong bond providing a low profile shaft section with a flexibility transition and/or a compositional transition. A balloon catheter embodying features of the invention has a distal tip member and a coupling band member surrounding a junction of an inner tubular member of the shaft, and has a gradual change in bending stiffness along a distal end section of the shaft which extends distally from a location within the balloon interior. Another catheter embodying features of the invention has shaft segments joined together by a diagonal seam.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for associating a storage system component, e.g. a server, client, machine, sub-client, or other storage system component, with one or more other storage system components into a group. Storage preferences are defined for the group which is automatically associated with each component in the group. The storage preferences define how storage operations are to be performed on the storage system components.

Abstract: A vortex pump impeller utilizes primary blades in combination with splitter blades. An increase in total head is observed through exemplary impellers in a vortex pump, compared to an impeller lacking the splitter blades. Single stage and dual stage pumps utilizing the exemplary impellers are also disclosed. Exemplary pumps may also contain a grinder assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using routing protocol extensions to improve spoke to spoke communication in a computer network are disclosed. Embodiments provide systems and methods to establish a tunnel between a first spoke and a hub, exchange routing information between the first spoke and the hub using a routing protocol, extend the routing protocol and an associated database to include next hop mapping information, and establish a tunnel between the first spoke and a second spoke according to information in the database.

Abstract: The invention discloses a dummy battery apparatus (30), configured for supplying power to a portable electronic device (10). The portable electronic device (10) has a circuit board (13), which sets at least one testing port (130). The dummy battery apparatus (30) defines at least one gap thereon, and the defining place of the gap is corresponding to the location of the testing port (130) of the circuit board (13).

Abstract: A key module (10) includes a light guiding board (14), a flexible key board (12) disposed on the light guiding board, and a plurality of metallic elastic sheets (164). Each of the metallic elastic sheets is disposed on the light guiding board and located opposite to the flexible key board. The light guiding board deforms when the flexible key board is pressed thereby causing the metallic elastic sheet corresponding to a location of the flexible key board being pressed to be deformed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a demodulator demodulates a multi-carrier modulated signal having two pilot tones. The demodulator calculates a first phase angle for the first pilot tone and a second phase angle for the second pilot tone based on the time-domain multi-carrier modulated signal. A timing-frequency offset estimate is calculated using the first and second phase angles. Further, a fine carrier-frequency offset estimate is calculated for each pilot tone based on the corresponding phase angle and the timing-frequency offset estimate. Each fine carrier-frequency offset estimate is combined with a coarse estimate and weighted. The weighted estimates are then combined. In further embodiments, the timing-frequency offset estimate is weighted and combined with a weighted timing-frequency offset estimate generated using a cyclic prefix. In yet further embodiments, the weighted carrier-frequency offset estimates are combined with a weighted carrier-frequency offset estimate generated using a cyclic prefix.

Abstract: A method for making a device includes providing a tubular member which will be formed into the device, masking at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member with a removable sacrificial material, selectively removing a portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material using a laser device, and mechanically removing the sacrificial material from the inner surface of the tubular member. Ultrasonic energy could be applied to a workpiece which is being laser cut to prevent any generated slag from welding itself to an exposed surface of the workpiece. A compressed fluid or gas, such as air, could be used to clean the surface of the laser-cut workpiece to remove slag formation which adheres to the surface of the cut workpiece.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a handheld device (1) by validating fingerprints includes: storing original fingerprint characteristic values of corresponding user accounts in a memory (12) of the handheld device; controlling a fingerprint scanning device (11) in the handheld device to scan a login fingerprint of a user accessing one of the user accounts, and obtaining a login fingerprint image correspondingly; processing the login fingerprint image, and obtaining a negative image of the login fingerprint image; detecting login fingerprint characteristic points in the negative image of the login fingerprint image, and computing login fingerprint characteristic values according to the login fingerprint characteristic points; determining whether the login fingerprint characteristic values match original fingerprint characteristic values of one of the user accounts in the memory; and granting access to the user account if the login fingerprint characteristic values match the original fingerprint characteristi

