Abstract: A mechanical and thermal assembly adapted to absorb heat from a delicate, heat-producing structure having a planar surface includes a slide plate in thermal contact to said planar surface, and being held in place by a resilient system that permits, but gently resists, movement perpendicular to said planar surface and a thermal mass, suspended over said slide plate, but in thermal contact to said slide plate, so that said delicate, heat-producing structure is not damaged due to force applied from said thermal mass through said slide plate to said structure.

Abstract: A product dispenser assembly including a product dispenser, a mounting member, and a connector. The connector includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a receiving member configured and arranged to operatively connect the product dispenser thereto. The second portion includes a connecting member configured and arranged to operatively connect the mounting member thereto. The first and second portions are rotatably operatively connected to position the receiving member and the connecting member in different positions relative to one another.

Abstract: An audio broadcast processing method includes a plurality of steps. One step involves processing an audio broadcast having at least one occurrence of signal degradation that adversely affects audio quality of a corresponding segment of the audio performance. Another step involves modifying the segment of the audio performance with a plurality of differing signal degradation compensation factors to selectively compensate for the at least one occurrence of signal degradation to produce a plurality of compensated audio performances. Another step involves evaluating the compensated audio performances. Still another step involves determining at least one preferred signal degradation compensation factor based on data from the evaluating of the compensated audio performances. Yet another step includes configuring an audio device with the at least one preferred processing factor.

Abstract: A database system providing methodology for execution of functions in queries requesting data from markup language documents is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method is described for executing a function in a query requesting data from a markup language document stored in a database, the markup language document organized hierarchically into nodes, the method comprises steps of: receiving the query requesting data from the markup language document, the query including a function to be executed during execution of the query; determining nodes of the markup language document satisfying the query; deriving values of the nodes of the markup language document; and executing the function with the derived values and the nodes of the markup language document.

Abstract: A memory device includes an address protection system that facilitates the ability of the memory device to interface with a plurality of processors operating in a parallel processing manner. The protection system is used to prevent at least some of a plurality of processors in a system from accessing addresses designated by one of the processors as a protected memory address. Until the processor releases the protection, only the designating processor can access the memory device at the protected address. If the memory device contains a cache memory, the protection system can alternatively or additionally be used to protect cache memory addresses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to nonvolatile memory devices, such as a ReRAM cells, and methods for manufacturing such memory devices, which includes optimized, atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming metal oxide film stacks. The metal oxide film stacks contain a metal oxide coupling layer disposed on a metal oxide host layer, each layer having different grain structures/sizes. The interface disposed between the metal oxide layers facilitates oxygen vacancy movement. In many examples, the interface is a misaligned grain interface containing numerous grain boundaries extending parallel to the electrode interfaces, in contrast to the grains in the bulk film extending perpendicular to the electrode interfaces. As a result, oxygen vacancies are trapped and released during switching without significant loss of vacancies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes connecting on a call with a caller and determining if social network information associated with the caller is available. If it is determined that social network information associated with the caller is available, the social network information is obtained and utilized to identify at least a first agent suitable for participating on the call with the caller. The first agent is associated with a call center. The method also includes providing the caller with information that identifies the first agent as being suitable for participating on the call with the caller.

Abstract: A storage device contains a smart-card device and a memory device, both connected to a controller. The storage device may be used in the same manner as a conventional smart-card device, or it may be used to store a relatively large amount of data in various partitions. One of these partitions may be a read-only partition that is normally accessible only for read accesses. However, it may sometimes be necessary to update or supplement the data stored in the read-only partition. This is accomplished by a host issuing an appropriate command to the storage device, which may be accompanied by an identifier for an appropriate level of authorization. The controller then changes the attribute of the read-only partition from “read-only” to “read/write” to allow data to be written to the partition. Upon completion, the controller changes the attribute of the partition back to read-only.

Abstract: Light emitting LEDs devices comprised of LED chips that emit light at a first wavelength, and a thin film layer over the LED chip that changes the color of the emitted light. For example, a blue LED chip can be used to produce white light. The thin film layer beneficially consists of a florescent material, such as a phosphor, and/or includes tin. The thin film layer is beneficially deposited using chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.