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating deployment and configuration of managed access points in hierarchical wireless network systems. An embodiment of the invention facilitates deployment and configuration of conventional, substantially autonomous access points operating in connection with a central management node, such as a server or appliance. In another embodiment, the present invention facilitates deployment and configuration of light-weight access points in a hierarchical wireless network system. In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a streamlined encryption key exchange protocol adapted to hierarchical wireless network system architectures.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package having a multi-segment transmission line transformer for impedance matching a packaged integrated circuit, such as a driver or receiver, to a printed circuit board (PCB) transmission line to which the packaged chip is attached by, for example, solder balls. In one exemplary embodiment, a three-segment transmission line transformer provides improved broadband performance with the advantage of having a middle segment with a flexible length for easier routing. The length of each end segment of the three-segment transformer is adjusted to provide at least partial cancellation of reflections between the PCB and the transformer, and between the transformer and a circuit on the integrated circuit, respectively. Further, the inductive reactance of the solder balls and via wiring may be cancelled out by the transformed chip impedance to provide a non-inductive termination to the PCB transmission line at approximately one-half the highest data rate of the channel.

Abstract: A replacement joint for a human body and a method of installing such a replacement joint is provided. A ball portion of the replacement joint is installed on an end of a first bone. A receptacle having an engagement surface that has an aspherical configuration is formed in a second bone. A socket portion of the replacement joint is inserted in the receptacle so as to receive the ball portion on the first bone. The socket portion has an engagement surface with an aspherical configuration complementary to the engagement surface of the receptacle in the second bone. The configurations of the engagement surfaces of the socket portion and the receptacle in the second bone are such that inserting the socket portion in the receptacle in the second bone provides the socket portion with at least four degrees of constraint.

Abstract: A portable antenna system includes an antenna that is substantially defined by one or more portions that include electrically conductive self-similar extensions. The system also includes an article of clothing in which the antenna is attached to a surface of the article of clothing such that electrically conductive self-similar extensions extend across the surface of the article of clothing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle recorder system that is configured with a video camera, a light weight memory system, and a radio communications facility suitable for use in conjunction with an moving vehicle. An automobile equipped with such video recorder system that is used throughout a day of service provides a video record of unusual events which may occur from time-to-time. For example, events such as accidents, near-misses, and excessive speed, among others, trigger a system to preserve video images collected before and after the moment of the event. Replaying these images provides information regarding the cause and true nature of the event. These systems are particularly suitable for vehicle fleets, or other groups of vehicles that can communicate with a common system.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting HPV in a sample. This invention also provides related kits, systems, and computers.

Abstract: Fault detection apparatuses and methods for detecting a processing or hardware performance fault of a semiconductor production tool have been provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting a fault of a semiconductor production tool comprises sensing a signal associated with a test component of the production tool during operation of the production tool and converting the signal to an electronic test signal. A prerecorded signature signal corresponding to the test component is provided and the test signal and the prerecorded signature signal are compared.

Abstract: A keypad assembly (100) includes a first soft layer (10), a stiff layer (20) mounted to the first soft layer, an optical layer (40) located under the stiff layer, and a second soft layer (50) mounted to the optical layer. The first soft layer has at least one protrusion (112) formed thereon. The stiff layer has at least one icon (222) formed thereon. The at least one icon corresponds to the at least one protrusion. The optical layer has at least one focusing unit (42) formed thereon. The at least one focusing unit corresponds to the at least one icon. The second soft layer has at least one switch point (522). The at least one switch point corresponds to the at least one protrusion.

Abstract: Methods (74, 76, 78) utilizing a network (20) of computing systems (22) facilitate execution of a transaction (114) between a consumer (38) and a provider (32). Preference data (108) defined by the consumer (38) is stored (76) in a database (82). When a request for the transaction (114) is detected (216) at a transaction site (46), a consumer identifier (104) for the consumer (38) is utilized at the transaction site (46) to retrieve (220) the preference data (108) from the database (82). The preference data (108) identifies one or more products (96) offered by the provider (32) and preferred by the consumer (38). The transaction is performed (232) at the transaction site (46) to provide the product (96) to the consumer (38) in response to the retrieved preference data (108).

Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having improved extension rates relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.