Abstract: The charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a position deflection control circuit. First digital data that is to be used for circuit diagnosis is transmitted from the position deflection control circuit to the DAC amplifier unit at the same rate as a rate of writing on a product reticle and stored in a first maintenance memory. Second digital data is output from a digital section included in the DAC amplifier unit in response to the first digital data and stored in a second maintenance memory. A maintenance clock generator generates a clock signal and reads the first digital data stored in the first maintenance memory and the second digital data stored in the second maintenance memory. The first digital data thus read is compared with the second digital data thus read for each bit to diagnose the digital section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting the connection of a FireWire peer to a FireWire device. In one embodiment, a device may determine whether a peer connection is present based on peer detection circuit configured in each FireWire port of a FireWire device. When no peer is connected to a device, a peer connection in the circuit may be open, and a current path through the circuit may provide a low detect signal, indicating that no peer is connected. When a peer is connected to a detecting device, the current may pass through a resistance in the detected peer to provide a high detect signal, indicating that a peer is connected. In some embodiments, once a peer is detected, the FireWire system of the detecting device may be powered on, and the peer detection circuit may be powered off.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a modular, adaptive power management system for use in a hard disk drive system is disclosed. This modular, adaptive power management system includes a hard disk drive controller, a read channel module, a host interface controller and a power manager system. The hard disk controller includes a processor executing firmware, and the host interface controller provides for host access via a host interface. The host interface may be, for example, an ATA interface, a SATA interface, and/or other emerging serial interfaces such as MMC, CE-ATA or SDIO. The power manager system includes a power island register and an oscillation control register. Both the power island register and the oscillation control register are each at least indirectly writable via the firmware and via the host interface.

Abstract: A tool assembly that includes a tool, which has a frame and a pair of suction cups. Each suction cup has a cup housing and a cup structure. The cup housing is coupled to the frame. The cup structure is at least partly received in the cup housing. At least one of the cup structures is rotatable relative to the frame. A method for releasably securing a tool assembly to a wall is also provided.

Abstract: A drill guide for use with an orthopaedic drilling device includes a base and a sleeve movably coupled to the base. The base is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared surface of a patient's bone and includes cylindrical body defining a passageway therethrough and a pin coupled to the body. The sleeve includes a slot and the pin of the base is received through the slot of the sleeve.

Abstract: Embodiments of a cover ring for use in a plasma processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a cover ring for use in a plasma processing chamber includes a ring-shaped body fabricated from a yttrium (Y) containing material. The body includes a bottom surface having an inner locating ring and an outer locating ring. The inner locating ring extends further from the body than the outer locating ring. The body includes an inner diameter wall having a main wall and a secondary wall separated by a substantially horizontal land. The body also includes a top surface having an outer sloped top surface meeting an inner sloped surface at an apex. The inner sloped surface defines an angle with a line perpendicular to a centerline of the body less than about 70 degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable strapping device to strap packaged goods using a strapping band, the device comprising a tightening mechanism for applying tension to a loop of a strapping band, a frictional welding element (5) to generate a friction weld connection of two overlapping strapping-loop segments, and a rechargeable energy-storing device (10) for storing energy, in particular mechanical, elastic or potential energy that may be released as drive energy applied to a frictional welding system (5) to produce a frictional weld connection. One objective of the invention is to attain applicability, in the absence of an electric storage battery, at the highest possible efficiency, to such an above described portable strapping device. This objective is attained in that the energy storage (10) may be loaded using a manually triggered drive component and in that, when energy stored in the storage is released, the energy storage carries out a displacement devoid of any reversal of motion.

Abstract: Scalable video codecs are provided for use in videoconferencing systems and applications hosted on heterogeneous endpoints/receivers and network environments. The scalable video codecs provide a coded representation of a source video signal at multiple temporal, quality, and spatial resolutions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having an accelerometer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered.